Friday 6 May

After getting up to speed after the Bank Holiday weekend I started my week with a Cabinet briefing from the Council's Managing Director, Julie Danks on Tuesday. Deputy Leader Cllr Jim Beall and I were briefed on a number of items due to come before Cabinet, including a report on equality in the workforce.

In the evening I attended a governing body meeting at Billingham South Community Primary School. It's always good to be back at the school which has a fantastic set of teachers, staff and pupils, and hear about ongoing developments and planned activities at the school.

Wednesday saw my monthly update on business and regeneration issues across Stockton-on-Tees from Garry Cummings, Director of Finance, Development & Business Services and Chris Renahan, Assistant Director, Inclusive Growth and Development.

This was followed by my regular online meeting with representatives from unions which represent the Council's workforce. We meet regularly to discuss issues affecting employees.  

A busy day ended with a meeting with Margaret Waggott, the Council's Assistant Director for Administration, Democratic and Electoral Services, to go through some Council business that will be considered by Corporate Management Team (CMT) and Cabinet.

Yesterday I met with Cleveland Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Steve Turner for an update on crime and policing issues in the Borough.

In the afternoon I was joined by Garry Cummings again along with Julie Marsden, Economic Development Manager, for a tour of luxury bathroom firm Lusso's Stockton HQ.  We certainly welcome the investment Lusso has made in the area, and congratulate the firm on achieving its milestone of £100m cumulative sales.

This afternoon I'll be joined by Deputy Leader Councillor Jim Beall for my regular online catch up with one of the borough's two MPs.

This weekend I'm looking forward to spending time with my family and watching with great anticipation Middlesbrough's trip to Preston. It's really going down to the wire as Boro head into the final match of the season chasing Luton and Sheffield United for a play-off place, but there's still every chance we can clinch it.