Agenda and minutes

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

Councillor Kevin Faulks declared a non-prejudicial interest in item 10 as a member of CPAD Ingleby Barwick.

To approve the minutes of the last meeting held on 19 November 2026.

Consideration was given to the minutes of the meeting held on 19 November 2025.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 19 November 2025 be confirmed and signed by the Worshipful the Mayor as a correct record.

The following question was submitted by Eesa Din:

“What is the council’s current plan, budget timeline, to improve insulation in poorly insulated homes, especially in deprived areas? how many homes does the council expect to upgrade per year, and what funding sources are being used?”

On behalf of the Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Housing, the Leader of the Council (Councillor Lisa Evans) responded with:

“The Council coordinates many schemes aimed to improve energy efficiency measures in private homes.  The schemes are all identified on a dedicated webpage: Energy saving schemes and advice - Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council.  Schemes vary in terms of eligibility and measures; most schemes receive direct Government funding and the Council acts only to verify claims and to check the credibility of the installers.

Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council do not have a specific budget to improve insulation in poorly insulated homes, and we do not directly upgrade homes.”

Consideration was given to a report presenting a petition calling for a stop to further housing development in Yarm.

The Lead Petitioner, Yvonne Wallace, presented the petition.

RESOLVED That the petition be referred to the appropriate body for further consideration.

Consideration was given to a report asking the Council to approve the appointments to Committees which remained with the Conservative Group’s entitlement following the recent by election.

RESOLVED That the changes set out below be approved:

Children and Young People’s Select Committee

Remove Cllr David Reynard, replace with Cllr Mubeen

Executive Scrutiny Committee

Remove Cllr Hugo Stratton, replace with Cllr Dodds

Audit and Governance Committee

Remove Cllrs Emily Tate and Niall Innes, replace with Cllrs Marcus Vickers and David Reynard

Place Select Committee

Remove Cllrs Hilary Vickers and Stefan Houghton, replace with Cllrs Tony Riordan and Dodds

Consideration was given to a report highlighting the need to consider the introduction of measures to restrict the use of permitted development rights for change of use from dwelling houses (Class C3) to small HMOs (Class C4). This was in view of growing demands for small HMOs and the implications on the Borough’s housing stock and community.

The report asked Council to delegate authority to the Director of Regeneration and Inclusive Growth in consultation with the Cabinet Member and the Planning Committee to produce a draft interim policy or Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) to inform the determination of future applications for HMOs.

The report also asked Council to delegated authority to the Director of Regeneration and Inclusive Growth to undertake all necessary associated consultation.

RESOLVED

1.    That delegated authority be given to the Director of Regeneration and Inclusive Growth, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Housing and Planning Committee to produce a draft interim policy or Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) to inform the determination of future applications for HMOs.

2.    That delegated authority be given to the Director of Regeneration and Inclusive Growth to undertake all necessary consultation in association with resolution 1 above.

Consideration was given to the Director of Public Health Annual Report for 2025.

REOLVED That the report be noted.

Question 1

The following question was submitted by Cllr Jim Taylor:

“Many proud residents within our Borough, who do not have access to their own gardens, rely heavily on the allotment provision by Stockton Borough Council to grow precious fruit and vegetables to supplement their ever-increasing grocery bills. 

Will the Cabinet Member agree with me, that in August of this year, when the then Labour Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, gave the green light for eight cash strapped councils to sell off their allotments, resulting in a direct kick in the teeth to those residents who had cherished and cultivated their own small piece of England, was a disastrous mistake?”

On behalf of the Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Housing, the Cabinet Member for Health and Adult Social Care (Councillor Pauline Beall) responded with:

“We recognise the many well-being benefits that allotments provide for our residents, including enhanced physical health and social connection, as well as a space to engage with nature and develop new skills.  I can happily confirm that the Council has no plans to dispose of any allotment sites that are either managed directly by the Council or owned by the Council and managed by allotment associations.”

Question 2

The following question was submitted by Cllr Tony Riordan:

“Hopefully, the Cabinet Member will be aware of the dilapidated and dangerous property at 18 South Road Norton.

Will the Cabinet Member agree with me that the long standing and intolerable situation faced by residents and neighbouring properties of 18 South Road, who complain of rampaging feral gangs of youths armed with baseball bats transiting and damaging their properties to gain access to 18 South Road, who defecate and urinate in and around their properties, who threaten and intimidate them in their own homes if they dare to intervene, have been badly let down by this council and other agencies for far too long?”

On behalf of the Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Housing, the Cabinet Member for Access Communities and Community Safety (Councillor Norma Stephenson) responded with:

“I share Councillor Riordan’s frustrations with the state of this particular property and Officers are currently engaging with the owner regarding the need to take action.

