Commons Sense

House of Commons · Westminster Hall

Middlesbrough Development Corporation

14 March 2023 · 4 other contributors · 4,373 words

Opened by Andy McDonald Lab Middlesbrough and Thornaby East

Responding minister: Rachel Maclean

Standards & EthicsLocal Government

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Andy McDonald raised concerns about middlesbrough development corporation in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.

Key points

  • The proposal for a Middlesbrough Development Corporation was voted against by the council but proceeded by the Government.
  • The MP expresses concerns over the lack of transparency and potential conflicts of interest in the appointment of board members.
  • The MP

Key requests to Government

The MP calls for the decision-making process to remain within democratic institutions, ensuring accountability and transparency in how public funds are used for development. He requests that decisions on Middlesbrough's future should not bypass local council authority and democratic processes.

How the debate unfolded

MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.

Opened the debate

Andy McDonald Lab Middlesbrough and Thornaby East

The proposal for a Middlesbrough Development Corporation was voted against by the council but ignored by the Government, which the MP finds outrageous. The MP is concerned about the lack of transparency in the decision-making process and the potential conflicts of interest involving the Mayor of Middlesbrough. The MP raises issues with the appointment of board members who are not elected representatives and have no direct experience in urban regeneration. There is a risk that valuable public funds will be misused without proper scrutiny.

Other contributors (4)
  • Alex Cunningham Lab Stockton North

    He is concerned that the Middlesbrough Development Corporation sets a precedent for Tory Mayors or Governments to override local democracy and decision-making in local authorities, expressing fears of similar land grabs elsewhere in Tees Valley. Questioned whether assets transferred to the Middlesborough Development Corporation could end up in private hands, potentially benefiting the same people who have benefited from previous developments in the area.

  • Jill Mortimer Con Hartlepool

    She corrects her colleague's statement about the board positions belonging to democratically elected officials and questions his description of it as 'gangster politics'. Highlighting improvements and investment in Hartlepool since winning a by-election two years ago, Jill Mortimer mentioned £25 million from the towns fund deal and £16.5 million from the levelling-up fund for her constituency.

  • Matt Vickers Con Stockton West

    Intervening, Matt Vickers asked if the Department would be willing to work with a new council leadership in Stockton to explore investment opportunities after an election change in leadership.

  • Simon Clarke Con Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland

    He recognises that the development corporation has planning powers and funding due to Government confidence in its capacity for regeneration and renewal, unlike what he sees as Middlesbrough Council's failure over many years. Supporting the Middlesbrough Development Corporation, Simon Clarke emphasised its importance in delivering growth and reform to areas like Gresham and Middlehaven. He highlighted the support from independent and Conservative councillors as well as third-party organisations such as Teesside University.

Government Response

Rachel Maclean

It is a real pleasure to respond to the debate on behalf of the Department and the Government. I thank Andy McDonald for securing this important debate, which will be of great interest to residents of Middlesbrough who are watching and thinking about how to vote in the local elections. The Minister acknowledged the consultation carried out between 23 June and 4 August last year by the Mayor of the Tees Valley Combined Authority on a proposal to designate a mayoral development area for Middlesbrough town centre, which would establish a development corporation known as the Middlesbrough Development Corporation (MDC). The Minister stressed that there is no democratic deficit since Middlesbrough Council responded positively to the consultation and the designation was submitted following unanimous agreement by the combined authority's cabinet. She highlighted the importance of giving Mayors the tools and resources they need to succeed, noting that a Mayor cannot unilaterally create one of these corporations; public consultation and consent from members of the combined authority are required. The Minister praised Ben Houchen, the democratically elected Mayor of Tees Valley, for promoting the best interests of local people in seeking to regenerate the area through devolution. She emphasised that the Secretary of State is legally bound to establish any development corporation requested by a Mayor and gave examples of investment plans such as the Northern School of Art expansion and improvements to local transport through Middlesbrough train station. The Minister concluded by proudly backing the Conservative-led economic resurgence in Teesside, standing against allegations made by Andy McDonald.

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