27 February 2026

Hello everyone, I hope you have had a wonderful week.

On Monday I started the week meeting with Tees Valley Combined Authority (TVCA) colleagues to look at applications for the vacant Chief Legal and Monitoring Officer position. This is an important role and the panel discussed who to progress in the application process. I am a member of the panel that will shortlist, interview and hopefully appoint into this role.

I then had my regular catch up with Mike Greene, Chief Executive, and Deputy Leader Cllr Paul Rowling.

After this Cabinet members met with Corporate Management Team for a briefing on various initiatives that the Council are embarking on.

On Tuesday, Mike Greene and I visited Preston Hall alongside Rose Rouse, Chief Executive of Darlington Borough Council and Cllr Stephen Harker, Leader of Darlington Borough Council. It was a great visit to show our neighbouring authority the great events that were taking place and to show them around the new building. It was a wonderful day to showcase the hall and grounds as the sun was shining and it was absolutely packed with families enjoying the park and museum. I was particularly interested in all the young people enjoying the silent disco. I was very tempted to join in - I don't think Mike would have participated!

I was also amazed to see the Swallow Hotel sign revamped. It looks amazing and I didn't recognise it!

I then attended an all members briefing session, where there were updates from Thirteen Housing, the TVCA and the Youth Trailblazer scheme. I am very proud of the achievements of our young people who are on the scheme and the work that our Employment and Training Hub do. I also had a lovely photo of one of our young people, who had been shopping for his new clothes to prepare for work this Monday. I am sure he will be amazing.

Midweek I joined Cllr Rowling to meet Jonathan Spruce, Director of Infrastructure for the TVCA. I was keen to discuss our plans for the Borough including the Care and Health Innovation Zone and Tees Central, to make sure our plans are aligned.

After this, I chaired the Health and Wellbeing Board where we had a deep dive session into Food Equity and Healthier Weight.

I then met with colleagues to have a briefing on my Cabinet portfolio, Education, Employment and Skills.

On Wednesday evening, I met with the Board of Trustees for The Junction. I am absolutely honoured to be a Trustee at The Junction, a charity based in region who support children, young people, and families with additional challenges.

I then ended a very long day at a Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) webinar with colleagues and Government Ministers.

Yesterday, I had a day off to attend the funeral of a close friend. It was a sad occasion but also good to catch up with friends, some of whom I haven't seen for a while, but we have known each other from nursery.

Today, I am meeting Ann Workman OBE, Chair for Catalyst, and Lucy Owens, Chief Executive at Catalyst for a catch up. Catalyst is a voluntary development agency, offering support and guidance to the voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) sector across Stockton-on-Tees. I am also using today to catch up on emails and case work which has flooded in this week.

I have no plans for the weekend other than decluttering my cupboards! I seem to amass loads of things that I don't use. I have been doing a cupboard a day during the week and feel so much better for it. I also need to watch the new episodes of Bridgerton and can hopefully get out to walk Enzo around the riverside.

The nights are getting lighter and hopefully; the weather will continue to improve. I hope you all have a great weekend.