I spent some time today studying the papers for Wednesday's council meeting and drawing together comments and questions on all sorts of issues. There's so much happening at the moment and it's not always easy to keep track of the things that really matter to our residents. For instance, we have the issue of whether Stockton should have an elected mayor or have a Council Leader chosen from amongst the councillors. We have a massive programme to rebuild or refurbish the secondary schools of the borough except for Egglescliffe, Conyers and All Saints. How to spend the money wisely for the future education of the children who're only just learning to walk? What do we do with the schools which aren't included in this funding bonanza? Egglescliffe school building is hanging on by the skin of its teeth and really should be replaced but where and how? Ingleby Barwick needs more places near at hand for its children but where and how will it be paid for?
Council owned housing is about to become a thing of the past thanks to Government policy on funding but who should take it over and how can we be sure that our tenants will be happy with their new landlords?
Young people in our ward and other parts of the borough ask constantly for better facilities for them to spend their leisure time so how do we get them? Why hasn't the present or previous administration in Stockton done more for them?
So many questions and so few answers. Maybe we'll get a bit nearer with some of them on Wednesday.