View source for Core Cities Group

{{Short description|Advocacy group of cities in the United Kingdom}}
{{redirect|Core Cities||Core cities (disambiguation)}}
{{EngvarB|date=June 2017}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2017}}
{{Infobox organization
| name = Core Cities Group
| image = Core Cities logo, 2020.svg
| image_border = 
| size = 150px
| alt = Logo of the Core Cities Group
| caption = 
| map = {{Location map many
    | United Kingdom
    | caption = Locations of the eleven members.
    | label1 = Belfast
    | position1 = right
    | coordinates1 = {{coord|54|36|N|5|56|W}}
    | label2 = Birmingham
    | position2 = left
    | coordinates2 = {{coord|52|29|N|1|54|W}}
    | label3 = Bristol
    | position3 = right
    | coordinates3 = {{coord|51|27|N|2|35|W}}
    | label4 = Cardiff
    | position4 = left
    | coordinates4 = {{coord|51|29|N|3|11|W}}
    | label5 = Glasgow
    | position5 = left
    | coordinates5 = {{coord|55|52|N|4|15|W}}
    | label6 = Leeds
    | position6 = right
    | coordinates6 = {{coord|53|48|N|1|33|W}}
    | label7 = Liverpool
    | position7 = left
    | coordinates7 = {{coord|53|24|N|2|59|W}}
    | label8 = <div style="font-size:100%;position:relative;top:+18px;right:+30px;">Manchester</div>
    | position8 = top
    | coordinates8 = {{coord|53|29|N|2|15|W}}
    | label9 = Newcastle upon Tyne
    | position9 = right
    | coordinates9 = {{coord|55|0|N|1|39|W}}
    | label10 = Nottingham
    | position10 = right
    | coordinates10 = {{coord|52|57|N|1|09|W}}
    | label11 = Sheffield
    | position11 = right
    | coordinates11 = {{coord|53|23|N|1|28|W}}
    | label12 = Edinburgh
    | position12 = right
    | coordinates12 = {{coord|55|57|N|3|12|W}}
  }}
| msize = 
| malt = 
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| map2 = 
| abbreviation = 
| motto = 
| predecessor = 
| successor = 
| established = 1995
| extinction = 
| status = 
| purpose = 
| headquarters = [[Manchester Town Hall]]
| coords = <!-- {{Coord|LAT|LONG|type:landmark|display=inline,title}} -->
| region_served = [[United Kingdom]]
| membership = 
| general = 
| leader_title = Director
| leader_name = Stephen Jones
| leader_title2 = Chair
| leader_name2 = James Lewis<ref>https://www.corecities.com/cities/cities/leeds/new-chair-core-cities-uk</ref>
| leader_title3 = 
| leader_name3 = 
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| affiliations = 
| budget = 
| num_staff = 4
| num_volunteers = 
| website = {{URL|www.corecities.com/}}
| remarks = 
| former name = 
}}

The '''Core Cities Group''' (also '''Core Cities UK''') is a self-selected and self-financed collaborative [[advocacy group]] of large regional cities in the United Kingdom outside [[Greater London]]. The group was formed in 1995 and serves as a partnership of twelve city councils: [[Belfast]], [[Birmingham]], [[Bristol]], [[Cardiff]], [[Edinburgh]],<ref name="pse_2025_edinburgh">https://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/articles/edinburgh-joins-core-cities-uk</ref> [[Glasgow]], [[Leeds]], [[Liverpool]], [[Manchester]], [[Newcastle upon Tyne|Newcastle]], [[Nottingham]] and [[Sheffield]].

