Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the governance arrangements between Tees Valley Combined Authority and South Tees Development Corporation, under the Best Value Notice process.

Answered by Alison McGovern - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Governance and finance arrangements are considered as part of the Department’s holistic assessment of a local authority’s delivery of Best Value, as set out in the statutory guidance on Best Value standards and intervention.

We set out clearly that the Best Value Notice for Tees Valley Combined Authority will be reviewed after 12 months. Any decisions on the Notice will be based on a holistic judgement of all available information, including considered engagement with the authority about progress against its improvement plan.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of loan documentation between Tees Valley Combined Authority and South Tees Development Corporation.

Answered by Alison McGovern - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Governance and finance arrangements are considered as part of the Department’s holistic assessment of a local authority’s delivery of Best Value, as set out in the statutory guidance on Best Value standards and intervention.

We set out clearly that the Best Value Notice for Tees Valley Combined Authority will be reviewed after 12 months. Any decisions on the Notice will be based on a holistic judgement of all available information, including considered engagement with the authority about progress against its improvement plan.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made regarding the potential implications for his policies of revenue-backed lending arrangements for Best Value assessments.

Answered by Alison McGovern - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Finance arrangements are considered as part of the Department’s holistic assessment of a local authority’s delivery of Best Value, as set out in the statutory guidance on Best Value standards and intervention. In making borrowing decisions, authorities must comply with legislation and have regard to statutory guidance to ensure that all borrowing is prudent, affordable and sustainable, and in compliance with their Best Value Duty.

Under the current system, local authorities have wide freedoms to borrow and invest as they are best placed to determine their own capital strategies to meet the needs of local residents. Under statute, all borrowing is secured indifferently on the authority's revenues.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what information his Department holds on the advice the Independent Advisory Board has provided on managing conflicts between borrowing and lending functions to a) Tees Valley Combined Authority and b) South Tees Development Corporation.

Answered by Alison McGovern - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The Tees Valley Combined Authority’s improvement board is independent and appointed by the authority. As part of the Best Value Notice, the Department engages regularly with the Board for updates and broader assurance that the necessary progress is being made. The Board also reports publicly on its findings to the combined authority’s Cabinet.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if the Department will consult a) constituent local authorities, and b) local Members of Parliament regarding the performance of Tees Valley Combined Authority, in relation to its Best Value Notice process.

Answered by Alison McGovern - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Through the Best Value Notice process, the Department has engaged extensively with the combined authority, its constituent authorities, government departments, the Independent Advisory Board and the external auditor to understand views and track progress against the Notice. The evidence provided by key local and national stakeholders remain a crucial part of the Best Value Notice process.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of consecutive disclaimed audit opinions for Tees Valley Combined Authority accounts and the improvement requirements of the Best Value Notice process.

Answered by Alison McGovern - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Audit opinions and compliance with the statutory audit requirements are an important part of the Department’s holistic assessment of a local authority’s delivery of Best Value. The Best Value Notice issued to Tees Valley Combined Authority sets clear expectations for the authority to comply with its external auditor’s recommendations, including delivering sustained improvement in financial governance, capacity and use of resources.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what arrangements are in place to maintain the Schedule 17 Ticketing and Settlement Agreement terms between Rail Delivery Group and train operating companies on a) their transfer to DFT Operator of Last Resort and through b) the transition to Great British Railways.

Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

Train operating companies are expected to maintain the ticket office opening hours set out in Schedule 17 to the Ticketing and Settlement Agreement (TSA) throughout their transfer to DfT Operator and as Great British Railways (GBR) is established. As part of wider rail reform and the move to GBR, we are considering if changes to the TSA are needed to ensure GBR can fulfil its role as directing mind for the railways in Great Britain.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the extent of recognition of trade unions and provision of trade union facility time at management grades in each train operating company.

Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

Recognition of trade unions and provision of facility time is a matter for train operating companies as employers.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she has directed DFT Operator of Last Resort to adopt a standard process for recognition of trade unions and provision of trade union facility time at the end of each train operating company franchise agreement.

Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

Recognition of trade unions and provision of facility time is a matter for train operating companies as employers.

Payment of employment tribunal awards

Middlesbrough City of Culture

Steve Cram CBE

World Social Work Day 2026

Closure of Al-Aqsa Mosque during Ramadan

Future of Hamworthy Fire Station

Statement of Changes in Immigration Rules (No. 2)

Trade union de-recognition at GB Railfreight

Found: North East Lola McEvoy St Alphonsus’ Catholic Primary School TS3 6PX Middlesbrough North East Andy McDonald

Found: North East Lola McEvoy St Alphonsus’ Catholic Primary School TS3 6PX Middlesbrough North East Andy McDonald