I’m a few days late with my weekly blog this time- as I intended to make it my final one of 2025 and take in as much of December as possible. There’s still plenty to do this month, not least interview prospective board members for our Old Trafford Mayoral Development Corporation, but this feels like a good time to conclude my updates for the year.
Last Monday we had our final Executive Committee meeting of 2025. Aside from some robust discussions about furniture in the room, there were some really important items on the agenda. We provided an update on the 2025/26 budget, where we are projecting a small, but valuable, underspend for this year. This compares favourably with many other local authorities grappling with in-year overspends and I think it is a tribute to the way we manage the Borough’s finances. Our approach to the budget was also recognised during a recent LGA visit.
Another item on last week’s agenda was our latest Corporate Plan scorecard. It’s an opportunity to see how we’re doing against our plan for Trafford, and a reminder of the huge reach local government has. From our libraries to social care, leisure team to TalkShop- there are so many ways in which this council, and its workforce, serves our Trafford communities everyday- for which I’m always grateful.
Other meetings last week included the latest Improving Lives Everyday Board where we had the chance to reflect on the recent Care Quality Commission visit, and the final meeting of Greater Manchester Combined Authority for 2025. Other highlights from last week included visiting the new BMX track in Partington- and seeing it put to good use, as well as joining a festive walk to Victoria Park Infant School in Stretford. I also had the opportunity to judge this year’s staff festive photo competition!
This week I chaired the final Locality Board of the year- where we received an update on Greater Manchester’s Early Diagnosis of Cancer Strategy. I also had several other meetings at the Town Hall. On Wednesday morning it was lovely to hear children from King’s Road Primary sing for staff at the town hall. This is the third year we’ve been treated to the school choir, and it does help make things feel more festive!
You’ll see that this week’s photo provides highlights from across 2025- of which there have been many, starting with a very early bus journey from Altrincham as we joined the Bee Network on the first Sunday of the year. There’s also been plenty of challenges and difficult days, however that is par for the course in politics, and it will always be a privilege to hold political office and be Leader of this wonderful Borough.
Although this is my final blog for the year, work is not yet done and over the next few weeks we’ll be analysing the local government financial settlement and its implications for Trafford, before bringing forward draft budget proposals early in the New Year.
In the meantime, thank you for reading this year and may I wish you a Happy Christmas and all the very best for the New Year when it comes.