Agenda and decisions

1.

Title of Item/Report

Medium Term Financial Plan Update and Strategy

2.

Record of the Decision

Consideration was given to a report on the Medium Term Financial Plan Update and Strategy.

This was the final report in setting the Council’s 2026/27 Budget and Council Tax and outlining the Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP) position to 2029. The report also included an update on the financial performance for 2025/26.

The report outlined the budget for 2026/27 and indicative MTFP for future years. The provisional finance settlement was announced on 17 December 2025, and this indicated the funding for 2026/27 along with provisional allocations for 2027/28 and 2028/29, with the final allocations to be confirmed in February.

The MTFP provided an indicative financial envelope to support sustainable decision making and prioritisation over the planning period. It would be reviewed and refreshed annually to reflect updated demand, inflation, funding assumptions and delivery progress.

Like many councils across the country, the Council continued to see greater demand for council services and rising costs which had resulted in overspending against it’s budget. The areas that were experiencing the greatest budgetary challenges were Adults Social Care, Children’s Social Care and Home to School Transport. As a result, the Council had needed to use reserves to dampen the impact; the Council needed to ensure it had healthy reserves to mitigate for future unpredicted pressures and therefore these need to be replenished. The report included a Reserves Policy outlining the plan of how this would be achieved.

Across the MTFP the Council was predicting the continued rising demand and cost pressures seen in recent years, which would exceed the increase in funding available. This had resulted in a budget gap of £6.7m in 2026/27, with a predicted budget gap of £13.8m in 2027/28 and £18.4m in 2028/29.

In response to bridging this gap, a renewed Phase 2 of the Powering Our Future programme encompassing Outcome based reviews, Council wide initiatives and efficiency reviews had been identified. This programme built on the positive progress made through the Powering our Futures Phase 1 transformation reviews already identifying £9.9m of savings by 2028/29. Residents feedback through the Let’s Talk Money budget consultation had been used to help identify the areas for review.

The scale and pace of savings required, particularly in the later years of the plan, represented a significant delivery challenge. While the Council had a strong track record through Phase 1 of Powering Our Futures, Phase 2 would require early validation of assumptions, rigorous governance through the established gateway process, and regular reporting to Members. Given the low level of reserves, timely corrective action would be required where delivery risk emerges, including adjusting sequencing, scope or mitigations as necessary.

RECOMMENDED to Council that:-

1. In accordance with the Local Government Act 2003, Members note that the Section 151 Officer confirms that the following recommendations:

a)       represent a robust budget which has been prepared in line with best  ...  view the full decision text for item 5.

1.

Title of Item/Report

A Children’s Integrated Front Door for Stockton-on-Tees (Update)

2.

Record of the Decision

Consideration was given to a report on a Children’s Integrated Front Door for Stockton-on-Tees.

The report provided an update on the disaggregation of the joint Children’s Hub with Hartlepool Borough Council and the development of a new Integrated Early Help and Safeguarding Front Door for Stockton-on-Tees. Rising demand, evolving national Families First reforms, and the need for a more locally responsive service had driven the decision to bring the front door inhouse from April 2026.

The proposed model would create a single access point for early help and safeguarding, supported by multiagency triage, digital tools, and alignment with Family Hubs. The report outlined progress to date, implications for workforce, finance, and partnership working, and requested Cabinet approval to formally withdraw delegated authority from Hartlepool to enable the transition.

A comprehensive options appraisal was undertaken with input from a range of support services to ensure all decisions were lawful, feasible, affordable, and aligned with corporate and public expectations. Following this process, an ‘Early Help Integrated Front Door’ was identified as the preferred approach because it best met statutory safeguarding duties while offering the strongest alignment with national reform priorities, local accountability, and improved outcomes through early intervention.

Although complex to implement in the short term, this model provided enhanced support for children, families, and partners, promotes financial transparency and resource efficiency, and strengthens partnership working and demand management. It represented the most suitable solution for delivering long-term improvements.

A range of partners both statutory and non-statutory had been engaged with the process of developing the design and approach to the Children’s Front Door. The approach was endorsed by the Families First Partnership Board September 2025. Partners would continue to be engaged in the development of the front door, and the multi- agency response.

RESOLVED that:-

1.       The establishment of Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council’s in-house Integrated Front Door arrangements (Early Help and Safeguarding) be approved to be operational from 1 April 2026, replacing the current shared front door arrangements.

