Following a campaign session in Brooklands this weekend, it was good to catch up with Mike Kane MP at the Town Hall for one of my regular meetings where we discuss matters relating to the Sale part of his constituency.

I then had several meetings throughout the rest of the day spanning topics from Altrincham Town Centre to Environmental Services and our budget plans for the next financial year.

On Tuesday, I enjoyed my walk to the Town Hall in the snow for an early online meeting with my colleagues across Greater Manchester.  Following on from this I attended the latest meeting of Trafford’s Locality Board where we discuss our local health and care services.

At the end of the day Deputy Leader Cath Hynes and I had the great pleasure of catching up with our colleague Barry Brotherton.  Barry is one of the most popular and respected members of Trafford Council.  He was a founding member back in 1974, Council Leader in the mid-1980s and continues to be an incredibly hard-working councillor in Sale.  Trafford Council is 50 years old this year and I look forward to hearing more of Barry’s anecdotes about his time as a councillor as the year progresses!

I spent much of Wednesday catching up with emails and preparing for future meetings before having a further budget session with colleagues in the afternoon.

To set a budget for the next financial year we are required to bridge a funding gap of £20m. And that figure must be met through savings and other measures before it can be presented to Full Council next month.

I have spoken at length about my concern around government finance and how Trafford is not receiving the same funding afforded to similar authorities.

Central government needs to undertake a fairer funding review as a matter of urgency because ultimately it is local communities that will suffer.

My intention is to continue to lobby central government – and ministers – for a fairer funding package that can adequately support all Trafford residents.

On a much happier note on Thursday, it was fantastic to join colleagues at the council’s Time to Shine annual awards ceremony.

The event is an opportunity to celebrate those who have gone above and beyond over the past year to make Trafford an EPIC place to live and work.

It staggers me how they choose the winners given the calibre of the entrants.

I would personally like to congratulate everyone who took part – and say thank you for putting Trafford at the heart of everything you do.

On Thursday evening, I travelled to Altrincham Garrick Playhouse with Cllrs Cath Hynes and Karina Carter to watch The Girl on the Train.

I won’t give anything away – I’ll just say it was a fantastic production and well worth a watch.  Further information can be accessed here.

On Friday morning, I attended a regular meeting to discuss updates on the Stretford Mall redevelopment.  No major changes to report, but I’m really pleased with how work is progressing.

Finally I wanted to share a few words about Sir Tony Lloyd MP, whose death was sadly announced earlier this week.  Before becoming an MP for Stretford, Tony was a Trafford Labour Councillor from 1979 to 1984.  His connections to Stretford and Trafford remained strong throughout his life and I had the great pleasure of knowing him for over 25 years. He was a very kind, thoughtful, and decent man who will be greatly missed. All our thoughts at the local Labour Party are with our good friend and colleague, Judith, and all her family.

Tom.