Agenda and minutes

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

Councillor Kevin Falks declared an interest for transparency purposes in item 7 – Members’ Question Time – Community Public Access Defibrillators – as a member of cPAD Ingleby Barwick.

The Worshipful the Mayor drew attention to the sad passing of Honorary Alderman Marjorie Galloway MBE.

First elected in 1973, Marjorie served as a Councillor in what was the Preston Ward for 14 years until 1987. She was made MBE by the Prince of Wales at Buckingham Palace in 2013 and was awarded Honorary Alderman status in 2016.

Councillor Lynn Hall joined the Mayor in paying tribute to her dedication and service to her community.

The Council observed a minute’s silence as a mark of respect.

To approve the minutes of the last meetings held on 22 January 2025 and 19 February 2025.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meetings held on 22 January 2025 and 19 February 2025 be confirmed and signed as a correct record.

Public Question submitted by John McDermottroe for response by the Leader of the Council (Cllr Bob Cook):

“Given that over 5 million people will be denied their democratic right to vote in the coming May Elections, can the leader of the council reassure the people of the Borough of Stockton that the council will not seek to cancel the local elections here in 2027?”

The Leader of the Council responded with:

“I can reassure residents that there are no plans to cancel or postpone elections in Stockton-on-Tees. While the government has postponed elections in areas undergoing local government reorganisation, this does not apply here, as there are no current proposals affecting our borough.

I am sure all elected members agree on the importance of our democratic culture. We should all be proud that we settle our differences through debate and remain accountable to the residents who elect us.”

Public Question submitted by Kirsty McDowell for response by the Cabinet Member for Health, Leisure and Culture (Cllr Steve Nelson):-

“What provisions will the council facilitate and provide for people with Parkinson's to exercise? Bearing in mind exercise is essential to manage their condition and mobility needs progress over time.”

On behalf of the Cabinet Member for Health, Leisure and Culture, the Leader of the Council responded with:

“Current Council provision includes:

•           Tees Active leisure centre activities including gyms, swimming pools and fitness classes.  Tees Active recognises its responsibilities in providing services accessible to all, including supporting each individual; and all venues being wheelchair friendly, and having lifts and accessible shower and changing facilities.  Access For All - Tees Active

•           Support to access personal assistants and day opportunities following a Care Act Assessment / Direct Payments, addressing any barriers to community offers.

•           An experienced Occupational Therapy Service that, under the care Act, are flexible and innovative in meeting people's needs, providing advice and sign posting for maximising independence

•           Resources and activities in the community, supported by partner organisations.  For example information on accessible walks and local walking groups from the Active Travel Hub https://thehubstockton.com/walking/

Targeted Council provision for people with disabilities / for people with Parkinsons:

•           Any individual diagnosed with Parkinson’s is able to access the Active Health programme (Active Health - Tees Active), through a health professional referral. Once they have been assessed by Tees Actives Health Team, they are referred to fitness sessions which are deemed most appropriate for the individual fitness levels.  These include Chair based exercise sessions, Yoga, Pilates, Aqua Fit and different levels of Active+ classes.

•           Individuals with neurological conditions can access the medimotion bikes based at Billingham Forum once they have completed an induction.

•           Shape the Play run a number of activity sessions locally, including their Gentle Exercise session at the Wellbeing Hub in Wellington Square https://www.stocktonwellbeinghub.org/news-1/shape-the-play-gentle-exercise”

Kirsty McDowell asked the following supplementary question:

“How are active health referrals assessed?”

The Leader of the Council responded with:

“Officers will provide details after the meeting. The Council is working  ...  view the full minutes text for item COU/76/24

Consideration was given to a report requesting the Council to consider granting a dispensation for non-attendance at meetings.

Councillor Steve Nelson last attended a meeting of Cabinet on 14 November 2024 and had been unable to attend any meeting of the Council for a period in excess of 4 months. Councillor Nelson was unlikely to be in a position to attend a meeting before the expiration of the six-month statutory period and Council was requested to consider granting him a dispensation until such time as he was recovered from his illness and was able to attend a meeting of the Council.

Following debate and, in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 3.65, it was requested that a recorded vote be taken on the granting of a dispensation, which was supported by at least a quarter of the Members present.

Members in favour of granting a dispensation:

Cllr Stefan Barnes, Cllr Jim Beall, Cllr Pauline Beall, Cllr Michelle Bendelow, Cllr Clare Besford, Cllr Marc Besford, Cllr Carol Clark, Cllr Nigel Cooke, Cllr Robert Cook, Cllr Ian Dalgarno, Cllr Richard Eglington, Cllr Lisa Evans, Cllr Kevin Faulks, Cllr Nathan Gale, Cllr Ray Godwin, Cllr Barbara Inman, Cllr Eileen Johnson, Cllr Mrs Ann McCoy, Cllr Mick Moore, Cllr Ross Patterson, Cllr Paul Rowling, Cllr Norma Stephenson OBE, Cllr Mick Stoker, Cllr Marilyn Surtees, Cllr Sylvia Walmsley, Cllr Katie Weston, Cllr Paul Weston and Cllr Barry Woodhouse.

