Agenda and minutes

The evacuation procedure was noted.

There were no declarations of interest recorded.

To approve the minutes of the last meeting held on 17 March 2026.

AGREED that the minutes of the meeting on 17 March 2026 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

The Committee noted the meeting procedure.

The Head of Democratic Services presented a report setting out the background to the call-in and supporting documents.

The decisions taken at Cabinet on 12 March 2026 in relation to Levelling Up Fund – Yarm Public Realm had been subject to a valid call-in. The call-in applied to the following decisions:

RESOLVED

1)    The findings of the public engagement undertaken in relation to the Yarm High Street public realm scheme be noted.

2)    With regard to the £2.35m remaining funds from the allocated budget for Yarm High Street:-

a)    The £950,000 of SBC co-funding be returned to support the Council’s MTFP and financial position.

b)    £950,000 of the remaining LUF funding be used to repay the borrowing associated with the additional expenditure at Preston Park Museum.

c)    The remaining £450,000 LUF funding be committed in the Yarm area.

d)    Delegated Authority be given to the Director of Regeneration and Inclusive Growth, in consultation with the Cabinet Member, to produce a shortlist of possible projects that could be achieved with the remaining budget of £450,000 and then engage with the residents and businesses of Yarm for their priorities. The list is to include the costs of each item on the list and to include the consideration of the replacement of the pontoons, to enable residents and businesses to consider the value for money and extent of the works available when providing their priorities.

In addition, Members who had signed the call-in request had been invited to attend the meeting.

The Monitoring Officer presented his report which set out the reasons for the validation of the call-in in relation to the following principles of decision-making:

•           Due consultation and the taking of professional advice

•           Explanation of options and reasons

•           Relevant matters not ignored

•           Clarity and explanation of information provided

The following documents had been included with the agenda for the meeting for consideration by Executive Scrutiny Committee:

·         Call in Form

·         Cabinet Report

·         Decision Record

·         Report of Monitoring Officer

On behalf of the Councillors who had submitted the call-in request of the Cabinet decision, Councillor John Coulson set out the rationale for the call in which related to:

·         Failure to meet the standards of decision-making

·         Lack of transparency, proper consultation and openness

·         Funding being diverted to address the Council’s wider financial pressures

·         Lack of alternative options presented

·         Pre-determination of the outcome

·         Lack of consultation with key partners

The Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Housing (Councillor Richard Eglington) explained why he believed the decision-making principles had been complied with. He explained that the “You Decide” engagement presented a binary choice asking residents to indicate whether they supported the proposed works or not. The design itself was not re-visited as part of the exercise. Furthermore, the LUF funding had been earmarked for public realm works and it was therefore prudent to use that funding towards works at Preston Park. Where additional comments had been made in the boxes provided, officers had been asked to assess whether any of the suggestions would be  ...  view the full minutes text for item ESC/5/26