2.       The Council’s delegation/arrangements for Hartlepool Borough Council to discharge the relevant front door functions on its behalf be withdrawn, with effect from 23:59 on 31 March 2026, and to confirm that the Council will resume full responsibility for delivery from 1 April 2026.

3.

Reasons for the Decision

The Children’s Hub serves as the primary point of contact for anyone with concerns about the safety or wellbeing of a child or young person living in Stockton-on-Tees. The Hub is currently delivered in partnership with, and managed by, Hartlepool Borough Council.

This report asks members to note the update regarding the disaggregation of the Children’s multi-agency hub, and the commencement of a new service within Stockton-on-Tees. This change will strengthen the Council’s commitment to the Powering Our Futures Mission by enhancing service responsiveness for local communities and aligns with the Early Intervention and Prevention work  ...  view the full decision text for item 6.

1.

Title of Item/Report

Tenancy Policy

2.

Record of the Decision

Consideration was given to a report on Tenancy Policy.

The Council completed a Large-Scale Stock Transfer (LSVT) of its councils housing stock in 2010 but retained a small number of properties (as detailed in paragraph 1 of the report).  Since then these properties had been leased to a local Registered Provider, who issued Assured Shorthold Tenancy Agreements when properties became available for letting.  Due to recent changes in this arrangement, the Council is now responsible for issuing appropriate Tenancy Agreements to its current and new tenants.  To do this the Council was required to prepare and publish a Tenancy Policy.  

A Tenancy Policy sets out the types of tenancy that a landlord would issue to its tenants and the principles and processes that will be followed in granting and ending tenancies.

A copy of the Tenancy policy was attached to the report.

RESOLVED that:-

1.       The proposed Tenancy Policy attached at Appendix A to the report be approved.

2.       The proposed Tenancy Agreement changes for existing tenants as detailed in paragraph 9 of the report be agreed.

3.       Subject to consultation with local Registered Providers as detailed in paragraphs 10 & 11 of the report, delegated authority be given to the Director of Adults, Health & Wellbeing in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Housing to make any further or necessary amendments to the Tenancy Policy.

4.       Should it be become necessary to amend the Tenancy Policy in response to the Renters Rights Act 2025 (as detailed in paragraph 12 of the report), delegated authority be given to the Director of Adults, Health & Wellbeing in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Housing to make any necessary amendments.

3.

Reasons for the Decision

To ensure compliance with relevant legislation and provide transparency in the types of tenancy that will be offered by the Council.  A Tenancy Policy will support the effective use of the Council’s housing stock (current and future) to address housing need across the borough.

4.

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected

None

5.

Declared (Cabinet Member) Conflicts of Interest

None

6.

Details of any Dispensations

None

7.

Date and Time by which Call In must be executed

Midnight, 17 February 2026

1.

Title of Item/Report

Annual report of the Independent Safety Advisory Group (ISAG) 2025

2.

Record of the Decision

Consideration was given to a report on the Annual report of the Independent Safety Advisory Group (ISAG) 2025.

The Independent Safety Advisory Group (ISAG) brought together a range of professionals to scrutinise and advise upon event safety processes and systems for outdoor events. The ISAG looked at plans for a wide range of events and festivals in Stockton on Tees, focusing on events of a significant scale or complexity. All events of scale on Stockton Council land were subject to review by the ISAG, and where requested ISAG would review event safety plans which were hosted on private land.

The ISAG did not take decisions on whether an event should go ahead but provided specialist advice and recommended to landowners, including the Council to enable them to make informed decisions to allow an event or require changes to an event plan. The ISAG provided practical advice and guidance to event organisers and aimed to drive up the quality of event plans/safety planning.

The ISAG’s independent Chair produced an annual report for information, to highlight significant findings and make recommendations for areas of further work.

The full ISAG Annual Report, including an improvement plan, was attached to the report.

RESOLVED that the ISAG’s annual report 2025/26 be noted.

3.

Reasons for the Decision

The ISAG Chair’s report is presented to Cabinet to allow then to see the level of scrutiny and challenge being brought to bear in relation to events to ensure the public are properly protected. Cabinet are also able to see and comment upon the areas of further work recommended by the ISAG in relation to safety at public events.

4.

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected

None

5.

Declared (Cabinet Member) Conflicts of Interest

None

6.

Details of any Dispensations

None

7.

Date and Time by which Call In must be executed

Not applicable. For noting only.