30 January 2026
Hello everyone, I hope you have enjoyed your week. This week seems to have been a very busy one with lots of important items to discuss and some very productive meetings.
On Tuesday I chaired the Stockton-on-Tees Virtual School's Governing body at our education centre, based in Stockton Sixth Form College. This is a governing body like any other school, only our focus is our looked after children who we are all corporate parents for.
I then had my regular catch up with Mike Greene, Chief Executive where we discussed future plans, emerging issues and had a general chat about the Council and our partners.
In the afternoon I joined Members for a briefing session, where we had updates from Mike Greene then Alan O'Donoghue, District Commander from Cleveland Police. We were also updated on our waste and recycling changes and our Public Space Protection Orders (PSPO).
I then chaired our Cabinet pre-agenda ahead of the next meeting. This was followed by a late meeting with the Labour Group.
Midweek, I met with colleagues from the Tees Valley Combined Authority (TVCA) and Chris Renahan, Assistant Director for Inclusive Growth and Development, to catch up on the Education, Employment and Skills (EES) Portfolio.
On Wednesday afternoon, I chaired the Health and Wellbeing Board. At the meeting we reviewed some of the Borough's health-focused strategies including the Neighbourhood Health Improvement Programme.
On Thursday morning I met with colleagues to discuss the upcoming TVCA Cabinet papers. I then joined a pre-agenda meeting for our Corporate Parenting Board ahead of our full meeting in a couple of weeks' time. We discussed the agenda items we want to prioritise as a Board.
I also had a lovely private meeting with a member of our staff for a general chit chat and a cup of tea after she asked to come and meet with me.
Today I headed over to Teesside Airport, to attend the TVCA Cabinet meeting. Following that, the Local Government Association hosted an Engagement workshop with officers from the TVCA, Local Authority Chief Executives and Tees Valley Leaders.
Following this I had separate meetings with Mike Greene and two of our Members of Parliament.
Tonight, I am going to a charity quiz where I will be useless at easy answers but can always remember random stuff. The Deputy Leader Cllr Paul Rowling sets the quiz and I'm wondering if he can be bribed!
After this I have a quiet weekend planned where I am hoping to binge watch some TV and chill on the sofa, but it usually never works out this way.
I hope you all have a lovely weekend.
