Key Cities

Key Cities launches 'Turbocharging Housebuilding in Cities and Urban Areas' report. It reveals viability as the biggest barrier to urban areas, with recommendations to help deliver homes that meet the community's needs. Full report: keycities.uk/2025/09/23/tur…

Councillor John Merry's letter to @guardian highlights a truth that local authorities have been voicing for years: the national care service will falter unless ministers stabilise the local systems that underpin it. Read the full article here: theguardian.com/society/2026/m…

@SouthamptonCC has recorded a 30% drop in nitrogen dioxide caused by vehicle emissions. The reduction follows targeted action over recent years, investing £6m in new cycling infrastructure, retrofitting buses, and other environmental initiatives. dailyecho.co.uk/news/25943447.…

The nine long-listed places for the City of Culture 2029 include both @portsmouthtoday and @wrexhamcbc. Both cities will now outline what makes their city unique in a bid to secure the £10m funding. gov.uk/government/new…

Construction for @SunderlandUK Crown Works Film Studios is set to start this summer. North East mayor Kim McGuinnes confirmed £38.5m of new funding earlier this week for the first stage of development. sunderlandecho.com/news/people/ma…

@NewportCouncil is the third local authority in Wales to expand free childcare to 2 year-olds with Welsh Government funding. From April, parents & carers can claim up to 12.5 hours of free childcare each week under Flying Start, the early years programme. shorturl.at/2JvN1

@Hullccnews has asked locals to partake in @KeepBritainTidy's Great British Spring Clean campaign. Cllr Charles Quinn, portfolio holder for environment, said: “Tackling litter is everyone’s responsibility, & together we can create a cleaner & safer city.” shorturl.at/lG7bw

@medway_council, Uni of Kent & Greenwich & MP's met, organised by Naushabah Khan MP, to discuss supporting the creative sector. She said, "I'm looking forward to working collaboratively with Medway, creative organisations & investors to unleash potential". premium.kentonline.co.uk/medway/news/we…

@BCPCouncil has published its new 10-year plan to deliver better-quality, accessible and self-contained homes that advocate for independence. Cllr Kieron Wilson said, "A safe and supportive home is where a good life begins". bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/25894580.…

Preston has signed a contract to upgrade it's Town Hall's solar panels, which will provide energy to power more than 1k office computers for a year and will help the council to reduce carbon emissions by 9.1 tonnes a year. lep.co.uk/news/major-ste…

Councillor John Merry, Chair of Key Cities took part in @TheDeveloperUK's Social Impact webinar alongside We Made That's Holly Lewis, building on the work behind the new Right to Place report by We Made That and Key Cities. Read the full report here: cdn.sanity.io/files/qtd9n6q4…

@ExeterCouncil will write off a £200m SEND deficit. Steeve Race MP welcomed the move saying it will give the council greater financial stability in SEND to focus resources. torbayweekly.co.uk/news/around-de…

@bradfordmdc has announced a new arts college inspired by London's BRIT School will open in West Yorkshire for 500 pupils in 2028. The free-to-attend college will be spearheaded by BPI, the trade body for the UK's recorded music industry. bbc.co.uk/news/articles/…

@SalfordCouncil will undergo a £525m programme to modernise wastewater assets across the city over the next five years. This forms part of United Utilities' £13bn Big North West Upgrade. constructionenquirer.com/2026/02/12/sal…

79 finalists have been shortlisted for @NewportCouncil's Business Awards this year. Cllr Dimitri Batrouni said, "We have many excellent businesses in the city, many of whom are sector leading, which is why we are proud to support this inaugural event". businessnewswales.com/shortlist-anno…

Key Cities took part in @HomesEngland's recent Thinking Thursday session, sharing insights on the network's latest housing research, Turbocharging Housebuilding in Cities and Urban Areas, as well as ways in which cities and the private sector can partner. keycities.uk/wp-content/upl…

Councillor John Merry, Chair of Key Cities was joined by members @vincemaple, @medway_council and @CouncillorTudor, @plymouthcc at 10 Downing Street for a historic Labour Local Government leaders reception. Councillor Maple opened the evening alongside @bevcraig OBE.

@Hullccnews is on the hunt for a lead development partner for its city centre regeneration at the Albion Square site. At its core, the project will transform a vacant plot into a premium mixed-use, residential-focused scheme. business-live.co.uk/economic-devel…

The @LGAcomms progress review for @SouthamptonCC will see the adoption of a new corporate plan, the 2025 City Plan and a new Deputy Chief Executive to drive innovation for the area. The report praised the clear vision for Southampton. dailyecho.co.uk/news/25785101.…

@GloucesterCity is creating a six-month cultural programme to mark its 2027 bicentenary worth £1.2m. Gloucester 200 will largely be funded by Arts Council England, National Lottery Heritage Fund, trusts, foundations, as well as the local council. punchline-gloucester.com/articles/aanew…

The 2027 men's tour de France will run through Lancashire next year and could generate £15m for the local economy. Thousands of visitors boosting local business and a significant lift for hospitality is an opportunity for the area says, @LancasterCC. lancs.live/news/lancashir…