COUNCILS in Sussex have applied for greater local government powers.

Both Greater Brighton and Three Southern Counties (3SC) have submitted bids to receive greater devolved powers from central government ahead of yesterday's deadline for preliminary submissions.

Greater Brighton is made up of Lewes, Worthing, Adur, Mid Sussex councils while 3SC is made up of East Sussex, West Sussex and Surrey.

Greater Brighton partners Lewes, Worthing, Adur, Mid Sussex councils are also included in the 3SC – a complication which could count against their bids when compared to 25 other proposals from around the country.

But both groups said there were enough "shared interests" to work together should both bids be successful.

The authorities leading the bids hope to be given more powers over the building of new road and rail links including a second Brighton to London rail line, increased controls over house building and new enterprise zones for high-tech businesses.

The Local Government Association hopes that £60 billion of government spending could be devolved locally within the next five years as councils put forward their proposals to Whitehall yesterday. [Friday]

It wants more funds for bus services, roadworks, broadband connections, flood defences, unemployment benefits, apprenticeships schemes and major infrastructure projects to be put in local councils’ hands.

Both Sussex bidders say they have worked closely with the other project leaders with a formal agreement between the two currently being drawn up.

A Brighton and Hove City Council spokeswoman said: “The submission is the first stage of a long process of negotiation and discussions with colleagues in government and partner organisations.

“Should both bids be successful, we are confident that there are sufficient shared interests in both proposals to ensure we get a deal that delivers the best possible outcome for our residents and businesses.”

The partners in 3SC aim to take greater control over their road and rail network, provide confidence in housing delivery, pioneer new digital technology and launch University Enterprise Zones to support high-tech businesses.

A devolution prospectus submitted to local government minister Greg Clark yesterday has been drawn up in partnership with 44 organisations including 23 district and borough councils, three local enterprise partnerships, 12 clinical commissioning groups, two police forces, the South Downs National Park and East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service.

In a joint statement, county council leaders Louise Goldsmith, David Hodge and Keith Glazier said: “This is the first step in a journey to deliver the powers we need to create jobs, transform our public services and improve our road and rail network for our communities.

“It is an opportunity to build on our significant strengths to fulfil the potential of East and West Sussex and Surrey for the benefit of our residents and the rest of the country.”