The Core Cities Group has wide-ranging interests, encompassing transport and connectivity, innovation and business support, skills and employment, sustainable communities, culture and creative industries, climate change, finance and industry, and governance. During 2012, the first wave of city deals recognised the eight cities as "the largest and most economically important English cities outside of London".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.communities.gov.uk/news/corporate/2110432|title= Manchester City Deal brings 6,000 jobs boost – Announcements|publisher=communities.gov.uk|date=20 March 2012|accessdate= 17 July 2013}}</ref> The group in 2020 featured a combined population of over 6 million within eleven of its cities.<ref name="FT-callfordevo"/> It has been considered one of the most powerful political lobbying groups in the country.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/local-government-shake-up-british-cities-seek-to-raise-own-taxes-and-go-it-alone-9938087.html |title= Local government shake-up: British cities seek to raise own taxes and go it alone |author= Hannah Fearn |work= [[The Independent]] |date= 21 December 2014 |accessdate= 2 October 2018}}</ref>

The Core Cities Group is represented on the [[Local Government Leaders' Council]] by its chair.

==History==
The group formed in 1995 and membership was made up of eight local authorities with [[City status in the United Kingdom|city status]]; of which six are [[metropolitan borough|metropolitan borough councils]] and two are [[Unitary authorities of England|unitary authorities]] in the [[Local government in England|English local government]] system. These cities were: [[Birmingham]], [[Bristol]], [[Leeds]], [[Liverpool]], [[Manchester]], [[Newcastle upon Tyne|Newcastle]], [[Nottingham]] and [[Sheffield]]. The local authorities came together to challenge the centralised nature of the British state<ref name="CM-Marvincase"/> by advocating for the devolution of greater freedom and controls.<ref name="OAG-2030"/> The eight city councils are also members of the pan-European [[Eurocities]] network, a group co-founded by [[Birmingham City Council]].

In 2003, the [[Deputy Prime Minister of the United Kingdom|Deputy Prime Minister]] [[John Prescott]] addressed the Core Cities Group, advocating "choke-off growth in the economic powerhouse of London and the [[South East England|south-east]]" in order to stimulate growth and productivity within the Core Cities.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.theguardian.com/society/2003/jun/06/uknews |title= Provincial cities 'holding back' England |author= Simon Parker |work= [[The Guardian]] |date= 6 June 2003 |accessdate= 2 October 2018}}</ref>

With the exception of Bradford and Hull, the initial members of the group mirrored the first [[county boroughs]], that is the 10 English cities "dealt with as separate counties" under the [[Local Government Act 1888]]. Since 2010, several British cities outside England began discussions for incorporation into the group. In August 2014, [[Glasgow]] joined the group as the first non-English city,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://birminghamnewsroom.com/2014/08/historic-moment-as-core-cities-welcomes-glasgow-into-group |title=Historic moment as Core Cities welcomes Glasgow into group |publisher=birminghamnewsroom.com |date=14 August 2014 |accessdate=23 January 2016}}</ref> followed by [[Cardiff]] in 2014,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-31300634 |title= Cardiff joins the big hitting cities |author= Sarah Dickins |publisher= [[BBC News]] |date= 9 February 2015 |accessdate= 23 January 2016}}</ref> [[Belfast]] in 2019, and [[Edinburgh]] in 2025.<ref name="pse_2025_edinburgh"/>

In 2018, Bristol hosted the first meeting of Core Cities Group leaders with [[Combined authority|combined authority mayors]].<ref name="CM-Marvincase">{{cite web|url= https://www.citymetric.com/politics/marvin-rees-case-global-parliament-mayors-4243 |title= Marvin Rees: The case for the Global Parliament of Mayors |author= Marvin Rees |work= [[City Metric]] |publisher= [[New Statesman]] |date= 1 October 2018 |accessdate= 2 October 2018 }}</ref> In October 2018, the group published a report titled "Cities 2030: Global Success, Local Prosperity", arguing for the economic potential of British cities &ndash; where they lag behind international counterparts &ndash; combined with a vision for cities.<ref name="OAG-2030">{{cite web|url= https://www.openaccessgovernment.org/the-future-of-cities-in-the-uk-a-vision-for-2030/53875/ |title= The future of cities in the UK: A vision for 2030 |author= Judith Blake |publisher= [[Open Access Government]] |date= 31 October 2018 |accessdate= 11 November 2018 }}</ref>

