The Middlesbrough Executive met on 02 September 2026 to discuss a range of important issues, approving an action plan to tackle poverty, a new risk management policy, and a significant investment prospectus for the town. Key decisions also included approving highway improvements on Stainton Way, a cremator refurbishment programme, and noting the council's financial performance for the first quarter of the 2026/27 financial year.

The Council's Approach to Poverty

The Executive noted the report from the Overview and Scrutiny Board on the Council's approach to poverty and approved an accompanying Action Plan. The Overview and Scrutiny Board's review highlighted that while good work was being done, there was a need for a clearer overarching approach to addressing poverty, better coordination across policies and strategies, and improved performance management with clear benchmarks. The approved Action Plan, developed in response to these recommendations, will be embedded within existing strategic planning, performance management, and partnership arrangements, ensuring that efforts to reduce deprivation and inequality are integrated into the Council's core activities.

Risk and Opportunity Management Policy

The Executive approved the Risk and Opportunity Management Policy 2026–2029. This policy establishes a consistent, structured, and organisation-wide approach to identifying, assessing, managing, and monitoring risks and opportunities. It aims to ensure that decisions are risk-informed, enhance organisational resilience, and align risk management with strategic planning. The policy maintains a low tolerance for risks affecting safety, compliance, equality, and reputation, while acknowledging that controlled financial, commercial, and operational risks may be necessary to support innovation and service improvement.

Place Strategy to Investment Prospectus

The Executive endorsed the Council's role in delivering the Middlesbrough Place Strategy, developed by the Place Leaders Partnership. They approved the town centre element of this strategy as the Council's official Town Centre Strategy and also approved the Investment Prospectus. This prospectus outlines the Council's economic funding priorities required to deliver these strategies, with a central ambition to make Middlesbrough the UK's most creative place for young people to live, learn, and realise their future. The strategy was informed by extensive engagement with over 1,300 young people and aims to address concerns about the town centre's attractiveness and safety, career opportunities, and the availability of leisure activities.

Cremator Refurbishment Programme

Approval was given for the inclusion of the Teesside Crematorium Cremator Refurbishment Programme in the Council's Capital Programme, with capital funding allocated from existing Council resources. This programme will involve refurbishing the existing cremator plant, including refractory replacement, installation of operational bypass flues, NOx abatement technology, and emissions monitoring upgrades. The investment is expected to extend the operational life of the cremator plant by at least ten years, improve service resilience, support compliance with DEFRA Process Guidance Note PG5/2(25), and reduce nitrogen oxide emissions by approximately 65%. This decision was deemed necessary to maintain the reliability, resilience, and compliance of this critical public service.

Stainton Way Highway Improvements

The Executive approved the Stainton Way Highway Improvements scheme, which aims to enhance bus, walking, and cycling provision. The project includes signalising the existing roundabout at Stainton Way and Dalby Way, creating a westbound bypass at the Kings Academy roundabout to alleviate congestion and improve bus punctuality, and providing improved footway and cycleway connections. This scheme, fully funded by the Tees Valley Combined Authority, is intended to improve sustainable transport choices, road safety, and accessibility to key retail, employment, and education opportunities.

Quarter One 2026/27 Integrated Performance and Finance Forecast Year End Outturn

The Executive received an integrated overview of the Council's performance, financial position, and strategic risks for the first quarter of the 2026/27 financial year. While noting progress against the Council Plan, including achievements in apprenticeship delivery, housing growth, and SEND services, the report highlighted a forecast revenue budget pressure of £8.479m (4.22%) for the year-end if no further action is taken. The most significant pressure is within Children's Social Care, attributed to agency staffing, increasing numbers of children in care, and high-cost external placements. Directors are required to develop Financial Recovery Plans to address these pressures and strengthen financial controls. The report also detailed approved budget virements and additions to the Capital Programme totalling £3.120m, primarily from external funding. The Executive agreed to note the financial performance, the ongoing work to address pressures, the severity of the forecast position, and the potential impact on reserves.