BROMSGROVE District Council is set to reconsider the idea of joining the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) and is looking for feedback from local residents on whether they believe it could be the right move.

The Combined Authority is being created with the intention of providing opportunities for collaboration between a number of councils around the West Midlands region, and it launched an official Statement of Intent in July of last year, being joined since then by Cannock, Nuneaton and Bedworth, Redditch, Tamworth, and Telford and Wrekin Councils.

Stratford District Council and Shropshire County Council have since also voted to be part of the WMCA and will join officially later in the year, while Warwickshire will be voting toward the end of May with a recommendation to approve. Other non-constituents members are the Police Crime Commission and West Midlands Fire Service.

Last year Bromsgrove District Council decided not to join, because the project was still considered to be in its infancy, and it didn’t believe there was enough information about the ‘devolution deal’ and voting powers for non-constituent members.

Non-constituent membership provides a seat at the table for members to engage with and influence the direction and priorities of the Combined Authority. Non-constituents also play a full role in the business of the Combined Authority Shadow Board.

Council Leader Margaret Sherrey said: “We have been approached by the chairman of the Shadow West Midlands Combined Authority as to whether we want to consider becoming a non-constituent member.

“Since we last were approached by the WMCA it has progressed significantly and has secured the largest devolution deal in the country – and the WMCA is still growing.

“We also received feedback from the Worcestershire delegation who met with Lord Heseltine in April over a potential devolution deal where it is clear that Government are now working on larger geographic footprints than single counties without a mayoral model.

“In addition when we met with the secretary of state he made it clear that in future significant powers and funding will be devolved to the West Midlands Combined Authority.

“Given all this we have another opportunity to consider joining and I believe the council needs to consider our position so that we don’t potentially miss out.”

The council is opening up the debate to local residents with a consultation on its website where people can find out more about the WMCA, and give their feedback before the deadline of Sunday, June 5. To take part in the consultation, visit bromsgrove.gov.uk/consultations.