==Government lobbying and issues==
===Devolution and greater powers===
The Core Cities Group (CCG) have published research on the utilised benefits of more powerful cities that have greater economic control, particularly in growth and productivity.<ref name="GU-layingfoundations">{{cite web|url= https://www.theguardian.com/local-government-network/2012/feb/08/core-cities-laying-foundations-growth |title= Core cities: laying down the foundations for growth |author= Chris Murray |work= [[The Guardian]] |date= 2 February 2012 |accessdate= 2 October 2018}}</ref><ref name="GU-centres">{{cite web|url= https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2015/jan/23/new-city-centres-the-alternative-establishment |title= The new city centres: the alternative establishment that wants to wrest power from the capital |author= Susanna Rustin |work= [[The Guardian]] |date= 23 January 2015 |accessdate= 2 October 2018}}</ref> During the passage of the [[Localism Act 2011]], the group promoted the 'Core Cities amendment' to allow for bespoke decentralisation to its members, which was successfully incorporated.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.corecities.com/news-events/core-cities-amendment-localism-bill-clears-house-commons|title=Core Cities amendment to the Localism Bill clears the House of Commons|website=Core Cities Group website|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120717081405/http://www.corecities.com/news-events/core-cities-amendment-localism-bill-clears-house-commons|archivedate=17 July 2012|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Several of the 'City Deals' subsequently agreed between the [[Cabinet Office]]/[[Department for Communities and Local Government]] in 2012 included enhanced powers and city regional working at their core, including new [[combined authorities]], thanks to the provision.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dpm.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/content/city-deals|title=City Deals and Growth Deals|publisher=cabinetoffice.gov.uk|accessdate=23 January 2016}}</ref> The introduction of directly-elected mayors to combined authorities in England and the devolution of housing, transport, planning and policing powers to them were provisions contained in the [[Cities and Local Government Devolution Act 2016]].<ref>{{cite press release |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=Bringing our country together: cities, towns and counties to get stronger powers |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/bringing-our-country-together-cities-towns-and-counties-to-get-stronger-powers |publisher=gov.uk |date=29 May 2015 |access-date=1 June 2015}}</ref>

In 2015, the CCG published a report calling for [[Devolution in the United Kingdom|devolution to England]] that gives powers similar to those of [[Scottish Parliament]] and to give the [[City region (United Kingdom)|city-regions]] greater fiscal devolution by 2025.<ref name="PSEx-devolutuiontimetable">{{cite web|url= http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/Public-Sector-News/core-cities-lay-out-devolution-timetable-for-england |title= Core Cities lay out devolution timetable for England |publisher= [[Public Sector Executive]] |date= 9 February 2015 |accessdate= 2 October 2018}}</ref> In 2016, Core Cities and [[Key Cities]], together representing 36 of the UK's largest cities, issued a joint statement calling for greater powers to deliver a more inclusive economy.<ref name="Key Cities and Core Cities speak with one voice at autumn statement">{{cite web|url=https://www.corecities.com/core-cities-and-key-cities-speak-one-voice-post-autumn-statement |title= Key Cities and Core Cities speak with one voice at autumn statement |publisher= [[Core Cities]] |date= 24 November 2016 |accessdate= 25 February 2021}}</ref> In 2020, the 11 councils of the CCG and the 32 [[London Boroughs]] within the [[London Councils]] group agreed to lobby for greater fiscal devolution, including "the right to introduce a [[Tourist tax|tourism tax]], borrow against future revenue and reforms to [[business rates]] and [[council tax]]."<ref name="FT-callfordevo">{{cite news |last1=Bounds |first1=Andy |last2=Thomas |first2=Daniel |title=UK's cities and councils call for fiscal devolution |url=https://www.ft.com/content/494d59bc-49cd-11ea-aeb3-955839e06441 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221211231205/https://www.ft.com/content/494d59bc-49cd-11ea-aeb3-955839e06441 |archive-date=11 December 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |accessdate=11 February 2020 |work=[[Financial Times]] |date=10 February 2020 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Hailstone |first1=Jamie |title=UK Shared Prosperity Fund 'may disadvantage Londoners' |url=https://newstartmag.co.uk/articles/uk-shared-prosperity-fund-may-disadvantage-londoners/ |accessdate=11 February 2020 |work=[[NewStart]] |date=10 February 2020}}</ref>

