More power to control public services should be granted to local government, according to the leader of Barking and Dagenham council.

Rising demand for services within the borough and austerity cuts driven through by central government could be tackled more effectively if control of services was distributed in a different way, Cllr Darren Rodwell has suggested.

His comments come as yesterday’s Autumn statement announced that greater devolution will be granted to northern cities.

“To make sure that our residents continue to receive the kind of services they want, we are working through London Councils and with the Mayor of London to press for more control over the way public services are delivered in the capital,” Cllr Rodwell said.

“Greater devolution would enable the capital to grow sustainably while making sure that Londoners have the housing, jobs, growth and education they deserve despite challenging times ahead.”

He noted that as the reduction in core funding continues to bite there has been a significant growth in demand for services such as children’s social care and school places.

London Councils, which represents all 32 boroughs and the City of London, has called for devolution and reform of responsbilities in a number of areas including employment support, housing and health.