The Place Scrutiny Panel are scheduled to meet to discuss barriers to regeneration in Middlesbrough, and to review the terms of reference for a scrutiny review into those barriers. The panel will also receive an update from Councillor David Branson, Chair of the Place Scrutiny Panel, on matters considered at the Overview and Scrutiny Board.

Barriers to Regeneration

The Head of Growth and Assets, Sam Gilmore, and the Strategic Town Centre Manager, Michelle McPhee, are scheduled to provide an overview on barriers to regeneration in Middlesbrough.

The Public Reports Pack includes a summary of stakeholder consultations that took place between December 2024 and February 2025. Major institutional stakeholders, members, and executives were invited to comment on what they saw as the main challenges holding Middlesbrough back from fulfilling its potential.

The top five challenges identified were:

1. Anti-social behaviour and crime
2. Empty properties and oversupply
3. Reduced funding from central government
4. Poor perception
5. Footfall and work patterns

Other challenges mentioned include poor pavements, a daytime economy that stops at 3:30pm, poor lighting from transport hubs to the town centre, and a poor family offer.

Stakeholders were also asked what needed to change for Middlesbrough to improve. The top five responses were:

1. A safer environment
2. Improved physical environment
3. High profile and consistent policing
4. Animation and events
5. Diversify and repurpose vacant units and blight sites

Other suggestions included reducing retail units, a better cleaning regime, better lighting, a more diverse night life, and better use of Centre Square as an event space.

The consultation also asked what the council should collectively concentrate investment in or apply for funding for. The top five responses were:

1. Make the town centre feel safe and increase police presence
2. Attractions and events (focused in the heart of the town centre)
3. Rebalance and diversify Middlesbrough's economy
4. Improve physical environment
5. Residential

Other suggestions included radical clearance, family areas such as play areas, a Christmas tree, attracting broader mosaic profiles¹, youth work, boosting apprenticeships, regenerating Middlehaven, and addressing derelict buildings and blight sites.

The report also identifies general barriers to regeneration, including infrastructure capacity, funding availability, disposable income consumer economy, skill gaps, perceptions, and a confused legislative environment.

Opportunities for regeneration are also identified, including street security proposals, stronger relationships with Middlesbrough Development Corporation officers, repurposing major sites such as House of Fraser, Debenhams, Marks & Spencer, and Next, Investment Zone status, strengths in digital and creative education and commercial, cultural strengths and hosting major events, and urban living and housing stock in central Middlesbrough.

The report concludes that there are no surprises and the council is self-aware of the challenges. It also states that a regeneration strategy is to be steered by the Town Board, and that a suite of strategic documents, including an investment prospectus and investment plan, will be produced.

The Panel are scheduled to determine what further information will be required for this scrutiny investigation.

Barriers to Regeneration - Terms of Reference

Panel Members are scheduled to consider, discuss and agree the Terms of Reference for the scrutiny review of Barriers to Regeneration.

The terms of reference include:

• Establishing what the barriers to regeneration are in terms of anti-social behaviour
• Identifying good practice from other local authorities in relation to attracting businesses to the area by tackling anti-social behaviour
• Investigating what measures are in place to make people feel safer in the town centre and neighbourhoods
• Gaining an understanding of current legislation available to local authorities to tackle anti-social behaviour

The Public Reports Pack states that the desired outcome of the investigation is that Middlesbrough is a town that businesses choose to invest in.

Key issues to be explored include what is currently in place to address anti-social behaviour and whether it can be improved, considering current policy and comparing it with other authorities, and looking at best practice and different methods.

Witnesses are scheduled to include Richard Horniman, Marian Walker, Matt Storey, and representatives from businesses. Research and consultation will include the Cleveland Police and Crime Plan.

The target body for recommendations is the Executive.

Overview and Scrutiny Board Update

Councillor David Branson, Chair of the Place Scrutiny Panel, is scheduled to provide a verbal update on matters considered at the meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Board on 30th July 2025 and 17th September 2025.