Trafford Council Executive Members with Altrincham & Sale West Parliamentary Candidate Connor Rand
Trafford Council Executive Members with Altrincham & Sale West Parliamentary Candidate Connor Rand

My week started with an unplanned visit to Trafford General’s Urgent Care Centre. I slipped at the weekend and it turns out I’ve managed to break one of my wrists.  Before heading to Trafford General I thought it best to consult the NHS website to make sure I was going to the right place- as we know the NHS is a huge organisation offering many services.

The NHS is also facing huge pressures at the moment and I was very grateful for the exceptional care and service I got on Monday- from the reception, to triage, X-ray and treatment (via a plater cast!).  One of this country’s most important institutions, there for me when I needed it.  I’m also grateful to my friend and colleague, Cllr Aidan Williams, for rescuing me from the hospital once my cast was in place.

I’m now adapting to the situation I’ve found myself in but have been managing most of my commitments this week.  On Tuesday I joined my ward colleagues and Cllr Liz Patel, along with Bruntwood’s team in Stretford to shortlist the three names that will go to the public vote as part of Name the Square.  It’s a very strong shortlist based on three very different Stretfordians- all of whom have made a big contribution to the area and further afield.  The question is now which out of Enriqueta Square, Hibberd Square or Lloyd Square will with the popular vote! Later that day I caught up with Deputy Leader Cath Hynes and a couple of councillor colleagues at the Town Hall.

My Wednesday started meeting with Cllr Jo Harding and our senior leaders at the council as we turn our attention to next year’s council budget.  Although there may be a change in Government in a few weeks, and therefore a change in policy regarding public service funding, we must plan for every eventuality in order to deliver a balanced budget.  It was a productive session but, as I’ve said before, we do need a fundamental change to the way we finance local government.

Following a meeting in Manchester I dropped in to a Trafford Tech4All digital inclusion event at St John’s Centre in Old Trafford.  The event included access to affordable IT devices, access to data cards and information about important council services too.  St John’s was full of local residents all afternoon and demand for the devices far outstripped supply.  This demonstrated how much of a challenge we have around digital exclusion and I hope we can build on today’s event with more partnership work across Trafford.

In the evening I travelled to Hale with my colleague Cllr Eve Parker to visit Altrincham & Hale Muslim Association.  We discussed our shared priorities for the area and how we can build on the relationship between the association and council.

Thursday began with my weekly meeting with the Council’s Chief Executive before our Corporate Leadership Team and my Executive colleagues headed to Altrincham for an Away Day.  I always enjoy our Away Days as they give us a chance to get out of the Town Hall to see what’s happening across Trafford.  This time it was great to see the progress being made with our regeneration of Altrincham Leisure Centre before continuing the afternoon at Altrincham Library.

On Thursday evening I caught up with Labour’s new Parliamentary Candidate for Altrincham & Sale West, Connor Rand.  It was good to have a coffee with him in Altrincham before we both headed to Bowdon to do some doorknocking.  As a former parliamentary candidate for Altrincham & Sale West, I know what a brilliant area it is and local residents deserve an MP who will work tirelessly on their behalf.  This is why I’m backing Connor- he’s personable, thoughtful and already getting out into the community.  If Connor is given the chance to serve, he will be an amazing MP for Altrincham & Sale West.

On Friday morning I was back in my own ward to support Andrew Western’s re-election campaign.  It was good to see Andrew and the Labour Party get such a positive reception- and campaigning in the sunshine always helps too! I then headed to the Town Hall for my final few meetings of the week before trying to catch up on some rest.

  • Name the Square shortlisting session in Stretford
  • Tom and Cllr Jane Slater at the Name the Square vote in Stretford