Middlesbrough Council

***Crisis and Resilience Fund - free school meals voucher support update***

Applications are now open for households who have children that get income-related free school meals.

Vouchers have now been sent for all children we were made aware of by Middlesbrough schools.

If you have not received a voucher and you think you may be eligible – please complete the application form on our website 👇
https://www.middlesbrough.gov.uk/benefits-and-support/support-payments/crisis-and-resilience-fund/

You will get a reference once you have applied.

Please do not contact us if you have received your reference, as we are processing all applications. Thank you.

Popular tennis courts at Middlesbrough's Albert Park have been officially reopened following a huge programme of renovations.

The £81,000 revamp - managed by the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) and Middlesbrough Council, with support from the LTA Tennis Foundation - will provide opportunities for many more people to pick up a racket and get on court.

The five courts in the historic park were officially opened at a launch event attended by local schoolchildren, with representatives from the LTA and Middlesbrough Mayor Chris Cooke.

There will be future opportunities for people from the local community to pick up a racket and get on court as part of the new weekly Barclays Free Park Tennis session being delivered by Middlesbrough Council’s tennis partner We Do Tennis.

The courts have undergone extensive work to ensure viability for years to come, including resurfacing, repainting, new nets and a new gate system.

All courts will be available to book via the LTA website. New booking systems and gate access technology mean it is now easier to get on court by booking in advance to guarantee availability.

It will cost just £4 per hour to book – and this small fee will ensure that the courts are maintained at their new high standard for years to come.

A popular pub has been given a fresh new look after receiving funding from a scheme to help businesses improve their premises.

The Longlands bar used a £1,760 Shopfront Improvement Grant from Middlesbrough Council towards installing new security shutters at the building, which is freshly painted in Boro's iconic red colours.

The improvements come as the pub celebrates its first anniversary under its current ownership - owner, licensee and DPS Shaun Crinnion and owners Nicola Crinnion, Jack McDonald and Paul MacDonald - with a celebration party planned for Saturday, July 4.

The Shopfront Improvement Grant was introduced by Mayor Chris Cooke to help businesses invest in their premises, improve the appearance of commercial areas and encourage more people to visit local businesses.

An action day to tackle litter and fly-tipping in Grove Hill proved a success last week.

Staff from our neighbourhood team in west Middlesbrough organised the community clean-up day along Thorndyke and Laurel Avenues.

The team spoke to residents about the improvements they would like to see in their area, while our area care staff and neighbourhood caretakers made a noticeable difference when cleaning up behind Thorndyke Avenue.

Colleagues from Thirteen supported litter picking and helped remove bulky waste alongside our environmental enforcement officers, who also investigated any instances of fly tipping.

A skip was provided for residents to use free of charge.

Neighbourhood safety wardens were also on hand to speak with residents and address any concerns, while waste engagement officers Charlotte and Ajay shared information about recent recycling changes.

The team were also pleased to be joined by students from Beech Grove Primary School and the Boro Champs, who lent their support in helping to litter pick in the area. Mayor Chris Cooke also went along to help out.

Children from local primary schools enjoyed the power of reading and stories at a special event hosted at the Thorntree Community Hub.

Kids from Corpus Christi and Thorntree Academy learned about chain stories during the session with Rumana Yasmin from Bok Bok books.

They then went outside to the gardens to learn all about nakshi kantha story cloths and how they can be used to create stories.

They then went inside to try their hand and some embroidery to create their own cloths and were able to take home along with a free book.

The session was part of the popular Middlesbrough Storytelling Festival, which came to the town for the first time over the past week.