23 May 2025

This week began with a visit from members of the LGC Awards panel as part of our submission for the Council of the Year Award. I'm always incredibly proud of the work we all do for residents in Stockton-on-Tees, and this was our chance to demonstrate some of the amazing work that we do. The difficulty was showing them all of the great things we do because we have so much going on.

I'm often asked why I decided to be a Councillor and on a bad day, I do ask myself this! The truth is every now and then you get a shining light moment. Presenting to the judges with colleagues from across the Council gave me that feel good moment. We've made it to the final five shortlisted Councils, and that is an achievement in itself. For the final phase, myself and Mike Greene will be giving a ten-minute presentation to the judging panel at the awards ceremony on 11 June, telling them why we should win.

This week I had a catch up several times with our Democratic Services manager Jonathan Nertney. If anyone deserves a medal for my challenging questions or requests, then he deserves it this week! I'm grateful for the help and work all officers do and as a new Leader, there's lots to get to grips with and officers go above and beyond to help me.

I also chaired a meeting of the governing body of our Virtual School this week and it's great to meet with colleagues and partners to make decisions, receive information and discuss ideas to improve outcomes for our looked after children.

It's been a busy week, and I have also met with the Local Government Association, the Leaders of other North East Councils, TVCA officers and several residents to try and help with issues they have.

Mid-week it was my first full Council meeting as Leader. On the agenda we considered a petition on the new parking tariffs in Yarm and answered questions put forward by the public and Councillors.

Today I've got a quieter day which will allow me to catch up on emails and paperwork ahead of the much needed bank holiday weekend.

Tomorrow I am going away for a couple of days with my Dad and my little sidekick Enzo, my much loved french bulldog. We are only travelling up to Seaburn but I'm looking forward to some sea air and a chill out.

I hope you all have a great Bank Holiday weekend.