Buckinghamshire County Council has joined two other local authorities to lobby Government for more control over services.

County leader, Martin Tett, took to the winners’ podium at Silverstone this morning, along with leaders of Oxfordshire and Northamptonshire councils, to announce the historic partnership.

The trio “alliance” will call on Government for new powers to be devolved to them in order to boost the counties’ economies.

Councillor Tett said: “Rural non-city locations can punch with huge economic impact, so it's absolutely right that we combine our voice locally so we can compete with other city areas across the UK.

“To do this we need proper and effective devolution of powers, responsibilities and resources from Government.

“I'm particularly excited about the opportunities for the whole of Buckinghamshire, the economic gain from East-West rail and the potential of a new Oxford-Cambridge expressway road.

“The benefits could bring billions more to our three economies, which is great news for the future.”

The three council leaders signed an offer, called ‘a shared approach to driving prosperity’, to Government to increase economic growth across the counties.

The councils are looking to form a “combined authority” and will be aiming to enhance their powers over bus services, transport and other key infrastructure.