Agenda item

The Chair invited Members to raise items for general discussion arising from the Information Booklet of Executive Member reports which detailed activities carried out within the respective Executive Member portfolios (Section 1), Executive decisions taken (Section 2) or to be taken where known, prior to and following the meeting (Sections 3 and 4).

 

Questions/Comments on Deputy Mayor and Lead Member for Children's Social Care report

 

Comment from Councillor Hellaoui regarding Children’s Services – Leadership and Management

 

Councillor Hellaoui stated that as Chair of the Corporate Parenting Board, she wished to draw attention to the Middlesbrough Children Matter website. The purpose of the website was to provide information which would enable members and all involved in the wellbeing of children to connect with children. The Corporate Parenting Strategy had recently been revised to ensure that the foundations of Corporate Parenting were strong and fit for purpose. The guiding principles of the strategy were co-designed with young people and other partner agencies. Blogs, interviews and videos were also available.

 

Councillor High stated that the Council was working strategically to bring about life long changes to the services that the Council provided using a cross party approach to improve the lives of children. He encouraged all Councillors to take a proactive approach. Councillor High urged members to highlight any areas of improvement or any areas that might need including in the website. Councillor High stated that he was pleased with the progress to date.

 

Question from Councillor Wright regarding Children’s Services – Performance

 

Councillor Wright referred to a recent workforce census which indicated that Social Workers handled 16.9 cases however Middlesbrough Council’s social workers were currently handling 22 cases each. Councillor Wright queried with regard to how the Council proposed to reduce Social Worker’s caseloads whilst ensuring that the Council was safeguarding vulnerable children.

 

Councillor High acknowledged that Middlesbrough had one of the highest numbers of children in care. The average number of cases was usually 15-20 but Middlesbrough Council Social Workers were currently handling just above 22. The Council could not reduce the number of children in care. The Council needed to make sure that it provided the appropriate interventions to make children safe, The Council was making progress. In July the number of children in care was around 700 but this had been reduced to just over 600.

 

The Council was ensuring that permanence was a proactive approach. The Executive Member had held discussions with the staff involved. The Council was working hard to reduce the number of children in care and would continue to do so ensuring that children in Middlesbrough remained safe.

 

Questions/Comments on Executive Member for Adult Social Care and Public Health report

 

Comment from Councillor Arundale regarding the Middlesbrough Handypersons Service

 

Councillor Arundale stated that he wished to congratulate the Handypersons Service for receiving the Handyperson Service of the Year award.

 

The Executive Member for Adult Social Care and Public Health advised that the Handypersons Service were doing an amazing job throughout the town. They had worked throughout the Covid pandemic. They had received 1230 inquiries and completed 1070 jobs. The Executive Member advised that she would pass the congratulations on to members of the Handyperson Service.

 

Question from Councillor Cooke regarding Performance - Covid-19 vaccination

 

Councillor Cooke queried with regard to how the Council could ensure that the homeless did not become victims of Covid-19 if they could not receive the vaccination.

 

The Executive Member for Adult Social Care and Public Health advised that the Council had been working hard with homeless people but some refused to take up the offer of accommodation. The Council did however suggest to homeless people that they register with a GP. GP contracts had changed to enable homeless people to register so they could receive the vaccination.

 

Questions/Comments on Executive Member for Communities and Education report

 

Comment from Councillor Thompson regarding Culture & Events

 

Councillor Thompson commented that she had received many positive comments on the reopening of Newham Grange Farm and the Christmas Trail that had taken place at the farm. Councillor Thompson also advised that she had also received positive comments on the Christmas lights throughout the town.

 

The Executive Member for Communities and Education thanked Councillor Thompson for her comments and advised that she had received excellent feedback about the farm. The farm had welcomed 6000 people on the Christmas Trail.

 

The Executive Member for Communities and Education advised that the Executive Member for Environment had worked on bringing the Christmas lights throughout the town and it was hoped that next year’s lights would be bigger and better.

 

Questions/Comments on Executive Member for Environment

 

Question/Comment from Councillor Furness regarding the Pothole Initiative

 

Councillor Furness congratulated the Executive Member for Environment on the recent pothole initiative but queried who had been leading on the initiative as it was in both the Executive Member for Environment’s report and the Deputy Mayor’s report.

 

The Executive Member for Environment advised that it was a joint initiative. Phase 2 of the initiative was underway and this involved major refurbishment of potholes.

 

Questions/Comments on Executive Member for Regeneration

 

Question/Comment from Councillor J Walker regarding Hemlington Grange/Stainton Way Crossing

 

Councillor Walker queried with regard to when the Hemlington Grange/Stainton Way crossing would be put in place.

 

The Executive Member advised that a report relating to the issue was due to be submitted to the March Executive meeting.

 

Question/Comment from Councillor D Branson regarding Tees Valley Freeport Bid

 

Councillor Branson queried with regard to whether the Council could foresee any detrimental effects on business rates as a consequence of the new Freeport on land owned by South Tees Development Corporation.

 

The Executive Member advised that the Middlesbrough port was included in the bid and there would be beneficial consequences for the town as a result of the Freeport.