Leicestershire County Council said it has agreed to pursue a level two devolution deal after failing to reach agreement with Leicester City and Rutland County councils on a directly elected mayor.
Leicestershire CC leader Nicholas Rushton said: ‘As I’ve been told by all the Conservative MPs in Leicestershire, plus the odd Labour MP in conversation: get your foot in the door.
‘If we’re not in the door with some sort of devolution deal we’ll never get anything anyway.
‘Although it’s described as thin gruel, in my view it’s better than no gruel at all and at least we’ve made a start.’
Rutland council leader Gale Waller said: 'The Government has been clear that there is no option to adapt or vary the rigid devolution framework set out in its Levelling Up White Paper.
'Having considered the limited options available to us, our three authorities have agreed to continue discussions with Government officials around the possible benefits of level two devolution.
'There has been no commitment or agreement to enter a devolution deal at this stage.'
