Greenwich Council has joined a conference with eight London boroughs north of the river calling for devolved powers.

Leaders from the nine boroughs, including the troubled Tower Hamlets Council, Havering and Enfield, are meeting in Stratford today (February 13) to look at devolving powers over areas housing, employment, transport and business growth.

Greenwich - which would seem to have more natural links with south east London boroughs like Lewisham - is the only local authority south of the river to take part.

The nine boroughs put out a joint statement on the conference this week.

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They argue that, with a combined population of 2.5 million, devolution would help unlock the area's growth.

Greennwich Council leader Councillor Denise Hyland said: "The Royal Borough of Greenwich is one of a growing number of councils that is calling for more powers to be devolved to a local level so we can better meet the needs of our local residents.

"Other parts of the country have benefited from being allowed to have a greater say in their own affairs and these discussions will explore ways in which we could work with other London boroughs to make even more local decisions that affect local people.

"The nine boroughs involved in the discussions have a combined population of more than 2.5 million and we are at the heart of London’s growth.

"We believe we can work more closely together to achieve the huge potential that exists in this part of London for the good of our residents, as well as for the Capital and the UK as a whole.”