Lots of meetings - lots of progress, says Allen Brett, Leader of the Council

It's a match

We've committed to spending more with local businesses and already doubled the percentage of our budget that goes to companies in the borough. This week we helped to create new relationships at our 'Meet the Buyer event at the town hall. Suppliers from across the STAR local authorities (Rochdale, Stockport, Tameside and Trafford) were given 10 minutes to impress a potential new partner. The speed dating-style event provided 8 buyers with an opportunity to check out around 150 suppliers to see if they were the perfect match for their business. I'm very supportive of increasing our local spend and was delighted to be asked to open the event.

Bucking his ideas up

The latest in a long line of new businesses has opened in Rochdale town centre – showing that our regeneration is still attracting new stores. Phil Buckley has opened a new menswear shop in South Parade, overlooking the re-opened River Roch in the heart of the town centre conservation area. Phil, who worked at the popular men's outfitters Denis Hope for 20 years, says he has invested £100,000 converting the old Edwardian bank and is looking to apply for some funding from the council as part of our small business support package. It's a great addition to our town centre and comes after the council attracted more than 20 new stores through our business rates sale. Let's hope other businesses follow suit!!

Fire service plans are heating up

Bev Hughes, Greater Manchester's deputy mayor for policing, crime, criminal justice and fire, and the Chief Fire Officer, Jim Wallace, recently provided me with an update on the future structure of Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service. The details are still being worked out but I'm told people will be given more information soon.

Sharing our story

I had a really good conversation with Phil Swann, executive chair of Shared Intelligence – an organisation that helps other sectors improve their practices. He wanted to know about Rochdale's experience of sector-led improvement. I was keen to tell him about the support we have been receiving from the Local Government Association (LGA) in developing a new council culture and reviewing our township structure. We also reflected on the learning and progress from our corporate and child protection peer challenges. I'm all for telling our story, if it helps other organisations in the sector.

Watch out

Healthwatch is an independent consumer champion created to gather and represent the views of the public. I met with members of Healthwatch Rochdale to find out more about their role. They support residents to give them a voice locally and nationally about health and social care services in the borough. If our residents want to help us to improve services today or shape them for tomorrow, then I believe they should have the opportunity. I have asked councillors to keep local communities informed about how they can influence and share their views.

Strand and deliver

The Strand in Balderstone and Kirkholt, brought light into local residents lives, with its annual Christmas light switch on. I was there to support the countdown to Christmas.

GM leading the way

On Tuesday I attended the Greater Manchester Leaders meeting. We are considering our eligibility for government funding for new housing; how we will reinvest money from the Greater Manchester Housing Investment Loans Fund; what we need to do to create a sustainable infrastructure across the city region; what our clean air plan will consist of; how we will implement the recommendations of the Preventing Hateful Extremism and Promoting Social Cohesion Commission; following the arena attack and the launch of the GM public service model.