Combined authority warmly received – despite misgivings over its name

THE newly founded West Midlands Combined Authority has launched a statement of intent.

And it has received the backing of politicians and business leaders, even those who said it should have Birmingham in its name.

The West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) says it has plans to become an economic powerhouse and attract investment, increase productivity and create thousands of jobs for the region.

The WMCA will see Birmingham, Coventry, Dudley, Sandwell, Solihull, Walsall and Wolverhampton councils working together with neighbouring district and county councils and the three local enterprise partnerships (LEPs) covering the Black Country, Coventry and Warwickshire and Greater Birmingham and Solihull. 

The WMCA will be the largest combined authority in the UK and the second biggest economy area, after London.

It is hoping to have control over areas such as transport and planning. 

Councillor Ann Lucas, leader of Coventry Council said: “Across the region we face some critical challenges; skills, transport infrastructure, productivity, land use and public service reform. By working together we can move powers from Whitehall to the West Midlands and start building a Midlands engine in the heart of the country.

Business secretary Sajid Javid said: “I welcome the ambition shown today by the new West Midlands Combined Authority and will back them in their mission to drive forward the Midlands Engine.

“This is a great opportunity to help increase security and opportunity for working people across the West Midlands, and I look forward to supporting local communities and businesses to help achieve this.”

Andy Street, chairman of the Greater Birmingham & Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership (GBSLEP), also backed the WMCA’s statement of intent.

He said: “This is an important first step in the creation of a Combined Authority for the West Midlands region, covering the three LEP geographies fully.”

However, not having Birmingham as part of the combined authority’s name has been criticised by members of the business community, politicians and media commentators.

Edgbaston Labour MP Gisela Stuart said the rest of the world has no idea where the West Midlands is. 

And LEP boss Street himself said recently: “Birmingham has to be in the name of the combined authority – not to do so would be an opportunity missed.

“I can’t imagine for one moment that we would ever hear Munich referred to as ‘Greater Bavaria’.”

Combined authorities are considered a pre-requisite for regions that want to receive devolved powers and additional funding from the Government. 

The plan is for the West Midlands Combined Authority to be operational by next April following consultation with the Government. 

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