25 April 2025

Councillor Lisa Evans, Leader of the Council

You will see that the new Deputy Leader Councillor Paul Rowling has been covering some of the Leader duties for me. I thought I would give you an update on this.

I was diagnosed with osteoarthritis many years ago but have delayed having any replacements until fairly recently and on Easter Monday, I have had my right knee replaced.

For the first few weeks, I have moved as much as possible to Teams so that I don't miss too much but inevitably there are some meetings in person that I have had to miss.

My timing is impeccable. Become the new Leader, go in hospital for a knee replacement, putting myself out of action for a while and placing lots on the new Deputy Leader!

Have a great weekend and I hope to see you soon.

Councillor Paul Rowling, Deputy Leader of the Council

This week I have been deputising as Deputy Leader as Councillor Evans is recovering from surgery. We are all wishing her a safe and speedy recovery.

I have spent much of the week getting to grips with my new role and ensuring Councillor Evan's appointments have been covered.

On Wednesday morning I attended the Council's corporate induction to speak to our new employees. These sessions are a great opportunity to meet our new starters from all services here, and I enjoyed welcoming them to the Council.

I then joined the Kit Out campaign event at Stockton Parish Church. The Kit Out campaign is a great initiative created in partnership between The Junction Multibank and A Fairer Stockton-on-Tees, providing sports clothing, activities and services in five schools in central Stockton.

In the afternoon, I attended a corporate parenting training session. Sometimes a child or young person is unable to live with their parents, and the Council oversees their care. We have a strong pledge to be the best corporate parents we can be, and it's key for all Council members and staff to understand this very important role.