20 March 2026
Sometimes you think you have a quiet week in your diary but then it erupts into an avalanche of unplanned meetings and late night calls. This week has been one of those!
To start the week, I met with Councillor Richard Eglington, Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Housing, for our regular catch up. I regularly meet with Cabinet members, but we also schedule a formal sit down to discuss everything going on in their portfolio.
There are lots of amazing things happening in Councillor Eglington's area, the most visible being the completion of the Stockton Waterfront redevelopment. It's nearing completion now and it's marvellous watching it progress out of my office window at Dunedin House.
I sit in meetings in the boardroom or in my office and randomly get up to pull the blinds back and watch the progress happening. Every day there is a different view. I think I may challenge Mike Greene to be the first one down an exceptionally long slide!
Mid-week I met with Jody Townsend who works with the Tees Valley Combined Authority (TVCA). As Cabinet member at the Combined Authority, it takes up a lot of my time, but it is vital that I input the importance of Stockton-on-Tees and the Tees Valley as a whole. The meeting was around future governance arrangements.
It was full Council on Wednesday evening. The meeting was probably the longest one that I have ever attended but there were lots of important items including public and member questions, focusing on things like parking issues at primary schools, social housing rent increases, along with reports and motions.
Yesterday, in my role as TVCA Cabinet Member for Education, Employment and Skills, I hosted the Director General for Labour Market and Skills, Katherine Green CB, at the Stockton Employment and Training Hub. The visit focused on the Government's Youth Guarantee Trailblazer programme, which helps young people into employment through paid work placements. We have seen remarkable success with the scheme here in the Borough and I'm very proud of our team at the Hub, they do a fantastic job and have helped so many people. Chris Renahan, Assistant Director for Inclusive Growth and Development heads up the team but is also my go to person in my Cabinet position at the Combined Authority. He has also given me lots of lifts lately when I have been without my car!!
I then met with the Deputy Leader, officers and representatives from the MP's office to discuss current issues and progress across the Borough.
In the evening, I should have been at the Council's No Limits Hub - a space where care leavers can drop in to relax and get advice, guidance and support. It's a great resource that's really well used. This is one of the highlights in my diary but unfortunately, I had to attend a meeting ahead of the TVCA Cabinet Meeting and the Deputy Leader, Councillor Paul Rowling attended on my behalf.
This morning (Friday), I attended the TVCA's Cabinet meeting. At the meeting, the Mayor gave an update and we covered items including finance, governance, and policies. It's not an easy role and sometimes there are occasions where I need to challenge and do what I feel is best for our Borough, whilst also considering the whole of the Tees Valley.
This weekend, I should have been on my way to Manchester with my daughter to visit my son. We planned to go to Blackburn v Middlesbrough but unfortunately, I have another work event that I need to attend. Hopefully, they both have a great time (without me) and will celebrate a Boro win! The positive is that I will now be home on Sunday for my best friend's birthday. My little sidekick Enzo will be six.
