23 January 2026
Hello everyone, I hope that you have all had a great week.
I had a rare day off on Monday, before attending a meeting online with other Councillors in the evening.
On Tuesday I started the day by meeting with Judy Trainer, Democratic Services Manager, for an update on the Council's democratic, electoral and scrutiny services.
Later in the afternoon, I chaired the Care and Health Innovation Zone (CHIZ) Programme Board. This is a meeting where senior partners from across the Tees Valley meet, to discuss our plans. The meeting was very productive and there are exciting plans ahead for our Borough. I am proud of our officers and look forward to the delivery of their bold, innovative plans.
I then attended the Regional Corporate Parenting Chairs and Vice Chairs Network to discuss children in care and care leavers. Our Corporate Parenting Board has really developed over the last few years, but it is always good to hear progress and ideas from other Boards across the North East Region. Our responsibility as Corporate Parents is the most important role that we undertake and I will continue to strive for us to do the very best we can for our looked after children.
On Wednesday morning, I met online with other Group Leaders to discuss future plans for the Borough and to help with any issues they may have.
I then had a lovely trip to Preston Park Museum, accompanied by Councillor Jim Beall. I wanted to see the latest exhibition which is the finale of our Tracks of Change series, presented by S&DR200. The spectacular finale is Perfume - an extraordinary sound and light installation by internationally acclaimed French artist Yann Nguema. This immersive experience explores the surprising role that railways play in the natural world, from supporting seed distribution to aiding pollination as trains move through the countryside. This is the first time Yann Nguema's work has been shown in the UK, making Perfume a truly unique opportunity for visitors across the region. The artist is currently displaying works internationally - in Riyadh, la Rochelle, San Francisco and Stockton-on-Tees.
I then met with other Councillors and officers to discuss our plans to support some of our most vulnerable residents in Stockton Town Centre.
After this I attended the full Council meeting, to debate motions and receive reports including the Director of Public Health report for 2025 and Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO's) as well as the regular public and members' question time. It was a long meeting, and I missed the first half of the Middlesbrough match!
On Thursday I attended the Council's corporate induction along with Chief Executive, Mike Greene to speak to our new employees. Mike and I always enjoy these sessions, meeting new starters from across the Council.
After this I met online with other Leaders from across the country to discuss national issues that all local authorities are currently facing. It's a tough time at the moment with difficult decisions to make, so it's always good to know that we can get support from each other.
Last night I attended our No Limits Hub for our regular No Limits meeting. The theme of the meeting was 'Learning and Achieving'. The evening was aimed at promoting various opportunities related to learning and achieving that are available to our young people through Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council or Corporate Parenting members. As always, these events are a great way for Board members to meet and socialise with our young people, strengthen the relationship between us and, most importantly, hear the voice of our young people so we can identify barriers to learning and achieving.
After a stressful week, it was also good to participate in a session at the Hub on breathing techniques, aimed at clearing your mind and being aware of your surroundings. This morning, I had a couple of online meetings with members before catching up on emails and casework.
Whatever you are doing this weekend, I hope you and your family have a lovely time.
