West Midlands Councils To Join Up Into One 'Super Council'

7 November 2014, 17:40 | Updated: 7 November 2014, 18:03

Our council's could be joining up to make what's being called a 'super council' for Birmingham and the Black Country.

It would make a new authority for the whole West Midlands area - that would be able to make more decisions on how money is spent here.

It will see the leaders of Birmingham City Council, Solihull, Sandwell, Dudley, Wolverhampton and Walsall

It could pave the way for us to get an elected Mayor like London too, although that was ruled out in an interview with the Leader of Sandwell Council Councillor Darren Copper.

Darren Cooper Leader Of Sandwell Council

We're hearing Coventry City Council is also looking at joining up with the deal.

Shadow Business Secretary Chuka Umunna MP said: "It is great news that West Midlands councils have come together to form a combined authority. This is testament to the hard work and determination of the council leaders and officers and their desire to see their local areas succeed.
 
"Today's announcement is a huge step in the people of the region getting more control over their future, with new powers and budgets and the ability to shape the area?s economy and back local business. But Labour wants to see faster and more radical progress in giving power to the people, which is why the next Labour government will devolve £30 billion of budgets and push more power away from Whitehall. Ministers have not matched our plans to allow local areas to keep more Business Rates revenue so they can benefit from additional growth."