Cllr James Lewis has been Leader of Leeds City Council since February 2021.
Cllr James Lewis has been Leader of Leeds City Council since February 2021, having
previously been Deputy Leader of the Council since May 2015. In May 2021, the newly
elected Mayor of West Yorkshire Tracy Brabin, also appointed Cllr Lewis as the Deputy
Mayor of West Yorkshire. He is also currently the chair of Core Cities UK.
Cllr Lewis has responsibility in Leeds for devolution and local freedoms as well as leading the
Council’s budget and strategic planning matched to the needs of the citizens and
communities in its area and ensuring the delivery of strategic priorities.
Cllr Lewis was first elected as a Labour Councillor to represent the Barwick and Kippax ward,
now the Kippax and Methley ward, in 2003. He has held numerous positions during his time
as a Councillor, including being the Chair of Metro (West Yorkshire’s Integrated Transport
Authority).