The decision of the Crown Prosecution Service to clear me for a second time of any wrongdoing posed an interesting dilemma.

In recent years, Britain has seen a growth in the compensation culture, in which someone has to be blamed for anything that goes wrong.

Of course, many are genuine cases and successful legal action not only compensates individuals but ensures steps are taken to ensure others do not suffer in future. But some recent claims seem to have come straight from the scriptwriters of Ally McBeal and the cost to a local authority of defending such claims is a great drain on resources.

Following the CPS decision I have been advised that I have a rock solid case for suing those who I feel have persecuted me over these past five years. But, in the end, it is local people who would probably pick up the bill for any damages and legal bills.

I lost all faith in the police disciplinary process when I felt it was being deliberately strung out to keep me suspended and so prevent me standing as Mayor. If I were to stand, the only option was to admit disciplinary breaches of which I was innocent, in the full knowledge that this would result in me being able to resign.

By their decision, the CPS has vindicated this stance because, make no mistake, if there was any credible evidence that I turned a blind eye to wrongdoing by my officers I would have been charged. The decision of the CPS was welcome, but, to be honest, it paled into insignificance compared to the massive vote of confidence delivered by the people of Middlesbrough at the mayoral election in May.

Wronged I may have been, but there is no way I can turn round and sue if ultimately the cash comes from the pockets of the very people whose support has kept me going these past five years. I knew this appalling waste of public money and resources would end in failure, but at least now it is over I can concentrate on my role as mayor and pursue aims to improve the quality of life for local people.

This will involve working with people who in the past I have been at loggerheads with - like local MP Stuart Bell. As far as I am concerned, it's time to bury the hatchet, to move on. We need Stuart and our other MP, Ashok Kumar, to support our ambitious plans for the town and speak up for Middlesbrough in Parliament.

Since being elected, I seem to have spent every working hour meeting people but I now have a much better idea of the work the council does. I presented my ideas to leading officers and members and was pleased when chief executive John Foster described it as 'radical' and something no other local authority had ever tried.

There are already very good plans in place for Middlesbrough but I am aware that the public wants to see swift action, most importantly on law and order in the town.

Finally, I had hoped to discuss the Government's drugs policy in this column. However, since neither the Government nor the police seem to be clear what the policy is, I'd better give them another week to sort things out before commenting.