Policy paper

Leaders Council fourth meeting on 21 July 2025

Published 24 July 2025

Applies to England

© Crown copyright 2025

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The Leaders Council convened their fourth meeting on 21 July 2025, chaired by the Deputy Prime Minister and Cllr Louise Gittins in London.

In attendance from the government:

  • Rt Hon Angela Rayner MP, Deputy Prime Minister and Secretary of State for Housing Communities and Local Government
  • Jim McMahon OBE MP, Deputy Chair, Minister of State for Local Government and English Devolution
  • Baroness (Sharon) Taylor of Stevenage OBE, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Housing and Local Government
  • Stephen Kinnock MP, Minister of State for Care

In attendance from local government:

  • Cllr Louise Gittins, Cheshire West and Chester Council, Local Government Association (LGA) Chair
  • Cllr Kevin Bentley, Essex County Council, LGA Vice-Chair and Conservative Group Leader
  • Cllr Peter Marland, Milton Keynes City Council, LGA Labour Group
  • Cllr Joe Harris, Gloucestershire County Council, LGA Vice-Chair and Liberal Democrat Group Leader
  • Cllr Stephen Atkinson, Lancashire County Council, LGA Vice-Chair and Reform UK Group Leader
  • Cllr Hannah Dalton, Epsom and Ewell District Council, LGA Vice-Chair and Independent Group Leader
  • Cllr Bella Sankey, Brighton and Hove City Council, Deputy Chair LGA Board
  • Cllr Sir Stephen Houghton, Barnsley Council, Chair Special Interest Group of Municipal Authorities
  • Cllr James Lewis, Leeds City Council, Chair, Core Cities
  • Cllr John Merry CBE, Salford City Council, Chair, Key Cities
  • Cllr Claire Holland, Lambeth Council, Chair, London Councils
  • Cllr Tim Oliver OBE, Surrey County Council, Chair, County Councils Network
  • Cllr Sam Chapman-Allen, Breckland Council, Chair, District Councils’ Network

The Deputy Prime Minister congratulated Cllr Gittins and the Local Government Association on their conference earlier in July and members shared brief reflections on the Deputy Prime Minister’s conference speech.

The Minister of State for Care led a substantive item on the 10 Year Health Plan for England published on 3 July. Members emphasised the importance of local partners working together to deliver on the plan and shared positive examples where councils are already working effectively with health partners.

Finally, the Minister of State for Local Government and English Devolution heard feedback from members on the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill published on 10 July.

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