Five south London boroughs are to form a joint committee to help drive economic growth and lobby the government for the devolution of extra powers and responsibilities.

The South London Partnership, made up of Croydon, Kingston, Merton, Richmond and Sutton, is proposing a new committee to strengthen its case for the devolution of power. Under the proposals, the boroughs will work together on issues affecting economic growth such as the delegation of funds from the Mayor of London.

Cllr Tony Newman, leader of Croydon council, said: ‘To respond to the government’s growth agenda, it is vital that we work together with our neighbouring boroughs to ensure that we are in a strong collective position to benefit from any devolution of power and to enable us to compete with other areas of London.

‘There is a strong case for working together while there is a need to improve public services in an increasingly difficult financial climate.’