30 June 2023

This week I first met with the Chair of the Collaborative Procurement Sub-Committee (CPSC), Nicola Shelley, ahead of a wider meeting next week. NEPO works in partnership with the twelve North East Local Authorities via the CPSC to secure quality services and goods which are good value for money.

Later in the day, myself and other Cabinet Members met with Mike Greene, the Council's Chief Executive, to give a briefing on each of the cabinet portfolios. These updates make sure that Cabinet and Council are working together and both up to date with the latest information on any given service.

On Tuesday I attended a board meeting for the Ropner Trust, a charity of which I am a Trustee. They work locally to help educate people under 25 living in Stockton-on-Tees.

Mid-week I attended the Council's Health and Wellbeing board, which ensures healthy relationships and partnership work with all health providers. It aims to improve and protect the health of people of the Borough, focussing on those most in need.

Yesterday I met with the Director of Corporate Services, Ged Morton, to discuss his services.

This morning I attended the TVCA Annual General Meeting. At this meeting we discussed future plans for employment and skills, Teesside International Airport, the freeport, Teesworks and much more.

In the afternoon I will be having a pre-agenda meeting ahead of our Cabinet meeting next week. There is a busy agenda including our medium-term financial plan, our Employee Volunteering Policy and an update following last week's elections.

At the weekend I'm looking forward to spending some time with my family and relaxing. Hayden Hackney signed a new contract to stay at Middlesbrough until 2027 which is great news for our 2023/24 campaign. I'm hoping to hear similar news about Chuba Akpom in the coming weeks!