Judith Blake
Cllr Judith Blake is leader of Leeds City Council and chair of Core Cities UK
Road to disaster?
With a huge proportion of income vanishing almost overnight, there is the very real possibility that every council in Yorkshire will have to issue s114 notices, says Cllr Judith Blake.
Time to change the direction of travel
Core Cities UK's Vision for Global Success and Local Prosperity report sets out some clear, practical steps that 'will set our cities free to achieve their full potential, both for themselves and surrounding areas', says Cllr Judith Blake.
Time for a UK-wide debate on tourism levies
Cities south of the border including Birmingham have plans to consider tourism levies. Cllr Judith Blake says Core Cities UK believes it's time for a national discussion about whether one might work in the UK.
Investment in children's centres helps deliver real results
Leeds has become the first UK city to lower its childhood obesity rate - and the role played by children's centres vindicates the council's decision to protect funding despite heavy cuts to overall grant funding, says Judith Blake.
The Stronger Towns Fund is not the right solution to a complex problem
The Stronger Towns Fund is not the response we need to a complex and nuanced problem, says chair of Core Cities Cllr Judith Blake.
When it comes to our cities there are reasons to be cheerful
There is little doubt that 2019 will be an historic and turbulent year, but there are some great opportunities for our cities to drive radical change and play a key role in post-Brexit Britain, says Cllr Judith Blake
Core Cities could generate almost £100bn every year
We can generate almost £100bn for the UK economy every year if Government adopts our 'productivity package' bringing us up to the level of other European cities, says chair of Core Cities UK Cllr Judith Blake
Keeping our creative economy afloat
Cllr Judith Blake on funding cities' cultural offerings.
Are our arguments finally getting through to ministers?
While some in government seem to be getting the message about council finances, Cllr Judith Blake argues the Treasury still does not.
We're not waiting for Government to say 'yes'
Despite Brexit and austerity, Core City leaders are pushing ahead with developments to benefit urban economies, Judith Blake says.
Westminster could learn something from local place leadership
Judith Blake highlights some of the outstanding examples of whole-place leadership in the UK's cities - an approach those in Westminster may be wise to adopt.
Brexit negotiations should not distract from public reform
With the General Elections set to be dominated by Brexit, Judith Blake calls for a focus on the bread and butter of politics.
A moment of seismic change
The UK cannot afford to shut itself away from the world post-Brexit, writes Cllr Judith Blake.