Tom Bryant told a cabinet meeting that individuals may be “put off” by the notice placed on the mayoral authority last year, which requires it to make improvements focusing on governance and value for money.

Mr Bryant said interim finance director Jo Moore had agreed to stay on for a further six months, but beyond that a solution in terms of a permanent replacement had yet to be found.

The authority, headed by Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen, is also attempting to recruit a successor to interim monitoring and chief legal officer Jeanette McGarry, who is in the same category.

Mr Bryant said: “Having the best value notice does put some people off.”

He said “lots of different networks” were being utilised to find the right candidate and make informal approaches, but it was a challenge.

Mr Bryant said: “We need to try and find permanent appointments as soon as we can, but having the confidence that we have Jo and Jeanette through to September gives us time to continue the search.

“I am working really hard to continue to find the right candidates.

“I will keep the cabinet updated regularly, there are a few live opportunities I am pursuing right now.”

Redcar and Cleveland Council leader Alec Brown, a member of the cabinet, asked how “hands on” Ms Moore was and how long her personal circumstances would allow her to continue on an interim basis.

Mr Bryant said Ms Moore was “absolutely committed” to supporting the organisation through to September.

He said: “Obviously she does live down in London, and it is challenging in terms of her commute, but she does come into the office.

“Jo and myself have an excellent working relationship and she is a huge asset to the organisation, but we still need to work out a permanent solution beyond September 2026.”

Approval was sought from the cabinet, and granted, in order to keep the two officers on board until the end of September.

A cabinet agenda item said that, despite an external recruitment campaign and interviews for the posts – described as “very rigorous” – being held earlier this year no suitable candidates had been found.

It said: “It is clearly imperative that the permanent appointments for both roles have the required experience and expertise to ensure that the combined authority continues to embed the necessary improvements. 

“It was concluded that none of the candidates satisfied these requirements.” 

Brian Archer, the chief executive of Redcar and Cleveland Council, asked if changes might be made to the remuneration levels offered.

Mr Bryant said: “I think the salaries are still right, we have spoken long and hard about making sure we are competitive in the market.

“The best value notice does make it more difficult, the market for statutory officers is difficult anyway.”

Frank Lampard has praised the ‘quality’ and ‘skill’ on show in Paris Saint-Germain’s Champions League semi-final first leg victory over Bayern Munich, hailing the contest as one of the best games of football he has ever seen.

PSG and Bayern produced a European contest for the ages on Tuesday evening, with a raucous Parc des Princes crowd treated to nine goals across a truly unforgettable tie.

Luis Enrique’s side, the holders, had appeared to have put one foot in this year’s final as Ousmane Dembele scored his second of the night to make it 5-2 with half-an-hour remaining.

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia had completed a brace of his own just moments earlier after a thrilling first half under the lights in Paris, in which Joao Neves, Harry Kane and Michael Olise had also netted.

But the visitors dug deep and were rewarded for their efforts as Dayot Upamecano and Luis Diaz both scored in the space of three minutes to ensure Vincent Kompany’s men trail by just one goal ahead of the sides’ second meeting in Munich.

Facing the media once the dust had settled on his side 5-4 win, PSG head coach Enrique said the game was ‘without doubt’ the best game he had ever been involved in as a manager.

‘I have never seen a match with this kind of intensity,’ the Spaniard told reporters at his post-match press conference.

‘This is not the time to point out flaws. We just need to congratulate everyone.

‘We deserved to win, we deserved to draw and we deserved to lose today.

‘It was a fantastic match. It has been, without a doubt, the best match I have ever been involved in as a coach.’

The triumphant team will lock horns in the year’s final with the winner of Arsenal’s semi-final Atleti, which is evenly poised after last night’s 1-1 draw in Madrid

Speaking to talkSPORT two days on from Tuesday’s classic in Paris, Chelsea legend Lampard delivered his reaction to a first-leg encounter that will be remembered for years to come.

‘I loved watching that game, I loved watching it. The speed and the quality of things done, highly skilled things done at the top level, two teams going at each other,’ the Coventry City head coach said.

‘We talk a lot and I’ve been listening to the shows about the Premier League and how some games have become a bit of a chess match and teams stopping each other.

‘That’s fine, our job as coaches is to find out whatever your way is, but to see two coaches, to see that talent across the pitch, to see them going head-to-head…

‘I heard the stuff about bad defending in the game and, of course, there was some defending that you might question because when you take risks you leave yourself one-on-one.

‘But as a product, as something to watch, it was one of the best games I’ve ever seen of football. I absolutely loved it.’

