Minutes:
The Mayor advised that he was feeling positive following meetings with
potential investors in the town.
The Mayor announced that the Rugby League World Cup was due to take
place at the Riverside Stadium. He urged the public to ensure that the stadium
was full. The Mayor stated that the fact that the match was being held at the
Riverside could inspire children to take part in sports.
Two new office blocks were currently being constructed, one at the
former Melrose House building and Boho X. The Mayor
advised that both blocks had already secured tenants and this would bring jobs
to the town. The Heads of Terms had been signed some time ago for the Boho X building and the lease was due to be signed in the
near future.
The Mayor announced, that following years of dereliction in the Gresham
area, the Thirteen Group were back on site, building homes and volunteers were
cleaning the alleyways in the area.
New housing was also currently being built opposite the Captain Cook
public house, and the first sixty homes were due to be completed in the next
two months.
The Mayor referred to the leisure facility due to open in Captain Cook
Square, which included a bowling and Go-Kart facility, Indoor golf and the
facility to host live music and comedy.
The Mayor stated that the original plan for Centre Square Building 1
which had cost £20m to erect, was for officers of the Council to occupy the
building. The building was now fully occupied by a tenant. The top floor of
Building 2 was currently let to XPS and the second floor was let to GP Bank.
The ground floor was currently occupied, mainly by a chamber of barristers.
The Mayor advised that in terms of the production of Executive reports,
previously officers had spent a long time producing reports for politicians to
read at Council. He advised that he was reviewing how the Executive would
connect with members and the public.
A new on-line facility would be introduced which would allow members and
the public to submit a question to an Executive Member and the details of the
question and the response would be published online within 10 working days.
The Mayor stated that he planned to invite Executive Members to speak at
Council to advise Members of any activity that was occurring in respect of
their individual portfolios. The Mayor advised that the Deputy Mayor and
Executive Member for Children’s Services would provide members at this meeting
with an overview of the current situation in respect of Children’s Services and
the Executive Member for Neighbourhood Safety would discuss issues regarding
crime and neighbourhood safety.
The Chair announced that given that the Mayor had raised the issue of
Executive Member reports, it would be appropriate for Councillor Uddin to pose
his question with regard to the production of Executive Member reports.
Councillor Uddin put his question to the Mayor regarding Executive
Member reports.
The Mayor stated that any person elected by the people of Middlesbrough
should be open and accessible. He stated that Executive Member reports were
important but they needed to come from the heart of the Executive Member,
rather than from officers. He stated that the format of the reports had been
discussed with officers and the Executive.
Councillor C Hobson commented that she was concerned about the lack of
Executive Member reports. Members and the public needed to know what the
Executive Members were working on. The Executive Member reports should have
continued to be submitted until an alternative format had been agreed.
The Mayor stated that the production of Executive Member reports did not
mean that the public were getting value for money. The Executive aimed to be
open and transparent. Any Member wishing to ask a question of an Executive
Member could email them direct.
Councillor McTigue stated that the Executive
Member reports usually detailed events that had already taken place. When
reports were written by officers, the Executive Members sometimes struggled to
answer questions on the reports. Councillor McTigue
stated that she would like to see a change in the format and would like to see
all Executive Member reports written by the Executive Members.
Councillor Rathmell stated that having
Executive Members stand up and speak at the Council meeting in relation to
activity relating to their portfolios could be trialed and if it didn’t work,
the process could be reviewed.
Councillor M Storey cited a number of examples of where money had been
wasted as a result of amended projects and issues with the purchase of Covid tests that the Council had been unable to utilise. He stated that accountability was important. He
stated that previous Executive Member reports had been excellent and well
written with the assistance of officers. Councillor Storey stated that any
changes with regard to the submission of Executive Member reports would need to
be discussed at Constitution and Members’ Development Committee, prior to
agreement by Council. If an Executive Member report had been circulated prior
to the meeting, Members would be able to ask questions on the content.
Councillor Rathmell stated that the two
Executive Members should be allowed to provide any highlights in relation to
their portfolios.
In response to the comment from Councillor M Storey, the Mayor explained
the rationale behind changes to the Boho X project.
Councillor M Storey queried if the Mayor could confirm that the plans
had changed as a result of Covid.
The Mayor stated that the change in any plans could be influenced by a
number of factors, but the biggest factors in relation to the changes in the Boho X project were Covid and the
potential to save £10m.
Councillor Cooke advised that Executive Member reports were important as
they included details of work that was being carried out in the community. He
cited a number of examples of work that was currently being carried out within
the Newport Ward.
The Mayor commented that Councillor Cooke was an excellent Councillor
and he commended those involved in the Letitia House scheme for their work with
assisting in getting vulnerable people off the streets.
Councillor Rooney stated that the Mayor had made reference to the
developments in the town centre and she pointed out that many of the projects
had been initiated as a result of the Investment Prospectus, which had been
produced by the previous Elected Mayor.
Councillor Rooney stated that, in terms of the prospect of the two
Executive Members speaking at this Council meeting, there was no agenda item
relating to Executive Member reports, so they should not be allowed to speak.
The requirement for Executive Members to report to Council on activities on
their portfolio was included at item 4 in the Executive Scheme of Delegation.
Councillor Rooney stated that as a former Executive Member, she had
written all of her own reports to Council, with the assistance of an officer.
Councillor Mawston stated that it was good to hear that the Rugby League
World Cup was taking place at the Riverside Stadium. The Captain Cook
Birthplace Trust had been involved in many activities with the team.
In terms of Executive Member reports, Councillor Mawston stated that the
reports did need an overhaul. He stated that he had emailed an Executive Member
to ask them a question but he had not received a response.
The Mayor stated that he wasn’t suggesting that the new system, where
Members could submit questions, would replace Executive Member reports.
Councillor Branson stated that Executive Member reports could be shorter
and more concise, but it was important that Members received them in advance of
the meeting and that they were kept informed of what was happening in respect
of the different portfolios.
Councillor Higgins stated that it was important to be open and
transparent. Members often found out what was happening in the local press and
it was important for Executive Member reports to be received in advance of the
meeting.
The Chair stated that any changes to the Constitution needed to be
agreed by full Council.