There has been a lot going on locally this week- most of it exciting and inspiring, some of it less so. I’ll start with the good stuff and, depending on wordcount, may have time to address the rest.
I’ve spent a lot of time outside of the Town Hall this week- and outside in general. On Monday morning I was invited over to Stretford Meadows by City of Trees to do some planting. The planting (and heavy pruning) was part of the Mersey Valley River Walk initiative- a government funded project to create the country’s first river walk. It’s great to see this trail come through Trafford and even better to secure investment to make improvements to the local environment.
On Tuesday I was back in Stretford in the town centre for a preview of our new Northern Light Cinema- and it looks amazing. I was delighted to say a few words at the event, where I thanked Tony from Northern Light for choosing to open in Stretford but also acknowledged the role Trafford Council and Bruntwood have had in securing this venture as part of our wider regeneration work.
After this, I attended Andy Burnham’s latest Question Time event in Stretford Public Hall. I was on hand to answer any local questions but in the end was able to sit back and listen to Andy responding. During the evening Andy announced the fantastic news that the 255 bus service to Partington will soon run every 20 minutes. He also announced the return of a night bus service via the 263. I’m so proud to be part of a Labour Party in Greater Manchester that’s transforming our local bus network- from keeping fares at £2 to an electric fleet, we’ve come such a long way in a few short years.
I was back with Andy on Wednesday afternoon too at the launch of Greater Manchester’s Good Growth Fund. During the launch I joined Andy on the stage to welcome the creation of Carrington’s Energy Campus, investment into the Carrington Relief Road scheme, and another shout out for the bus network improvements. It was a very positive event which demonstrated the power of devolution under Andy’s strong leadership.
Earlier that day I joined my ward colleague, Jane Slater, at the Victoria Park Infant School Street to celebrate its 2nd birthday- and it was a lovely celebration. We had bubbles, stickers and bikes being blinged. Most importantly, children were able to walk, scoot and cycle to school safely. Not long after this I got the tram to Altrincham to visit Oyez Arts at Altrincham Town Hall, where I caught up with Jo Cushing to mark the signing of a 25-year lease between Trafford Council and Oyez. This is an exciting time for Altrincham Town Hall which has seen a transformation since Oyez took on the building. It’s now a vibrant cultural hub and an integral part of the town.
On Thursday morning I joined Deputy Leader Liz Patel at a Trafford Council Business Networking event at The Snow Centre. Over 80 organisations attended and we received an update on Old Trafford Regeneration from Karen Hirst before listening to a brilliant presentation from our Director of Children’s Social Care, Pamela Wharton. Pamela and I had an ask for the audience- what could they do to support more employment and training opportunities for our care experienced young people? It was really encouraging to see the number of attendees engage positively in return.
I was with Pamela later that day in Old Trafford (the place, not stadium) for a meeting of our Corporate Parenting Board. This is where councillors, council officers, representatives from health and education and, most importantly, young people come together to review services and look at ways they can be improve further.
I spent Friday morning in Partington, where I cut the ribbon at the official opening of new changing facilities at Cross Lane Park. I also had a chance to see how popular the new BMX Pump Track has become. Whilst Partington Leisure Centre is undergoing regeneration, it’s good to see levelling-up money already benefitting so many children and young people in Partington. The changing rooms will help support hundreds of people using the nearby pitches.
Later that day I was back in Stretford at a very special memorial service for a member of Stretford in Bloom, Ken Gatenby. It was a privilege to say a few words in Ken’s memory before we unveiled a plaque in his name by a tree to remember him by. It would’ve been Ken’s birthday earlier this week and it is lovely to know that the new tree will be in blossom at this time of year- a place people can come to remember Ken.
On Saturday afternoon I joined colleagues at Flixton House, to celebrate William Wroe Meadows securing its Fields in Trust status. We had speeches, the unveiling of a plaque and a celebration of a very important green space which will benefit from biodiversity net gain funding in the future. William Wroe Meadow was safeguarded by the council and community campaigners and people are rightly proud of this achievement.
At the town hall this week we had our final meeting of the Executive this municipal year. It was a packed agenda full of important items such as our Poverty Strategy, Equality Strategy, Race Equity Strategy, as well as updates on our regeneration work in Altrincham, Stretford and at Lumina Village. We also received an update on the Warburton Place Plan and important work to make dangerous buildings in Old Trafford safe. Later that week I chaired a meeting of Trafford’s Locality Board, where we review our local health and care services. I also had meetings with the Chief Executive and colleagues from the Labour Group.
Finally, I come to Wedneday’s meeting of Council. At the meeting I acknowledged and thanked council members who were retiring at the election in May. We’re lasing a wealth of knowledge and experience but I wish each member well. I’ll really miss my Labour colleagues who are stepping down- Mike Cordingley, Emma Hirst, Cath Hynes and Amy Whyte. They have been brilliant colleagues and we need more people like them in local government. I will miss Cath so much- she has been such a support to me and a wonderful friend.
And now, over 1000 words into this update, I come to the vote of no confidence tabled against me by the Conservative Group at the meeting. It was voted down. Clearly a cheap political stunt, however it did give me the opportunity to provide an update on current discussions with Greater Manchester colleagues and the Government.
Discussions remain ongoing with government officials which have the potential to yield further support for service transformation, that could lessen our need for exceptional financial support (EFS) over the next few years of the settlement period, and support the future sustainability of the budget.
From a Greater Manchester perspective, we are nearing agreement on several issues, following consideration by GM treasurers, chief executives and leaders, which will reduce the financial burden of EFS in 2026/27 and later years. These will have the potential impact of reducing the level of loan support required and also the ongoing financing costs, by way of interest free loans. This is significant and underlines why our good relationship with GM remains so important.
So, all in all an exceptionally busy week, with a lot to be positive about.