It is vitally important that our civic and public life represents the diversity within Trafford – and I know we need to do more to encourage positive change.  That is why I’m pleased to see Greater Manchester’s Civic and Community Programme in place; and, on Monday I was fortunate to meet some of the scheme’s members.  I was joined by Trafford Council’s Chief Executive, and we had an incredibly valuable conversation about how we can support people with progression and aim to improve diversity in local government.  Now that we’ve made such a positive connection with this group, we’ve committed to keeping the conversation going.

Later that day, it was a pleasure to welcome the Australian High Commissioner, Stephen Smith, and a delegation of Australian State Representatives to Trafford as part of their two-day visit to Greater Manchester.  The event was hosted by Lancashire Country Cricket Club, so the Ashes was a significant talking point!  However, the visit also enabled discussions around building economic and trade links by making cultural and academic connections.  I know the members of the delegation had a busy couple of days and were impressed with what Greater Manchester has to offer the world.

On Tuesday, I chaired a meeting of our Ambitions for Children Board at the Town Hall.  Supporting our children and young people remains a central priority for this council and these meetings are always an important opportunity to get partners around the table to reflect on the services and support we provide.

On Wednesday, I attended a meeting of our Finance and Change Board, chaired by our Executive Member for Finance and Governance, Joanne Harding.  Although we’ve only recently agreed our budget for 2024/25, we have started to look ahead to 2025/26.  Responsible financial management underpins everything we do as a council and I’m grateful for the year-round efforts made by our council officers and councillors as we continue with the work planning and monitoring our finances.  It’s quite the contrast to some of the fiscal irresponsibility we’ve seen from the UK Government in recent years.

I spent much of Wednesday afternoon at Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) with GM council leaders and the Mayor and Deputy Mayor, Andy Burnham and Kate Green.  We were interviewing candidates for the GMCA Group CEO position.  We were really impressed with the candidates and look forward to confirming the appointment of, Caroline Simpson, during a meeting of GMCA later this month.

Thursday started with a meeting with colleagues from our GM neighbours at Salford City Council.  We share a distinctive border with Salford in the form of the Manchester Ship Canal.  It’s a border like no other in Greater Manchester, but it is one both Trafford and Salford are very proud of.  We recognise that a shared waterfront, heritage assets, and transport route means we have so much potential to explore.  One example is Media City and our own Wharfside Masterplan, another is sharing events that celebrate both our arts and culture scenes.  It certainly was a valuable session with our neighbours across the water.

Later that morning, I joined my ward colleague, Jane Slater, at a planning consultation event about the redevelopment of the Robin Hood Pub site in Stretford.  I’m pleased to see the plans include the retention of the building and proposals for good quality housing.  I’m also interested to hear what residents think about the scheme.

I then headed into the Town Hall to join Deputy Council Leader, Cath Hynes, for our weekly meeting with the Chief Executive.  Following that, I travelled to Manchester for another meeting with leaders from across GM at the GMCA.  Then I travelled home to join a meeting of our local Labour Party with just minutes to spare!

Finally on Friday, it was a time to celebrate International Women’s Day; and it was great to attend two events in the borough.  In the morning, I joined Trafford Council colleagues, students and community leaders at an event hosted by Mike Kane MP.  I also visited Lancashire County Cricket Club, for the second time, to join part of the Caribbean and African Health Network’s event.  Both were incredibly valuable and thought provoking, they set out the challenges and barriers still in place in society and made me think about what more I need to do to help remove these barriers.

I’ll sign off now. Have a good weekend.

Tom.