Agenda and minutes

The evacuation procedure was noted.

For transparency purposes Councillor Jim Beall declared an interest in Item 5 – Scrutiny Review of Adult Carers Support Service - as Chair of Eastern Ravens who had given evidence to the review.

To approve the minutes of the last meeting held on 16 December 2025.

AGREED that the minutes of the meeting on 16 December 2025 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

To consider the Executive Summary of the final report of the Adult Social Care and Health Select Committee (for information)

Members received the Executive Summary from the Adult Social Care and Health Select Committee’s final report following its scrutiny review of Stockton on Tees Adult Carers Support Service.

The review concluded that Stockton-on-Tees Adult Carers Support Service was clearly a highly valued and crucial element within the Council’s adult social care offer, attracting wider recognition and appreciation for what it provided. However, evidence collected as part of this review had flagged areas for attention in relation to carer-identification, signposting to / promotion of support, transitioning of young carers into the adult service, the ability to meet demand as more carers request / require help, and the need for continuous evaluation of the local offer. Unpaid carers saved local organisations a vast amount of money – as such, despite the ongoing financial limitations on the Council, they had to be supported as much as possible. Those accessing the service had reported very positive experiences – the challenge was ensuring this could be of benefit to a greater number of carers, many of whom remained hidden.

Members asked for an update to come to the next Executive Scrutiny Committee on the Council’s “front door” arrangements.

AGREED that the Executive Summary be noted and an update be presented at the next Executive Scrutiny Committee on the Council’s “front door” arrangements.

The Committee considered a report which presented topic suggestions for in-depth scrutiny reviews. The views of the Scrutiny Liaison Committee, which had met ahead of Executive Scrutiny Committee, were also considered.

It was noted that as 2026/27 was the final year ahead of the local elections, it would only be possible for one new review to be carried out per Select Committee. This recognised carry over from the current year and the need for reviews to report to Cabinet in January/February 2027 well ahead of the purdah period commencing.

The Committee identified those topics which should not be carried out and reached agreement on those which should be carried out in 2026/27. Of the remaining topics, Members were asked to vote on their preferences.

Councillor Jim Beall asked for it to be recorded that that he was not in agreement with the method of voting used to determine the topic selection.

AGREED that the following in depth scrutiny reviews be carried out in 2026/27 by Select Committees:

Adult Social Care and Health – Protection of Property

Children and Young People – Alternative Provision for CYP

Community Safety – Alley Gates

People – Procurement and Tendering Processes

Place – Animal Welfare, Kennelling and Protection of Pets

AGREED that the Forward Plan be noted.

Members were provided with updates from the Chairs of each Select Committee.

With regard to the Adult Social Care and Health Select Committee update, Members drew attention to the previous week’s Tees Valley Joint Health Scrutiny Committee where a letter outlining proposed changes to how neonatal care was being delivered across North East and North Cumbria was shared.  The Committee requested that an additional meeting be scheduled to consider these developments, including the referenced ‘engagement activities within the last 12 months’ (which had not appeared to involve any scrutiny functions across the Tees Valley).

With regard to the Children and Young People Select Committee update, Councillor Carol Clark provided feedback from Member visits to Home and Hospital and Electively Home Educated pupils as part of the Select Committee’s review of Children Not in School. The visits had proved valuable and the review would be reporting to Cabinet in June.

With regard to the Place Select Committee update, Councillor Jim Beall undertook to circulate details of the Judicial Review discussed at the last Crustacean Deaths Working Group which was administered by Redcar & Cleveland Council.

AGREED that the Chairs’ Updates be noted.

AGREED that the Chair’s Update and Executive Scrutiny Committee Work Programme be noted.