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skatothecore.bsky.social
Tori
@skatothecore.bsky.social
590 followers 510 following 470 posts
“Trying to define yourself is like trying to bite your own teeth.” - Alan Watts

#TeessideResistance #TruthOnTeesside #NAOnow #Teesside #Boro #UTB #EDS #DPAC #NEISvoid #CutsKill
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skatothecore.bsky.social
‼️Reminder!

Just a FYI, they are being inundated with questions about Teesworks (naturally) so maybe think on other topics. If you need any help just inbox me. Happy to discuss your ideas!
Promotional image for Mayor's Question Time, airing live on BBC Tees. Ben Houchen in a suit and tie is shown in the upper half of the image looking absolutely fed up. Below him, text invites the public to participate. It reads: "Mayor's Question Time Live on BBC Tees. Email: tees.news@bbc.co.uk Call: 08000 85 95 95 Text: 81333 and start your message with the word TEES." In the bottom right corner, there is a circular logo that says "Teesside Resistance" around a clenched fist, with the words "Truth Will Out" underneath. The background has a blue torn paper design.
May 13, 2025 at 1:20 PM
skatothecore.bsky.social
I didn’t know you needed the eyes of a hawk to read about the TVCA’s plan to spend £128.133m in Digital and Tech. If you’re colour blind forget about it I guess. Can’t wait for them to oversee getting disabled people back to work when they don’t know the basics of readability.
I can’t even tell you what it is because I can’t see it either. There’s some colourful boxes though. Helpful. Not!
May 8, 2025 at 1:28 PM
skatothecore.bsky.social
Hadn’t noticed this mural in Boro before. Does anyone know who created it?
A mural painted on the side of a building features a scenic landscape with Roseberry Topping, trees, and the Tees under a cloudy blue sky. The artwork includes a detailed depiction of the Transporter and Saltburn pier on a waterfront, alongside a stylized statue resembling the "Bottle of Notes" sculpture in Middlesbrough. Above the river, there is a red and white Middlesbrough FC crest with a lion and the founding year "1876." Three cars are parked in front of the mural on a grey, overcast day.
April 13, 2025 at 5:25 PM
skatothecore.bsky.social
When Houchen riles up the far right with his grooming gang rhetoric just remind him and his fanbase that he campaigned with a now convicted paedophile.

I’d suggest he keeps his own house in order first.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-engl...
A group of people standing outdoors in a line, dressed in winter clothing. Two individuals at the ends of the front row are marked with arrows and labeled 'Ben Houchen' on the left and 'David Smith' on the right. The background shows bare trees, suggesting a cold season. The tagline reads Ben Houchen with convicted paedophile David Smith.
April 11, 2025 at 12:29 PM
skatothecore.bsky.social
This is the 3rd time Houchen has been asked to resign from chair of the STDC. All from completely separate bodies. One of them being his own combined authority.
An excerpt from a TVCA report states, “STDC Board to appoint an Independent Chair. The independent Chair should be appointed by and accountable to the Elected Mayor. They would also be responsible for the Board's performance and accountable for it through scrutiny processes.”
April 10, 2025 at 8:44 AM
skatothecore.bsky.social
The meeting this report was suppose to be brought to cabinet 27/09/24 was the day after the STDC board. That report was never brought to cabinet.
Considers the views of the STDC Board which will be received following its meeting on 26 September 2024.
April 5, 2025 at 10:07 AM
skatothecore.bsky.social
Here is what was referred to in appendix 20.

You can read all the recommendations from page 866 onwards:

