New chair of Core Cities UK announced

Cllr Liam Robinson, Leader of Liverpool City Council, is the new chair of Core Cities UK, one of local government's most influential sector groups. 

Cllr Robinson takes over from Cllr James Lewis, Leader of Leeds City Council, who has completed a two year term as chair. 

Core Cities UK is an alliance of 12 cities - Belfast, Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle, Nottingham and Sheffield. Its mission is to unlock the full potential of our great city regions to create a stronger, fairer economy and society.

Core Cities UK has a 30 year track record of creating change in policy and played a key role in developments like City Deals, the creation of Combined Authority Mayors in England, fiscal devolution and overnight visitor levy.

Core Cities has been a leading voice in policy around devolution and decentralisation and its reports with the OECD and the RSA on city productivity are used as benchmarks within the sector.

Cllr Robinson said: "It's an honour to take over as chair at such an important time for UK cities and the devolution agenda. I become chair days before we welcome Andy Burnham to Downing Street - a Prime Minister who shares many of our values and whom we have worked closely in the past in his role as Greater Manchester Mayor - and we will continue to work in partnership with Government and others to create good growth across the UK. 

"It is also great news for Liverpool, demonstrating our growing leadership role within the sector. I'm fortunate to be taking over from James under whose leadership we made significant strides forwards, not least adding the great city of Edinburgh to our alliance."

Cllr Lewis, who will remain a member of Core Cities Cabinet, added: "It has been a privilege to chair Core Cities UK during a pivotal time for the urban agenda across the UK. I know Liam will continue our successful work and I wish him good luck."