This part of November is a time where local communities come together to pause and remember people who have served our country, paid the ultimate sacrifice, and fought to defend our freedom.  Each year in Trafford, there are services across the Borough and, as a councillor representing Stretford & Humphrey Park, I attend our Service of Remembrance at Stretford Cenotaph.  Having the opportunity, each year, to join an act of remembrance remains as important as ever, particularly in a world that feels more volatile.  There’s a lot we can learn from history as we look ahead to a future that feels more uncertain.

Prior to Remembrance Sunday I was invited to Bowdon for South Manchester Synagogue’s Annual Service of Remembrance.  This was my fourth time at this service; I first attended as Mayor of Trafford in 2018 and then have attended since becoming the Leader of the Council.  It was lovely to see familiar faces who have made me feel so welcome each visit, and to hear from Rabbi Dovid Lewis as he delivered a very powerful sermon to us all.

Community cohesion was a strong thread through much of what was said during the services I attended at the weekend.  And cohesion was a theme of a couple of meetings I attended over the course of last week.  On Thursday I was able to join the final part of a community meeting convened by Andrew Western MP, which brought together people from different organisations and faiths.  I was able to point to some of the actions we have been taking in recent years as a council- from appointing a Lead Member for Cohesion, to launching Trafford Faith Action Network.  I was also able to highlight the Cohesion Strategy we’re developing.

The session was an opportunity to reflect on some of the good work our residents and community organisations have led the way with over the years, one example being the community refugee sponsorship scheme.  It was also important to acknowledge the impact some actions we’ve seen in the Borough over the summer have had on our residents.  We heard about how people were feeling less safe, targeted, not welcome.  I know that a society where people feel safe, welcome and valued is important to most people in Trafford and I recognise we require more political leadership in the space.  That’s why a session on community cohesion attended by leaders from across Greater Manchester was particularly welcome on Friday.

I was based at the Town Hall in Stretford for much of the rest of last week, where I attended meetings regarding finance, employee engagement, and joined a presentation to representatives from the Care Quality Commission ahead of their imminent formal visit and assessment.  It was a good opportunity to showcase Adult Services and reflect on improvements we’ve been focussed on delivering since the beginning of this year.

Away from the Town Hall, I joined colleagues on a visit to Sale West to see the progress Irwell Valley are making with their latest development.  I’m delighted to see 66 new homes under construction, all for social rent and all energy efficient.  Socially rented homes continue to be a priority for Trafford Council, and we will continue to work with housing providers like Irwell Valley to enable delivery.

On Friday evening it was a great pleasure to join colleagues at Altrincham Town Hall to celebrate the progress the people at Oyez Arts have been making since taking on this historic building.  The Town Hall has turned into a thriving social space and has never looked better.  Oyez will be launching a community share offer shortly, based on a very successful scheme adopted by Stretford Public Hall a few years ago.  It’s inspiring to see how arts, culture and community power has brought a much-loved building back to life.