===Other issues===
An interest of the group is the [[High Speed 2]] project to interlink the larger British cities faster.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.corecities.com/news-events/press-releases/uk-cities-eight-core-cities-plus-cardiff-edinburgh-and-glasgow-leaders-an|title=UK's big cities support launch of HS2 consultation|publisher=corecities.com|accessdate=3 March 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130205125934/http://www.corecities.com/news-events/press-releases/uk-cities-eight-core-cities-plus-cardiff-edinburgh-and-glasgow-leaders-an|archive-date=5 February 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> Believing it will bring an economic advantage to the core cities.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Martin |first1=Dan |title=HS2 could allow direct hourly Leicester to Leeds trains |url=https://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/news/leicester-news/how-hs2-could-provide-direct-3295996 |accessdate=27 September 2019 |work=[[Leicester Mercury]] |date=9 September 2019}}</ref> In 2019, Judith Blake, chair of the Core Cities Group and leader of [[Leeds City Council]] wrote "HS2 is more than just a railway line, it will unlock future jobs, training and regeneration opportunities that will benefit many of our 20 million citizens. Core Cities UK believes HS2 is a game-changer for the Midlands and the north".<ref name="PBC-support HS2">{{cite web|url= https://www.pbctoday.co.uk/news/planning-construction-news/government-commitment-hs2/54648/ |title= Prime Minister reaffirms government commitment to HS2 |author= |publisher= [[Planning, BIM & Construction Today]] |date= 27 March 2019 |accessdate= 4 April 2019}}</ref>

The Core Cities Group has attempted to establish a dialogue with the European Union and the British government in the [[Brexit negotiations|negotiations to leave the European Union]], following the [[2016 EU referendum]]. The combined electorate of the ten core cities saw 56% vote for remain.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.theguardian.com/public-leaders-network/2018/jun/27/britain-mid-sized-cities-government-uk-prosperity |title= Britain is full of powerful mid-sized cities. Let's unlock their potential |author= Peter Box |work= [[The Guardian]] |date= 27 June 2018 |accessdate= 2 October 2018}}</ref> It was noted by Cardiff council leader Huw Thomas that EU investment out-weight the British Government's city deals.<ref name="BBC-Huw">{{cite web|url= https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-43090096 |title= Brexit: Cardiff leader presses Barnier for 'strong links' with EU |publisher= [[BBC News]] |date= 19 February 2018 |accessdate= 2 October 2018}}</ref> Because of this, the group has lobbied the government to maintain EU regeneration schemes in negotiations<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2018/feb/19/uk-cities-shut-out-of-brexit-discussions-say-leaders |title= UK cities shut out of Brexit discussions, say leaders |author= Jennifer Rankin |work= [[The Guardian]] |date= 19 February 2018 |accessdate= 2 October 2018}}</ref> The group has also met chief European negotiator [[Michel Barnier]].<ref name="BBC-Huw"/> In 2019, the leaders of the cities in the group sent a letter to Prime Minister May asking her to avoid a no-deal Brexit.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/politics/brexit-spring-statement-wales-politics-15966439 |title= Live updates as MPs reject no-deal Brexit by 312 to 308 votes |author= Ruth Mosalski |publisher= [[Wales Online]] |date= 13 March 2019 |accessdate= 4 April 2019}}</ref> The Core Cities Group cities were beneficiaries of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF), an investment program designed to maintain town and city investment after [[Brexit]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Vinter |first1=Robyn |title=Yorkshire hosts some of England's most deprived neighbourhoods |url=https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/people/yorkshire-hosts-some-of-england-s-most-deprived-neighbourhoods-1-10018883 |accessdate=27 September 2019 |work=[[Yorkshire Post]] |language=en}}</ref> The group criticised the government for the amount and asked that the fund be doubled to £4bn to lead to its work reaching £28bn by 2026.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Conrad |first1=Mark |title=LocalGov.co.uk - Your authority on UK local government - Core Cities' £28bn Shared Prosperity Fund warning |url=https://www.localgov.co.uk/Core-Cities-28bn-Shared-Prosperity-Fund-warning/48222 |accessdate=27 September 2019 |work=[[LocalGov]] |date=26 September 2019 |language=en}}</ref>

