Agenda item

1.

Title of Item/Report

Place Select Committee - Scrutiny Review of Governance of Capital Projects

2.

Record of the Decision

Consideration was given to a report that presented the outcomes of the Place Select Committee’s review of Capital Projects.

The Council had a large-scale programme of capital projects to ensure that it was providing quality facilities for residents, attracting investment, and making Stockton-on-Tees a great place to live, work, and visit. The review aimed to examine the processes, including governance and decision-making structures, in delivering major capital projects and identify if these could be improved thereby ensuring that they provided value for money as well as having a social value and be effective in place shaping of the Borough.

The governance arrangements had been in place since November 2024, and the Committee found that these provided a solid foundation for delivering projects that benefit residents, support regeneration, and met the strategic ambitions of the Borough. The review highlighted a strong appetite to strengthen member engagement and the importance of learning from experience. The need to ensure sufficient skills and capacity to deliver the programme was also highlighted and Members were made aware of the development of the Council’s workforce “People Plan”. Recommendations therefore focused on communication, including strengthening the communication of risk and sharing of lessons learnt, and ensuring workforce capability, to further improve delivery.

The Committee had taken evidence from the Assistant Director of Town Centre Development, the Highways, Transport and Design Manager, the Strategic Finance Manager, the Capital Programme Manager, the Director of Regeneration and Inclusive Growth, and the Monitoring Officer.

RESOLVED that:-

1. The level of financial delegation given to officers in relation to capital projects be reviewed and any potential changes be taken through Cabinet and Council.

2. When making a decision Cabinet receive information that addresses the following:

•         option appraisal

•         public and stakeholder consultation and engagement

•         benefit identification

•         risk management

•         financial delegations

•         lessons learned from previous projects where appropriate

3. Member information for and engagement of the capital programme is strengthened by:

•         Providing regular and consistent updates to members via Cabinet/Member briefings showing progress against approved programme

•         Including training for members on capital programme governance and funding frameworks within the Member Induction

•         Refreshing the Council’s Concordat for Communication and Consultation with Councillors to include the flow of information on the progress of capital projects particularly to relevant Ward Members

4. Consideration be given within the ongoing development of the Council’s People Plan of the need to ensure sufficient workforce capacity and skills to support the capital programme

5. Officers provide a report on the effectiveness of the governance structure to the Select Committee in January 2027, when further projects have been through the process

3.

Reasons for the Decision

The topic was included on the Scrutiny Work Programme for 2025-2026. The review is now complete, and the recommendations have been endorsed by the Place 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, 22 May 2026