Council chiefs are to work closely with universities to help re-design public services in six pilot areas.

The Leading Places Project, a partnership between the Local Government Association (LGA) and the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE), aims to strengthen the relationship between communities and academic institutions.

It will be rolled out in Gloucestershire, Manchester, Newcastle and Gateshead, Brighton and Sussex, Bristol, and Coventry and Warwickshire.

Chairman of the LGA's people and places board, Cllr Mark Hawthorne, who is also leader of Gloucestershire CC, said: ‘Co-operation with universities will give councils access to greater expertise and research opportunities.

‘This is about applying local knowledge to solve problems, as well as putting universities at the heart of creating local growth opportunities, innovation and skills.'

HEFCE chief executive, Professor Madeleine Atkins, added: ‘The Cities and Local Government Devolution Act opens up new forms of investment funding and new opportunities to tackle the issues which affect people's lives.'