29 July 2012 Last updated at 08:52 ET

East Midlands Councils' new boss vows to revive economy

Mr Hill is also the leader of Lincolnshire County Council

The new chairman of East Midlands Councils has said his first priority is to help revive the region's economy.

Councillor Martin Hill, who took up his role on Wednesday, is responsible for lobbying the government on behalf of the East Midlands.

He said one of the major successes of the cross-party group had been helping to secure the upgrade of the Midland Main Line.

The former farmer from Lincolnshire is also the leader of its county council.

Mr Hill said: "I am very much looking forward to working to support local authorities in the region to deliver better services for communities.

"In particular, I want to reach out to the cities, as drivers of economic growth, and work harder to re-engage the districts as our grass-roots champions of localism.

"It's about everybody singing from the same hymn sheet regardless of party politics."

East Midlands Councils was set up in April 2010.