The Council meeting on 15 July 2026 saw the adoption of the Coulby Newham Neighbourhood Plan and the unanimous passing of two significant motions concerning planning reform and the handling of members' code of conduct complaints. The meeting also included extensive updates from Executive Members on a wide range of council activities and portfolio areas.

Planning Reform and Developer Track Records

A motion calling for planning law reform to introduce a statutory track record test for developers was unanimously carried. The motion highlighted concerns about stalled or abandoned developments and blight sites caused by developers failing to build out approved schemes. The Council resolved to write to the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities, and Local Government, as well as local MPs and the Local Government Association, urging the government to amend planning law and policy to make a developer's track record a material planning consideration and to strengthen the council's powers to ensure timely site delivery. Councillor Ian Morrish declared a non-pecuniary interest due to his daughter working for a national housebuilder.

Improving the Handling of Member Code of Conduct Complaints

Another motion, also unanimously carried, aimed to improve the timeliness and transparency of the handling of members' code of conduct complaints. The motion noted that the Council had consistently failed to meet the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman's expectations for complaint resolution times. It proposed a maximum target of 20 weeks for the completion of all such complaints, with limited exceptions for delays caused by external statutory bodies. The motion also stipulated that time taken by commissioned external parties would count towards this 20-week period. The Monitoring Officer was instructed to implement a formal Code of Conduct Complaints Timetable and Procedure and to report regularly on compliance. Councillor Ian Morrish spoke in support of this motion.

Adoption of Coulby Newham Neighbourhood Plan

The Council formally adopted the Coulby Newham Neighbourhood Plan 2024-2039. This plan, prepared by the Coulby Newham Neighbourhood Forum, had previously been subject to an independent examination and a subsequent referendum. The referendum resulted in a Yes vote, requiring the Council to adopt the plan, which will now form part of the statutory development plan for the area. The plan includes policies aimed at delivering sustainable development, supporting new housing and economic growth, improving health facilities, and promoting well-designed developments that help to prevent crime.

Executive Member Updates

Throughout the meeting, Executive Members provided comprehensive updates on their respective portfolios:

• Mayor Chris Cooke reported on progress with the town-wide youth provision funding, the 10 by 10 programme, improvements to Albert Park, and preparations for the Turner Prize and the City of Culture bid. He also highlighted the new Southlands Community and Sports Facility and the doubling of the Neighbourhood Caretaker team.
• Councillor Philippa Storey (Deputy Mayor and Executive Member for Education and Culture) provided an update on the UK City of Culture 2029 bid, the Middlesbrough Storytelling Festival, activities at Middlesbrough Town Hall and Middlesbrough Theatre, and the success of the Middlesbrough Museums in Your Classroom project. She also detailed progress on the Outwood Riverside school construction and initiatives within Family Hubs.
• Councillor Julia Rostron (Executive Member for Adult Social Care) announced the launch of the Adult Social Care Academy, celebrated Learning Disability Week and Carers Week, and discussed the implications of a Supreme Court judgment on the definition of deprivation of liberty.
• Councillor Luke Henman (Executive Member for Children's Services) shared updates on the number of children accessing early help, foster carers, children in care, and care leavers. He welcomed new Service Directors, noted an Ofsted inspection, and highlighted the positive performance of residential children's homes.
• Councillor Theo Furness (Executive Member for Development) reported on progress with Pride in Place initiatives, Captain Cook Square, the Employment and Skills Hub, the new Southlands Community and Sports Facility, and the refurbishment of Middlesbrough Old Town Hall. He also provided an update on the Tees Valley Investment Zone and the development of a new Place Strategy.
• Councillor Peter Gavigan (Executive Member for Environment and Sustainability) detailed ongoing work on highways and infrastructure, including traffic signal and pedestrian crossing upgrades, verge replacement, and footway improvements. He also provided updates on the Transporter Bridge, A66 structures, and various road and bridge refurbishment projects. Environmental enforcement activities and waste services, including the new food waste collection service, were also discussed.
• Councillor Nicky Walker (Executive Member for Finance) presented information on the new Crisis and Resilience Fund, which provides significant support to households across Middlesbrough. She also reported on the year-end outturn for 2025/26, highlighting the continued improvement in the Council's financial resilience and rising reserves. Plans for member engagement on the Medium-Term Financial Plan and Budget for 2027/28 were also outlined.
• Councillor Ian Blades (Executive Member for Neighbourhoods) provided updates on initiatives across the four neighbourhood areas, including the Central Library's Seed Library, a Week of Action in Newport, and efforts to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour. He also detailed community engagement activities, caretaker work, and crime prevention measures in East, South, and West Middlesbrough.
• Councillor Jan Ryles (Executive Member for Public Health) reported on the Creating Healthy Environments Programme, including initiatives to increase physical activity, the upcoming homeless football tournament, and the reopening of Albert Park's tennis courts. She also discussed health protection programmes, immunisation efforts, and ill health prevention initiatives, including a bid for funding to create Neighbourhood Health Centres.

Other Business

The Council also approved appointments to various committees and outside bodies to fill existing vacancies. A reciprocal arrangement was approved with Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council for the cross-authority use of Independent Persons to assist in the handling of members' code of conduct complaints. A resolution was passed to call an Extraordinary Council Meeting to grant the Freedom of the Borough to Mr Dave Budd. Finally, amendments to council meeting dates for the 2026-2027 municipal year were approved.