27 October 2023

This week started with a Tees Valley Leaders virtual meeting. Myself and leaders from the other Tees Valley authorities met to discuss issues on a regional level and give updates from each perspective authority.

Later in the morning myself and the Deputy Leader of the Council, Councillor Lisa Evans, met with the Chief Executive of the Council, Mike Greene, for our regular catch up.

In the evening I attended the Stockton Learning and Skills Service's Learner Celebration Event at Billingham Community Centre. The event celebrates the achievements of graduates of our adult learning service. If you're interested in learning for work or pleasure, visit the Stockton Learning and Skills website where you can read their prospectus and view the courses on offer.

Mid-week I attended the Council's Health and Wellbeing Board, which I Chair. We discussed plans for winter health programmes and dentistry provision in the Borough among other things.

Yesterday morning I presented at our corporate induction for new starters. I thoroughly enjoy these sessions and meeting people from across all services in the Council. In the afternoon myself and other Councillors met with Thirteen Group, one of our housing providers and a close partner of the Council. These sessions allow us to keep a close relationship with Thirteen and feed any local issues to them directly.

Today I am making the most of a quiet day to catch up on emails and important paperwork.

This weekend I look forward to spending some time with my family relaxing. Middlesbrough are doing fantastically, winning all of their last seven matches including a 2-1 away-win against Norwich City mid-week. They're hosting Stoke City at the Riverside on Saturday in a match that Boro should be expecting to win. Three points this weekend has the potential to put us into the promotion spots so I'm looking forward to it.