I really welcome the way that local people used May’s local elections to vote for positive change. I will be meeting new Middlesbrough Mayor Andy Preston soon, and sat down last week with the new Leader of Redcar and Cleveland, Councillor Mary Lanigan.

We talked about shared priorities like reopening a police station in Loftus, and how we will take this up with the Police and Crime Commissioner. We also discussed issues including how we could extend the TransPennine Express Trains service into East Cleveland and improve bus connectivity.

There’s lots to work on and I look forward to working with councillors from all parties and none to deliver improvements for our community.