17 May 2024

This week began with my quarterly catch-up with Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson, President of the Local Government Association (LGA), alongside Mike Greene, Chief Executive.

In the afternoon I met with Councillor Pauline Beall, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care. Health and social care is a very important service the Council provides and our catch-ups allow me to keep updated with progress and any pressing concerns.

Following this I had a catch-up with the Education, Employment and Skills Advisory Group (EESAG), ahead of the full meeting on Thursday.

On Tuesday morning I was briefed by Jonathan Nertney, Head of Democratic Services, about the Council's Democratic, Electoral and Scrutiny Services. Of particular interest was the update regarding the Police and Crime Commissioner and Tees Valley Combined Authority Mayoral elections held earlier this month. You can read about the results here.

I then met with Council Leaders from across the Tees Valley to discuss transformation plans for the area.

Mid-week I attended the Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP) Advisory Group meeting. The group brings together colleagues from across the Tees Valley to improve working with employers across the area, aiming to take the region's economy forward and boost opportunities for future generations.

Yesterday morning, I joined the EESAG Advisory Group meeting held at Teesside Airport before attending the Health and Wellbeing Board Pre-Agenda meeting.

Later in the day, I attended Cabinet. A busy agenda included an update on the A Fairer Stockton-on-Tees initiative and the Director of Public Health Annual Report 2023 to 2024.

Today is a quieter day, allowing me to catch up with important paperwork and other items.

This weekend I'll be relaxing with my family. The Championship is finished and this Sunday will see the conclusion of the Premier League. Arsenal and Manchester City have it all to play for, however the Gunners will need a win and for City to only achieve a draw against West Ham to win the league. It'll be an exciting Super Sunday!