Title: Leader of the Council
Party: Labour
Political grouping: Labour
Cllr James Lewis has been Leader of Leeds City Council since February 2021, having previously been Deputy Leader of the Council since May 2015. In May 2021, the newly elected Mayor of West Yorkshire Tracy Brabin, also appointed Cllr Lewis as the Deputy Mayor of West Yorkshire.
Cllr Lewis has responsibility in Leeds for devolution and local freedoms as well as leading the Council’s budget and strategic planning matched to the needs of the citizens and communities in its area and ensuring the delivery of strategic priorities.
Cllr Lewis was first elected as a Labour Councillor to represent the Barwick and Kippax ward, now the Kippax and Methley ward, in 2003. He has held numerous positions during his time as a Councillor, including being the Chair of Metro (West Yorkshire’s Integrated Transport Authority) between 2011 and 2015.