Policy paper

Leaders Council third meeting on 4 March 2025

Published 12 May 2025

Applies to England

© Crown copyright 2025

This publication is licensed under the terms of the Open Government Licence v3.0 except where otherwise stated. To view this licence, visit nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3 or write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gov.uk.

Where we have identified any third party copyright information you will need to obtain permission from the copyright holders concerned.

This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/leaders-council-third-meeting-on-4-march-2025/leaders-council-third-meeting-on-4-march-2025

The Leaders Council convened their third meeting on 4 March 2025, hosted by Essex County Council in Chelmsford.

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 for Housing and Local Government
  • Stephen Morgan MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Early Education

In attendance from local government were:

  • Cllr Louise Gittins, Cheshire West and Chester Council, LGA Chair
  • Cllr Kevin Bentley, Essex County Council, LGA Vice-Chair and Conservative Group Leader
  • Cllr Bev Craig, Manchester City Council, LGA Vice-Chair and Labour 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 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

Leaders Council members were joined by the Minister for Early Education to discuss giving children the best start in life and how central and local government can work together to achieve the milestone of 75% of children aged five achieving a good level of development (measured through the Early Years Foundation Stage assessment) by 2028 set out in the Prime Minister’s Plan for Change. The Leaders Council also responded to proposals related to the establishing a robust post-16 education and skills system that drives economic growth and breaks down the barriers to opportunity. Finally, ministers and leaders reflected on practical elements of delivering devolution and local government reorganisation set out in the English Devolution White Paper.

Back to top