Lampard is pleased to see Kompany proving his managerial credentials on the big stage and believes his former Manchester City team-mate is fully deserving of his position on the top table.

‘People will say it’s easy when you work with top-level players and, of course, there’s a degree of that,’ the ex-England and Chelsea midfielder explained.

‘But Vincent Kompany, for instance, or Luis Enrique, but I know Vinny a bit, he deserves to be in that job because of the work he’s done so you get those players.

‘I like what he said after the game. He’s talking about the bad defending in the game and what the game looked like, saying, “What do you want? Do you want to watch something like that where players are all in?”

‘I’m not comparing us to Bayern Munich or PSG by the way but at Coventry we’ve been all in in our way we want to be and I’ve always felt confident that we can get back into games even when we’re losing, and we’ve done it.

‘We saw that done at the highest level the other day. A team that know what they’re doing, believe in what they’re doing, and just going at it. What a great thing it was to watch.’

Turning his attentions to the challenges that await at Coventry, Lampard is under no illusions about the size of the task at hand and the ‘work to be done’ in preparation for the club’s return to the Premier League.

‘In terms of the summer, there’s a lot of work to be done,’ Lampard explained, with the Sky Blues securing promotion after a 25-year absence from the top flight.

‘There’s no doubt when you come up as a non-parachute team with players who aren’t as experienced.

‘I know the gap well because I’ve played in it the Premier League a lot.

‘I’ve managed a team fighting for the Champions League with Chelsea, I’ve managed in a relegation battle at Everton.

“I understand there’s lots of conversations [to be had]. The owner has been very keen on us all enjoying and celebrating in these last couple of weeks, and I agree with that, we can live in the moment.’

Lampard added: ‘The next job for the football club is, “Okay, what do we need to do?”, because we’ve risen quite quickly in these last 18 months.

‘A lot of amazing groundwork by Mark Robins but the differences that are coming upon the football club now and the step is big so it has to be done well, so that will be the job.’

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First Minister Eluned Morgan had a slip up on the campaign trail

First Minister Eluned Morgan had a slip up on the campaign trail, telling people to “vote Plaid Cymru” rather than her own Labour Party.

The party had an event at Barry Island to mark a week to go where activists gathered in front of a lorry, placards aloft ahead of a canvassing session.

As she closed her speech, made in front of activists, she ended by urging them to “pleidleisiwch Plaid Cymru, Plaid Llafur”. Realising her mistake, the Welsh Labour leader grimaced while there were some laughs.

During the event she announced her party has released its costings for the manifesto, showing people what they will and won’t spend on.

The details of each party’s campaign finances has been contested. In a TV Debate this week each leader was challenged by Reform UK Dan Thomas to release their figures.

When the audience at the BBC debate was asked if it wanted the figures released, all seemed to raise their hands.

In that debate Reform UK urged the parties to release theirs “tomorrow morning”. They said they will release theirs if the others do.

The Conservatives said the same. Lib Dem leader Jane Dodds refused while Plaid’s Rhun ap Iorwerth said his party had checked its spending plans with a renowned economist but did not commit to releasing them.

Mrs Morgan told activists that she had written to Plaid Cymru leader Mr ap Iorwerth urging him to release his figures.

Estelle Bradley, 44, of no fixed address, appeared at York Magistrates’ Court yesterday (April 29) charged with inflicting GBH (grievous bodily harm) without intent on a 79-year-old woman in Knaresborough town centre.

She has also been charged with assaulting an emergency worker (a police office) at Harrogate Police Station while in custody being charged with the other offence on Tuesday (April 28).

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The initial attack happened in Knaresborough High Street at around 11.30am on October 17, 2025.

“It is alleged that Bradley pushed the victim to the pavement close to a passing heavy goods vehicle. She suffered a cut on her head that needed gluing at hospital,” said a spokesperson for the force.

Bradley was arrested following a CCTV appeal by North Yorkshire Police; she has since been remanded into custody and is due to appear in court on June 1.

If you have any more information, the case reference is 12NY0110126.

Staff at Glasgow Airport are currently being balloted for industrial action amid an ongoing row over pay.

Tartan Army fans could face World Cup chaos this summer as airport workers in Glasgow are considering strikes.

Staff at Glasgow Airport are currently being balloted for industrial action amid an ongoing row over pay. The industrial action could see around 170 ICTS staff members walk out during the same period thousands of football fans prepare to travel to the US.

It comes after workers rejected an “unacceptable” pay offer from the company. Unite the Union, which represents the employees, said that if the ballot is successful, strikes commence during the busiest period of the summer holidays.

