THE leader of Worcestershire County Council has issued a rallying call over devolution from central Government - saying the time has come for a "fair deal".

Councillor Adrian Hardman says Britain's great counties like Worcestershire should lead the way in returning the UK back to full economic health.

The Conservative says he is becoming increasingly concerned that the nation's "core cities" are leading the debate on devolved powers from Whitehall, when all the economic evidence suggests counties should take on that mantle.

He said: "It is quite clear to me that after the Scottish referendum debate, England is going to get further devolution.

"I have been increasingly concerned about the way our core cities seem to be leading the way on this.

"We cannot make this message enough times, that we expect a fair devolution of powers across the country.

"Counties make up 86 per cent of the land mass across the UK and 54 per cent of the GDP, and we have a strong track record of delivering.

"I enthusiastically endorse the principle of 'one budget, one place' because what we must do is keep lobbying to make sure this involves counties equally, across the UK."

His comments were made during a full council meeting, where a motion was passed calling for a "radical English devolution settlement" to the counties.

It was backed despite the Labour group abstaining after its attempts to get the motion re-worded failed.

Labour wanted it to include a request for new transport authority to be set up, controlling regional bus and rail.

Labour Councillor Pat Agar said: "A thriving local economy is characterised by thriving local transport."

Councillor Peter McDonald, Labour group leader, said: "Since 2010 there has been 1,300 cuts to bus routes outside of London and fares have gone up 25 per cent.

"Buses are a lifeline for many, they also cut congestion and get people to work."

Tory councillors insisted it would confuse the motion, with Cllr Hardman saying talks are underway over some kind of transport authority in the core West Midlands between the Black Country and Birmingham and he wanted to see how that went first.

"I do think, further down the line (setting up a transport authority) is something we'd want to consider," he said.

The Conservatives, UKIP, independents, Lib Dems and Green Party all voted the motion through.

As your Worcester News revealed last week, Cllr Hardman says the council will not be part of the emerging Greater Birmingham set up.

He said he would not be part of a "dictatorship ran from Birmingham".