My Monday started with a trip to Longford Athletics Stadium to celebrate the recent refurbishment of the running track.  The new track was funded between Trafford Athletics Club and the Council, and is one of the busiest in the UK.  The track is well-used by the Club and hosts a very popular Park Run each Saturday morning, alongside Simply Cycling three times a week.  I was joined by our Executive Member for Leisure, Arts, Culture & Heritage, Eve Parker, and we both had a go at a sprint!

I then travelled up to the Town Hall in time for our flag raising ceremony to mark Armed Forces Week.  I was joined by the Mayor, veterans, our Armed Forces Lead, Judith Lloyd, colleagues from the Executive and officers from the Council.  I was pleased to be able to say a few words to mark the occasion and restate how important those serving, and those who have served in our Armed Forces are to our Borough.

The Armed Forces theme continued later in the week with the launch of VALOUR, the Ministry of Defence’s national re-structure of the Veterans’ Support System.  Greater Manchester has been chosen as an area to trial the changes and the Minister for Veterans & People, Alistair Carns, chose to launch VALOUR at the Imperial War Museum North here in Trafford.  I was very pleased to be able to welcome the Minister and other guests at the event on behalf of Andy Burnham and colleagues across Greater Manchester.  VALOUR ties in with our GM Live Well agenda and there are a lot of opportunities we can explore to ensure our service personnel and veterans are getting the support they need and deserve.

I spent time out of the Town Hall at a couple of other events during the week.  On Tuesday afternoon I headed over to Trafford Waters -an area between the Trafford Centre and the Manchester Ship Canal.  I was there for a ‘Topping Out’ ceremony where we celebrate the roof going on a structure.  This time it was for new affordable apartments being delivered by L&Q- they are Buy to Rent and it is the first residential scheme at the site.  I’m looking forward to seeing people access the new homes in the next few months in an area that will be transformed over the next decade.

On Wednesday I travelled into Manchester for the inaugural Vision Zero Road Safety Summit.  The day was valuable time spent hearing from our emergency services, reflections from other parts of the public sector and road safety organisations.  The two speakers who will leave a lasting memory were Ian and Sharron, who both spoke so movingly of the grief they hold following each losing a child because of a car crash and road traffic collision.  There is a person and grieving family behind each statistic, and I am pleased to see Greater Manchester lead the way with this important strategy to work towards zero road deaths.

On Thursday evening I attended a screening of a film called ‘The Cost of Us’.  Stretford Public Hall hosted the event and the film was created by women from Trafford who were exploring the impact of the cost of living crisis on women of all ages.  A discussion followed as a timely reminder of how challenging it is for so many people to rely on a life that is financially secure.  It also provided a stark reminder of the gender income inequalities that have worsened since Covid.

On Friday I was over in Rochdale for June’s meeting of GMCA.  In amongst another busy agenda were items that covered Old Trafford Regeneration and wider schemes across Trafford and Salford.  I also welcomed additional money councils across Greater Manchester will now receive to help with highway repairs.  I know that the condition of our highways is a concern we all share and I’m pleased we have secured over a million pounds from Greater Manchester.  I will continue to look out for further funding opportunities.

On Saturday I took a trip to Altrincham Festival where I had the privilege of being one of the judges of the floats in the parade, along with the Mayor of Trafford and Connor Rand MP.  When I was growing up in Timperley, the parade used to pass my house every year to my great excitement so it was lovely to be back again and see Altrincham Festival stronger than ever.

I then finished my week back in Stretford at the official opening of a new business, Miss Boss Fashion, on Chester Road.  It was an incredibly vibrant and fun launch and I wish Martine the best of luck with her new boutique.