West Sussex CC leader Cllr Louise Goldsmith has called on ministers to devolve further powers and fiscal freedoms to counties in the south east to drive forward the country’s third largest economy.

Cllr Goldsmith told today’s meeting full council at West Sussex that the county would work with other south east councils, who are part of the SE7 group, to put the case for greater devolution and public service reform.

Research commissioned by West Sussex, in a report entitled ‘Costs of success’ indicated that the seven councils in the south east generated £133bn GVA in 2012 and the area had more active businesses than Scotland and the Greater Manchester Combined Authority combined.