Agenda, decisions and draft minutes

The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting and the evacuation procedure was noted.

There were no interests declared.

To approve the minutes of the last meeting held on 17 April 2025.

Consideration was given to the minutes of the meeting held on 17 April 2025.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 17 April 2025 be approved.

STOCKTON-ON-TEES BOROUGH COUNCIL

CABINET DECISION

PROFORMA

Cabinet Meeting ........................................................................ 15 May 2025

Proper Officer

In accordance with the Council’s Constitution or previous practice the minutes of the meeting of the bodies indicated below were submitted to Cabinet for consideration:-

TSAB – 11 December 2024

TSAB – 12 March 2025

RESOLVED that the above minutes be received.

STOCKTON-ON-TEES BOROUGH COUNCIL

CABINET DECISION

PROFORMA

Cabinet Meeting ........................................................................ 15 May 2025

Consideration was given to a report setting out positive updates on projects to improve Billingham as part of the Council’s continued commitment to invest in the town and bring about transformational change. The report provided an update on the Levelling Up Fund (Round Three) alongside progress on the development of a Sports Hub on the former Billingham Campus site to create a sustainable high quality grassroots sports facilities for local clubs and residents to use.

Following receipt of a funding agreement, the final elements of legal agreements with Evolve could now be progressed. The current agreement would see the Council acquire West Precinct, the former library site and part of the adjacent Queensway South block, at the point of vacant possession.   These acquisitions would facilitate demolition, site clearance and relocation of tenants to support future redevelopment. Planning permission for the demolition and reconfiguration of the affected areas had been secured, and work was underway to explore the provision of a residential community in the heart of the town centre alongside new retail space,  improvements to public realm and car parking

Work was also underway exploring the feasibility of the reuse of the Wynyard House building for a public sector hub, incorporating a range of services as part of a body of work, funded through One Public Estate. 

Cabinet considered the approval of an additional £2 million allocation from Tees Valley Combined Authority (TVCA) funds to the Billingham Sports Hub project. This would bring the Council's TVCA commitment to £6 million, in support of an expanded scheme that included two artificial grass pitches, a 7v7 pitch, an athletics enclosure, accessible active track, pavilion, and community facilities. These improvements followed extensive public consultation and engagement with sports bodies and local stakeholders.

Cabinet considered entering into funding agreements with TVCA and the Football Foundation, with delegated authority granted to the relevant Directors, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Housing, to finalise the terms. Further delegated authority was sought to approve the contract award and any necessary variations to support project delivery.

This approval would allow the business case assessment to be undertaken by TVCA and provided confirmation to funding partners of the Council’s commitment to support project costs in advance of costs being finalised in July 2025.

Cabinet discussed conferring the completed Sports Hub to the National Football Trust (NFT), via a 30-year lease arrangement that ensured no revenue implications for the Council. The NFT would manage and maintain the facility through Leisure United, with strategic guidance provided, locally, by a Local Advisory Group. Construction was expected to commence in Autumn 2025 and complete in Autumn 2026.

RESOLVED that:-

1.       Cabinet note the update on Billingham Town Centre, including progress on funding arrangements and legal agreements required to enable redevelopment, and further note the continuing assessment of options to secure the town centre’s long-term regeneration.

2.       The allocation of £2 million to the Billingham Sports Hub project from funding provided by the Tees Valley Combined Authority, be approved, in support  ...  view the full minutes text for item CAB/13/25

STOCKTON-ON-TEES BOROUGH COUNCIL

CABINET DECISION

PROFORMA

Cabinet Meeting ........................................................................ 15 May 2025

Consideration was given to a report from the Children and Young People Select Committee following a scrutiny review of the Holidays are Fun programme.

The Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme was funded by the Department for Education and the Holiday Enrichment Programme (HEP) was funded by Public Health. The Stockton-on-Tees HAF team held a competition to rename the programme and selected “Holidays Are Fun” to remove some of the stigma some parents associated with holiday hunger.

HAF was offered free to school aged children from reception to year 11 who were in receipt of benefit related free school meals.

The two programmes covered the following holiday periods:

•         Holiday Activities and Food – DfE funded – covered Easter, Summer and Christmas and the provision had to be 4 hours a day for at least 4 days a week

•         Holiday Enrichment Programme – Public Health funded – covered May, October and February and the provision had to be two hours a day for at least four days

The overall aim of the review was to understand if HAF was inclusive of and attended by those families who most needed it and the impact that the programme has had on family health and social and economic wellbeing.

The Select Committee report concluded that the HAF programme provided much needed support to children and families in need over holiday periods and feedback illustrated that the programme was highly valued. Work was continuing to ensure that the programme was meeting the needs of children in most need and it was encouraging that auto-enrolment of free school meals was helping to identify eligible children. Providers had a good working relationship with the Council and children benefited from taking part in a wide variety of activities, many of which they would otherwise be unable to due to cost. In addition, the programme offered the opportunities for lifelong learning and had been a vehicle for providing support outside of holiday periods.

The Select Committee acknowledged the contribution from Public Health which enabled the programme to also operate during half term periods. The Select Committee were also mindful that ongoing Government funding was uncertain and consideration needed to be given making the programme sustainable in the longer term, for example, through the introduction of some paid for places.

RESOLVED that:-

1.       The Council continues to develop and promote the HAF programme to the residents of the Borough to ensure that the programme is meeting the needs of children in most need.

2.       The offer for SEND and secondary school children is further developed and promotional materials refreshed to target these children.

3.       Communications with town and parish councils are reviewed and strengthened.

4.       The Council works with providers to increase up take in all wards and decrease non-attendance.

5.       Consideration be given to how paid for places could be introduced to help make the programme sustainable.

6.       The Council works with schools to remove the barriers to them being primary delivery partners (for example, through the  ...  view the full minutes text for item CAB/14/25