Core Cities launch Local Voices devolution campaign

THE Core Cities group, which includes Liverpool and Manchester, have launched a national campaign demanding more power over how they spend their money.

The Local Voices campaign is part of a strategic push by the eight largest English cities to drive the regional devolution agenda. The campaign was launched at a Parliamentary Reception with Mayor of London, Boris Johnson in London.

The campaign features people from each of the eight Core Cities whose work has benefited, and would benefit further, by greater devolution of freedoms to cities. Spokespeople include, the manager of a Premier Inn in Leeds, a family intervention project team leader in Manchester and the chief executive of an SME in Nottingham.

The Core Cities argue that greater freedom to decide how to spend the money generated in cities, such as property taxes, would help them boost their local economies by targeting resources according to specific local needs.

Independent forecasts demonstrate this could mean an additional £222bn and 1.3 million jobs for the country by 2030.

Sir Richard Leese, leader of Manchester City Council and chair of the Core Cities Cabinet said: “The national economy needs our cities to succeed like never before in delivering jobs and growth, and reducing dependency on public services. To do so means going further and faster in devolving resources from the centre.

“The Local Voices campaign clearly demonstrates the positive impact devolution can have on people’s lives. Each of the case studies has benefited from decisions being made at a local level but at the same time have been hindered that the freedoms cities enjoy do not go far enough to enable them to make a real difference. This campaign seeks to highlight the excellent work cities do and how with more freedoms we can make our community’s better places to live.”

Cllr Jon Collins, leader of Nottingham City Council and Core Cities Cabinet member for business, growth, trade and investment added: “We can’t deliver on jobs, growth and financial self-sufficiency with our hands tied behind our backs by Whitehall.

“Our overly centralised system is no longer fit for purpose, and though growth deals are a step forward, the current annual negotiation process won’t solve the problem. The Core Cities want to see a better balance of funding for the regions so we can effectively meet the needs in our cities.”