Region demands better devo deal from May as differences put aside Authority’s plea for more power as Birmingham, Solihull and Black Country keen to show they can work together
THE West Midlands has called on Prime Minister Theresa May to deliver a bigger and better devolution deal for the region.
West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) chairman Bob Sleigh made the plea in an open letter to the Prime Minister ahead of the Tory Party Conference in Birmingham.
The Conservative leader of Solihull Council said that although the combined authority had secured the biggest devolution deal in the country – £8 billion over 30 years – the region was ready to do more.
He also claimed the days of bickering between various parts of the region were over.
He said: “You urge us to be ambitious and we are. We want to know more about how you define that and we will rise to those challenges.
“Our own vision is an ambitious West Midlands working with government to deliver major investment to guarantee future prosperity. Last November the Government agreed with WMCA the biggest devolution deal in the country and we are very happy with that – but we are also very clear that we see this as just the start.
“We are looking for more and we want to show you in government how, by working together towards greater devolution, we can make a real difference to the people, businesses and organisations we represent – also helping to meet your social and economic goals.”
He said that since its foundation last year, WCMA had proved itself, not least through securing the £8 billion investment and setting out a plan to create 500,000 jobs.
“That Strategic Economic Plan, Making Our Mark, based on our proud manufacturing history, central location and track record in innovation, articulates how a stronger West Midlands is not just good for local people and businesses, but the whole of the UK,” he said.
Councillor Sleigh insisted friction between different parts of the region was also a thing of the past.
“We have shown we can work effectively together as a combined authority and collaboratively with a range of partners.
“We have produced a plan to improve the quality of life for everyone who lives and works in the region, meeting future housing demand and boosting people’s health and wellbeing,” he added.
Writing in the Birmingham Post last month Mrs May said she was backing Birmingham and the Midlands as part of her pledge to rebalance the UK economy away from London and the south-east of England.
She said: “We’re at the start of an exciting time for Birmingham and the whole of the Midlands. The hard work and creativity of people here is helping to build the Midlands Engine – and I can promise that the government I lead will back you all the way.”
The West Midlands Combined Authority is hosting two events for conference goers and ministers. On the opening day, Sunday, October 2, at 7.30pm in the ICC there will be a presentation on the Midlands Engine hosted by chairman Sir John Peace.
The second event on the benefits of HS2 and is hosted by Coun Sleigh and colleagues at the ICC from 8.30am on Wednesday, October 5.
We have shown we can work effectively together West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) chairman Bob Sleigh
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