This week, the Middlesbrough Council held several important meetings, and key decisions were made that will impact the community. Below is a summary of the discussions and decisions from each meeting.

Licensing Committee - Monday 24 June 2024

The Licensing Committee met to discuss the renewal of a premises licence for The Central pub, located on Corporation Road. The committee decided to grant the renewal, noting that there were no objections from any of the responsible authorities, including the Police and Fire Service.

Executive - Wednesday 26 June 2024

The Executive discussed several significant topics:

Council Performance

The council reviewed its performance in relation to its Strategic Plan, which outlines the long-term vision for Middlesbrough. The plan aims to create a thriving, fairer, and greener borough with opportunities for all. This was the third update since the plan's inception, and the report included progress against objectives, key risks, and the council's financial position.

Free School Meal Auto-enrollment

The Executive noted the progress on auto-enrolling families for free school meals. This initiative, in collaboration with LRG, aims to increase the uptake of free school meals by identifying eligible families who have not applied.

Financial Position

The council reviewed its financial position, focusing on the revenue outturn for 2023/24, which ended with a small underspend of £0.1m. The Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP) for 2024/25 to 2027/28 was also discussed, highlighting challenges such as austerity, rising social care costs, and inflation. The report recommended further budget savings and considering a council tax increase in 2025/26.

Partnership Working

The council received an update on its strategic approach to partnership working. Effective partnerships and community engagement are essential for compliance with the Best Value Duty. Plans include developing a new partnership strategy, establishing a partnership board, and creating a partnership fund.

Overview and Scrutiny Board - Wednesday 26 June 2024

The Overview and Scrutiny Board approved a new Housing Revenue Account (HRA) business plan for 2024-2028 and discussed a new scrutiny structure for the council.

Future Scrutiny Structure

The board debated changes to the council's scrutiny structure, considering the effectiveness, resource efficiency, and impact on pre-decision scrutiny. The new structure was approved, with an evaluation planned for April 2025 to review its effectiveness.

Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Business Plan 2024-2028

The board approved the HRA business plan, which includes significant investments in existing council housing stock. The plan targets properties with an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of D or below for external wall insulation, supported by successful bids to the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund.

Constitution and Members' Development Committee - Thursday 27 June 2024

The Constitution and Members' Development Committee met, but no video or detailed transcript was provided for this meeting.

Stay informed about the decisions and discussions that shape our community by keeping up with council meetings and updates.