Agenda and decisions

1.

Title of Item/Report

Scrutiny Review of Community Participation Budget and Ward Transport Budget - Final Report of the Community Safety Select Committee

2.

Record of the Decision

Consideration was given to a report that presented the outcomes of the Community Safety Select Committee’s review of Community Participation Budget and Ward Transport Budget.

RESOLVED that:-

1. Both the Community Participation Budget (CPB) and the Ward Transport Budget (WTB) remain as separate Member-led schemes.

2. With due regard to the Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council (SBC) Ward Councillor survey feedback, SBC reviews and refreshes the guidance available to SBC Ward Councillors on CPB and WTB eligibility criteria and scheme delivery processes (which should include approximate timelines involved in the most common project proposals).

3. SBC considers how existing resources can best support and improve the timely processing of CPB / WTB proposals and ensure effective communication with SBC Ward Councillors throughout the process.

4. SBC continues to develop, and then implements, its new CPB / WTB-related digital case management and submission system (to include a Members Briefing at the appropriate time).

5. SBC strengthens processes around communication between relevant SBC Ward Councillors and officers designing a CPB / WTB scheme if, after feasibility checks are undertaken, environmental or other factors mean the original scope cannot be achieved.

6. Annual updates be provided to all SBC Ward Councillors on the state of CPB / WTB proposals (including the in-year and full four-year Council term budget position).

7. SBC Ward Councillors be supported to increase engagement with local resident and community groups to generate and discuss project proposals at ward level via Ward surgeries and Members newsletters.

8. To increase wider understanding and promotion of these budget schemes, SBC:

a)       publishes a short annual summary on its website of projects funded through CPB and WTB in each ward.

b)       uses its website to confirm budget allocations, processes for applications, any deadlines for season-specific works, and principal contacts for enquiries.

c)       periodically advertises its CPB / WTB website link to the Borough’s Town and Parish Councils, and local residents, via all available communication mediums.

9. SBC introduces an annual report to the relevant SBC scrutiny committee on the CPB and WTB (allocations, proposals, spend, carry-forward, etc.).

3.

Reasons for the Decision

This topic was included on the Scrutiny Work Programme for 2025-2026 and continued into the 2026-2027 municipal year. The review is now complete, and the recommendations have been endorsed by the Community Safety Select Committee for submission to Cabinet.

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, 23 October 2026

1.

Title of Item/Report

Integration of Community Day Options and Allensway Centre for Adults with Learning Disabilities and Complex Needs

2.

Record of the Decision

Consideration was given to a report on the Integration of Community Day Options and Allensway Centre for Adults with Learning Disabilities and Complex Needs.

Community Day Options (CDO) delivered community-based day opportunities for adults with learning disabilities and complex needs from Stockton Business Centre, Ragworth Community Centre and Billingham Forum. Allensway Day Centre was a Council-owned, purpose-designed and fully accessible building with capacity to accommodate additional service provision.

A report was presented to the Corporate Management Team (CMT), and it was agreed that a consultation should be undertaken with people accessing the service and their families and carers regarding the potential relocation of CDO to Allensway Day Centre and the integration of the two services. The proposed integration aimed to improve accessibility, increase opportunities for people accessing the service, strengthen community inclusion and maximise the use of council assets. Consultation findings indicated strong support for the proposal, with respondents highlighting the importance of maintaining relationships with familiar staff, access to a wider range of activities, improved facilities and opportunities for greater social interaction.

The proposed integration would bring the two services together within a single, integrated day opportunities service based at Allensway Day Centre, while maintaining existing staffing levels and implementing measures to support people throughout the transition. The report presented the findings of the consultation and sought a decision on whether to proceed with the proposal.

RESOLVED that:-

1. Relocate CDO to Allensway Day Centre and integrate the two services.

2. Delegate authority to the Director of Adults, Health & Wellbeing, in consultation with the Director of Corporate Services and the Chief Financial Officer, to take all necessary steps to implement the approved service model, including consultation, engagement with trade unions and staff, and any consequential organisational change processes.

3. Note that through the outcome-based review approach, a new model design, and implementation of a more integrated approach, people will get a wider range of opportunities and there will be more options to grow and develop the experiences for people. Financial savings were not the driver for this review, but it has provided the opportunity to delete vacant posts, without reducing staff numbers and as such there will be £150k in savings.

3.

Reasons for the Decision

The recommendation is based on the positive consultation findings, the anticipated benefits for people accessing the service, and the opportunity to deliver a more integrated and sustainable day opportunities service.

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, 23 October 2026

1.

Title of Item/Report

Procurement Plan / Higher Value Contracts

2.

Record of the Decision

Consideration was given to a report that sought approval for the award of planned higher value contracts where the value exceeds the limit on officer delegated authority and which are either funded within the approved MTFP / Capital Programme or are subject to a bid for external funding.

The constitution defined a range of decisions that required a specific Cabinet approval, the financial threshold for which was set at a level of £500k or more. Annex 1of the report lists contracts that exceeds the financial threshold and have not otherwise been delegated to officers.

Further Procurement Plan / Higher Value Contracts Reports would be presented to Cabinet for approval during the year as details of new contracts needed to deliver capital schemes were developed or new revenue funded contracts identified.

RESOLVED that:-

1. The contract listed in Annex 1 of the report be approved.

2. Authority be delegated to the relevant Director or Assistant Director to make the specific contract award decision and any subsequent contract variation, annual inflationary uplifts (where allowed in the contract terms and conditions) and extension decision in accordance with the delegations listed in Annex 1 of the report.

3.

Reasons for the Decision

To enable Cabinet to exercise its strategic oversight of higher value planned procurement projects, in accordance with the constitution.

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, 23 October 2026

1.

Title of Item/Report

Flag Flying Policy – Historic Counties Flags

2.

Record of the Decision

Consideration was given to a report on the Flag Flying Policy – Historic Counties Flags.

The report presented the options to amend the Council’s flag flying policy to celebrate the Historic Counties which fall within the Borough boundaries.

A request had been received from a member of the public to recognise the historic county of Durham through the Council’s flag flying policy. With regard to options for flying historic county flags, the following dates were relevant for Stockton-on-Tees:

•         County Durham Day – 20 March - the feast day for St Cuthbert. The Durham Flag could be flown at the Town Hall (north of River Tees in the historic county of Durham)

•         Yorkshire Day – 1 August - marking the anniversary of the Battle of Minden. The Yorkshire Flag could be flown at Dunedin House (south of River Tees in the historic North Riding of Yorkshire)

A copy of the Council’s current flag flying policy was attached to the report. The current policy provided for the Union Flag to be flown from the headquarters building at all times and for the Union Flag to be flown on the Town Hall with the exception of designated days for other flags. If the Historic County Flag Days were to be recognised, the flag flying policy would be amended.

RESOLVED that the Council’s flag flying policy be updated to recognise Durham Day on 20 March and Yorkshire Day on 1 August.

3.

Reasons for the Decision

To respond to a request from a member of the public to mark the Historic Counties through the Council’s flag flying policy.

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, 23 October 2026

1.

Title of Item/Report

Opportunities for Young People into Employment

2.

Record of the Decision

Consideration was given to an exempt report on Opportunities for Young People into Employment.

RESOLVED that the recommendations contained within the report be agreed.

3.

Reasons for the Decision

To consider the Opportunities for Young People into Employment.

4.

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected

As set out in the report.

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, 23 October 2026