Friday 24 July

This week has been another busy one as the Council responds to the challenges presented by the coronavirus outbreak.

I had an early meeting with our Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Housing, Councillor Nigel Cooke on Tuesday before my regular catch up with our Managing Director, Julie Danks, and Deputy Leader, Councillor Jim Beall. We have been continuing to meet twice weekly to discuss the Council's ongoing response to COVID-19.

On Wednesday I met with officers from Democratic Services to review the Forward Plan of items that will be considered by Cabinet and Council over the next few months.

Straight after that I joined Members in a full Council meeting via Microsoft Teams. There was a busy agenda to go through which included a report on the Medium Term Financial Plan as well as the Council Plan. The papers set out our approach to recover from the impact of the pandemic alongside our wider plans for the Borough through to 2023.

Yesterday brought about my second COVID-19 meeting of the week with Julie Danks and the Deputy Leader, Councillor Beall. As our recovery and response to the pandemic progress it's important that we carry on meeting regularly to keep on top of the latest developments.

This morning the Tees Valley Leaders and Mayor met virtually for Tees Valley Combined Authority's Annual General Meeting (AGM) and Cabinet, where among the items Members considered reports on regional investment and adult education.