Decision details

1.

Title of Item/Report

Powering our Future Regeneration Mission Update

2.

Record of the Decision

Consideration was given to a report that provided an update on activity across the Powering Our Futures Regeneration mission with updates on the delivery of the Central Stockton and North Thornaby Blueprint, namely progression of key work strands linked to Care Health Innovation Zone and steps to bring about increased residential development across key sites and initial work to bring about the long term redevelopment of Tees Marshalling Yards under the new term for the area, Tees Central.  The report included updates across the existing committed wide ranging regeneration programme and sought decisions to enable the demolition of Golden Eagle in Thornaby, future opportunities for use of existing assets in Stockton town centre and progress on agreements to bring about redevelopment of Billingham town centre.

In July 2024, Cabinet approved a Blueprint which set out an exciting and innovative vision for the future development of Central Stockton and North Thornaby Areas. The blueprint outlined transformational change over the next 25 years by creating prosperous, vibrant places, fit for future generations by delivering modern, mixed-use neighbourhoods and a thriving town centre, helping to make sure it was a safe and welcoming place where people want to work, live and visit. It focused on eight key intervention areas in Central Stockton and North Thornaby as illustrated within the report.

The report provided an update on interventions across the blueprint area and set out next steps to progress specific sites and opportunities in relation to the redevelopment of the Tees Marshalling Yards, the delivery of Tees Valley Care and Health Innovation Zone and the delivery of town centre living and commercial opportunities for existing council land and assets.

Given the scale and significance of this regeneration opportunity, and to raise its profile at both a regional and national level, it was proposed that all future work would be delivered under the name ‘Tees Central’, which reflected both its geographic location and the scale of inclusive growth opportunity in the heart of the Tees Valley.

The report gave detail on the following areas of activity:-

- Tees Marshalling Yards

- Tees Valley Care and Health Innovation Zone (TVCHIZ)

- Stockton Waterfront

- Town Centre Living

- Stockton Town Centre Commercial opportunities

- The Shambles

- Stockton Town Hall

- Debenhams

- Splash

- Billingham – Levelling Up Fund

- Thornaby Pavillion Pool, Gym and Golden Eagle

- Cycleways

- NETA

- North Thornaby

- Yarm, Eaglescliffe and Preston Park – Levelling Up Fund

- Norton High Street

Following discussion Cabinet agreed to remove recommendation 4 that was contained within the report.

RESOLVED that:-

1. Recommendation 4 as set out in the report be deferred.

2. The initiation of the Tees Central project be approved as part of the Powering our Future Placemaking mission and the use of previously approved funds of £450,000 allocated to Municipal Quarter to support works to develop proposals within Tees Central project and the delivery of the Central Stockton and North Thornaby Blueprint be approved and the reciprocal reallocation of previously approved £450,000 by Tees Valley Combined Authority for the same purpose be noted.

3. The use of £550,000 of previously approved funding to support delivery of Stockton and North Thornaby Blueprint to support development of proposals within Tees Central be approved.

4. Authority be delegated to the Director of Regeneration and Inclusive Growth in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Housing to approve the allocation of the budget of £1.45m set out in recommendation 1&2 to deliver the Central Stockton and North Thornaby Blueprint and Tees Central.

5. The use of up to £1.34m Indigenous Growth Fund (IGF) be approved for the demolition of the Golden Eagle and authority to negotiate, agree the terms of and enter, all necessary contracts to enable the demolition of the Golden Eagle be delegated to Director of Regeneration and Inclusive Growth in consultation with Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Housing.

6. The detail of Yarm public realm scheme and programme as set out in paragraphs 74-80 of the report be noted.

7. The change in commercial approach to the acquisition and demolition of Queensway South in Billingham town centre as set out in para 51-52 of the report be noted.

3.

Reasons for the Decision

To enable delivery of the projects and programmes within the Regeneration Powering Our Futures Mission.

4.

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected

None

5.

Declared (Cabinet Member) Conflicts of Interest

None

6.

Details of any Dispensations

None

7.

Date and Time by which Call In must be executed

Midnight, Friday, 25 July 2025