27 September 2024

This week started with the monthly Tees Valley Leader's meeting, a useful chance to catch up with the other leaders in our combined authority.

I then met with Geraldine Brown, Head of Policy, Development and Public Affairs, and Chris Renahan, Assistant Director of Inclusive Growth and Development, about the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF). The fund is part of the government's Levelling Up agenda. One project using this funding is the Employment and Training Hub's Move Forward project, and you can read a case study here.

In the afternoon, I joined Cabinet Members, Councillors and other senior Council staff members for a briefing about the upcoming Council Plan.

On Tuesday morning, I attended the Statutory Licensing Committee which immediately led into the General Licensing Committee.

I then had a catch-up about regeneration and inclusive growth with Mike Greene, Chief Executive, Councillor Lisa Evans, Deputy Leader of the Council, and Tracey Carter, our new Director of Regeneration and Inclusive Growth. It was good to touch base with Tracey and get an insight into how she sees the area growing over her first few months here.

Later that day, I joined a member briefing session which included updates on the Council Plan and Powering Our Future projects, as well as an update from Mike.

Midweek I was due to attend the Health and Wellbeing Board, for which I normally chair, but unfortunately I had to miss this week's due to an appointment. I spent the rest of the day catching up on important paperwork.

Yesterday, I had a quieter day which allowed me to catch up with items that had come in during a busy week.

Today, I am attending the Tees Valley Combined Authority (TVCA) Cabinet meeting at Teesside International Airport. I will then be joining a meeting alongside Mike with Ben Houchen, Tees Valley Mayor, and Julie Gilhespie, Group Chief Executive, to discuss joint strategy between the TVCA and the Council.

This weekend, I'm looking forward to spending some quality time with my family. Boro lost 1-0 to Sunderland last weekend but here's hoping they manage a revival against Stoke on Saturday.