Agenda and minutes

This meeting will be filmed for live and / or subsequent broadcast on the Council’s website.  The whole of the meeting will be filmed, except where there are confidential or exempt items, and the footage will be on the website for 12 months.  A copy of it will also be retained in accordance with the Council’s data retention policy.

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If there are any technical difficulties with the livestreaming, the meeting will still proceed.

The Worshipful the Mayor announced to those present that the meeting was being livestreamed.

The Worshipful the Mayor welcomed everyone and outlined the arrangements for the meeting.

In the interests of transparency, Councillor Tony Riordan and Councillor Norma Stephenson advised the meeting that they were veterans and Councillor Kevin Faulks advised that a number of his family members were or had served in the Armed Forces.

To approve the minutes of the last meetings held on 20 May 2026 and 24 June 2026.

Consideration was given to the minutes of the meetings held on 20 May 2026 and 24 June 2026.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meetings held on 20 May 2026 and 24 June 2026 be confirmed and signed by the Worshipful the Mayor as a correct record.

A public question had been submitted by Brian Wragg. However, the questioner was not present at the meeting therefore it was advised that a written reply would be sent to him.

Consideration was given to a report asking Council to make nominations to the TVCA Investment Committee and note the changes to the TVCA Audit and Governance Committee.

The nomination to the remaining seat on the TVCA Investment Committee would be brought back to the next Full Council meeting.

RESOLVED

1)    That Councillor Paul Weston be appointed to the TVCA Investment Committee.

2)    That the following appointments be made to the TVCA Audit and Governance Committee:

·       Remove Councillor Mohammed Mazi – Replace with Councillor Niall Innes

·       Remove Councillor Niall Innes as substitute Member and replace with Councillor Hugo Stratton

Consideration was given to a report asking the Council to review and agree the proposed Statement of Licensing Policy.

RESOLVED That the Statement of Licensing Policy be agreed.

Motion 1

It was moved by Councillor Barbara Inman and seconded by Councillor Marc Besford:

“This Council notes:

·       The increasing use of artificial intelligence to create realistic but false images of real individuals.

·       Recent national concerns regarding the creation and circulation of AI generated imagery depicting women and girls in degrading, sexualised or otherwise inappropriate ways.

·       That AI generated imagery can also be used to ridicule, humiliate or misrepresent individuals through the manipulation of their appearance, body shape, personal relationships or conduct.

·       The growing concern that such behaviour may deter people from participating in public life, standing for election, or engaging in democratic debate.

This Council believes:

·       Robust political debate is an essential part of democracy.

·       Political disagreement should focus on policies, decisions and ideas rather than personal attacks on an individual’s appearance or private life.

·       Women and girls are disproportionately affected by online abuse, intimidation, misogyny and degrading portrayals.

·       Those serving in public life should be able to do so without being subjected to manipulated imagery intended to humiliate, denigrate or undermine them.

This Council therefore:

·       Condemns the use of AI generated imagery which seeks to degrade, intimidate, harass or misrepresent individuals.

·       Reaffirms its commitment to respectful political discourse and democratic engagement.

·       Encourages all elected representatives, political parties, campaigners and members of the public to engage in political debate responsibly and respectfully.

·       Recognises the importance of creating an environment in which women, young people and people from all backgrounds feel able to participate in public life and consider standing for elected office.

·       Resolves to support initiatives which promote civility, respect and participation in local democracy.”

Councillor Tony Riordan moved, seconded by Councillor Niall Innes that motion be amended as follows:

“This Council notes:

·       That abusive behaviour towards those involved in public life can take many forms, including manipulated imagery, intimidation, threats, harassment, discriminatory language, personal abuse and the dissemination of false or misleading information.

·       The increasing use of artificial intelligence and other digital technologies including photography to create realistic but false images, audio and video of real individuals.

·       Recent national concerns regarding the creation and circulation of AI-generated imagery depicting individuals in degrading, sexualised, misleading or otherwise inappropriate ways.

·       That advances in artificial intelligence and digital technology have increased the ability to create manipulated images, audio and video capable of causing distress, reputational harm and public misunderstanding.

·       That AI-generated imagery and other digitally manipulated content can be used to create false impressions, misrepresent individuals or events, spread misinformation, cause personal or reputational harm, and undermine public confidence in democratic debate and public institutions.

·       The growing concern that such behaviour may deter people from participating in public life, standing for election, or engaging in democratic debate.

This Council believes:

·       Robust political debate is an essential part of democracy.

·       Political disagreement should focus on policies, decisions and ideas rather than personal attacks on an individual's appearance or private life.

