This year marks a defining milestone in the history of Trafford Council.

It was 50 years ago that the municipal boroughs of Altrincham, Sale and Stretford joined with the district councils of Bowdon, Hale and Urmston and the parishes of Carrington, Partington, Dunham Massey and Warburton.

It was on April 1, 1974 when we received the honorary Royal Borough Charter, an act that would place Trafford firmly on the map.

Since its creation, Trafford Council has sworn in fifty mayors, a role I had the great pleasure of taking on in 2018, and thirteen different leaders from both the local Labour and Conservative parties. And there have been many memorable politicians who, over the decades, have served this borough well.  A special mention to my friend and colleague, Cllr Barry Brotherton, who attended the very first Trafford Council meeting. 

This is an exciting time as we mark the first fifty years of this wonderful, diverse, welcoming, and forward-thinking borough. And there is so much that we, and Trafford Council, can celebrate together.

We can also take time to reflect on the areas rich cultural and industrial heritage, which was in place long before Trafford came into being. Trafford Park – a first of its kind – remains one of the world’s largest industrial estates. At one time it provided a base for Ford, Metropolitan Vickers, as well as being home to 2ZY – one of the first radio stations established by the British Broadcasting Company in 1922.  We are also home to the Barton Swing Aqueduct – another first – and the only one of its type in the world.

Currently, more than 12,000 businesses have made Trafford their home. We have attracted Imperial War Museum North, UA92, Lancashire Cricket Club, which is viewed as an internationally renowned sporting venue and Manchester United, one of the most famous clubs in the world.

High standards in our schools and colleges also mean children and young people get the best start in life. And plans to build thousands of safe, affordable homes have been agreed so that young people who want to live in Trafford can afford to do so. Work to rejuvenate our towns and leisure centres making them accessible to everyone will continue.  Our ambitions to tackle the climate emergency and reduce carbon emissions through active travel and the decarbonisation of public buildings also remains at the top of the council’s agenda.  And these are just a few examples of what makes living, working, and visiting Trafford so great.

The services that Trafford Council provides are an integral part of building safe and successful thriving communities. However, these services are nothing without the workforce delivering them – from librarians to social workers, street cleaners to waste collectors, teaching staff to registrars, planners to bereavement service staff.  And those are just a few with many more besides. Thank you for all the excellent work you do.

I hope you will join me and colleagues at the main birthday celebrations taking place during this year’s Trafford Live on Sunday 7th July, from 11am to 2pm, at the town hall and Emirates Old Trafford.