At the start of last week it was good to welcome Isaac to Trafford Town Hall.  Isaac was keen to learn more about local government and had asked to shadow me for a couple of days.  Last Monday and Tuesday, Isaac joined me at a meeting to discuss Trafford’s School Streets Strategy and Active Travel, a meeting with the Chief Operating Officer at a male mental health charity, and a catch up with an organisation that champions youth engagement.  Isaac also joined me on a trip to Sale Town Hall to watch a Citizenship Ceremony and meet our fabulous team at the Registrar’s Office.  When I had to attend other meetings, Isaac had the opportunity to spend time with some of our teams based at the Town Hall.  I’m pleased Isaac had the opportunity to see the range of things we do at Trafford Council and I hope it’s provided some inspiration for his future plans.

Another highlight of my week was having the opportunity to hear from our latest cohort of Supported Interns.  Trafford’s Supported Internship Scheme is a collaboration between Trafford Council, Trafford College and Pure Innovations.  It is based on a scheme Manchester Foundation Trust have provided at Trafford General Hospital for a while now, and it is open to 16-25 year olds who have an Education, Health and Care Plan.  On Wednesday I met with interns from the council and the hospital and it was lovely to hear about how much they had enjoyed taking part.  Three of the participants told me how they had gained confidence through their workplace.  They also noticed the Bee Network badge I was wearing and wanted to provide me with some feedback regarding local bus services.  I promised to take their feedback away and also speak with Andy Burnham- which I duly did at Friday’s meeting of Greater Manchester Combined Authority.

On Wednesday evening we had our final council meeting of this municipal year.  At the meeting we heard a motion that urged the council to address the epidemic of violence against women and girls.  We heard council colleagues from across the chamber speak with care and compassion, we also heard colleagues share their own lived experience as survivors.  It was an important issue to bring to council, and it is important that do more to address this epidemic.  You can read the motion that was agreed here.

On Thursday my Executive colleagues and the Council’s Corporate Leadership Team spent the afternoon at Trafford College’s Altrincham Campus.  We received an update from the College Principal, James Scott.  We also received updates on work to improve digital inclusion, an update on Adult Social Care and discussed our action plan in response to January’s Corporate Peer Challenge.

On Friday I took the tram to Oldham for the March meeting of Greater Manchester Combined Authority.  It was a packed agenda with 25 items ranging from the Bee Network, trains, skills and finances.  You can read about (and watch) the meeting here.

Finally, over the weekend I joined colleagues for some doorknocking in Flixton, revisited Stage 2 of the GM Ringway walk, heard some incredibly talented young musicians at a Trafford Music Service Spring Concert, and took some time out to celebrate Mother’s Day!