democracy.southteesdc.co.uk/about/wp-con...
STDC Board to appoint an Independent Chair he independent Chair should be appointed by and accountable to the Elected Mayor. They would also be responsible for the Board's performance and accountable for it through scrutiny processes.
April 5, 2025 at 9:59 AM
skatothecore.bsky.social
We asked on 3 separate occasions whether Houchen would step down from the STDC board. Here they are in chronological order.
Public Questions and Answers for Overview and Scrutiny Committee on 4 September 2024 Governance. Who will be appointing the independent chair to the STDC and how does this fit with the STDC constitution? The Tees Valley Mayor is the Chair of the South Tees Development Corporation Board. In line with the provisions of the Localism Act 2011, and the South Tees Development Constitution, this was a proposal put to Cabinet by the Tees Valley Mayor and approved at Cabinet's AGM. Page 57/58, response to recommendation 16. Why have you not included the STDC decision to remove Lord Houchen as chair of the STDC and that he will appoint an independent member as stated in Neil Schneiders report (appendix 20)? This is not an STDC decision. It was one of eight recommendations from an individual Board member as set out in Appendix 20. STDC Board will consider at the meeting on 26h September what recommendations it wishes to present to cabinet on 27th September. Decisions relating to Board member appointments require approval by TVCA Cabinet. Public Questions for STDC Board on 5 December 2024 Does Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen intend to resign as Chair of the STDC Board? No.
April 5, 2025 at 9:58 AM
skatothecore.bsky.social
Ben Houchen in a navy blue suit stands in front of a large map of Teesworks with his arms outstretched. In the top left corner, there is a circular logo with a clenched fist and the words "Teesside Resistance - Truth Will Out." Below the image, large bold text reads, "Oh fuck."
April 2, 2025 at 9:26 PM
skatothecore.bsky.social
We haven’t done one of these for a while.

Caption competition! 👇
Alt text: Ben Houchen in a dark blue suit stands in front of a large map of Teesworks with red boundary lines, gesturing with both arms extended. In the upper left corner of the image, there is a black and white logo featuring a clenched punching fist and the words "TEESSIDE RESISTANCE" and "TRUTH WILL OUT."
April 2, 2025 at 8:22 PM
skatothecore.bsky.social
Yup, here he is insulting me for calling out his anti-democratic move in Boro before he blocked me on Twitter. All because I pointed out I’ve never been a member of the Labour Party, I just care about democracy. 2 years later and that £18m is no where to be seen.
Ben Houchen @BenHouchen The Labour Party are angry that @michaelgove stepped in and stopped the Labour group on Middlesbrough Council from blocking £18m investment in the town... and they're angry I'm celebrating securing £18m for the town... Yes, you read that right. Tori @skatothecore Here is @BenHouchen celebrating @michaelgove overturning a democratic vote held by Middlesbrough council. @GoodLawProject @PrivateEyeNews @yorkshirepost @NEBylines
April 2, 2025 at 7:27 AM
skatothecore.bsky.social
Thank you Darlo!! Appreciate everyone coming down to support @dis-ppl-protest.bsky.social and our day of action! Great speeches from everyone. Was a pleasure to be a part of this.

We build from here.

#CutsKill #WelfareNotWarfare #TaxTheRich
A large group of people, including disabled individuals, wheelchair users, and allies, with signs that read "Dykes for Disability Rights" and "Cuts Kill." Some individuals hold fists in the air, while others hold protest signs, including a transgender pride flag. The group is diverse in age, gender, and appearance. They are standing or sitting in front of Darlington Town Hall.
March 26, 2025 at 8:46 PM
skatothecore.bsky.social
Darlington town hall today 12-2pm. See you there!

#CutsKill #WelfareNotWarfare #TaxTheRich
A protest poster with a torn paper and grunge aesthetic. The headline reads "CUT THE RICH, NOT THE CRIPS" in a ransom-note style font, with "NOT THE CRIPS" highlighted in red. Below, details of the protest are listed: "Date: Wednesday 26th March, Time: 12pm-2pm, Place: Darlington Town Hall." A red fist gripping a wheelchair symbol is beside the text. The phrase "WEALTH TAX NOW!" is prominently displayed in bold black text. At the bottom, a silhouette of a family holding hands is featured, along with the hashtag "#CutsKill" in red.
March 26, 2025 at 8:38 AM
skatothecore.bsky.social
When I said disabled people are more organised than during the last round of austerity measures I meant it. This was planned in a week.

#CutsKill #WelfareNotWarfare
A protest map of the UK titled "Crips Against Cuts Planned Actions." It features a black silhouette of the UK with red dots and arrows pointing to various cities, including Edinburgh, Newcastle, Darlington, Leeds, Sheffield, Cambridge, London, Margate, Brighton, Portsmouth, Exeter, Truro, Bournemouth, Bristol, Northampton, Coventry, Birmingham, Liverpool, and Manchester. A QR code in the top right corner is labeled "@Crips_Against_Cuts." A red fist gripping a cane symbol appears on the left. The hashtag "#CutsKill" is in the bottom right corner.
March 22, 2025 at 1:03 PM
skatothecore.bsky.social
There is a planned peaceful event in Darlo next Wednesday to oppose the proposed government cuts to disabled people’s social security.

