Agenda item

Question 1

The following question was submitted by Dan Poole:

“I set up a suicide prevention initiative called One More Life in 2017 and was making some good progress in 2019, sadly my best friend tragically took his own life on December 6th, 2019. I am currently going through the process of registering as a charitable organisation in Stockton. What support can I access through the council in terms of people, infrastructure, and resources to ensure that we have a robust set up this time round and that we can reduce our high rates of suicide locally?”

The Cabinet Member for Health and Adult Social Care (Councillor Pauline Beall) responded with:

“Thank you for your enquiry. I am very sorry to hear about the tragic loss of your friend. The Council is continuing to work with partners including the NHS and the Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise Sector on this important issue, to promote mental health and wellbeing and access to the support available.  I am aware that you had a telephone conversation with one of our managers in the Public Health team to help ensure you are connected with the appropriate support, and it is great that you intend to undertake trainer training in both Safe Talk and ASIST (applied suicide intervention skills training).  We are aware that you are also pursuing Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) status with support from Catalyst. 

The role of VCSE organisations is key in raising awareness, providing support and promoting the voice of people with lived experience in prevention and response around mental wellbeing. The Council actively participates in suicide prevention and the Public Health team will facilitate a link to the Tees Suicide Prevention Co-ordinator and the many suicide prevention partners within their network who contribute to the delivery of the Tees Suicide Prevention Strategy.  We also commission services: Cruse to provide a post-vention offer to people and communities affected by suicide; and the Tees Mental Health Training Hub which provides applied suicide intervention skills training and many other courses related to mental health. Both of these services are part of the afore mentioned network. We will also connect you to the Council’s community engagement team to support you further and we would like to wish you well in your endeavours.”

Question 2

The following question was submitted by John McDermottoe:

“What assessment has Stockton Borough Council made of the financial impact that Net Zero-related policies are having on local industry, manufacturing competitiveness and household costs across the Borough?”

The Cabinet Member for Environment, Leisure and Culture (Councillor Nigel Cooke) responded with:

“Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council adopted an Environmental Sustainability and Carbon Reduction Strategy (ESCRS) in 2022.  The strategy states that Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council should act as a catalyst to encourage and inspire residents, businesses, and other organisations to adopt practices and take positive action which will contribute to an environmentally sustainable borough.

The UK government’s Net Zero Strategy aims to achieve net zero emissions by 2050 through a comprehensive legal framework established by the Climate Change Act (2008).  Stockton-on-Tees ESCRS strategy is aligned to the UK government’s Net Zero Strategy; however, Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council has not conducted a financial impact assessment in relation to achieving the Governments ambitions.”

John McDermottroe asked the asked the following supplementary question:

“Given growing concerns, will the Council publish how the Strategy will impact financially on business and residents?”

The Cabinet Member for Environment, Leisure and Culture (Councillor Nigel Cooke) responded with:

“Financial spending is monitoring closely by the Council and there are regular reports presented to Cabinet. We need to comply with the legislation but will continue to monitor the impact on our residents.”

Question 3

The following question was submitted by John McDermottoe:

“What assessment has Stockton Borough Council made of the impact that rising levels of migration and asylum accommodation are having on local housing availability, temporary accommodation demand and public services within the Borough?”

The Cabinet Member for Access, Communities and Community Safety (Councillor Norma Stephenson) responded with:

“The Council’s Housing Service uses both national datasets and locally collated information to understand the number of refugees and asylum seekers residing within the borough. The Council’s Integration and Support Service works collaboratively across internal service teams and with wider statutory partners to assess and respond to any implications this may have on council services.

As with all local authorities supporting an asylum seeker population, the Council receives Home Office Asylum Grant funding. In line with the funding instructions, these monies can be used to support both statutory and non-statutory services.

It is also important to note that the Council has been designated by the Home Office as a ‘maintain and replace’ local authority. This means that the Home Office is not actively increasing the number of asylum seekers placed within the Borough.”

John McDermottroe asked the asked the following supplementary question:

“Will the Council commit to publish clear local figures?”

The Cabinet Member for Access, Communities and Community Safety (Councillor Norma Stephenson) responded with:

“This is not a problem as all figures are already published on the Government website.”

Question 4

A public question had been submitted by David Blair. However, the questioner was not present at the meeting therefore it was advised that a written reply would be sent to him.