Key Cities top UK rankings for fastest-growing online presence
View the full rankings and download the report here. Key Cities members account for the majority of the UK’s ten fastest-growing cities for online presence, as a wave of governance reform and the rise of AI reshape how people discover places, according to new analysis from consultancy ING. The annual UK’s Most Talked About Cities ranking measures […]
Secure your place at the Cities Forum 2026!
This year’s event will take place on Thursday 11 June in the historic city of Bath. This free-to-attend event, hosted by Bath & North East Somerset Council, is the perfect opportunity to engage with representatives from national government, local leaders, and private-sector delegates. Discussions will focus on the challenges facing our cities, particularly how public-private […]
Cllr Alex Winning
Cllr Alex Winning is the Leader of Southampton City Council and Ward Councillor for Shirley. He is a dedicated and forward-thinking councillor committed to serving his community with integrity and vision. With a strong focus on local engagement, sustainable development, and inclusive policy-making, Alex works closely with residents, stakeholders, and fellow council members to drive […]
Social Care Tops the Agenda in Second Annual Leaders’ Survey
Local government leaders from cities outside of London have warned that councils will be forced to raise council tax to cover the spiralling costs of adult and children’s social care, including SEND, while rising homelessness and a lack of temporary accommodation continue to push local budgets to breaking point. The findings come from the second […]
Cities Forum 2025
As the voice of urban UK, Key Cities is bringing together city leaders, officers, public bodies, investors, developers, and consultants to explore new ways of partnering to deliver more homes, meet net zero targets, and revive the UK economy. In 2024, Key Cities released a manifesto for Government, in response to the most pressing challenges […]
Cllr Michael Mordey
Council Leaders’ survey
Key Cities’ Leaders’ Survey finds that despite new optimism, leaders across the UK need more power and resources to stabilise local government. City leaders from across the country will be prioritising service redesign and using financial reserves to combat the ongoing financial crisis in municipal government. The findings have been revealed by Key Cities, a […]
Key Cities Manifesto launch
In the manifesto we call for a fair funding approach from the next government and outline our vision to improve local government services for our communities. Hear more from Local Government Minister Simon Hoare MP, our Key Cities APPG Co-chair Rebecca Long Bailey MP, and Deputy Chair of Key Cities Cllr Jane Mudd who spoke […]
Manifesto calls for fundamental reset of local government
Key Cities – the national network representing 27 urban centres across the UK and 10% of the population – has today published a manifesto demanding the next government commits to a new fair funding outcome, with £4bn funding immediately distributed to local authorities. In the context of a council funding and resourcing crisis, Key Cities […]
Key Cities Manifesto 2024
In this manifesto from 27 Key Cities, representing city leaders from all political parties and from all regions of the country, we set this plea for change in context with policy recommendations that address the most pressing issues our cities face across the country. They are based on the knowledge and experience of our network, […]
