Core Cities
Unprecedented joint Spending Review bid floated
An unprecedented joint bid could be made to next year’s Spending Review by Core Cities, Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) and Homes England.
Tourism levy meeting call
Core Cities has called for a meeting with new culture secretary Nicky Morgan and her ministers to discuss the idea of a hotel room levy.
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.
Making cities emotionally intelligent places
Europe’s first ‘urban psychology’ summit looked at how we might make cities that better help people develop from pre-birth onwards. Chris Murray outlines the key points from the agenda-setting event.
Business rates relief control call
District councils have called for full control over the business rates relief that is awarded in their area amid claims that it is ‘unnecessarily generous’.
Delivering on the cities challenge
Cities face the huge task of boosting their economies and creating places where all can thrive post-Brexit. Chief executives from some of the UK’s largest cities joined a round table debate with PwC and Core Cities to discuss progress.
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.
Travelling on the long road to improvement
After the big developments of the past week – with the improvement team finishing its intervention and a stern report warning of the work still to be done to stabilise Birmingham’s finances, Heather Jameson talks to chief executive Dawn Baxendale
EXCLUSIVE: Brexit impact unit moves into its response phase
The Government unit charged with collecting information about how councils are dealing with the impact of Brexit has moved from the preparedness to response phase.
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
Why it is time for a fair deal for everyone
The system is broken for everyone and we need to stop wasting valuable time and effort arguing with others about who has been hit hardest by austerity, argues vice chair of Core Cities Cllr Jon Collins
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
Councils warn of no deal Brexit risks
A no deal Brexit would leave councils struggling with new checks on EU imports and without access to billions of pounds, Smith Square has warned.
Local transport bodies need greater freedoms
Local economies suffer due to transport disruption. Cllr Judith Blake explains what cities need if they are to take control of their local networks.
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.
Deprivation key to fair funding - Core Cities
Student numbers, deprivation, density and pollution should all be recognised by the Government when it draws up new spending formulas, the Core Cities have argued.
Timetable will plunge sector into 'crisis management'
Local government would be thrown into a period of ‘crisis management’ under the Government’s current fair funding timetable, Whitehall has been warned.
Over-85 numbers must be in new formula - CCN
County councils have said it is ‘crucial’ that the new funding formula is able to reflect the growing number of over-85s.