Policy paper

Leaders Council second meeting on 16 December 2024

Published 13 January 2025

Applies to England

© Crown copyright 2025

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The Leaders Council convened their second meeting on 16 December 2024 in London.

In attendance from the government:

  • Jim McMahon OBE MP, Deputy Chair, Minister of State for Devolution and Local Government
  • Baroness (Sharon) Taylor of Stevenage OBE, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Lords Minister for Housing and Local Government
  • Rushanara Ali MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Homelessness and Rough Sleeping
  • Georgia Gould OBE MP, Parliamentary Secretary for the Cabinet Office
  • Dame Angela Eagle DBE MP, Minister of State for Border Security and Asylum

In attendance from local government were:

  • Cllr Louise Gittins, Cheshire West and Chester Council, LGA Chair
  • Cllr Bev Craig, Manchester City Council, LGA Vice-Chair and Labour Group Leader
  • Cllr Kevin Bentley, Essex County Council, LGA Vice-Chair and Conservative Group Leader
  • Cllr Joe Harris, Cotswold District Council, LGA Vice-Chair and Liberal Democrat Group Leader
  • Cllr Marianne Overton MBE, Lincolnshire County Council, LGA Vice-Chair and Independent Group Leader
  • Cllr Graham Chapman, Nottingham City Council, Vice-Chair, Special Interest Group of Municipal Authorities
  • Cllr Tom Hunt, Sheffield City Council, Leader of Sheffield City Council
  • 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

​Council members discussed the English Devolution White Paper published on that day and the Local Government Finance Settlement. Minister Eagle and Minister Ali joined for a discussion on the related challenges of homelessness, resettlement and asylum accommodation. Minister Gould introduced her work on Public Service Reform and the opportunities this will bring for local government.

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