WARWICKSHIRE could still end up as part of a West Midlands ‘super-council’.
Warwickshire County Council voted yesterday (Tuesday February 23) to ‘explore fully the option of joining the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) as a constituent member’.
At a full Council meeting, a motion was passed stating: “Officers should be tasked with developing a full business case, bringing it to Council within a period not exceeding six months and with a target of three months.”
Council chief executive Jim Graham said there had been some misinformation circulated following the motion.
He said: “To be very clear, the agreement is that Warwickshire County Council is to produce a full business case for its membership of the Combined Authority and what the county stands to gain from any such deal.
“Officers of the authority have already been holding discussions with partner organisations and neighbouring counties and this work will continue as a business case is produced that explores all aspects of membership of the WMCA.”
WCC is looking of ways to make savings as part of its four-year plan to save £66.4million.
On September 3, the Council decided not to enter into the WMCA – but then voted decided on September 24 to explore all options, including any improved WMCA proposal.
Birmingham, Coventry, Dudley, Sandwell, Solihull, Walsall and Wolverhampton have already agreed in principle to form the combined authority.
