Agenda item

Public Question submitted by John McDermottroe for response by the Leader of the Council (Cllr Bob Cook):

 

“Given that over 5 million people will be denied their democratic right to vote in the coming May Elections, can the leader of the council reassure the people of the Borough of Stockton that the council will not seek to cancel the local elections here in 2027?”

 

The Leader of the Council responded with:

 

“I can reassure residents that there are no plans to cancel or postpone elections in Stockton-on-Tees. While the government has postponed elections in areas undergoing local government reorganisation, this does not apply here, as there are no current proposals affecting our borough.

 

I am sure all elected members agree on the importance of our democratic culture. We should all be proud that we settle our differences through debate and remain accountable to the residents who elect us.”

 

Public Question submitted by Kirsty McDowell for response by the Cabinet Member for Health, Leisure and Culture (Cllr Steve Nelson):-

 

“What provisions will the council facilitate and provide for people with Parkinson's to exercise? Bearing in mind exercise is essential to manage their condition and mobility needs progress over time.”

 

On behalf of the Cabinet Member for Health, Leisure and Culture, the Leader of the Council responded with:

 

“Current Council provision includes:

•           Tees Active leisure centre activities including gyms, swimming pools and fitness classes.  Tees Active recognises its responsibilities in providing services accessible to all, including supporting each individual; and all venues being wheelchair friendly, and having lifts and accessible shower and changing facilities.  Access For All - Tees Active

•           Support to access personal assistants and day opportunities following a Care Act Assessment / Direct Payments, addressing any barriers to community offers.

•           An experienced Occupational Therapy Service that, under the care Act, are flexible and innovative in meeting people's needs, providing advice and sign posting for maximising independence

•           Resources and activities in the community, supported by partner organisations.  For example information on accessible walks and local walking groups from the Active Travel Hub https://thehubstockton.com/walking/

Targeted Council provision for people with disabilities / for people with Parkinsons:

•           Any individual diagnosed with Parkinson’s is able to access the Active Health programme (Active Health - Tees Active), through a health professional referral. Once they have been assessed by Tees Actives Health Team, they are referred to fitness sessions which are deemed most appropriate for the individual fitness levels.  These include Chair based exercise sessions, Yoga, Pilates, Aqua Fit and different levels of Active+ classes.

•           Individuals with neurological conditions can access the medimotion bikes based at Billingham Forum once they have completed an induction.

•           Shape the Play run a number of activity sessions locally, including their Gentle Exercise session at the Wellbeing Hub in Wellington Square https://www.stocktonwellbeinghub.org/news-1/shape-the-play-gentle-exercise”

 

Kirsty McDowell asked the following supplementary question:

 

“How are active health referrals assessed?”

 

The Leader of the Council responded with:

 

“Officers will provide details after the meeting. The Council is working with Tees Active to provide a range of activities for people with Parkinsons.”

 

A public question was submitted by Claire Stamp for response by the Cabinet Member for Environment and Transport (Cllr Clare Besford). However, Ms Stamp was not present at the meeting therefore it was advised that a written reply would be sent to her.

 

Public Question submitted by Richard Merritt for response by the Cabinet Member for Health, Leisure and Culture (Cllr Steve Nelson):

 

“What is the breakdown of costs budgeted for the £300,000 Urban Park opening ceremony?”

 

On behalf of the Cabinet Member for Health, Leisure and Culture, the Leader of the Council responded with:

 

“The suggested £300,000 provision is an estimate and there is not a detailed breakdown at this stage.

 

Based on over 30 years’ experience in commissioning new street theatre shows for the Stockton International Riverside Festival, officers have a good understanding of the costs and challenges of creating new, bespoke events for an opening of this kind. The £300,000 estimate includes provision for the design and creation an event featuring a main show, supported by additional smaller scale street theatre, and local resident participation to provide the overall impact and duration required.

 

Estimates are based on artistic costs, technical staging costs, stewarding and other infrastructure. A detailed breakdown can only be produced when specific proposals have been developed by suitably experienced street arts companies, which our technical team can then use as a basis for calculating production and staging costs.”

 

Public Question submitted by Julie Dolan for response by the Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Housing (Cllr Nigel Cooke):

 

“What has been the housing stock increase over the last 5 years April 2019 to end March 2024?”

 

The Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Housing responded with:

 

“For the purpose of this answer I have assumed that the term “housing stock” is referring to the total number of dwellings in the Borough and, to that end, there has been total net change over that period of 3,218 dwellings.”

 

Julie Dolan asked the following supplementary question:

 

“Of the increase in dwellings of 3,218 what is the ratio between private and social housing?”

 

The Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Housing responded with:

 

“Officers will provide details after the meeting. It is difficult to provide an exact figure as there are a lot of variables and the number of properties agreed as part of planning consent can change over time.”

 

Public Question submitted by Julie Dolan for response by the Cabinet Member for the Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Housing (Cllr Nigel Cooke):

 

“What is the rate of employment/unemployment in the Borough over the last 5 years and what has been the housing benefit increase April 2019 to end March 2024?”

 

The Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Housing responded with:

 

“While the source for employment and unemployment rates for the Borough is a rolling annual survey updated quarterly, a given 12-month period should be compared to the matching 12-month period in previous years to obtain valid comparisons. Equally, there is a delay between data collected and data being published so the most recent full year statistics we have are from 2023.

 

The employment rate for the end of 2020 was 74.4%, end of 2021 was 71.6%, end of 2022 was 73.7% and the end of 2023 was 74.1%.

 

The unemployment rate for the end of 2020 was 5.7%, end of 2021 was 5.9%, end of 2022 was 3.5% and the end of 2023 was 4.5%.

 

The number of households receiving housing benefit is declining as a result of Department for Work and Pensions Universal Migration programme.  The number receiving housing benefit in April 2019 was 12,438 and in March 2024 was 6,915.”

 

Public Question submitted by Sarah Moreland for response by the Leader of the Council (Cllr Bob Cook):-

 

“SBC had an injection of 9.1 million pounds from Central Government. What has this money been earmarked for?”

 

The Leader of the Council responded with:

 

“The funding was awarded through the local government finance settlement to contribute towards funding pressures the Council is facing. The £9.1m included funding specifically for Adults and Children’s social care and National Insurance Costs.

 

The money has been used to address greater cost pressures across Council Services caused by large increases in national living wage, national insurance and inflation, as well as growing demand for Council Services. Because of this, the services receiving the largest share of additional money are Adult’s and Children’s Social Care. In addition to this other services that received additional money in the budget this year include Home to School Transport Services, nationally set pay award, and inflation on services such as ICT, grounds and vehicles.

 

The full list of where the money is allocated is in the budget report to Council on 19th February.”

 

A public question was submitted by Kendele Harper-Raze for response by the Leader of the Council (Cllr Bob Cook). However, Ms Harper-Raze was not present at the meeting therefore it was advised that a written reply would be sent to her.