I’ll be there with @raycasey.bsky.social

Please wear a mask if possible to protect immunocompromised people who will be attending. Thanks!

#CutsKill
A protest poster with a torn paper and cardboard background. The main slogan, "CUT THE RICH NOT THE CRIPS," is displayed in bold black and red stencil-style text. Below, event details are provided: "DATE: Wednesday 26th March, TIME: 12pm-2pm, PLACE: Darlington Town Hall." A red raised fist gripping a wheelchair wheel is beside the details. The phrase "WEALTH TAX NOW!" appears in bold black stencil-style font. At the bottom, a silhouette of a family holding hands is shown, with the hashtag "#CutsKill" in red stencil-style text.
March 21, 2025 at 4:55 PM
skatothecore.bsky.social
Planned actions. Not all will take place tomorrow. Some are planned for next Wednesday and beyond.
A digital protest poster features a black silhouette map of the United Kingdom with red dots and arrows pointing to various cities where planned actions by 'Crips Against Cuts' are taking place. The cities listed include Edinburgh, Newcastle, Darlington, Leeds, Sheffield, Manchester, Liverpool, Birmingham, Coventry, Cambridge, London, Margate, Brighton, Portsmouth, Bournemouth, Bristol, Exeter, and Truro. At the top left, bold, black stencil-style text reads 'CRIPS AGAINST CUTS PLANNED ACTIONS.' To the right, a red arrow points to a QR code with the handle '@Crips_Against_Cuts' below it. In the bottom left corner, a stylized illustration of a raised red fist gripping a cane emerging from a wheelchair symbolizes resistance and disability rights. In the bottom right corner, a red hashtag reads '#CutsKill.'
March 21, 2025 at 3:14 PM
skatothecore.bsky.social
Fiction: Ben Houchen announces £12.5m in ‘new’ funding for Teesside airport.

Fact: Teesside airport is getting a reduction in funds as they were paid over £12.7m last year but this year the cabinet is being asked to approve £12.5m.

We also know the funds run out in June thanks to Private Eye.
Ben Houchen’s Facebook post states, £12.5million Investment in Airport Businesses Next week, Cabinet will be asked to approve a £12.5million investment to help support some fantastic businesses based at our airport, expand, grow and create new local jobs. Companies like Draken, Airbourne Colours and Willis are already thriving here, winning new major contracts, creating skilled jobs and proving our airport is the perfect place to do business. This new funding will help these businesses build on that success, attracting even more opportunities to our region. *2 This is exactly why we took back control of the airport - to deliver real investment, real jobs, and real opportunities for local people in Teesside, Darlington and Hartlepool. This will hopefully be great news for our region! Watch this space for updates. The Teesside Lead headline reads, “Tees Valley Combined Authority paid £12.7m to Teesside Airport last year”.
March 17, 2025 at 3:06 PM
skatothecore.bsky.social
When is the government going to sort out one of the biggest projects haemorrhaging public funds in the country?

#TeessideResistance
#TruthWillOut
Teesworks - privatise the profits, nationalise the losses.
February 28, 2025 at 5:05 PM
skatothecore.bsky.social
Ahem
Andy Burnham standing in front of his Bee network fleet of double decker buses vs Ben Houchen standing in front of his Tees Flex minibus. It reads “buses when you have a mayor who knows what he’s doing vs Buses under Ben Houchen”.
February 26, 2025 at 7:41 PM
skatothecore.bsky.social
This policy was brought to the TVCA Audit and Governance committee yesterday. You can read it from page 113 onwards. I’d love to hear your thoughts.

teesvalley-ca.gov.uk/about/wp-con...
Managing Unreasonable Behaviour from Members of the Public Policy.
January 17, 2025 at 9:05 AM
skatothecore.bsky.social
Finally got hold of Appendix 2 but Appendix 3 is missing. Is this my life now? Will I get hold of Appendix 3 but Appendix 4 will be missing?

