I have requested (via our Adults and Communities Director) that this letter be circulated to all five local authorities that make up the Tees Valley including, leaders, opposition leaders, motioners and seconders from Middlesbrough and Stockton councils.
Dear Sir/Madam/Leader/Cllr,
Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council has moved to create a Special Joint Scrutiny Committee across all five Unitary Boroughs to solely focus on getting to the bottom of the crustacean die offs that have been happening on our coastline since October last year and to give it the attention it urgently needs.
This is a very serious problem and by working together in partnership, our local authorities will be best place to investigate, report and create the actions needed.
Our coastline serves the whole of the Tees Valley and the River Tees cut through our boroughs and therefore it is our responsibility to ask the questions and to find the answers and by doing so we hope to ultimately protect our seas and bathing waters on behalf of our environment and everyone who lives and who visits our region.
I’m further advised scientists from Newcastle, York and Hull Universities have been invited to attend the Environmental Select Committee to speak on their findings. A new investigation must be opened to look into this.”
Please confirm that you are with us in getting to the bottom of this problem by accepting our invitation.
Councillor Carl Quartermain
Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council
