WMCA announces new top team
Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands, has today announced a new top team to drive the region forward following a major transfer of powers and funding from central Government.
Following the local elections in May, the leaders of the region’s councils have been appointed to portfolio roles on the board of the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA).
The Mayor welcomed newly elected Birmingham City Council leader John Cotton and deputy leader Sharron Thompson to the board, along with Dudley’s new deputy leader Paul Bradley and Walsall’s new deputy leader Garry Perry.
The Mayor also thanked outgoing Birmingham leader Ian Ward for his contribution over the last four years as portfolio holder for transport and the council’s outgoing deputy leader, Cllr Brigid Jones, for her work as portfolio holder for Levelling Up.
The new look board:
Cllr Mike Bird (leader, Walsall) – transport
Cllr John Cotton (leader, Birmingham) Environment, Energy & HS2
Cllr Patrick Harley (leader, Dudley) – Culture & Digital
Cllr Ian Brookfield (leader, Wolverhampton) – Economy & Innovation
Cllr Ian Courts (leader, Solihull) – Housing & Land
Cllr Kerrie Carmichael (leader, Sandwell) – Inclusive Communities
Cllr George Duggins (leader, Coventry) – Skills & Productivity
Cllr Izzi Seccombe (leader, Warwickshire) – Wellbeing
Cllr Sharon Thompson (deputy leader, Birmingham) – Levelling Up/Devolution
Cllr Bob Sleigh (deputy mayor) – Finance
The portfolio announcements follow the region’s successful negotiation of a new Deeper Devolution Deal with Government.
The deal, agreed in March, will see Whitehall transfer wide ranging new powers to the West Midlands alongside a budget windfall of more than £1.5bn to help level up the region.
Street said: “The March 2023 Deeper Devolution Deal that we agreed with Government represents a step change and opens the door to the powers and funding we need to get our region back on track post pandemic.
“Local leaders – enabled by our newfound financial autonomy and decision making authority – are best placed to take action for the benefit of local people.
“With the newly appointed portfolio roles on the WMCA Board, leaders have a great opportunity to exercise these new powers to help shape our region’s future – ensuring all our communities can secure a better quality of life whether that’s through jobs, homes or health and wellbeing.”
