It’s been a really varied week – from meeting business representatives to attending committee meetings and the official opening of the new Hale Library.  I’ve also had the opportunity to be out on the doorstep talking to residents in Stretford and Humphrey Park, the ward I represent.

On Monday, I joined Mike Kane MP, local councillors, officers from Trafford Council’s Inclusive Economy Team, business representatives, and organisations at a Business Support Breakfast Club held in Sale.  I was fortunate to say a few words to open the event.  I know there’s a person or people behind every small business and it’s been a really tough time for many in recent years.  I’m so proud of the efforts Cllr Eve Parker went to in helping to put this event together to support local businesses- she is a brilliant councillor for the area.

Following this, I returned to the Town Hall for a couple of meetings before heading out on the doorstep with my ward colleagues Jane Slater and Steve Adshead.  The day concluded with a meeting of Trafford’s Labour Group of councillors.

The business theme continued into Tuesday when I had a catch up with Shuo Jin who is a local Network Manager for HSBC.  She is very keen to work with local communities around financial education; both in terms of money management and fraud risk.  As a former employee of HSBC myself, from quite a few years ago now, it was really good to hear about all the work in the community that Shuo Jin has been doing in the Altrincham area and I hope this spreads to other parts of Trafford.

I spent much of Tuesday afternoon catching up on emails before attending a meeting of Positive Partington in the evening.  I really enjoyed the couple of hours I spent with residents and our discussion ranged from the council’s budget to road repairs, new houses, and the investment into Partington Leisure Centre.  I promised to return to another meeting in the summer.

On Wednesday, I travelled into Manchester to attend a meeting of the Greater Manchester Waste and Recycling Committee.  I appreciate the title of this committee may not appeal to everyone. However, I find it fascinating to learn what happens to our waste and the materials we recycle. In addition how we minimise landfill and what changes to recycling are on the way including the ability to recycle plastic pots, tubs and trays.  You can take a look at the meeting agenda here.

After this, I returned to the Town Hall and attended a meeting of the council’s Scrutiny Committee where I presented an update on our Corporate Plan and provided some information on our plans to refresh it.  It is such an important document as it supports what we’d like to achieve as a council.  I’m looking forward to seeing the updated plan launched later this year. You can read more here.

On Thursday, I joined Deputy Leader Cath Hynes and the Mayor at the official opening of Hale Library.  It was a lovely morning, and the new library is amazing, and it is a really light and bright space for people to enjoy.  Coincidentally, the teacher who used to supervise my form’s library session when I was in year 7 was also there – and it was great to catch up with her after 30 years!

Later that day, I returned to Altrincham to join Dame Sarah Storey, children from Altrincham CE Primary School, and students from Altrincham Grammar School for Girls, to celebrate the new crossing on Dunham Road.  The most important guest was Eleanor Horner who presented a petition to Trafford Council five years ago calling for a safe crossing at this point.  I was really pleased to see that her campaigning paid off and I hope she is very proud of the difference she has made in her local community.

Finally on Friday, my focus went back on local businesses with an update on how the Stretford Town Centre plans are progressing, including the efforts being made to secure new businesses.  I can’t wait to see Stretford’s new town centre come to life next year.  In the afternoon, I visited P Fahey & Sons at their business in Old Trafford, and a learnt a lot about their long history and their plans for the future.  I then joined Jane and Steve for more doorknocking in our ward before attending the Consulate General of Ireland’s St Patrick’s Day reception with the Mayor and Cllr Aidan Williams.  It was a lovely way to end the week.

Have a great weekend.

Tom.