During the [[COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom]] the Core Cities Group advocated City Recovery Deals and a Cities Recovery Fund to facilitate good finances for cities following the pandemic and its [[COVID-19 lockdowns|subsequent lockdown]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Jameson |first1=Heather |title=Put localism at the heart of recovery, say city leaders |url=https://www.localgov.co.uk/Put-localism-at-the-heart-of-recovery-say-city-leaders/50447 |accessdate=2 September 2020 |work=Local Government Network |publisher=Hemming Information Services |date=11 May 2020 |language=en}}</ref> In May 2020, the CCG reported their councils had £1.5bn collectively and advocated financial support from the gov.<ref>{{cite news |last=Bounds |first=Andy |title=Liverpool's £241m Covid-19 deficit poses threat to local services |url=https://www.ft.com/content/82fff545-6aae-44ae-bdd6-b833f8723408 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221211231216/https://www.ft.com/content/82fff545-6aae-44ae-bdd6-b833f8723408 |archive-date=11 December 2022 |url-status=live |accessdate=4 October 2020 |newspaper=Financial Times |date=26 May 2020 |url-access=subscription }}</ref>

==Membership==
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! City 
! Country
! Local authority
! colspan=2 | Leader<br>(political affiliation)
! City population ({{UK subdivision statistics year}})<ref>{{UK subdivision statistics citation}}</ref>
! Urban area population
! Metro area population<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espon.eu/export/sites/default/Documents/Projects/ESPON2006Projects/StudiesScientificSupportProjects/UrbanFunctions/fr-1.4.3_April2007-final.pdf#page=119|title=British urban pattern: population data|accessdate=22 February 2010|date=March 2007|format=PDF|work=ESPON project 1.4.3 Study on Urban Functions|publisher=[[European Spatial Planning Observation Network]]|page=119|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924002318/http://www.espon.eu/export/sites/default/Documents/Projects/ESPON2006Projects/StudiesScientificSupportProjects/UrbanFunctions/fr-1.4.3_April2007-final.pdf#page=119|archivedate=24 September 2015|df=dmy-all}}</ref>
|-
| [[Belfast]]
| [[Northern Ireland]]
| [[Belfast City Council]]
| style="background:{{party color|Alliance Party of Northern Ireland}}"  | 
| Micky Murray
| {{UK subdivision population|GSS=N09000003}}
| -
| [[Belfast metropolitan area|799,000]]
|-
| [[Birmingham]]
| {{flagu|England}}
| [[Birmingham City Council]]
| style="background:{{party color|Labour Party (UK)}}"  | 
| Chamam Lal
| {{UK subdivision population|GSS=E08000025}}
|data-sort-value="2440986"| [[West Midlands conurbation|2,440,986]]
| 3,683,000
|-
| [[Bristol]]
| {{flagu|England}}
| [[Bristol City Council]]
| style="background:{{party color|Green Party of England and Wales}}"  | 
| Tony Dyer
| {{UK subdivision population|GSS=E06000023}}
|data-sort-value="617280"| [[Bristol Urban Area|617,280]]
| 1,041,000
|-
| [[Cardiff]]