Members against granting a dispensation:

Cllr Diane Clarke OBE, Cllr John Coulson, Cllr John Gardner, Cllr Lynn Hall, Cllr Elsi Hampton, Cllr Stefan Houghton, Cllr Shakeel Hussain, Cllr Niall Innes, Cllr Mohammed Mazi, Cllr Jack Miller, Cllr Sufi Mubeen, Cllr David Reynard, Cllr Stephen Richardson, Cllr Tony Riordan, Cllr Vanessa Sewell, Cllr Hugo Stratton, Cllr Emily Tate, Cllr Jim Taylor, Cllr Hilary Vickers, Cllr Marcus Vickers.

Members abstaining:

Cllr Ted Strike, Cllr Alan Watson and Cllr Sally Ann Watson.

28 for the motion

20 against the motion

3 abstaining

The motion was carried and it was:

RESOLVED that a dispensation be granted to allow Councillor Steve Nelson to remain qualified, until such time as he is recovered from his illness and is able to attend a meeting of the Council.

Member Question submitted by Cllr Ted Strike for response by the Cabinet Member for Health, Leisure and Culture (Cllr Steve Nelson):-

“Ingleby Barwick Town Council have been trying for the last 3 years to replace old and faulty Christmas lights at our expense. Unfortunately this has not happened yet.

The town clerk approached SBC officers in September 2022 to identify the town council were looking to replace faulty lights and provide more Christmas lights and was this possible for Christmas 2023.,

The response was that we should revisit this in April 2023 which would leave ample time to get them ordered etc. Unfortunately, the officer identified moved to another position in the council so nothing was done.

In January 2024 we received a notification that SBC were carrying out a condition assessment of all festive lighting, electrical equipment and infrastructure required to deliver our existing Christmas lighting programme in our community. We immediately reiterated our intention to provide additional lighting. We received an immediate response that they would be in touch once the initial assessment has been made, when Stockton council would have a better idea as to the required works and cost.

The clerk contacted the officer again in early July asking if there had been an outcome of the audit yet?

In August we were advised there could not be any new lighting for Christmas 2024.

We have budgeted for each of the last 3 years for replacement and additional lighting as quite frankly a lot of these old ones are either not working or only part working and have been like this for the last few years.

We would like to have replacement lights for this year and as an officer stated in his previous email that we should revisit this in April (2023) we really need to have this actioned next month. Can we have an urgent meeting with the officers involved and our town clerk and a member of the town council to identify the new lights and get them ordered so our residents can enjoy new and improved lights this Christmas? Ideally this meeting would be held before our next town council meeting on the 15th April.”

On behalf of the Cabinet Member for Health, Leisure and Culture, the Leader of the Council responded with:

“I am aware that officers have already responded to your question and offered to meet you as requested.”

Member Question submitted by Cllr Ted Strike for response by the Cabinet Member for Health, Leisure and Culture (Cllr Steve Nelson):-

“In 2022 Ingleby Barwick Town Council had two Community Public Access Defibrillators with plans to increase this by a further three.  However, along came Deborah Gale and CPAD IB  who in 3 years have installed 27 additional defibrillators with 2 more awaiting installation. They have also sited a further 41 in other areas. CPAD IB are a not for profit voluntary organisation with no funding.

They have raised finances by holding fund raising events, grants from the town council as  ...  view the full minutes text for item COU/78/24

The Leader of the Council gave his Forward Plan and Leaders Statement.

“Our last full Council meeting was on 19th February for the budget meeting, with the last ordinary full Council meeting on 22nd January.

At Cabinet on 13th March, we considered reports on Disabled Facilities Grants, Environmental Sustainability, Tree Management, Drug Strategy Grants, Sexual Health Service Procurement, and Higher Value Contracts.

The next Cabinet meeting is planned for 17th April, with reports scheduled on Affordable Housing, Outdoor Play Provision, Safe Town Centres, HAF, and the Tees Valley Common Allocation Policy Review.

As this is my last Council meeting as Leader, I want to take this opportunity to say thank you. It has been an honour and a privilege to serve in this role for the past 14 years—an experience that has been both challenging and rewarding in equal measure.

To my Cabinet colleagues, past and present, thank you for your commitment, hard work, and patience—especially when that meant keeping me on my toes!

To my Labour group colleagues, I am deeply grateful for your support, resilience, and teamwork. Leadership is not about one person—it is about the strength of the team behind them, and I have been fortunate to lead a group of councillors so dedicated to serving our communities.

To members across the chamber, from all groups, I appreciate the debates, the challenge, and even the occasional grilling. While we have had our differences, what unites us is far greater than what divides us: a shared commitment to making this borough the best it can be.

And to the officers of this council, my sincere thanks. Your professionalism, expertise, and dedication have been the backbone of this authority, ensuring that we continue to deliver for residents.

When I first took on this role, I knew it would be a privilege. What I didn’t fully appreciate then was just how much I would learn, grow, and be shaped by the people around me. It has been a huge responsibility—but also a deeply rewarding one.

I look forward to seeing you all at our Annual Council meeting on 2nd April at Billingham Forum.”

All Group Leaders paid tribute to Councillor Bob Cook. Thanks were extended to him for his services to the Borough as Leader of the Council for the past 14 years along with well wishes for his future endeavours.