Friday 17 June

A busy start to the week began with a useful online Leader's briefing from the Council's Assistant Director of Administration, Democratic and Electoral Services, Margaret Waggott.

Deputy Leader Councillor Lisa Evans then joined me for a catch up with Cllr Steve Nelson, following his change of portfolio to Cabinet Member for Health, Leisure and Culture.

Later I joined fellow Cabinet members via Microsoft Teams for a Cabinet pre-agenda briefing on items due to be discussed at the next full Cabinet, including an update on the Council Plan for 2021-24 and the next steps in the ongoing Electoral Review by the Local Government Boundary Commission for England.

On Tuesday morning I took part in a virtual meeting discussing how local authorities can improve the provision of taxis. The meeting was hosted by Brenda McLeish OBE, the CEO of Learning Curve Group, one of the UK's largest and most diverse training providers, and I was joined by Margaret Waggott.

Later I joined directors and other members for a pre-agenda meeting for the Health and Wellbeing Board, which is due to be held later this month. Senior Governance Officer Michael Henderson briefed at the meeting.

Wednesday morning saw a business visit to the Thornaby headquarters of Lusso Stone Ltd, one of the UK's leading providers of stone baths and luxury bathrooms. I was accompanied by Chris Renahan, the Council's Assistant Director for Inclusive Growth and Development.

This was followed by a Microsoft Teams meeting of the Local Government Authority's City Region Board, which meets regularly to discuss growth, transport infrastructure, skills and wider public service reform. 

Full Council met on the evening at Stockton Baptist Tabernacle where, as well as the regular business, members held a minutes silence in tribute to former councillor, Mayor of Stockton-on-Tees and Honorary Alderman, Ann Cains, who died last month, aged 85.

Yesterday I joined a virtual informal meeting of Cabinet Members ahead of next week's Full Cabinet.

A quieter day in the diary today means I can catch up on some important Council paperwork. 

This weekend I am looking forward to spending time with my family.