29 November 2024

A very busy week started with a meeting of Tees Valley Leaders to discuss the Tees Valley Energy Recovery Facility. This is a joint project between us and six other Councils in the North East, and will provide power for more than 1.5million people living and working in the region. 

Following that myself and Mike Greene, Chief Executive of the Council, met with Matt Storey - the Cleveland Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC). Our quarterly meeting allows us to have a direct contact with the PCC and feed in any local issue we may have but also opportunities for partnership working. 

In the afternoon, Cabinet and the Council's Corporate Management Team met to discuss emerging policy areas including our Medium Term Financial Plan (or MTFP).

On Tuesday morning there was a General Licensing Committee meeting which considers licence applications in the area.

After, me and Mike Greene met with Catalyst; the Borough's Voluntary Development agency. In Stockton-on-Tees we have a thriving voluntary sector, and Catalyst is there to support the hundreds of non-profit organisations operating here.

Later, members were given a briefing on the Stockton & Darlington Railway Bi-Centenary celebration event which will be happening next year. I've very excited for people to see what we have planned, and there's a huge collective effort to make the festival the best it can be.

Mid-week, there was a member's advisory panel. Immediately after was the full meeting of the Health and Wellbeing Board, for which I am Chair. At the meeting we had an update on the Stockton Better Care Fund, which helps us to deliver health and social care locally in a more person-centred way.

Yesterday I attended the Winter Health and Wellbeing Festival, which was hosted by Thornaby Town Council. Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council are a partner for the festival, which had information stalls, Christmas crafts, volunteering opportunities, wellbeing services and more. It was good to see so many people attending and seeing what's available here locally.

In the evening I attended the launch of Stockton Sparkles. There's lots happening across the Borough this Christmas events. See what's on near you by checking the Tees Valley What's On website. 

Today after a busy diary I'm catching up on paperwork.

This weekend I'll be spending some time relaxing and seeing my family. Middlesbrough's winning streak came to an end on Wednesday night as we were beaten at home by Blackburn 1-0. We host a struggling Hull tomorrow, and everyone will be hoping we can get back to our winning ways.