It could coincide with the World Cup also the Commonwealth Games which are being held in Glasgow from July 23 to August 2. The ballot opens on May 1 and will close on May 21.

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Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Unite has warned ICTS that our members at Glasgow Airport deserve a better pay offer than what is currently on the table. ICTS is a highly profitable company that can fully afford to make a decent pay offer. The company’s cavalier attitude and failure to make a fair pay offer has created this dispute.

“Unite will back our ICTS members every step of the way in their fight for better jobs, pay and conditions.”

The union explained that ICTS workers interact directly with passengers in security search areas, processing them for flights, while also controlling access posts, covering mobile patrols and screening all deliveries.

Carrie Donoghue, Unite industrial officer, said: “Unite has made it clear that there should be a far better pay offer which reflects the critical role our members perform at Glasgow Airport. The reality is that the airport simply can’t operate without them. It is ICTS that is putting the travelling public at risk during an expected very busy summer due to the World Cup and Commonwealth Games.”

Scotland fans will travel to America for games against Brazil, Morocco and Haiti for the group stage of the 2026 World Cup. The opening game will take place on June 13 but kick off 2am UK time on June 14.

The second group game against Morocco will be played on June 19 and will kick off 11pm UK time. Brazil vs Scotland will then take place on June 24 and will start at 11pm UK time.

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Officers who want to find the owner of the Darlington property have released a picture showing a living room with a large sofa, a clock in the background and a black-and-white cat.

A Durham Police spokesperson said: “Officers are appealing for help in identifying the owner of this property as part of an ongoing investigation.

“We’d like to reassure people that they are not suspected of any offences.

“We appreciate the image quality isn’t the best, but hope that someone may recognise the furniture or the black-and-white cat.”

If it is your house, or you know who it belongs to, please contact Detective Constable Matt Stasiak at Darlington CID on 101, extension 202467, or by email at Matthew.Stasiak@durham.police.uk.

Sabastian Sawe, the first athlete to officially break the two-hour barrier in a marathon, has been welcomed home to Kenya with a hero’s reception, including a water cannon salute for his arriving aircraft.

The record-breaker was subsequently awarded $61,000 (£45,000) and a new car by the president.

Mr Sawe’s return on Wednesday saw him greeted by his parents and Sports Minister Salim Mvurya, who lauded the runner’s achievement at the London Marathon as “a win for Kenya.”

On Thursday, President William Ruto hosted a formal ceremony, describing Mr Sawe’s victory as “a defining moment in the history of human endurance.”

During the event, Mr Sawe presented President Ruto with an autographed Adidas Adizero shoe, worn during Sunday’s race, along with a signed photograph commemorating his world record moment.

Mr Sawe made history on Sunday by completing the marathon in an astonishing 1 hour, 59 minutes, and 30 seconds, shaving 65 seconds off the previous men’s world record.

Upon his arrival at Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, he expressed his pride at having “made a great achievement in life” and vowed to “try and lower the record further.”

The athlete was adorned with a traditional wreath of twigs, symbolising victory, as traditional dancers celebrated his return. He was then escorted into a luxury government vehicle, part of the “heroic welcome” orchestrated by the sports minister.

His parents shared their long-held belief in their son’s destiny for greatness. His mother, Emily Sawe, recalled his childhood speed: “He would run too fast. So, I would say to myself, this boy will shine for me one day.”

His father, Simion Kiplagat Sawe, recounted the tension of watching Sunday’s race due to a poor television signal.

“The moment my son pulled in front, I walked out and didn’t see him finish the race. I watched the replay afterwards. I was so happy, extremely happy. We screamed so much that now it is hard to swallow anything,” he said.

Sawe’s introduction to professional running came through his uncle, Abraham Chepkirwok, an 800-metre Olympian for Uganda at the 2008 Beijing Games.

Having won the Valencia Marathon in 2024 with a time of 2:02:05, Sawe entered Sunday’s London race as the defending champion.

His father affirmed his son’s unwavering determination, stating: “Even now, he still says that record was not enough; he wants to lower it further.”

Emergency services were called on Tuesday evening (April 28) after the woman was reported missing from her home in Tow Law.

A search was launched with officers and dogs on the ground and the police helicopter scouring the area from the sky.

Dog handler PC Laura Armstrong and PD Dutch traced the woman’s car to a remote area near Stanhope.

Officers then concentrated their search on foot in the surrounding fells, where NPAS colleagues spotted the woman lying in a remote area.

NPAS (Image: DURHAM POLICE)

Responders reached the woman and have her oxygen and urgent first aid as she was suffering from suspected hypothermia, before she was flown to hospital for treatment.