·       Civility, mutual respect and high standards of behaviour are fundamental to maintaining public confidence in local democracy and encouraging people from every  ...  view the full minutes text for item COU/43/26

Question 1

The following question was submitted by Councillor Ted Strike:

“On Saturday 20th June I attended the opening of the Riverside Urban Park. I would like to congratulate everyone involved from the Funding Grants to the team working on the design and the contractors as well as SBC Officers.  This is a wonderful area and hopefully it will be well used and increase footfall into Stockton High St and lead to new businesses opening in the empty shops.

I would like to encourage the cabinet members to go even further.

 My question to the cabinet member for regeneration is:

Will Cabinet look into the feasibility and costings of relocating the Police Station onto the High Street on the SBC owned land where The Post Office and The Mall were located?  I believe this will encourage more people to come to the High Street as the Police presence will remove the fear many currently have of coming to the High Street, especially on an evening.

If they will not relocate the Police station here can you please advise me what the cabinet intend to do with this large piece of land?”

The Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Resources and Regeneration (Councillor Paul Rowling) responded with:

“I would like to thank Councillor Strike positive words about the waterfront development, even in the short time it has been open it is clear it is going to have a huge impact on the High Street, riverside and the wider central Stockton and North Thornaby area.

On his specific point regarding the police station in Stockton, I’m sure he appreciates that this not decision for this Council but rather one for Cleveland Police themselves. We are, however, working closely with the police on the future use of their assets across the Borough including the current police station which is already situated very close to the High Street and waterfront development

From a community safety perspective, Stockton Town Centre has seen significant improvements in recent years through the delivery of Operation Shield, a highly successful partnership initiative between Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council and Cleveland Police. Through targeted enforcement, visible patrols, intelligence-led activity and problem-solving interventions, the operation has delivered substantial reductions in crime and anti-social behaviour within the town centre. This work has played a key and important role in changing public perceptions of the High Street and strengthening confidence in the town centre as a safe and welcoming place to live, work and visit.

The successful opening of the Waterfront Urban Park has been supported by this strong partnership approach, with robust operational plans in place to ensure the park remains a safe, attractive and well-used space. Looking ahead, the Council and Cleveland Police will continue to build on the success of Operation Shield through the delivery of priorities set out within the Community Safety Strategy, including further work to reduce crime and anti-social behaviour, enhance feelings of safety, and support the continued regeneration of Stockton Town Centre over the coming years

In terms  ...  view the full minutes text for item COU/44/26

“We last met as full Council on 24 June. Since then, Cabinet met on 16 July and, as always, the papers and minutes are available on the Council’s website.

Our next scheduled Cabinet meeting will take place on 17 September. As the next Forward Plan has not yet been published, I am not able to provide members with a detailed update this evening on the matters that Cabinet will be considering. Members will, of course, be able to access the Forward Plan through the Council’s website and Modern.gov as soon as it is updated.

As we move through the remainder of the year, we know there will be challenging decisions ahead as we continue to manage the significant financial pressures facing local government. These challenges are being felt across the country, and Stockton-on-Tees is no exception.

However, we are fortunate to have committed councillors and dedicated staff across the Council. By continuing to work together, I am confident we can meet those challenges while maintaining our ambition for the Borough and delivering the best possible outcomes for our residents.

There is certainly plenty to be positive about.

Last month, Stockton Waterfront welcomed its first visitors during our Armed Forces Day celebrations. This marked an important milestone in the transformation of Stockton Town Centre and the work to reconnect our High Street with the River Tees.

It was fantastic to see residents and visitors enjoying this impressive new public space. The Waterfront is a major investment in Stockton’s future, but it is also a place for our communities to enjoy, and I hope people from across the Borough will continue to make full use of it.

That success was followed by the excellent news that Stockton has been shortlisted as one of just 15 places in the running to become the UK Town of Culture 2028, from almost 400 expressions of interest.

This is a tremendous achievement and a reflection of Stockton’s cultural heritage, the ambition behind our town centre transformation, and the contribution of local communities, businesses, cultural organisations and partners. While there is still work to do in the competition ahead, we should all be proud that Stockton is receiving national recognition for its cultural offer and its future potential.

I would also like to congratulate the young people recently elected to our Youth Council and as Members of Youth Parliament, as well as recognising the excellent presentation from BMBF at Cabinet last week. It is important that young people have meaningful opportunities to influence decisions and help shape the future of the place where they live, and I look forward to seeing the contribution they make.

On the subject of national representation, England did not quite manage to go all the way in the World Cup following their semi-final defeat to Argentina. Nevertheless, they provided plenty of entertainment and gave many of us an excuse to discuss tactics, or lack of.

The end of the tournament will also come as a relief to anyone who spent the last  ...  view the full minutes text for item COU/45/26