If you like the sun and warm weather, then this recent bank holiday will have been perfect. It’s not for everyone but I have enjoyed some time in the sun. Aside from going to Makerfield to campaign for Andy Burnham, I enjoyed a Sunday afternoon in Stanley Square in Sale and a retread of one of the sections of the GM Ringway. This time the route took me into Trafford via the Warburton Toll Bridge and along the way I dropped by other local heritage assets including St Werburgh’s Old Church and Dunham Massey- as well as enjoying parts of the Bolin Valley Way whilst drinking plenty water in the thirty-degree heat.
As the warm weather continued into Tuesday, I welcomed a day of catching up with emails as well as joining a meeting where we started the process of planning for the local elections next year.
The following day I travelled over the Therme HQ off Barton Dock Road to catch up with the team and discuss their objectives around sustainability- both in terms of the build and then once open. Therme has a considerable local (and regional) footprint so I was there mainly with my Greater Manchester GM City-Region hat on. It’s good to see Therme take their responsibilities toward the environment so seriously.
After that meeting I headed back to Stretford where I had an hour catching up with local MP Andrew Western before travelling to the Town Hall in time for Trafford Council’s Annual General Meeting.
Our AGMs are usually different to the other council meetings we hold during the year. They mark the start of the new municipal year where we welcome new councillors to the chamber. They also mark a change in seating arrangements that reflect the state of the political parties following the recent election. Most importantly, they celebrate and give thanks to the contribution the outgoing Mayor has made, whilst welcoming the new Mayor into position.
I was delighted to have the opportunity to give the vote of thanks on behalf of the Labour Group to our outgoing Mayor Jane Brophy. Jane and her husband John have been fantastic ambassadors for the Borough, and they should be very proud of everything they did during their term of office as Mayor and Consort. I’m also incredibly proud to see my colleague and friend Simon Thomas become our new Mayor of Trafford. I know Simon will be a brilliant Mayor and I wish him, and Mayoress Michelle, every success for the year ahead. I also wish our new Deputy Mayor, Jo Harding, and her consort Grace a very successful year too.
The rest of the AGM usually consists of noting the recent election results, the leadership and executive arrangements and committee positions. This part of the meeting normally takes place with little or no fuss. Sadly, this was not the case this year, with the Conservative group pulling a couple of stunts which detracted from the evening. This is a party that refused to support a motion on standards in public life last year. I have low expectations when it comes to their behaviour over the course of this new year.
On Thursday I joined Liz Patel for our weekly catch up with the council’s Chief Executive before attending an Old Trafford Regeneration strategy meeting. This was chaired by Seb Coe, and we received updates on our master planning work and our approach to wider engagements.
In a month that’s been full of changes, Thursday marked an end of an era where I said farewell to another Tom (a much more important Tom than me- Tom who has provided vital support for me since I took on the role of Leader in January 2023). Tom is leaving our Executive Assistants office at the Town Hall and heading on to new adventures. He has supported three leaders during his time at Trafford and it’s going to feel very, very strange without him. I know he’s going to thrive in his new role, and I am incredibly grateful for all the support he has given to me.
Finally, on Friday I had an admin day where I put together the election expenses submission for my Stretford & Humphrey Park colleague, Jane, and also responded to emails before going across to Urmston to meet my good friend, and now former colleague, Cath for a catch up over some food.