7 November 2025
Hi everyone, I hope you all had a lovely weekend. I haven't been very well this week. I keep joking that it is my personal assistant Adele's fault for making me have my first ever flu jab, but I was probably under the weather before then. Some officers and Councillors will be over the moon that I have had no voice for the last few days.
I started the week with my regular catch up with Mike Greene, Chief Executive. It was good to meet up with Mike as I have lots of priorities that we need to work together on. I then chaired the Cabinet pre-agenda meeting ahead of the full meeting next Thursday.
Tuesday was quite a busy day. My first meeting was with Tom Bryant, Chief Executive of the Tees Valley Combined Authority (TVCA). I hold a Cabinet portfolio at TVCA and it's great to meet up with Tom on this and also to overlook everything that is going on across the Tees Valley.
Mid-morning I headed to our flu clinic within Dunedin House for Council staff. If you haven't already, you can contact your GP surgery to book yours. If you're aged 65 or over, you're pregnant, or you have certain long-term health conditions, you're eligible for a free jab. Do not let my current illness put you off!
Later in the afternoon, I marked National Care Leavers' Month at the official opening of the No Limits Hub. This is something that I am very passionate about, and I am really proud of the progress we have made as Corporate Parents across the Borough. Those of you that have spoken to me know about my passion for our looked after children and care leavers and it is absolutely the most important role that we play. The Hub is a fantastic one-stop-shop for care leavers across the Borough. The Hub provides a central space where care leavers can drop in to relax and get advice, guidance and support. Care leavers can benefit from a welcoming space thanks to the No Limits Hub, which will offer life skills such as cooking classes and information on employment and training. It arrives following on from the pledge from the Council for care leavers to receive an improved offer of additional personalised support, which was approved last year. The Council has a commitment for us all to be a good 'corporate parent' and have the same aspirations and support for care experienced young people as we would for our own children. We are immensely proud of our track record of supporting care leavers around the area, who can have a particularly daunting time when making the transition into adulthood. The new No Limits Hub is a fantastic addition.
On Wednesday, I spent the day in bed, trying to relax and sort my illness out before heading to my Ward Surgery for Norton Central at the Library in Norton High Street.
On Thursday morning I joined a meeting about the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) which is part of the government's Levelling Up agenda.
This morning, I travelled to Teesside Airport where I attended a TVCA Cabinet workshop before the launch of Tees Pass. This is an initiative by the TVCA to introduce a bus pass for care leavers.
This weekend, I will be paying my respects for Remembrance Sunday at Stockton Parish Church.
