The Mayor, Cllr Barry Brotherton & Tom at Waterside Arts Centre
The Mayor, Cllr Barry Brotherton & Tom at Waterside Arts Centre

I’m writing this update in Altrincham Library on Friday afternoon prior to an exciting event I’m attending later.  It’s a great Library and, as ever, very busy.  I’m really proud to see how important libraries continue to be across Trafford.  Altrincham Library is in a great location and offers out-of-hours access to members- something I’m finding very valuable today. 

It’s been a busy week with meetings in Trafford and at a Greater Manchester level.  I’ve also been fortunate enough to enjoy some cultural events across the Borough too. 

On Monday, much of my day was spent at the Town Hall where I attended meetings regarding children’s services and regeneration schemes.  At the end of the day I chaired a Public Executive meeting where the main item on the agenda was our draft budget proposals for 2025/26.  I focussed a lot on the budget in last week’s update and the work continues as we consider ways to bridge the remaining budget gap. 

On Tuesday I travelled down to Hale to join the Mayor, members of the local community, local councillors and my friend and former colleague, Whit Stennett, for the unveiling of a blue plaque to honour the life of Edward Theophilus Nelson.  Edward was born in Guyana in 1874 and came to Britain in 1898.  He had a distinguished career in law and also served as a councillor on Hale Urban District Council for 27 years from 1913.  An inspiring life, Edward Nelson is someone who adds to the rich heritage of our Borough and it was an honour to attend this event, which took place on what would have been his birthday as well as during Black History Month. 

On my return to the Town Hall, I attended a couple of meetings- including one that related to our Trafford Moving Strategy and one focussed on another of our regeneration projects. 

Wednesday was a day for catching up and preparing for meetings later in the week.  This included preparing for Thursday’s meeting of the Bee Network Committee in Manchester.  I’m Mayor Andy Burnham’s nominated substitute on the Bee Network Committee but was called on to chair Thursday’s session in his absence and that of my colleague from Bury, Cllr Eamonn O’Brien.  I’ve not chaired this committee before but absolutely loved the opportunity I had this time.  The agenda covered some really exciting strategies, including school travel and school streets and progressing the Bee Network.  It was great to see our Active Travel Commissioner, Dame Sarah Storey, once again and to hear from her throughout the meeting.   

Later on Thursday I travelled down to the Waterside Arts Centre in Sale to attend a preview of ‘The Lost Worlds of Ray Harryhausen: Creatures, Martians & Myths’.  This brilliant exhibition, curated by Creative Industries Trafford and Waterside, celebrates Ray Harryhausen, someone responsible for some of Hollywood’s most iconic cinematic special effects.  I was already aware of Jason and the Argonauts but learnt so much more about his life and contribution to the movie industry.  It’s a free exhibition and well worth visiting the Waterside to see it. 

Finally on Friday I took the tram up to Bury for this month’s meeting of Greater Manchester Combined Authority.  I was pleased to present the Draft Local Nature Recovery Strategy to colleagues ahead of a public consultation.  This strategy will act as a road map setting out how and where everyone can work together to help nature recover across the Greater Manchester.  It’s a really important document and I would encourage engagement with the consultation once it has launched. 

Following the meeting in Bury, I took the tram down to Altrincham where I dropped by MASA-UK Art Gallery to meet owner Martija and hear about the contribution she makes to the Altrincham art scene.  I then based myself at a desk at Altrincham Library but am looking forward to joining Connor Rand MP shortly at Altrincham Town Hall for the launch of OYEZ Arts.  It’s good to see the building being put to wonderful use! 

  • In Hale for the unveiling of a Blue Plaque for Edward T Nelson
  • At Waterside Arts Centre for the Lost World of Ray Harryhausen
  • Chairing the Bee Network Committee with the help of Dame Sarah Storey
  • At the OYEZ Arts launch in Altrincham Town Hall