12 July 2024

As the pre-election period is over now the general election has been held, I will be continuing my weekly blog.

This week began with the Members Advisory Panel. In the afternoon, I attended Cabinet Pre-Agenda which included updates on the regeneration blueprints for Central Stockton and North Thornaby, the Anti-Poverty Strategy and Action Plan, and the Borough's care leavers.

On Tuesday morning, I met with Julie Wynn, Organiser for GMB North East, Yorkshire and Humber. I then attended the Group Leaders and Deputy Leaders Cabinet Briefing, in advance of Cabinet next Thursday.

In the afternoon, I joined a Members Seminar for an update on the upcoming Council Plan. The Council has ambitious plans for the future of the Borough and you can read our current strategies here.

Midweek I attended a Working Together meeting held by the Tees Valley Combined Authority (TVCA). As a member of the TVCA Cabinet, I then joined an Independent Review Briefing Session to discuss the progress made against recommendations from the Tees Valley Review.

Yesterday, I attended a Media Briefing about the Borough's town blueprints and regeneration work alongside Mike Greene and Councillor Nigel Cooke, Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Housing. You can read an update about the exciting plans here.

In the evening, I attended a Meet the Army event held by the Army Engagement Group.

Today, I am joining an update call as a member of the Association of North East Councils (ANEC). A busy agenda includes the appointments of Chair and Vice-Chair for 2024 to 2025, an update from the Local Government Association (LGA), and the North East Procurement Organisation (NEPO) Annual Performance Report.

This weekend I will be spending some time relaxing with my family. England have achieved a place at the Euro 2024 final for the second consecutive time following two incredibly tense knock-out games against Switzerland and the Netherlands. We face Spain in Berlin this weekend where both teams will be eager to lift the trophy. England will be underdogs going into the match, but the team have gained momentum since the group stages, and we might just see a bit of magic to get us the win.