Title

PRESS STATEMENT: CORE CITIES TO DISCUSS FUTURE RELATIONSHIP WITH THE LGA

The Core Cities are critical to economic recovery and growth, delivering 27% of the nation's economic output from their wider urban areas.  Core Cities Cabinet is working together to ensure these cities play their full role in boosting jobs and growth in the short term, and rebalancing the economy in the longer term.

Whilst we recognise that there are matters which affect a large number of local authorities in a similar way, there are a range of critical issues which affect large urban areas differently, and on which we need to have more focused representation at the national level.

The unique role of Core Cities and their city-regions  in driving regional economies has been recognised by Government in City Deals, and now in the response to the Heseltine Review.  The Government has been clear that it wants to work with big cities to devolve power and funding in a way which benefits not just those places, but their wider economies and the nation as a whole. The Heseltine recommendations and Community Budget pilots have also clearly demonstrated the political, private sector and public service leadership which put cities in a unique position to deliver the growth and reform agendas.

We collectively feel that it is essential for Core Cities to act decisively to follow these commitments through into action from Government, which ultimately will be of value to the wider local government family. To do so we need to focus the limited resource and capacity available to us to ensure this outcome.

Core Cities acknowledge the role of the LGA in engaging with Government and others, and supporting local government on a wide range of important matters.  We feel there is an immediate need to increase engagement and representation by and for the Core Cities, particularly on issues of devolution for economic recovery and growth.

As a consequence Core Cities have each given 12 months' notice to the LGA, but we would stress that this does not rule any future options in or out at this stage.  We are looking for a positive way forward that will meet all our needs and take best advantage of this important moment for our cities, their businesses and communities. Core Cities have therefore invited the LGA to participate in discussions to explore options for our future relationship.