Council chiefs in Leicestershire are scheduled to meet for talks aimed at creating a Combined Authority.

The seven district and borough councils within the county are due to meet next month to discuss proposals that could see a regional tie-up involving Leicestershire CC and Leicester City Council – which is run by directly-elected mayor Sir Peter Soulsby.

This move predates chancellor George Osborne's promise to deliver radical devolution deals to city regions which agree to directly-elected mayors.