Kent and Essex bid for quango powers

Under plans submitted to the Local Government Association, Essex County Council and Kent County Council propose to use the Sustainable Communities Act 2007 to take back powers from a range of government agencies, including the Homes & Communities Agency, the Highways Agency and the South-East and East of England regional development agencies.

Essex County Council has also made a bid to gain control from the Department for Work and Pensions over powers to tailor jobs programmes to its area's needs as well as to set the eligibility criteria and payment rates for all working age benefits.

Essex County Council leader and Tory councillor Lord Hanningfield said the bid was about taking back control of services that have a major impact on local people's wellbeing. He said that "crude, nationally set policies" do not suit the county's diverse economy.

The plans are part of 300 proposals submitted to the Local Government Association under the Sustainable Communities Act, which provides a framework for councils to put forward ideas to improve the quality of life in their local areas.