About us
Trafford is a borough of contrasts: urban and rural, historic and modern, cultural and industrial. It is home to more than 241,000 people, with strong communities, good transport links and a rich history.
Trafford isn’t just a place to work;
it’s a place to thrive
Here, at Trafford we have big ambitions for the future. We look after and provide services to over 241,000 residents, are comprised of four vibrant town centres, with over 90 parks and green spaces and home to over 11,000 businesses, there’s a lot to do, there’s a lot to achieve and no two days are the same!
Our approach to ensure that our residents, communities and businesses thrive, is simple. We recruit creative, collaborative and talented people, and empower them to make an impact to be proud of.
History
Trafford was created as a metropolitan district in 1974 and received a Royal Borough Charter.
The area has a long industrial heritage. Trafford Park, created in the late 19th century, became the world’s first industrial estate. By the 1940s it employed around 75,000 people, producing everything from consumer goods to Rolls-Royce engines for Spitfire and Lancaster aircraft.
Today Trafford Park remains one of the largest industrial estates in Europe, employing around 35,000 people and hosting major companies such as Amazon, PG Tips and Adidas. Work is now under way to make it a leader in low-carbon industry.
Communities
Trafford has five main urban areas: Altrincham, Partington, Sale, Stretford and Urmston. Each has its own identity.
Altrincham has been transformed into an award-winning high street. Plans are in place to regenerate the other town centres, building on their local strengths.
Trafford is becoming more diverse, with most residents reporting good health. There are also inequalities in health and poverty across the borough. The council and its partners are working to give every child the best start in life and to support an ageing population to live independently.
Connectivity
The River Mersey, Bridgewater Canal and Manchester Ship Canal have shaped Trafford’s growth.
Today the borough is well connected by:
- rail services from Altrincham and Urmston
- Metrolink tram lines across the borough
- the M60, M56 and M6 motorways
- walking and cycling routes linking towns with the countryside and Manchester city centre
- Manchester Airport, within easy reach by road, rail and tram
These connections make Trafford attractive to both residents and businesses.
Education and leisure
Trafford has a national reputation for education, with many outstanding schools and strong further and higher education.
The borough also has a wide range of leisure and cultural assets, including:
- Old Trafford football stadium and Emirates Old Trafford cricket ground
- Dunham Massey Hall and its historic estate
- 11 Green Flag parks
- Imperial War Museum North
- Waterside Arts in Sale, home to theatre and creative industries
- The Trafford Centre, one of the UK’s largest shopping and leisure destinations
Ambition
Trafford is proud of its history and communities but is focused on the future.
Our aims
The council aims to:
- be efficient and responsive to residents’ needs
- reduce inequalities across the borough
- support healthy, independent lives for older residents
- raise living standards and life expectancy
- create opportunities for innovation and sustainable growth
Our Values
We Empower
We inspire and trust our people to deliver the best outcomes for our customers, communities and colleagues. We encourage each other to grow, learn and work independently so that we can create and innovate to get the best possible outcomes.
We Are People Centered
We value all people, within and external to the organisation and give those around us respect. We will act with honesty and integrity in all that we do and create an environment that enables everyone we work with to thrive and succeed.
We collaborate
We build relationships, collaborate; treat people as equal partners and work together to make things happen. We take ownership of our actions and decisions and recognise that achieving our priorities is a shared responsibility. We share our skills, knowledge, experience and insights openly to achieve the best possible outcomes.
We Are Inclusive
We are committed to creating an environment that values and respects the diversity and richness that differences bring.
Our Vision
Trafford – where all our residents, businesses and communities thrive.
At Trafford we are all driven by a clear purpose, we want to make Trafford a place “where all our residents, communities and businesses thrive.” Whatever role you do within the Council we believe that every single one of our people has an instrumental part to play in helping us to make our vision a reality. Our vision is about giving people in Trafford greater choice about where they live; to build and sustain thriving communities; and to develop areas which we can all take pride in. At the heart of our vision is a common cause – we want to make Trafford a better borough. We want to make it a place where everyone has a chance to succeed and where everybody has a voice.
We want Trafford to be a place where all our residents, businesses and communities thrive.
Our Corporate Plan explains how we will achieve our vision and work together to deliver for all of our residents, communities and businesses.
Current Political Composition
Trafford Council has 63 councillors.
- Labour – Majority control (Executive Leader: Tom Ross)
- Council control: Labour administration
Labour – 41 seats
Cons – 10 seats
Green – 7 seats
Lib Dem – 5 seats