I’m writing this on Friday morning after an important by-election result in Makerfield Constituency overnight. An election result that will have big effects on Greater Manchester and, I expect, the country as a whole. A huge well done to Andy Burnham for getting a fantastic result, his speech said everything it needed to about the change we need to see across the country.
A huge thank you to Andy Burnham too for making devolution important. He should be very proud of what he has achieved during his time as Greater Manchester Mayor- from the Bee Network to shaping skills plans, from our housing goals to the investment in our police and our fire service. Andy has been an advocate for strong local services. It’s also been a pleasure to work with him on all the goals that form the Greater Manchester Five Year Environment Plan.
On a personal note, Andy has been a steady support to me and Trafford Council over my time as Leader- especially when it comes to understanding the size of the financial challenges we’ve been facing as a local authority. I will always be thankful for his support and wish him well for the future. There will now be a by-election for a new Greater Manchester Mayor, and I look forward to supporting our new candidate in the weeks ahead.
There’s been lots going on outside of campaigning. With my GM Green City-Region hat on, I enjoyed a visit to an example of a retrofitted terraced house in Manchester. Not only did I hear about the difference the work had made to energy bills, but I also heard about the financial help available to households and how this retrofit initiative supported local jobs and skills.
I also stood in for Andy Burnham at the recent launch of the Greater Manchester Canal Prospectus- a partnership between the Canal & River Trust and Greater Manchester Combined Authority. It’s a brilliant document which rightly raises the importance of our local waterways as heritage places, important spaces for nature and places that help with local water management. It was a great event with lots of people there sharing my excitement for our local canals!
Back in Trafford I enjoyed taking part in our latest Business Breakfast meeting. The session focused on apprenticeship and work experience chances for younger people. It also acted as the launch for a very exciting new platform- Match My Project. This plan will help bring together local community groups needing support with projects, and local businesses that want to provide help. I think it will make a big difference to local community groups across the Borough and build closer links between our lively local businesses and strong voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise sector.
Back at the Town Hall we held our first Executive meting of the council year. Although a technical problem stopped it from being shown online, it was a very positive agenda which included our Good Growth Plan, funding for local initiatives and an update on our promise to Race Equity. Other meetings include ones that focused on health and social care services.
I also had the chance to meet the CEO of Manchester Animation Festival- a meeting that came about thanks to the launch of the Cosgrove Hall Films Archive earlier this year along with ongoing contact with Mackinnon and Saunders. Over the course of the meeting I learnt about how important the animation sector is within Greater Manchester, and how Trafford is also home to a large number of people that work in the sector. We’re looking at ways Trafford can be included in future festivals so watch this space…