Agenda and minutes

The Committee noted the evacuation and housekeeping procedures. 

There were no declarations of interest.

To approve the minutes of the last meeting held on 5 March 2024.

AGREED that the minutes of the meeting held on 5 March 2024 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

Councillor Paul Rowling presented the Executive Summary of the Crime and Disorder Select Committee’s review of Outdoor Play Provision which would report to Cabinet in May 2024.

The review comprised three key elements.  Firstly, the Committee endeavoured to establish the distribution of the Borough’s existing outdoor play offer and identify any areas where provision was lacking.  The second strand focused on the key issue of responsibility for individual facilities and associated management / maintenance and sustainability requirements.  Finally, accessibility / inclusivity factors in relation to play provision were considered so practical and financial implications could be understood and factored into decisions around existing and future plans.

The Select Committee found that Councils were adopting different approaches towards their outdoor play provision, ranging from increasing provision / consultation on proposed investment in facilities to rationalising / removing existing sites.  For the Council, whilst there would be an understandable reluctance to compromise much valued resources for children / young people and their families across Stockton-on-Tees, it was clearly not sustainable to keep all existing play sites open, and difficult decisions would need to be made around removing / repurposing some sites.  Allied to this, longer-term thinking about the maintenance and replacement requirements of the Borough’s existing and planned future offer had to follow to ensure quality, accessible, and geographically balanced provision that lasted.

Key issues highlighted and discussed were as follows:

·         The important role of Section 106 agreements attaching to planning permissions to ensure adequate and timely provision

·         The need for equitable provision and replacement of play provision across the Borough

·         Councillors could play a role working with the community to draw in external support and funding

·         Ensuring that procurement delivered best value for money

AGREED that the Executive Summary be noted.

AGREED that the Forward Plan be noted.

Members were provided with updates from the Chairs of each Select Committee. Updates and discussion included:

Adult Social Care and Health Select Committee

Members noted that following consideration of the latest Care Quality Commission (CQC) quarterly report (Q3 2023-2024) at its meeting in February 2024, the Committee had invited the Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust (TEWV) Lead Governor to the April 2024 meeting to question what the Governors’ view of this latest CQC report on the Trust was and how they were addressing the concerns outlined by the regulator.  Due to Cabinet changes made at the Annual Meeting, and following correspondence with senior TEWV officers, it was now anticipated that other relevant TEWV personnel would respond to the Committee at a forthcoming meeting.

It was suggested that it would useful for the Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care to attend that meeting.

Children and Young People Select Committee

Members noted the update from the Children and Young People Select Committee.

Community Safety Select Committee

Members noted the update from the Community Safety Select Committee which had recently changed its name following a recommendation from Executive Scrutiny Committee.

People Select Committee

Members noted the update from the People Select Committee.

Place Select Committee

Members noted the update from the Place Select Committee.

AGREED that the Chairs’ updates be noted.

AGREED that the work programme be noted and, subject to other diary commitments, Executive Scrutiny Committee meeting dates be moved towards the end of the month to facilitate more timely reporting of the MTFP report from Cabinet to Executive Scrutiny Committee.