Labour have approved a refreshed Corporate Plan that maps out how Trafford Council will focus its support for children, health, the economy, climate change, culture and heritage.

During a meeting of Full Council on Wednesday Trafford’s leading Labour politicians welcomed the updated report that documents the authority’s five key corporate priorities.

The previous plan was first developed in 2021, and designed to deal with the impact of Covid, however, it has been reworked so that the council can now focus on new challenges and opportunities currently facing the borough.

Below are the council’s five priorities followed by a series of ‘We Will’ statements:

• The best start for children and young people

We want the borough’s children and young people to receive the best possible education and get the support they need to achieve and thrive.

We Will: Work with our local education and business partners to ensure our young people have the best possible access to education, apprenticeship and employment opportunities.

• Healthy and independent lives for everyone

We want residents to live in good health, remaining independent in their own homes wherever this is possible.

We Will: Improve health and wellbeing to reduce the impact of poverty, concentrating on communities with the greatest need.

• A thriving economy and homes for all

We want to help residents to gain access to employment and to live in good quality housing. We also want our businesses to thrive.

We Will: Help people to gain skills and improve access to employment, to improve household income.

• Address the climate crisis

We want to play our part in reducing our carbon footprint and address the impact of climate change in Trafford.

We Will: Show leadership by reducing Trafford Council’s carbon footprint and increasing the amount we re-use, repurpose and recycle, as well as encouraging partners to do the same.

• Culture, sport and heritage for everyone

We want to promote our fantastic cultural and sporting heritage, developing opportunities for all.

We Will: Expand access to culture and creativity, embed the new Cultural Strategy and attract further investment in arts and culture.

Speaking to the report, Deputy Leader Cllr Cath Hynes, Executive Member for Leisure, Arts, Culture and Heritage, said: “I’m delighted to propose Trafford Council’s refreshed Corporate Plan, which sets out the council’s ambitious plans and our priorities for the borough.

“Despite all the challenges we’ve faced, we’ve seen significant improvements in our Children’s Services, huge and exciting investment into the redevelopment of our town centres and our leisure centres.

“In addition to the ongoing work to build of our active travel network, the embedding of tangible community support, the protection of our libraries and our frontline services and much more besides.

“I would also like to offer my sincere thanks to our tremendous officers who relentlessly and tirelessly help us to achieve and deliver more with less every year.”

Cllr Bilal Babar, who represents Brooklands ward, also expressed his ‘unwavering’ support for the Corporate Plan.

He added: “Our plan will see the provision of the right help to families in need, support our children who have special needs and disabilities. The health and wellbeing of our residents is very important to us, and it is very encouraging to see that it is one of our key priorities.

“One way to achieve the goal of improving health and wellbeing is to reduce the impact of poverty and concentrating on communities with the greatest need. The new plan emphasizes the importance of social services, mental health support, and programs that foster inclusivity and celebrate our diversity.”

Cllr Ben Hartley, who represents Ashton Upon Mersey ward, spoke about the importance of culture, sport and heritage for everyone.

He said: “Within my own ward we have multiple football, rugby, cricket and running clubs.

“However, these activities are not available to all. In the last 14 years I have witnessed the closure of numerous community and cultural assets including cuts to public services, which has meant increasing levels of poverty and destitution.

“For many, these activities and this culture is a luxury they can ill-afford. We should never under-estimate the vital difference sport and outdoor activities make to a child’s physical and mental health, wellbeing and social capital and to our great borough and all its residents.

“I’m therefore delighted to see one of our new corporate priorities is to promote our fantastic sporting and cultural heritage and in particular the determination to develop opportunities for all.”

The new Corporate Plan and supporting information can be accessed by clicking the links here and here.