New West Midlands combined authority confirms name

The West Midlands Combined Authority has been confirmed as the name for a new "super council" for the region.

Seven authorities - Birmingham, Coventry, Dudley, Sandwell, Solihull, Walsall and Wolverhampton - want more devolved powers from the government.

The councils met on Monday to outline their proposals and plans to look at skills, transport and economic growth.

They are aiming for the authority to be set up by April 2016 after a consultation including the government.

Public consultation in the West Midlands will start later this month and run until September.

The government will then carry out its own consultation process from November until January, a spokesman for the combined authorities said.

If approved, the new council could serve four million people.

'Historic announcement'

The plans follow the similar situation in Greater Manchester, where leaders of 10 councils work together as part of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority.

The authorities have also agreed to establish independent commissions to look at three areas - productivity, land, mental health and public services.

Roger Lawrence, leader of Wolverhampton Council, said Monday's announcement was "historic".

Ann Lucas, leader of Coventry City Council, said: "We're all hoping for better outcomes for our areas... to attract more investment and get power from the Westminster bubble into the Midlands."

Business Secretary Sajid Javid said he backed the authorities, and was looking forward to supporting local communities and businesses to help them achieve their plans.

But Dudley councillor and UKIP MEP Bill Etheridge said he feared the new council could lead to a lack of local accountability.

"I'm not saying pull up a draw bridge around Dudley or Wolverhampton or Birmingham. That's nonsense.

"All I'm saying is people of these areas need to have their own accountable representatives speaking for them, not some sort of conglomerate of West Midlands' people who are a distance from them."