7 March 2025

A busy week began with a briefing call from Ben Houchen, the Mayor of the Tees Valley, alongside other Tees Valley Combined Authority (TVCA) Council Leaders to discuss recruitment for the TVCA Group Chief Executive. 

In the afternoon I had a pre-agenda meeting for Cabinet next week. I then joined a briefing which included an update on the exciting regeneration work in our six towns. 

On Tuesday morning, I chaired the North East Procurement Organisation (NEPO) Collaborative Procurement Committee meeting. 

I then visited the new Council Chamber in Dunedin House, before meeting with Cabinet members and other senior colleagues for a Cabinet briefing. 

Later in the day, I joined Bright Minds Big Futures (BMBF), the Council's national award-winning youth-led group, for their Big Committee meeting. The meeting included an insightful workshop about children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). 

Midweek I attended the Stockton and Darlington Railway (S&DR) Board meeting. The 9-month festival to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the railway is opening with a spectacular show, All Change, on 29 March - find out more and book tickets at the S&DR200 website.

In the afternoon, I joined The Junction Multibank Impact and Development Group quarterly meeting. The Junction Multibank does well-needed work to join companies and businesses with local charities to share surplus goods, reducing the effects of poverty while contributing to a more circular economy. Learn more about the multibank at their website.

I then had a catch-up with Reuben Kench, Director of Community Services, Environment and Culture, before attending the Joint Archives Committee. 

Yesterday I attended the relaunch event for the North East and North Cumbria Armed Forces and Families Network. The network offers support to the Armed Forces Community including ex and serving personnel, Reservists, Cadets and their families.  

Today I am meeting with Cleveland Police Superintendent John Wrintmore, alongside other senior members of the Council. Our catch ups cover important topics such as Clear, Hold, Build, operations items and any issues raised by our members. 

This weekend I'll be spending some time with my family and relaxing. Middlesbrough have had a turn of fortune in their last two matches, claiming all six points. We play Swansea this weekend, where a third consecutive win is entirely possible. We play again on Tuesday versus QPR. These two games could be critical in our play-off battle, and the amount of points we take from these two games will be vital in staking our claim to one of the top six positions.