Core Cities UK works collaboratively with Government, Civil Servants and others to create policy change.
How we work
Core Cities UK is politically led by the elected leaders of our 12 cities. Our Chair is currently Leader of Leeds City Council Cllr James Lewis. He is supported in a deputy role by Cllr Huw Thomas, leader of Cardiff City Council.
Other members of our Cabinet take up portfolio roles, for example on housing or economic growth.
The Core City UK Chief Executives, along with our Policy Advisors Group, also meet regularly to guide our work programme. We also have a number of officer groups looking at individual issues, for example our city finance directors regularly meet up as do colleagues working in regeneration and communications.
At the centre of all our arguments is a belief in the power and potential of the places we represent, which are key to economic growth.
If you have a policy proposal for us, please email [email protected]
Working across the public and private sectors
Core Cities UK enjoys a strong reputation across government and beyond as an expert group that consistently produces high level research and policy ideas. The group has a 25 year track record of arguing for greater devolution to our cities. We will work with any organisation that shares our passion for our cities. For example, recently we produced policy projects with the RSA, OECD, Localis, Centre for Cities, Lloyds Banking Group and the British Council.
One of Core Cities UK's most important roles is to generate fresh, new and bold thinking, drawing on experience and evidence from our cities. We do research in partnership with others using he expertise within our cities. Taking our direction from the priorities and decisions of the leaders of our cities, our research and policy ideas are centred on ensuring our cities reach their full potential as well improving the lives of our citizens.
We believe in evidence based research and all of our work and proposals is backed up with strong and detailed data.
Working with Government
We regularly meet with key figures in Westminster and Whitehall to talk through detail of urban policy and the role of local places in delivering change. Core Cities UK aims to work in partnership with the government of the day to improve outcomes for our citizens, our cities and the wider economy. We also respond to consultations and contribute to legislation, for example The Cities and Local Government Devolution Act which created English Combined Authorities and the forthcoming English Devolution Bill. We work with a range of Whitehall departments including FCDO, MHCLG and BEIS. Our leaders and officers also sit on various councils and boards at the heart of Government.
The Cities Climate Investment Commission (3Ci)
The Cities Climate Investment Commission (3Ci) is a good example of how Core Cities UK works with others to achieve change on a vital issue for all our places.
We worked in partnership to with Connected Places Catapult, London Councils, Key Cities the Scottish Cities Alliance and others to create an urban alliance that aims to facilitate an unprecedented public-private financial partnership to cover the costs of Net Zero infrastructure.
3Ci is uniquely placed to:
- Innovate new approaches to investment and test their viability through demonstrators.
- Accelerate collaboration between local and national government, industry, and financial institutions.
- Advocate for changes in approach to investment across local and national government.
- Advance capacity and capability by rapidly accelerating knowledge transfer between public and private sector partners.
Central to 3Ci’s programme is the National Net Zero Pipeline, a dynamic database of local and regional Net Zero projects assessed for investment maturity and additional support needs. This initiative not only builds national market confidence but also acts as a predictive tool, mapping regional economic impacts and associated supply chain, skills development, and public investment needs.
Another key 3Ci initiative is the Net Zero Neighbourhoods model proposing an integrated, place-based model of multi-asset Net Zero projects, with a foundational focus on domestic retrofit. Complementing this, the Technical Assistance for Investible Places programme offers vital support to ensure the success of the National Net Zero Project Pipeline and the Net Zero Neighbourhood investment models.
Beyond these initiatives, 3Ci actively gathers and disseminates innovation and best practices from across local government. It serves as a hub, convening regional and national investor events, fostering relationships between places and investors, and ensuring that knowledge exchange takes place.