Telford will be losing out on jobs and investment because its name has been left off the newly-planned West Midlands city region, it has been claimed.
It was announced today that the proposed new strategic policy-making body will be called The Birmingham, Coventry and the Black Country City region.
Telford and Solihull councils are the only two to be ignored by the new title.
Today Wrekin MP Mark Pritchard said leaving Telford out of the title would mean it would not benefit from the same opportunities as the named areas.
But bosses at Telford & Wrekin Council said they did not mind being left out and that the work and decisions of the body was much more important than the name.
Mr Pritchard said: “If Telford & Wrekin are losing out in the title I cannot imagine how Shropshire will attract jobs and investment when competing with Birmingham.
“This council’s leadership is in danger of being taken in by a regionalisation agenda at the cost of Shropshire communities. It already appears there is a direct benefit for Birmingham and a loss for Shropshire.”
But leader of Telford & Wrekin Council Councillor Keith Austin disputed the claims. Mr Austin said: “In Telford we believe that what is important about the city region isn’t its name.
“What’s important is what eight councils and businesses can achieve for the citizens of this borough and other parts of the city region by working effectively together.
“For Telford, that means getting a seat around the decision-making table with a vote on important regional matters.”
He said the council had never argued to be listed in the title.
See Also:
Share this article:
What are these?