A Durham Police spokesperson said: “On Tuesday night, a call came into our force control room following concerns for a vulnerable woman who had gone missing from her home in Tow Law.

“Officers were able to give her very worried family the good news – we wish her a speedy recovery.

“We can’t always share what we get up to, but this is just one of the jobs that we responded to this week to keep the public safe.”

The UK now protects 38% of its seas by law. Yet the government’s own assessment shows that our oceans are not thriving.

In April, the Department for Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs (Defra) published its latest assessment of the health of our seas: the UK marine strategy report.

Of the 15 components of ocean health assessed, only two clearly meet the standard of good environmental status (GES) – the benchmark for healthy seas that the UK committed to achieving by 2020. The other 13 are failing, uncertain or getting worse.

This is despite the UK now having 377 marine protected areas (MPAs), sections of sea designated by law to protect wildlife and habitats. Protected areas are important, but the detail behind that impressive-looking map is sobering.

Marine mammals, such as Whales, dolphins, and porpoises are not judged to have achieved good status. A key reason for this is bycatch: they are being accidentally caught and killed in fishing nets meant for other species.

Seabird populations are declining, with fewer chicks surviving each breeding season as the fish they depend on become harder to find.

The types of fish living in our seas are changing for the worse, with the biggest cod disappearing while smaller species take their place.

The entire food web is under strain. The microscopic organisms that underpin ocean life, called plankton, are becoming less productive as seas warm, and that loss ripples upward through every species that depends on them.

On the seabed, fragile habitats such as seagrass meadows continue to be damaged by pollution and disturbance from shipping and boat activity.

Our seas are getting noisier, more polluted with heavy metals, and littered with waste on the seafloor.

There are some bright spots. The numbers of grey seals are stable or increasing. Beach litter is declining. Commercial fisheries have shown modest improvement, with the share of fish stocks being fished at sustainable levels rising, though it is still fewer than half.

But these gains are outweighed by the broader trajectory.

Why MPAs are not enough

Protected areas play an important role, but they cannot address the full range of pressures our seas face. Drawing a boundary on a nautical chart does not stop warm water crossing it. It does not filter out the nutrient runoff flowing in from agricultural land and overwhelmed sewage systems. It does not silence the increasing underwater noise from shipping and industrial activity. It does not prevent whales, dolphins and porpoises from being caught in fishing gear that operates both inside and outside these boundaries.

Climate change is perhaps the telling example. Sea temperatures around the UK have risen by roughly 0.3°C per decade over the past 40 years, with extreme underwater heatwaves becoming more common. The report acknowledges that this is already altering marine ecosystems, affecting everything from plankton at the base of the food chain to the distribution of fish species. No MPA can insulate its inhabitants from a warming ocean.

Land-based pollution is another pressure that flows straight through protected area boundaries. The report identifies food production and sewage treatment as major causes of nutrient enrichment, with increasing nitrogen inputs entering coastal waters. Heavy metals from legacy mine contamination, particularly in Wales, continue to pollute the marine environment. Contaminants have not met good status because lead, mercury, copper and zinc remain above environmental thresholds.

What ocean recovery actually requires

None of this is an argument against marine protected areas. Well-managed MPAs are an essential tool, and recent proposals to ban bottom trawling in some protected sites are welcome.

But if we are serious about ocean recovery, we need to tackle root causes. That includes reducing agricultural and urban runoff and sewage discharges into rivers and coastal waters. The climate crisis is reshaping our marine ecosystems from the bottom of the food chain upwards so tackling greenhouse emissions is a key step. Managing underwater noise from an increasingly industrialised seascape is essential. And enforcing meaningful fisheries management will reduce bycatch and protect whole ecosystems, not just commercial stocks.

The government’s own environmental watchdog, the Office for Environmental Protection, has reached a similar conclusion. In September 2025, it identified possible serious failures by Defra to comply with environmental law in relation to the missed GES target, and launched a formal investigation. It is now asking the government to produce an evidenced, resourced and time-bound delivery plan.

When even the body set up to hold government to account on the environment is questioning whether the law has been broken, it is hard to argue that the current approach is working.

The UK was supposed to have achieved good environmental status in our seas by 2020. Six years past that deadline, this report shows we are still far from it. We cannot afford to let the percentage of protected areas on a map be a substitute for the hard and messy work of actually making our oceans healthy.

Captioning the video, a Metropolitan Police spokesperson said: “The suspect refused to show his hands, was violent and continued to pose a clear threat. Using only their training, courage and tasers, they detained him while he continued to try to attack and stab them. This took true courage.”