RESIDENTS wanting to have a say on whether Bromsgrove should be a part of a West Midlands Combined Authority must do so before next Sunday (September 27).
Bromsgrove District Council will be holding a meeting on October 7 to look at the merits of making the move.
It comes as part of the Government’s decision to devolve some of its powers to regional groups of councils which have made commitments to work together.
Currently the Government makes most of the decisions which affect more than a single council area, in consultation with the councils.
In the West Midlands, a combined authority has been proposed which, if put in place, could start making wider decisions on key strategic functions which cross geographic council boundaries. Examples may include transport, regeneration and skills.
So far Birmingham, Coventry, Dudley, Sandwell, Solihull, Walsall and Wolverhampton have joined.
The body will not replace the existing councils or reduce existing local sovereignty.
Coun Margaret Sherrey, Bromsgrove District Council leader said: “I have always said this is a decision this council will not take lightly and one which must reflect the needs of the district and our residents.”
But, Labour leader Coun Luke Mallett, accused the council of ‘carrying out a half-hearted consultation without offering the full facts’.
Anyone wanting to take part in the survey should visit www.bromsgrove.gov.uk/consultations for more.
Paper copies are also available at the council’s customer service centre on School Drive.
Visit www.bromsgrovestandard.co.uk for more on this story.
