West Midlands Councils plan 'economic powerhouse'

Under the plans, each individual authority would retain control of services in its area, but would benefit from economies of scale when it came to bidding for government funds and devolved power.

The WMCA published a launch statement on its website - click here

Leader of Coventry council Ann Lucas 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.

“Since the general election in May there has been unprecedented collaboration between political colleagues in the West Midlands … to establish this new partnership. Our aim is to consult and work with more partners across the private, public and third sector so that we can establish our combined authority.”

Cllr Bob Sleigh, leader of Solihull Council, said: “We recognise there is a £16bn output gap between the West Midlands and the national average. We generate around £4000 per person less in wealth than the national average and eliminating that gap is one of our key priorities moving forward.

“Last year the Chancellor spoke about the need to rebalance the UK economy and now, collectively, we are responding in our own terms, through the creation of the West Midlands Combined Authority at the heart of a Midlands Engine.”

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