Plan to scrap police commissioner role moves closer

West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner Simon Foster has suggested he could take legal action against a merger

Plans to merge the West Midlands mayor and police and crime commissioner roles have moved a step closer.

Conservative Mayor Andy Street has given his formal consent to the merger, which means the decision will now be sent back to parliament which should have the final say.

But there is still opposition to the move from existing Labour West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner Simon Foster, who the BBC understands is considering his legal options following the latest news.

Mr Foster, who was elected to the role in May 2021, has previously said the move amounts to a “hostile takeover” and suggested he could challenge the decision via a judicial review in the courts.

West Midlands Mayor Andy Street has given his formal consent to the proposal

Any merger would not take place until after the winner of the West Midlands Mayoral Election is confirmed in May.

Labour’s candidate in that election will be Richard Parker, after Mr Foster failed in his bid to become the party’s candidate.

Politicians face a race against time to formalise the merger, with separate mayoral and police and crime commissioner elections currently both scheduled to take place on May 2.

The Home Office recently completed a public consultation on the plans. But it is not yet clear if or when the findings of that consultation will be published.

If the merger goes ahead, the next West Midlands mayor would have the power to set the West Midlands Police budget, appoint chief constables, and issue a policing plan.

Mayors already have police oversight powers in London, Greater Manchester and West Yorkshire.

Since its creation, the role of West Midlands police and crime commissioner has been held by Labour politicians, while the mayor has always been a Conservative.