Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council

Tuesday, 20 September 2011

Leven Bridge-Repair Strategy

Cabinet was advised of the issues that had forced the closure of the road going over Leven Bridge.

It was explained that the visible cracking in the road surface at Leven Bridge prompted a road closure in February 2010. The intervening period since then had resulted in a number of investigations being carried out to determine the cause and assist in identifying the solution. These investigations had found that scour in the river bed and river bank had undermined the upstream corner of the north road bridge abutment and footbridge abutment resulting in a partial lack of support to both the road bridge and footbridge.

Remedial measures had been identified that involved filling the void with special grout bags and reinstating the river bed with anti scour material that would prevent the problem re-occurring. These were being implemented. An appropriate contractor was appointed on an emergency basis to assist with the development and delivery of the solution. In parallel officers had been working closely with the Environment Agency, utility companies and landowners to secure the necessary consents to ensure the works could be expedited at the earliest convenience.

It was anticipated that the works should be completed in July 2010 and the bridge re-opened to traffic in that period.

Officers were working closely with the contractor and other agencies to ensure that the cost implications in implementing the project were kept to a minimum, but it was recognised that the extent of works that were required could be up to £500,000. The Acting Head of Technical Services had been in dialogue with Government Office North East and the Department of Transport since early March to try and source financial support for the situation. Mixed messages had been received however, it was the intention to continue to lobby at the highest level to try and secure the support that was rightly needed to fund the project. The Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Transport had also written to the Secretary of State for Transport to strengthen this message. Cabinet noted that, where possible, and appropriate, officers would pursue other potential sources of funding where liability was proven to be a significant contributory factor to the damage to the bridge. This may be in the form of a cocktail of contributions based upon where the liability sat and the level of contribution to the overall problem. It was recognised however that the provisions within the new Flood and Water Management Act which received Royal assent in April 2010 in respect of defining responsibilities for maintenance of flood defence assets would not be able to be applied retrospectively.

The closure of the bridge and the arterial route it carries had had an impact not only on local residents and commuters but also local businesses in the immediate vicinity including those in Yarm, Ingleby Barwick and Thornaby. Throughout the period officers had given regular updates to Ward Councillors and to the wider public through dialogue with the media. Officers would continue to ensure that the progress and completion of the project was effectively communicated.

For further details regarding the Council's plans to address the damage caused to the Borough's roads by the recent bad weather, contact Russell Smith, tel. 01642 526935; e-mail Russell.Smith@stockton.gov.uk.

Supply of Primary School Places Across the Borough

Cabinet heard details of how between 1999 and 2009 the number of primary school pupils in the borough had fallen by almost 3,000. During that time the pupil capacity of many primary schools was reduced, and 1,700 places were removed in order to maintain the level of unfilled places at around 10% overall.

The latest projections (based on January 2010 data) show a rising trend in the number of pupils of primary school age in the borough beginning in September 2010 and continuing for at least four years.

It now seems likely that pupil numbers will rise more rapidly than projected last year. The number of applications for reception places in September 2010 was over 100 greater than projected. In some areas of the borough there will be very few vacant reception places in September. There is now a need to identify options for increasing capacity in those areas of the borough for 2011 and beyond, and to consider how those options might be funded.

In all areas of the borough the number of pupils attending Catholic schools is projected to increase beyond present capacity. It would therefore be necessary to discuss possible options with the two Catholic dioceses.

A further report containing options that could be developed to ensure a sufficient supply of places in all areas of the Borough taking into account the availability of resources, would be presented to a meeting of Cabinet later in the year.

Further details regarding the above can be obtained by contacting Tony Beckwith, Head of Support Services, tel. 01642 527052; e-mail Tony.Beckwith@stockton.gov.uk 

Health & Wellbeing Strategy for Stockton on Tees

Finally, Cabinet received and endorsed a Health and Wellbeing Strategy for Stockton on Tees; which had been developed by the Council and its partners to improve the health and wellbeing of families and communities and adults in the Borough by tackling health inequalities and focusing on the following key priorities:-

• Mental Health
• Alcohol
• Obesity
• Smoking
• Health Inequalities
• Sexual Health

Copies of the strategy can be obtained by contacting Ruth Hill, Assistant Director of Health Improvement, tel. 01642 352354; e-mail Ruth.Hill@northteespct.nhs.uk