| {{flagu|Wales}}
| [[Cardiff Council]]
| style="background:{{party color|Labour Party (UK)}}"  | 
| Huw Thomas 
| {{UK subdivision population|GSS=W06000015}}
|data-sort-value="447287"| [[Cardiff Urban Area|447,287]]
| 1,097,000
|-
| [[Edinburgh]]
| {{flagu|Scotland}}
| [[City of Edinburgh Council]]
| style="background:{{party color|Labour Party (UK)}}" |
| Jane Meagher
| {{UK subdivision population|GSS=S12000036}}
|
|
|-
| [[Glasgow]]
| {{flagu|Scotland}}
| [[Glasgow City Council]]
| style="background:{{party color|Scottish National Party}}"  | 
| [[Susan Aitken]]
| {{UK subdivision population|GSS=S12000049}}
|data-sort-value="1209143"| [[Greater Glasgow|1,209,143]]
| 1,395,000
|-
| [[Leeds]]
| {{flagu|England}}
| [[Leeds City Council]]
| style="background:{{party color|Labour Party (UK)}}"  | 
| James Lewis
| {{UK subdivision population|GSS=E08000035}}
|data-sort-value="1901934"| [[West Yorkshire Urban Area|1,901,934]]
| 2,302,000
|-
| [[Liverpool]]
| {{flagu|England}}
| [[Liverpool City Council]]
| style="background:{{party color|Labour Party (UK)}}"  | 
| [[Joanne Anderson]] 
| {{UK subdivision population|GSS=E08000012}}
|data-sort-value="864122"| [[Liverpool Urban Area|864,122]]
| 2,241,000
|-
| [[Manchester]]
| {{flagu|England}}
| [[Manchester City Council]]
| style="background:{{party color|Labour Party (UK)}}"  | 
| [[Bev Craig]]
| {{UK subdivision population|GSS=E08000003}}
|data-sort-value="2553379"| [[Greater Manchester Built-up Area|2,553,379]]
| 2,556,000
|- 
| [[Newcastle upon Tyne|Newcastle]]
| {{flagu|England}}
| [[Newcastle City Council]]
| style="background:{{party color|Labour Party (UK)}}"  | 
| Nick Kemp
| {{UK subdivision population|GSS=E08000021}}
|data-sort-value="774891"| [[Tyneside|774,891]]
| 1,599,000
|-
| [[Nottingham]]
| {{flagu|England}}
| [[Nottingham City Council]]
| style="background:{{party color|Labour Party (UK)}}"  | 
| David Mellen
| {{UK subdivision population|GSS=E06000018}}
|data-sort-value="729977"| [[Nottingham Urban Area|729,977]]
| 1,534,000	
|-
| [[Sheffield]]
| {{flagu|England}}
| [[Sheffield City Council]]
| style="background:{{party color|Labour Party (UK)}}"  | 
| Tom Hunt
| {{UK subdivision population|GSS=E08000019}}
|data-sort-value="685368"| [[Sheffield urban area|685,368]]
| 1,569,000
|}

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}

==External links==
* [http://www.corecities.com Official website]
* [http://www.eurocities.org Eurocities website]
{{Core Cities Group}}

[[Category:Economy of Birmingham, West Midlands]]
[[Category:Economy of Bristol]]
[[Category:Economy of Cardiff]]
[[Category:Economy of Glasgow]]
[[Category:Economy of Leeds]]
[[Category:Economy of Liverpool]]
[[Category:Economy of Manchester]]
[[Category:Economy of Sheffield]]
[[Category:Interested parties in planning in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Newcastle upon Tyne]]
[[Category:Nottingham]]
[[Category:Political advocacy groups in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:United Kingdom industrial planning policy]]