1 - Leeds: Power through Partnerships Context Over the last decade Leeds council has been steadfastly building ever stronger partnerships with the other

A new footbridge, new cycleways and pedestrian routes will connect residents to the city centre, Leeds railway station, the new park and other green spaces around the city centre, providing much better access for the area’s deprived communities to city centre jobs and education. [...] Fostering innovation and entrepreneurialism is another priority As Eve Roodhouse, the council’s chief officer culture and economy explains, the council and its partners, have been: “Backing innovators and entrepreneurs, creating the right conditions for people to become entrepreneurs, to contribute to building a strong economy and a compassionate city”. [...] But council leader James Lewis wants to ensure that it is: “not just a digital city, but a digitally inclusive city, where everyone can benefit from the opportu- nities that the digital revolution is bringing.”2 Who’s involved Leaders across the city have devoted a huge amount of energy and time to building a range of strong partnerships between the council, the key anchor institutions, the busine. [...] It!s not just the council that!s saying this is our vision.” Ms Bolam stresses the need to ensure organisations are committed to collaborative working, not just a handful of people at the top: “You have to get the buy in from the leadership at the top. [...] Members, staff, stakeholders and partners speak of their enthusiasm of working in and with the council for the benefit of the city, the region and beyond.” The city’s upbeat and ambitious approach is bearing fruit, with major institutions like Channel Four, the UK Infrastructure Bank, and the new British Library North being attracted to base themselves in Leeds.