Agenda item

Q4 Performance Report

Minutes:

The Assistant Director, Growth and Enterprise, presented the held over Q4 performance report with data updated to July 2024.

 

Areas highlighted within the report included:

·         Place Development Investment Area Growth Plans for Redcar, Guisborough and Greater Eston.

·         Coatham Beach Base had a soft launch during the Kite Festival, scheduled to be formally opened in August 2024.

·         Eston precinct negotiations with options being considered.

·         Summary of the Eston Long Term Plan for Towns funding.

·         Breakdown of Levelling Up Partnership projects.

·         Planning & Development performance data presented along with data showing housing completions.

·         Business Support / Engagement included supporting businesses to apply for Rural England Prosperity Fund. As that fund is integrated into the UKSPF the allocation is managed by TVCA.

·         Update on progress with town centre management included external stakeholder engagement with the Association of Town and City Management and Teesside University Place Management students.

·         Challenges include the ongoing delays in roll out of UKSPF grant funding and understanding future Teesworks development plans.

·         Employment Growth and Adult Learning data presented.

·         Ofsted action plan including key milestones and forward look.

 

As part of the ensuing discussion the following questions/comments were made:

·         A member asked about the contract and delays with the Bakehouse project and contracts regarding the Westage project. Officers advised that council would not be liable for delays and a contractor had not been appointed for Westgate.

·         A member asked how long it would take for the Redcar Station project to complete. Officers advised they would confirm details and inform members.

·         A member asked about the mechanics around residential care homes. Officers explained the process of acquiring capital funding, producing a business case for purpose and revenue costs and progression into tendering.

·         A member asked about addressing the stop/start approach to house building that can jeopardise meeting targets. Officers advised that legislation allows for revocation and planning applications had to align with local plan for housing.

·         A member asked what the new bill containing deferred powers would mean for the council and if there was space for a new town. Officers advised that there is no green belt in Teesside. The government was not looking at new towns, but urban extensions and it would be a policy choice by the council.

·         A member asked how long remained on the local plan for housing. Officers advised that it was a 15-year plan to be reviewed after 5 years but awaiting government guidance on housing numbers before progressing with the review. Officers also advised that the government was yet to announce major strategic decisions as well as the role of the National Infrastructure Commission.

·         A member asked about the cost per head of the 378 learners moving into employment. Officers advised that these figures would be shared with councillors.

·         Members commended the work done by the staff following the Ofsted inspection. Officers advised that learner achievement stood at its highest level and learner feedback had been very positive and this had been documents through Learner Voice.

·         A member asked whether the boating lake was included within the Beach Base development. Officers advised it was not part of the development.

 

RESOLVED that the information in the report be noted.

 

Supporting documents: