We are a united voice promoting the role of our great cities in creating a stronger, fairer economy and society
What is Core Cities UK?
Core Cities UK is an alliance of 12 cities - Belfast, Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle, Nottingham and Sheffield. Our mission is to unlock the full potential of our great city regions to create a stronger, fairer economy and society. We currently generate 25 per cent of the economy but with the right freedoms and powers could add an extra £100bn every year to UK GDP.
Core Cities UK has a 25 year track record of creating change in policy. That quarter of a century has seen us make major strides, the biggest one being the fact that all political parties now recognise cities as an opportunity to be grasped rather than a problem to be solved.
We are a leading voice in policy around devolution and decentralisation and our 2020 report with the OECD on city productivity has been used as a benchmark across the sector.
Our mission is to unlock the full potential of our great city regions to create a stronger, fairer economy and society.
Cllr James Lewis, Chair of Core Cities UK and Leader of Leeds City Council
Our Work
Core CIties UK has a 25 year track record of making change in Government policy, leading the way on devolution and decentralisation. At the heart of our arguments is a belief in the power of place and of the vast potential of the UK's regional cities. We are a partnership organisation and work with partners across the public, private and third sectors on behalf of our leaders and our citizens. We also understand the value of sound, evidence-based arguments and work with others to produce reports and policy papers that set out how UK cities and city regions are the key to many of the UK's big challenges.
Public Sector Reform
We believe in a smarter and more flexible state better suited to the ever more complex needs of our citizens. Localism and prevention are key to this along with incentives to reward innovation.
Growth
Economic growth lies at the heart of the current Government's policy programme and we believe cities are absolutely vital to this. Our cities contain the highly skilled workers, the universities and the businesses the UK will need over the years ahead.
Net Zero
The battle to reach net zero will be won or lost in our cities. While nations pledge on climate, it is cities that have the scale and the expertise to deliver.
International
Core Cities UK believes in working across international boundaries to create change, using the unique power of cities.
Our People
Core Cities UK is staffed by a small team working in the historic Manchester Town Hall.
Stephen Jones
CEO
Stephen has worked across a number of government departments, including seven years in the Cabinet Office and 10, and has worked on a range of economic and domestic policy agendas.
Will Mapplebeck
Head of Public Affairs and Communications
Will chairs our Core Cities Communications Directors Group. He is a passionate believer in the power and potential of the local state.
Diane Chan
Policy and governance officer
Diane has worked primarily in Children and Families, in particular, research and analysis, communications commissioning, policy and performance in Adult Services and Safeguarding.
How we work
Core Cities UK works collaboratively with a range of partners across public, private, third sector and academia. We are led by our political Cabinet which is advised by a group of City Council CEOs. A number of officer groups from across our local authorities also meet on a regular basis covering areas including planning, regeneration and finance. Our current chair is Cllr James Lewis, Leader of Leeds City Council and he is suppported in a deputy role by Cllr Huw Thomas, Leader of Cardiff City Council.
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Sheffield police box