For the first time since July, we met as an Executive Committee and full Council last week. Although the council has continued to function as usual (and I have been no less busy), we have been though a prolonged pre-election period because of recent local by-elections. This situation has led to the council reviewing its approach in future, as we now catch up on decisions around policy and services that had been delayed. There’ll be another Executive Committee meeting this coming week as part of the catch-up process.
As with all our committee meetings, both are webcast and available to watch via YouTube, they can sometimes make interesting viewing. Outside of those two significant meetings, much of the rest of my week has been spent out on visits.
On Wednesday morning I had the great pleasure of visiting Esprit’s docks on the Manchester Ship Canal. I may have mentioned this before, but I’ve long been fascinated and enthused by the Manchester Ship Canal, and it was the subject of my dissertation at university. It’s an important example of bold engineering on our doorstep and I was delighted to hear from Managing Director, Graham Dixon, on how the docks are used today- and aspirations for the future. Our waterways are an asset and could be used to divert more goods off our road network- it’s something I hope to see happen in the coming years.
Later that day I visited Worthington Primary School in Sale. I was there to meet the School Council and hear about the solar panels recently installed on the school’s roof. The solar panels were provided as part of the Greater Manchester Powering Our Schools programme. It’s an initiative I’ve championed at a Greater Manchester level as part of my Green City-Region role. I had a lovely afternoon hearing from a brilliant group of children who, in turn, also asked me a few questions about my role. I’m hoping to host the School Council at Trafford Town Hall at some point soon.
On Thursday I joined my ward colleagues, Steve and Jane, back at Stretford Public Hall to celebrate ten years of community power. It was a reminder of the importance of partnership between the council and community organisations, and it was also nice to hear some positive feedback about the council.
Friday was a quieter day of the week ahead of a very busy weekend, but I did enjoy the chance of watching Father Christmas at the Waterside. The Christmas show is always an important and popular part of the Waterside’s calendar this this production did not disappoint. It’s on until 27 December and I’d definitely recommend it!
Saturday was a busy one- during the afternoon I helped at the Friends of Victoria Park Christmas Event in Stretford. Joined by Steve and Jane once again, we had the unusual role if being a human fruit machine. Not something I’ve done before but it helped to raise funds for another valued community group in Stretford.
Once I’d discharged of my duties in the park, I travelled down to Altrincham to join Deputy Leader, Liz Patel, and the Altrincham BID team for this year’s Purple Flag assessment. The Purple Flag is the equivalent of a Blue Flag, but for town centres. Altrincham had a really difficult weekend last weekend, following a very serious incident, so I was pleased to be able to help showcase what a vibrant and safe town centre we have. Thank you as ever to Mandy and the BID team for everything you do to champion Altrincham.
I left the team in Altrincham in the early hours of Sunday morning to get a few hours sleep before travelling into Manchester for a morning with Trafford Music Service. I got to enjoy the Rock Groups, Junior Brass Band, Drum Ensemble and Sinfonietta Orchestra. It was a lively start to my Sunday thanks to some very talented children and young people!