16 June 2023

To start the week, myself and other senior officers and elected members met with representatives from Cleveland Police. These meetings are useful and allow the police to update us on any issues raised by Councillors in the wards they are elected to represent.

On Tuesday I attended training that is required for my role as a member of the Licensing Committee. On the afternoon and into the evening I attended more member induction training, all of which is useful regardless of the 30 years I have already served as a Councillor.

Mid-week myself and other elected members met with Mike Greene, the Council's Chief Executive, to talk about the work programme of the Cabinet. We discussed what our focus will be over the next 12 months and how it links with the Council Plan.

Yesterday I first attended a pre-agenda meeting ahead of the Health and Wellbeing Board meeting coming later this month, which discusses the health needs of our residents and how we are helping to tackle them.

After, Stockton hosted a meeting of Council Leaders and Chief Executives in the Tees Valley to discuss how we tackle Arriva's recent announcement that they plan to reduce services in the Tees Valley. We understand that many residents rely on regular bus services, and we don't want any changes in service to negatively impact the area.

In the afternoon it was Cabinet. In a busy agenda we discussed the Council Plan, and our plans for our Children's Services following a recent OFSTED report.

Today I am taking advantage of a quiet diary to catch up on important paperwork.

I hope you've all managed to enjoy the warm weather we're having. I'm looking forward to spending some time with my family this weekend. I'll also be watching how England do in their EURO qualifier matches against Malta and North Macedonia on Friday and Monday respectively. We have a strong team so I hope to see two good performances.