2 August 2024

This week began with a catch up about the Council's regeneration and inclusive growth projects with Mike Greene, Chief Executive, and Councillor Lisa Evans, Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Children and Young People. We currently have some very exciting work going on across the Borough including the new Blueprint for Central Stockton and North Thornaby, which you can read about here.

On Tuesday, I attended a briefing session for Council members which included an update from Mike and information about the ongoing work to update the Stockton Information Directory (SID).

Midweek, I joined the Health and Wellbeing Board for which I am Chair. A busy agenda included an update on the Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy, discussion of the Healthwatch Annual Report and updates on Health Protection across the Borough.

Yesterday afternoon, I welcomed Councillor Billy Webb MBE JP, Chair of Borough Arts and Cultural Advisory Planning, Ursula Fay, Director of Community Planning, and Samuel Hyndman, Culture and Events Manager, on their visit to Stockton-on-Tees from Antrim and Newtonabbey Borough Council in Northern Ireland. They are visiting to attend the Stockton International Riverside Festival (SIRF) launch and I have enjoyed introducing them to the brilliant riverside festival, as well as a tour of Preston Park and discussions about the High Street Waterfront Redevelopment.

Tonight, I will be attending the launch of SIRF. Our free world-renowned festival boasts some of the best artists and performers from across the world, and tonight's orchestral performance of The Siren's Song by French company Mécanique Vivante promises a modern-day Pied Piper around the town that is not to be missed. I look forward to sharing the experience with our Antrim and Newtonabbey Borough Council visitors.

This weekend, I will be attending SIRF with my family. This year's programme is packed with some of the finest street theatre, dance, music and arts from across the globe, offering fun and excitement for the whole family. I am particularly looking forward to SIRF Community Carnival on Sunday afternoon, which this year hosts a staggering 750 performers and a 'Discoquarium' by Urban Kaos on the Plinth Stage, before the SIRF finale at 9.30pm. Be sure to join the free festival from today until Sunday and don't miss out on a truly memorable experience.