I started this week chairing the first Executive Committee of the year, where we introduced two new faces, Cllr George Devlin and Eve Parker, and navigated a very heavy agenda.  You can watch the meeting here.  Over the course of a couple of hours we covered items including regeneration, a district heat zone, secondary school places and modern slavery.

On Tuesday morning I joined an online meeting with GM colleagues ahead of June’s GMCA meeting next week. Following this, I attended this month’s meeting of Trafford Locality Board.  I think the highlight of this month’s meeting was the update reports presented by HealthWatch.  Not only were the reports very clear and easy to understand, but they also highlighted some of the fantastic work carried out by HealthWatch, including research into vaping, alcohol use and access to sexual health services.  You can find out more by accessing agenda item 14.

As soon as the Locality Board meeting was over, I headed across the Town Hall to a wonderful event where we celebrated our latest cohort of Supported Interns.  I first met this cohort earlier in the year, and it was lovely to hear about the positive impact the scheme has had on them.  Each participant is now moving to new employment, training or volunteering opportunities.  I look forward to meeting our third cohort later this year.

We’ve also hosted a cohort of work experience students this week and on Wednesday our Deputy Leader, Liz Patel, and I caught up with Alex to see how his week was going.  Alex had been based with our Legal & Governance team and had been introduced to the world of elections.  Alex questioned Liz and I on the Council’s priorities and what motivated us to get involved in politics. Hopefully his week at Trafford Council has inspired him to consider local government in the future!

I also travelled over to Bent Lanes in Davyhulme on Wednesday for our latest Blue Plaque unveiling.  This plaque celebrates the life of Ensign Charles Ewart, who played a pivotal role in the Battle of Waterloo.  Charles was born in Scotland but spent his final years in Davyhulme.  He has a fascinating history, of which you can learn more here.

That evening, I returned to the Town Hall to join a meeting of Accounts & Audit Committee.  I was a member of the committee around ten years ago, so it was good to be back for an item covering the recent CIPFA review of our finances and financial management.  The CIPFA review was one of two external reviews the Council has had in the past year, something I reflected on in my recent Messenger column.

On Thursday I had a catch up with the Secretary of GM & High Peak Ramblers before heading out to the Humphrey Park area of the ward I represent.  It was a particularly warm session, so I was very grateful when one kind resident handed me a bottle of water.

On Friday I received another update regarding the new Stretford Town Centre before having a bit of free time following the cancellation of a couple of meetings. So I used that spare time to do some jobs around the house that I’d been putting off for ages!

On Saturday I headed over to Longford Park Scouts to join their fundraiser for improvements to their scout hut.  Whilst at their Ranche, and as part of the fundraising, I had a go at axe throwing and climbing and learnt that I’m better at throwing axes than I am at climbing walls… You can learn more about the fundraiser here.

Finally, at the start of the week I received the sad news that one of our former councillors, Mike Whetton, had died following an illness.  Although Mike and I are from different parties, he was wise, courteous and a credit to local government.  When he spoke at council I always listened to what he had to say.  I know he will be missed by many of us from all parties.