I’ve been a political activist and Labour Party member for almost three decades and during that time I’ve campaigned with many people and gained many friends. One of the people I’ve known the longest is Peter Baugh, who I first met in 1997 when I was campaigning for Jane Baugh to become an MP.  Peter recently made the move away from Trafford after decades of being involved in the local Labour Party, local community and Sale Festival in particular.  To mark his retirement from Trafford life, Sale Festival organised a very special concert in his honour, featuring Sale Brass Band, jazz, spoken word and singing.  Peter also made an appearance, playing a piano piece dedicated to the memory of his wife Jane.  It was an emotional farewell to Peter after decades of activism in Trafford.

On Monday morning I was back at the Town Hall to attend the Improving Lives Everyday Development Board- this is where we review our Adult Services and look at what we need to do to ensure we’re providing the best service we can for residents who need support.  A new team has been in place to oversee Adult Servies and I’ve been really encouraged by the new strategy they have been working on and the new approach we’re taking as an organisation.

Later that day I walked to Stretford Town Centre where the Council Executive and Leadership Team had an offsite session.  This included a tour of the new Stretford Town Centre, where I could see the progress made since my visit in April.  The paving has mostly been placed and soon the streets will be open again, with work soon commencing on the individual shop fit-outs.  It’s been a couple of years since the King Street section of Stretford Mall closed, and it has been a time of upheaval, but at the end of it we will have an amazing new town centre area that complements the transformation along Kingsway.

Health was the theme of the day on Tuesday, where I attended a morning conference focussing on our local health services and how best we respond at a neighbourhood level.  Trafford is a Borough of contrasting health needs, and we need to make sure we work in partnership with our local communities at a neighbourhood level to deliver the best possible support.  A lot of this ties in with the Greater Manchester Live Well agenda I have referenced previously.

Following this event, I had some catch-up time at the Town Hall before walking over to Victoria Park Junior School for a governors meeting.

Walking has been a theme this week and came into focus when I hosted a guided walk for Trafford Council staff on Wednesday.  This was an event tied in with the GM Walking Festival and I enjoyed leading a heritage-themed walk in the immediate area around the Town Hall. The sites we visited included the two Old Trafford’s, the White City gates, the Bridgewater Canal, Manchester Ship Canal and old warehouses.  I love local history and really enjoyed the hour we had exploring the local area.  I then spent the afternoon at the Town Hall before wandering over to my ward to do some doorknocking.

As my week came towards a close, I chaired our latest Ambitions for Children Board meeting, where we received updates from services we provide as a local authority, as well as reports relating to community health, education and safeguarding.  I also had my weekly meeting with the Deputy Leader and Chief Executive.  Outside of the Town Hall, I spoke at a Good Growth conference in Manchester and held one of my regular advice surgeries for residents of Stretford & Humphrey Park in Stretford Library.

It’s been a busy week- and one that managed to cover almost all of Trafford Council’s priorities- growth, regeneration, housing, health, adult and children’s services, arts, culture and heritage!