Community Britain: Co-operative Party Local Government Conference 2025

Leeds, Saturday 21 June

Real change starts when communities have power – and Co-operative Councillors are making it happen.

Across the country, Labour & Co-operative councillors are giving people a voice and a stake in the decisions that shape their lives – rebuilding trust and transforming the relationship between councils and communities.

On Saturday 21st June, join us in central Leeds for the Co-operative Party’s Local Government Conference 2025. Inspired by our Community Britain campaign, this year’s conference will highlight the role communities are already playing in solving our nation’s most pressing challenges.

With keynote speeches, panel discussions and hands-on workshops, this is your chance to connect with others who believe politics works best when it’s rooted in people and place. Together, we’ll explore how to reclaim communities as a serious political and economic force – delivering real change from the ground up.

Programme

11.00 Introduction:

Cllr Abigail Marshall Katung, Leeds City Council and NEC Rep North, Co-op Party

11.05 Civic Welcome:

Cllr James Lewis, Leader, Leeds City Council

11.15 Keynote address:

Jim McMahon MP, Minster of State for Local Government and English Devolution and Chair, Co-operative Party

11.30 Co-operative Action in Local Government panel discussion, speakers include:

Jim McMahon MP, Minster of State for Local Government and English Devolution and Chair, Co-operative Party
Emily Spurrell, Merseyside Police & Crime Commissioner
Mayor Caroline Woodley, Hackney Council

12.15 Growing an Inclusive Co-operative Economy, with:

Jessica Craig, Policy Manager, Power to Change
Cllr Glyn Jones, Deputy Mayor, City of Doncaster Council
Rosie Lockwood, Head of Media & Advocacy, IPPR North & Scotland
Praful Nagund, Good Growth Foundation

13.00 Lunch (provided) with thanks to Yorkshire & Humber Co-operative Party

13.15 Fringe programme in association with: Causeway Creative and LLGCC. Choose from either:

Using AI in Campaigns, with Arzoo Singh, Causeway Creative
Cllr Training: Resisting Reactionary Politics Locally, with Cllr Tom Jennings, Warrington Council & Andy Twelves, political commentator and TV pundit
Community Champions Training, with Labour Local Government Campaigns Co-operative

14.00 Keynote address:

Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire

14.15 Community Britain: the Opportunities, speakers include:

Cllr Titus Ajayi, Kingsthorpe Parish Council (Northants)
Ben Glover, Independent Commission on Neighbourhoods (ICON)
Cllr Arooj Shah, Labour & Co-operative Leader, Oldham Council

15.00 Community Britain: the Solutions, speakers include:

Cllr Francesca Brennan, Inverclyde Council
Annoushka Deighton, Friends of Stretford Hall and representative of the We’re Right Here campaign
Mayor Rokhsana Fiaz, Newham Council
Josh Westerling, Power to Change

15.45 Launch: Community Britain: Community Champions Councillor Training , from

Labour Local Government Campaigns Co-operative

16.00 Networking event in association with Causeway Creative

Attendees are invited to stay with us for a drink or two as we network and share ideas with colleagues following the conclusion of the event’s programme

Event information

Venue

The venue is centrally located in Leeds, approx 5 mins walk from Leeds train station. Exact venue information will be provided 24-hours in advance. Please bring photo ID to gain admittance.

Getting here

Car parking is available on-site at the venue – subject to availability (there are 62 spaces). Cost: 0-3 Hours £8; 3-6 hours £10; 6-9 Hours £12. If the car park is full, it is 2 mins walk to a Q-Park.

There are 2 designated Blue Badge bays. Please contact events@party.coop arrange these in advance.

Catering

Your registration fee covers light refreshments and a buffet sandwich lunch, with options for vegetarians, vegans and those with gluten-free diets. Please advise events@party.coop if you have any other special dietary requirements or allergies by 14-June and we will do our best to accommodate you.

With thanks to our sponsors

Contents