The best start in life for children and young people is one of our five top priorities at Trafford Council. One way that we try to lead by example is through our work experience offer, which I’m pleased to say has grown in recent years.  My first meeting this week was with our latest cohort of work experience students, and I loved hearing about all the activities the students were going to be involved with over the course of the week.

Later on Monday I headed over to UA92 to hear from some exceptional young people involved with Youth Leads UK.  They were there to launch the organisation’s new strategy for Greater Manchester.  I’m looking forward to seeing how we can incorporate elements of their new strategy into the work we do to support young people in Trafford and across Greater Manchester.

At the end of the week I had the opportunity to speak at two school assemblies alongside Dame Sarah Storey.  We had both been to see the Urmston School Street in action and had the opportunity to hear from children at English Martyrs Primary School and Urmston Primary School about why they like walking, cycling and scooting to school, and why the school street is important to them.  We also had the chance to thank some of the amazing volunteers who have helped to support the school street over the last couple of years.

On Saturday it was wonderful to be able to join Cllr Karina Carter at our Cared for Children Celebration in Partington.  And it was a privilege to be able to present the award for helping others to a young person who has adopted the role of big brother to a younger child who joined him at his placement.  The awards are a chance to recognise courage, kindness and a wide range of other achievements.  It was also an opportunity to thank out amazing foster carers for the important role they play in the lives of the children they care for.

Celebrating our Borough’s heritage forms part of another of the Council’s priorities and on Monday I joined colleagues and volunteers from Friends of Worthington Park at the unveiling of a Blue Plaque in honour of Mary Worthington, a philanthropist who was responsible for funding Worthington Park and Worthington Primary School in Sale.  On Wednesday I joined colleagues at Lancashire County Cricket Club -along with representatives from communities across Trafford- for a session on creating a Heritage Framework for our Borough.  I love local history and I know that love is shared by so many people across the towns and villages that make up Trafford.  Putting a Heritage Framework in place will help us tell our story and capture more of our history.

On Thursday I was back in Sale for one of the Council’s Let’s Talk sessions, where we bring some of our workforce together for updates and discussion.  This time there was a focus on our Adult Services, Poverty Strategy and Live Well, with some incredibly helpful feedback from colleagues.  I provided a round up at the end with an opportunity to respond to questions.

That opportunity to respond to questions continued during sessions I’ve had on the doorstep in the ward I represent.  This week, some of the main themes residents wished to raise with me included trees, hedges, rights of way and litter.  All very important issues, all reported when I returned home.

Finally, Friday marked the first anniversary of last year’s General Election, so it was fitting that one of my meetings that day was with our MP for Altrincham & Sale West, Connor Rand.  We had an opportunity to reflect on last year’s campaign and the Government’s first year in office.  Since his election, Connor has been a huge advocate for the residents he represents and he is always keen to ensure that they receive the best possible service they can from the council.  It’s been a pleasure to work with him over the past year and I know we will continue to work closely together over the years to come.