The recent scrutiny review conducted by the Council’s Place Select Committee identified the issue of empty homes as part of its review focused on the availability of affordable housing and explored potential strategies to increase supply within the borough. Empty homes not only represent a missed opportunity to address housing need, but also contribute to neighbourhood decline, anti-social behaviour, and public frustration. The Committee recognised that returning empty homes to use could be a valuable tool in increasing the supply of affordable housing for both sale and rent. However, current mechanisms for doing so are often lengthy, complex, and require substantial capital investment from partners, including the Council and Registered Providers. Like many local authorities, Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council has implemented the Empty Homes Premium, increasing council tax liability for properties  ...  view the full minutes text for item COU/76/25

Motion 1

It was moved by Cllr Niall Innes, and seconded by Cllr Tony Riordan:

“Council notes that:

The Labour Government’s recent Budget has introduced policies that have significantly increased the financial burden on businesses, including higher employment costs, increased taxation, and a failure to adequately support our high streets.

Small businesses, independent shops, pubs, cafés, restaurants and hospitality venues are the beating heart of our communities in the borough of Stockton, providing employment, social value, and vital gathering spaces on our high streets and in our neighbourhoods.

Many of these businesses are already operating on tight margins and facing rising costs are now being further crippled by the Labour Governments policies that show little understanding of the realities facing local employers.

Labour promised a fundamental reform of business rates, yet this reform has failed to materialise. Instead, as a result of the Budget and the forthcoming revaluation, businesses are facing substantial and unaffordable increases in business rates.

Industry estimates indicate that over the next three years, Labour Government policies will result in average increases in business rates of 76% for pubs with many other small businesses facing similarly steep rises that threaten their long-term viability. This figure comes from analysis undertaken by UK Hospitality: https://www.ukhospitality.org.uk/hospitality-business-rates-reform-unravelling-with-urgent-action-needed/

Under previous Conservative Governments, businesses received meaningful and targeted support, which helped protect jobs and keep high streets alive during unprecedented economic challenges.

Council believes that:

The Labour Government’s failure to deliver on its promises to reform business rates, combined with its broader fiscal policies, risks causing widespread business closures, job losses, and long-term damage to high streets across the country and those in our borough.

Local authorities have a responsibility to speak up when national government decisions are actively harming local businesses, workers, and communities.

Council resolves:

That the Council write to the Chancellor of the Exchequer expressing this Council’s deep concern about the impact of the Labour Government’s Budget and business rates policies on small businesses and the hospitality sector.

That the correspondence urges the Chancellor to honour Labour’s commitment to fundamental business rates reform and to reverse policies that are placing unsustainable pressure on pubs, restaurants, and small businesses.

That the correspondence highlights the severe impact on businesses in the borough of Stockton-on-Tees and call for urgent, targeted support to protect jobs, sustain local enterprise, and safeguard the beating heart of our communities.

That the letter be issued on behalf of the Council by the Chief Executive.”

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

Members in favour of the motion:

Cllr Stefan Barnes, Cllr Diane Clarke OBE, Cllr John Coulson, Cllr Stephen Dodds, Cllr Kevin Faulks, Cllr Jason French, Cllr Ray Godwin, 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 Ross Patterson, Cllr David Reynard, Cllr  ...  view the full minutes text for item COU/77/25

“Our last Full Council meeting took place on 19 November last year. Since then, Cabinet has met twice, on 11 December and 15 January, where we considered a range of matters. The decision records for those meetings have been made available to Members.

Our next Cabinet meeting is scheduled for 9 February. At that meeting we will consider the budget proposals and the Medium-Term Financial Plan, leading to recommendations being brought to Full Council on 18 February.

The focus is simple: protect the most vulnerable, support our communities, and be honest about the pressures councils face nationally.

In addition, we are also due to consider reports on the Council’s Tenancy Policy, Alternative Provision, the annual ISAG report, a report on Vulnerable Groups, the Council’s Strategic Asset Management Plan, and an update on the Children’s Front Door proposals.

Before I finish, I want to mention something positive for the borough. Preston Park Museum welcomed the opening of ‘Perfume’ on 17 January — an immersive sound and light installation that is already attracting interest. It’s a real credit to Preston Park Museum and the teams involved — and a reminder of the pride we can take in what Stockton on Tees has to offer.

I also want to take this opportunity to thank colleagues across the Council and our partners for the work that continues day in, day out, particularly over the winter period.

On a more solemn note, next Monday, 27 January, is Holocaust Memorial Day, marking the liberation of Auschwitz Birkenau in 1945. We will commemorate this with purple memorial lighting. Holocaust Memorial Day reminds us why remembrance matters — and why we must stand firmly against hatred and prejudice in all its forms.

Finally, I look forward to seeing you all here again at our next meeting, the budget setting Council on 18 February. Thank you.”