Agenda item

To receive a update on developments around this initiative.

Further to the initial briefing on the Tees Valley Care and Health Innovation Zone received by the Committee in June 2024, an update on developments in relation to this initiative had been requested.  Presented by the Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council (SBC) Assistant Director – Inclusive Growth and Development and the SBC Head of Policy, Development & Public Affairs, information was provided as follows:

·       The Zone (and its health spine): The original footprint of the Zone had evolved in the last 12 months to recognise its broader impact, though key elements remained which included the new and recently opened Community Diagnostic Centre, Durham University’s strategic buildings, and Tees Marshalling Yards.  Sited within the middle of the Tees Valley itself, the Zone was well connected from a transportation perspective, with both the A19 and A66 nearby, and Thornaby Station situated within its boundaries.

A masterplanning exercise had identified a ‘health spine’ running across the Zone.  From Stockton town centre and the ongoing development of the Urban Riverside Park, this spine covered a ‘live, work, learn’ cluster (encompassing a multi-generational living concept), an open innovation campus (encouraging thinking that was not confined to within a building / closed environment) and the Marshalling Yards transformation, with offshoots across the Infinity Bridge and towards the White Water Course and Teesside Park Shopping Centre.  To realise this vision, key projects involved the delivery of a community consultation strategy, the creation of an active / sustainable travel plan for the whole site, making Teesdale innovation ready, and reactivating the waterfront.

·       From Concept to Delivery: Encouraging buy-in from a host of organisations (educational, health, Tees Valley Combined Authority (TVCA), businesses) had led the Council and its partners to a successful point, but there was now a need to move from concept to delivery.  Whilst the regeneration element to the vision was significant (particularly the Marshalling Yards part), it was important not to lose sight of the skills and education aspects also associated with this development.

Two distinct time periods had been identified to start bringing this vision to reality.  Short / medium-term (0-5 years) goals involved the now-achieved delivery of the Tees Valley Community Diagnostic Centre, exploration of further community health facilities in Stockton town centre (which could be delivered relatively quickly and aligned with the recently published 10-year health plan for England), garnering interest from private health providers in the area, and delivery of the previously announced Medical School.  Medium / long-term (5 years+) aims focused on the Tees Central area and the unlocking of the Marshalling Yards site.

·       Governance: As the approach had developed, it was appropriate to re-consider governance arrangements to ensure these were fit for purpose.  The previous Board and five workstreams were stood down and would be replaced with a Strategic Programme Board (to act as champions for the Zone and engage in regional and national policy discussions that may impact it) which had oversight of, and provided direction to, three new working groups covering Skills, Research and Innovation, and Masterplanning and Infrastructure.

·       Workstream Focus: Over the next 12 months, the Skills Working Group would focus on raising aspirations / ambitions campaign working with the TVCA (linked to the local growth plan), the consideration of barriers to entering training and identifying potential solutions (whilst also promoting health and care sectors as a career opportunity), developing and piloting some innovative models, and obtaining and analysing destination data from training providers.

The Research and Innovation Working Group’s attention would centre on consideration of an Innovation Hub (a feasibility report would make any recommendations for next steps) and pursuing opportunities for care-tech and health-tech (cross-fertilisation of expertise).

From a Masterplanning and Infrastructure Working Group perspective, in addition to the meetings which had already taken place between SBC, DB Cargo and Network Rail to discuss the consolidation of assets (baselining work needed to be completed before further works were undertaken), efforts would involve further stakeholder engagement and building of strong relationships to ensure a clear programme of delivery and progression of ambitions for the site, and the consideration of a separate masterplan for Tees Central (which would likely be required).  It was noted that Homes England had offered financial support in the form of revenue funding for some development work (to be determined).

Welcoming this latest update, the Committee asked whether neighbouring Middlesbrough Council was being engaged in discussions / work around the Zone and requested confirmation of who was leading the new working groups (given Members were encouraged to engage with the previous five workstreams when receiving the initial briefing in June 2024).

Regarding the Homes England reference, the Committee queried what was happening to a stalled site within the Zone footprint.  Members were informed that Homes England were no longer the owners of the site in question, and that the Council was currently trying to ascertain the situation with the new owners.

The Committee sought clarity on whether community health facilities would be town centre-based or situated within the Zone itself – SBC officers reiterated that options were being explored with a focus on what could be implemented quickly.  Responding to a similar enquiry about the anticipated Medical School, it was confirmed that, if this went ahead, it would be in the Teesdale site and that the Council and relevant partners were presently working through potential plans.  It was also noted that the Zone docked into the overarching Stockton-on-Tees Plan.

AGREED that the Tees Valley Care and Health Innovation Zone update be noted.