January continues to be a very busy month, discussions around next year’s budget continue too. If you’d like to learn more about the Council’s Draft Budget, I would recommend reading the explainer I wrote earlier this month. I hope to be able to provide another update soon.
Much of this week has been taken up with events and meetings at a Greater Manchester level. On Tuesday I joined a meeting with other Greater Manchester leaders as we looked ahead to January’s meeting of the Combined Authority. Later that week I chaired the latest Greater Manchester 5 Year Environment Plan Partnership where we had several really engaging items on the agenda- particularly around solar power for schools, grants to support sustainability, and building a network of green and blue spaces. Each item referenced activities in Trafford involving local schools and community groups. It was good to see how elements of our Five Year Environment Plan are playing out in local communities.
Rail has been another theme of this week, where I managed to join the final few minutes of the Liverpool to Manchester Railway Board before attending an event on Thursday where Andy Burham and the Secretary of State for Transport, Heidi Alexander, signed an agreement to progress further development work on the project. I’m keen to see this new line progress- we would benefit from a new Manchester Airport Station in the south of the Borough, and greater capacity on the railway line that runs through the north of the Borough. Things took another step forward this week.
We took another step forward with one of our most significant regeneration projects in the Borough at the end of the week. Friday was a very exciting day as we launched the Old Trafford Regeneration Mayoral Development Corporation (MDC). The Imperial War Museum North hosted the event, where I had the opportunity to speak. We also heard from the Chair of the MDC, Lord Seb Coe, Collette Roche from Manchester United, Project Director Karen Hirst and Caroline Simpson on behalf of Greater Manchester. It felt like a moment in history, and I know there’s a shared commitment from the MDC Board to deliver regeneration that works for our residents and businesses.
Back in the ward I represent, Stretford & Humphrey Park, I joined my colleague Jane Slater on doorsteps speaking with our residents. I also joined Steve Adshead helping at a School Street trial- supporting St Matthew’s Primary School in Stretford. If successful, this will be our seventh school street in the Borough, and it is something I’m very keen to see more of.
At the Town Hall I had several meetings, including chairing the latest Trafford Locality Board. I also had a very valuable thirty minutes with Tony Collier, someone who has publicly shared his story about living with prostate cancer since his diagnosis. I’ve read Tony’s posts for many years his ability to advocate and raise awareness is very inspiring.
Finally, one of the most important events of the week was the Greater Manchester Holocaust Memorial Day Service. This was an incredibly moving occasion, and we heard from many incredible speakers. The words of Holocaust Survivor Anne Super will stay with me for a very long time. We must continue to do everything we can to reject hate and promote tolerance and understanding.