Yorkshire councils join Cabinet of Core Cities to push for growth
COUNCIL leaders from major cities across the UK – including Leeds and Sheffield – have written to Prime Minister David Cameron urging the Government to join them in “an ambitious programme for jobs and growth”.
The newly launched Cabinet of Core Cities is looking to maximise the economic potential of the regions and the UK’s big cities, rebalance the economy and boost national growth and employment.
The letter from the new cabinet has been signed by the eight leaders of the biggest city economies outside of the South East.
Coun Keith Wakefield, the leader of Leeds City Council who will represent the skills and labour market on the cabinet, said: “Our cabinet will not only strive to achieve for our Core Cities the best deal they can from Government, it will also allow us to reinforce our position at the forefront of driving devolution of powers further in areas such as transport and growth.
“For the nation to thrive it is imperative that the economic health of our big cities is strong. By working together we can better get that message home and ensure Government is aware of how the impact of national policy can be felt regionally.”
In the letter to Mr Camerson, the cabinet reiterates its support for the Government’s City Deals, states its intention to pursue an “ambitious programme of growth and reform”, stresses the need to “go further” on key policy issues, and calls for “increased dialogue and commitment” from central Government.
Sir Richard Leese, leader of Manchester City Council and chairman of the Cabinet of Core Cities, added: “This announcement is a significant offer to Government and signals the ambition of the Core Cities Group to go further to create jobs and growth.
“The evidence is clear; core cities drive growth outside the South East. If we want to rebalance the economy, have more growth and jobs, this can only be delivered at scale by the core cities and their wider urban areas.
“Government has recognised this through the City Deals process, which we have all welcomed, but we now need to go the extra mile.”
Other members of the Cabinet include Coun Julia Dore from Sheffield Council, Sir Albert Bore of Birmingham Council, and Mayor Joe Anderson of Liverpool Council.
The cabinet will adopt a portfolio structure, meet regularly and work to develop new policies.
