Media Release
Core Cities: a new era of urban leadership
The local elections 2012 herald the start of a new era in the leadership of England’s economically biggest cities.
Birmingham, Leeds, Manchester, Newcastle, Nottingham and Sheffield will continue with Council Leaders whilst Liverpool has elected its new Mayor and Bristol will elect theirs in November. Both models will provide the leadership and accountability needed to transform these cities and drive economic growth.
The Core Cities have common interests and ideals, clearly evidenced during 17 years of collaboration. Their urban areas are driving forces for the UK economy, delivering 27% of England’s wealth, more than London. Independent forecasts demonstrate that they are capable of delivering another 1.3 million jobs and £61 billion GVA on top of baseline predictions over the next two decades – but more local freedoms are needed to drive growth and reduce dependency.
England’s Core Cities will continue to provide strong and effective leadership in driving forward their economies, securing jobs and investment, meeting the specific social and economic challenges that arise within cities, and contributing to the leadership of their surrounding areas. We will continue to work together to partner and challenge governments to value and support the economic role and opportunities that these cities can secure for the national economy over the long term.
The Core Cities have welcomed the Government’s City Deal initiative, working with the Minister for Cities and Deputy Prime Minister. Each city has, with its partners, put forward a compelling proposition to unlock future growth, alongside proposals to strengthen economic governance. This initiative has already begun to secure important opportunities in jobs, private investment, skills, transport and housing. This demonstrates the benefit of a clear focus on England’s cities, tailored to the specific needs of each place.
We welcome the deals secured with Liverpool and Manchester, and encourage further progress in partnership with those two cities. We understand that initial deals are close to being agreed with Birmingham, Bristol, Leeds, Newcastle, Nottingham and Sheffield and we look forward to Government concluding these ground-breaking proposals.
The governance models for England’s cities have now been resolved. At a time of continued economic challenge we should not delay in unlocking city growth, securing economic recovery and the private sector jobs and investment we need for the future prosperity of our cities, and therefore the country as a whole.
The Leaders and Mayor of the Core Cities
Ends
Enquiries to:
Chris Murray, Director Core Cities Group
0161 9080441 - 07780 664257 - c.murray@corecities.com