Friday 2 July 2021

My working week started with a pre meeting to look over the items for the upcoming Tees Valley Combined Authority Cabinet (TVCA) meeting on 2 July. It was a busy agenda with reports on transport, budget and a refreshed version of the investment plan. 

I also carried out an annual appraisal for the Council's Managing Director, Julie Danks, before meeting with her and Councillor Jim Beall, Deputy Leader for a Cabinet Pre Meeting. We had a lot to get through including looking at some important work taking place across the Council on tackling inequalities and food poverty. We also took some time to review final reports from some of the Council's Scrutiny and Select Committees.

Later that day I also joined the Corporate Management Team and Cabinet Members for a Cabinet Briefing. It was a good opportunity to get the latest details on a number of issues including the work we are doing across our town centres. We also looked at the forward plan for the next few months to see what items will be coming through for both Cabinet and full Council.

On Tuesday I travelled to South Shields for an Annual General Meeting of the North East Procurement Organisation Sub Committee, which I am a member. It was good to see colleagues in person and elect members for the next year to continue the work we do.   

I met with Julie Danks again on Wednesday to review Xentrall Shared Services' annual report which sets out the progress and performance of the Stockton and Darlington partnership. During the pandemic Xentrall staff have worked very hard in challenging circumstances to make sure council employees could work remotely. The report highlights some of their achievements and the savings they have continued to make.

Throughout the week I also had a couple of Governors' meetings and on Thursday I met with Garry Cummings, Director of Finance, Development and Business Services for one of our regular meetings on the Medium-Term Financial Plan.

Today I've had full schedule of meetings with both TVCA's Cabinet and Annual General Meeting being held this morning. This afternoon I am meeting with one of the Borough's Members of Parliament to discuss issues across the patch.