Cllr Vince Maple, Leader of Medway Council, has been elected as the new Chair of Key Cities, the national, cross-party network representing cities and urban centres across the UK.
The appointment took place at the organisation's Annual General Meeting held during this week’s Local Government Association Annual Conference in Bournemouth.
Cllr Maple succeeds Cllr John Merry, who is stepping down after more than six years in the role. During his tenure, Cllr Merry helped strengthen Key Cities, expanding its membership and influence, growing new relationships across government, parliament, industry and academia, and establishing the organisation as a trusted voice on the key issues facing urban communities. More than 70 per cent of the network’s manifesto priorities have been reflected in government policy commitments or are currently in progress.
Cllr Maple’s appointment comes at a pivotal time for local government, as councils across England prepare for further devolution, local government reorganisation and the delivery of the government’s economic growth and housing ambitions. As Chair, Cllr Maple will help shape Key Cities’ response to these reforms and the critical issues facing regional councils and residents.
Key Cities members are home to millions and contribute billions of pounds to the UK economy. Their cities are centres of innovation, manufacturing, education, culture and enterprise, connecting regions and supporting surrounding towns and communities.
As Chair, Cllr Maple will lead Key Cities’ engagement with government and national policymakers, building on the network’s reputation as a strategic partner bringing together local authorities, businesses, universities, health partners and communities to deliver practical solutions to shared challenges.
Successful local places
Cllr Vince Maple said: “It is a real honour to be elected Chair of Key Cities, and I want to begin by thanking Councillor John Merry for his outstanding leadership over the past six years and his unwavering commitment to ensuring that the voice of our cities is heard at the highest levels of government.
“We are entering one of the most significant periods of change local government has seen for decades. Devolution is still a work in progress. Local government reorganisation is still a work in progress. But our commitment to our places is not. That is constant.
“My priority as Chair will be to ensure that as Whitehall reforms local government and devolves more powers, success is judged not by structures or boundaries but by outcomes for residents. Whether by delivering more homes, supporting investment, revitalising town centres, reducing health inequalities or creating opportunities for young people, place must remain at the heart of policymaking.
“Key Cities has always championed a simple but powerful idea: that successful national policy begins with successful local places."
Strength to strength
Outgoing Chair Cllr John Merry said: “It has been a privilege to represent the network over the past six years. During my time, Key Cities has seen significant changes to its membership and to the political landscape more widely.
“Regardless of politics, Key Cities members have always been fighting for the same thing: the best outcomes for their cities and people. I believe that this will hold true as the network continues to act as a unified voice for cities in the years to come.
“I would also like to congratulate Cllr Vince Maple on his election and wish him every success in the role. Serving as Chair has been incredibly rewarding, and I am proud to have seen the network go from strength to strength, growing its influence and impact while championing regional cities as places of innovation and opportunity.”
Over the past year, Key Cities has strengthened its national profile through influential research and policy work, including its Turbocharging Housebuilding in Cities and Urban Areas report, its Rights to Place report on spatial justice, and ongoing research on pride in place. The network has also brought together members, policymakers and partners at major events including the Key Cities APPG and its annual Cities Forum.
Looking ahead, Key Cities will continue to champion place-based solutions to some of the country’s biggest challenges, including economic growth, housing delivery, environmental sustainability, devolution and tackling inequalities. Under Cllr Maple’s leadership, the network will continue to make the case that strong cities and strong local leadership are essential to delivering national priorities.