A BID for extra powers for local councils to build thousands of new homes, improve internet connections and speed up transport links will be put before Government officials in the upcoming months.

Greater Brighton members are hoping to press their case for more powers with with council leaders told the ball was in their court in setting the timetable for change.

But the region will have to wait its turn with areas with elected mayors given first preference in the Government’s overhaul of regional powers.

And further concerns have been raised over the risk of confusion and duplication with the rival Three Southern Counties bid which shares four member councils with Greater Brighton.

The Greater Brighton bid was submitted in September and includes proposals for greater local powers to deliver 22,500 new homes over the next decade and 500,000 square metres of employment space.

The plans request additional powers making it easier to develop land owned by councils and to request changes to existing housing funding arrangements.

The bid also calls for short and long-term improvements to train links to the region and proposes increased investment to deliver ultrafast internet speeds to city and town centres and superfast broadband to rural businesses.

Cllr Geoffrey Theobald, Conservative group leader on Brighton and Hove City Council, said a second Brighton Main Line was vital to the city in bringing down visitors to the i360 viewing tower set to open this summer and the proposed 10,000 capacity events venue at Black Rock.

Brighton and Hove City Council executive director Nick Hibberd told the most recent meeting of the Greater Brighton Economic Board this week: “The ball is in our court when we are ready for future discussion.

“Within the coming months, we will write to Government officials.”

Ongoing concerns over the overlapping 3SC bid and the risks that it could undermine the success of both bids were raised by members.

Brighton and Hove City Council leader Warren Morgan urged 3SC to be more transparent with its information and findings while Greater Brighton board leader Neil Parkin said he would write to his counterpart at 3SC calling for more joined up working.

Cllr Andy Smith, Lewes District Council leader, said that 3SC was the “elephant in the room” with four members of Greater Brighton also on the 3SC bid team.

He said it was important to understand where the overlaps are between the two bids and ensure that the two bids were “talking and working together”.

Councillor Garry Wall, Mid Sussex District Council leader, said: “I want to assure the wider public that we are making sure that resources and taxpayers’ money are being used as shrewdly as possible, duplication is not something I’m in favour of.”