Agenda and minutes

The Committee noted the evacuation and housekeeping procedure.

There were no declarations of interest.

To approve the minutes of the last meeting held on 27 March 2023

AGREED the minutes of the meeting held on 27 March 2023 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

Adults, Health and Wellbeing

Community Services, Environment and Transport

Finance, Development and Regeneration

The Select Committee received annual overview reports outlining the challenges and opportunities and priorities for the year ahead from the following three directorates:

• Adults, Health and Wellbeing

• Community Services, Environment and Transport

• Finance, Development and Regeneration

Key issues highlighted and discussed were as follows:

• No questions were raised on the Adults, Health and Wellbeing report.

• Members were pleased that waste management was being looked at through the scrutiny review process.

• Discussions were held around problems with tree maintenance and pothole repair programmes. Officers and Cabinet Members reassured the Committee that decisions regarding the allocation of resources were not made on a political basis but through specific policies and criteria.

• It was highlighted that areas of the Finance, Development and Regeneration report would also be covered in an upcoming Cabinet report.

• Members questioned the progress of the redevelopment of the Golden Eagle, Thornaby site. Officers responded that difficulties had arisen because the site was in private sector ownership but, as with all funding received, the Council ensured that any plans for the site represented value for money.

• Discussions were held around celebrations for the 1825 railway bicentenary, and it was confirmed that money had been allocated from the Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP). The Committee requested that the relevant director provided a written update.

• Concerns about the location of trade/commercial waste during the redevelopment of Yarm High Street were raised. Cabinet Members and Officers confirmed that the Council continued to consult with businesses and residents throughout the redevelopment and would investigate this issue.

• Members questioned when the Council purchased the 64-acre site at Durham Lane, Stockton. Members also questioned if the land for the car park was included in the site purchase, and if the car park would be operational in Autumn 2023. Officers responded that the target date for completion remained Autumn 2023. The land for the car park was not included in the scheme. Officers agreed to provide the Committee with an exact site purchase date.

• Discussions were held around the redevelopment of Stockton Town Centre and the demolition of the former Castlegate Centre. In particular, the impact on surrounding businesses (for example, those on Finkle Street) and support available.

• A discussion was held around the revision of plans for the Splash, Stockton site. The Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Housing informed the Committee that the Council had achieved a well-earned reputation for its phased delivery of redevelopment schemes, and this had resulted in attracting new potential investors as the Stockton Town Centre scheme has progressed.

AGREED that:

1) the three Overview reports be noted.

2) the further information be provided as requested.    

Consideration was given to the Work Programme.

Members were informed that following approval at the meeting of the Executive Scrutiny Committee on 4 July 2023, the Place Select Committee’s next review would be the Scrutiny Review of Domestic Waste Collections, Kerbside Recycling and Green Waste Collections.

The next meeting would be held on Monday 11 September 2023.

AGREED that the Work Programme be noted.

The incoming Chair provided a welcome message to the Committee.

AGREED that the Chair’s update be noted.