teesvalley-ca.gov.uk/about/wp-con...
TVCA and STDC should jointly agree the use of retained business rates over the 25 year period in support of both TVCA and STDC risks and liabilities and consider the funding strategy for liabilities that will exist thereafter. Such agreement to be agreed by TVCA Cabinet and STDC Board. S73 Officer has provided details of the levels of borrowing in STDC to be serviced by Business Rates together with anticipated levels of Business Rates from the confirmed tenants. This is incorporated into the financial model set out in Appendix 3. It is proposed that, as part of the annual report on the MTFP, STDC sets out the level of Business Rates it anticipates from the site at that time and its requirements to service its debt and operations. Any surplus of Business Rates above this amount will be identified together with proposals for their use. These proposals will be for Cabinet to approve. In advance of this it is proposed that, Cabinet will discuss and agree proposed themes for the use of any surplus retained Business Rates.
January 8, 2025 at 6:45 PM
skatothecore.bsky.social
Further to us pointing out the agenda was missing the TVR appendix the TVCA have updated their website to state the appendix will be uploaded when available. Their own protocol states agenda papers will be published 5 clear working days before a meeting. They are breaking their own protocol.
Forthcoming Overview & Scrutiny Committee Agendas & Papers 15th January 2025 Agenda & Papers Please note that Appendix 2 for item 5 will be uploaded when available. The Overview and Scrutiny Committee reviews the most important strategic decisions and the direction of Tees Valley Combined Authority, and ensuring that any decisions made were in line with the Combined Authority's agreed policies. The Committee meets quarterly. An agenda will be published five clear working days before the meeting. Draft minutes will be published within ten clear working days of the meeting taking place and final minutes within ten clear working days of approval.
January 8, 2025 at 11:52 AM
skatothecore.bsky.social
I wrote to the NAO last Feb and this was the response I received. They say central government funding is within their remit. So, because Teesworks has been heavily funded by central government, would this not give them remit as there certainly will be implications for central government?
Thank you for writing to the National Audit Office (NAO) on the 1st of February 2024 regarding Teesworks. Please note that the NAO does not have a statutory power to conduct examinations of individual local authorities and associated bodies, such as Tees Valley Combined Authority or the South Tees Development Corporation. We have previously made enquiries in relation to the central government funding - which is within the NAO's remit - for the Teesworks project. In May 2023, the government commissioned an independent review into South Tees Development Corporation and Teesworks. We are now examining the detail in the review's report into South Tees Development Corporation and Teesworks Joint Venture (published on 29 January) to understand whether there are implications for central government and therefore the NAO's future work programme. Kind regards, Redacted | FOl & Correspondence Officer Communications Team.
January 7, 2025 at 8:10 PM
skatothecore.bsky.social
Back in Feb 2024 I wrote to the NAO asking if they would look at Teesworks. This was their response. They mention central government funding being within their remit so does this mean because Teesworks has been funded by central government they actually do have remit and don’t need to be invited?
Thank you for writing to the National Audit Office (NAO) on the 1st of February 2024 regarding Teesworks. Please note that the NAO does not have a statutory power to conduct examinations of individual local authorities and associated bodies, such as Tees Valley Combined Authority or the South Tees Development Corporation. We have previously made enquiries in relation to the central government funding - which is within the NAO's remit - for the Teesworks project. In May 2023, the government commissioned an independent review into South Tees Development Corporation and Teesworks. We are now examining the detail in the review's report into South Tees Development Corporation and Teesworks Joint Venture (published on 29 January) to understand whether there are implications for central government and therefore the NAO's future work programme. Kind regards, Redacted | FOl & Correspondence Officer Communications Team.
January 7, 2025 at 7:55 PM
skatothecore.bsky.social
I mean you can just ask Anna Turley like. She does respond.
Facebook post from a constituent. Do you know what the issue is with our area? The Teesvalley Mayor! When is there going to be an independent investigation into the TVCA, STDC and Teesworks? Out of all the huge dividends how much is going back to the tax payer? How can a company with huge losses pay so much in dividends? Anna Turley responds. Hi Paul Thank you for your comment - I completely understand your concerns. Redcar & Cleveland residents should be the ones benefitting from these developments, and transparency is absolutely vital. I will continue pressing for accountability and answers regarding the TVCA, STDC, and Teesworks. I'm determined to ensure our community gets the fairness and clarity it deserves. I'll keep pushing forward and will provide updates as soon as i can. Anna.
January 7, 2025 at 7:38 PM