Shropshire Star

Strength in numbers in Greater Midlands - Telford to join forces

They are towns and cities with their own distinct identities – but believe they will be stronger together.

Published

Yesterday it was revealed that Telford & Wrekin Council is set to become a non-constituent member of West Midlands Combined Authority.

It means it will work alongside the four Black Country councils, Birmingham, Coventry and Solihull as well as Tamworth and Cannock.

The move is controversial and has already sparked a political row within Telford & Wrekin Council.

Kuldip Sahota, Labour council leader for the borough, stressed the move would see no local powers lost.

Telford & Wrekin's move into a West Midlands Combined Authority makes economic sense, business leaders said today.

Paul Hinkins, the chairman of Telford Business Board, described Telford as a "major economic force" within the region.

He said: "I share the council's aim to create more jobs, raise skill levels and attract further inward investment.

"The government has recognised the Midlands as an engine for growth and it is key that Telford is able to influence and benefit from the investment that this will bring."

Chris Scott, principal of Telford College of Arts and Technology, added: "We fully support the borough working more closely with the West Midlands Combined Authority and the potential for this to bring significant investment in local skills.

"TCAT is already working closely with the University of Wolverhampton, local businesses and the council to equip our young people for the jobs needed by existing businesses and new investors – this opportunity can only drive that forward."

Councillor Bob Sleigh, chairman of the Shadow Board for the West Midlands Combined Authority, said: "

We are working hard to make a case to government that our Combined Authority should cover the three Local Enterprise Partnership areas and with Telford & Wrekin Council set to sign up to become a non-constituent member, it makes our voice louder and stronger for the region as a whole."

But Andrew Eade, leader of the Conservative opposition at Telford & Wrekin Council, said there was "no support at all for throwing in our lot with the Black Country".

It's 'non-constituent' status means Telford & Wrekin will be given a vote only if constituent members fail to come to a decision on issues.

It will be given a seat at the Combined Authority table but not a share of any new powers devolved from the government. The same status will also be bestowed on Tamworth and Cannock.

The idea of the West Midlands Combined Authority is to co-ordinate policy on regional issues, to ensure the region pulls its weight nationally.

But Councillor Eade today criticised the "lack of council transparency" and said consultation should have been held with his party members and the community.

Councillor Sahota insists the move, which will go before cabinet members next week, was an opportunity "too good to miss".

He stands by comments he made in January when he rubbished claims of a "back door deal" to merge the Telford and Wolverhampton authorities.

Mark Pritchard, MP for The Wrekin, told Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg there was a plan to merge Wolverhampton City Council and Telford & Wrekin Council.

But Councillor Kuldip Sahota described Mr Pritchard's words as a "false statement" at the time.

And he insisted today: "We will be applying to be a member of the Combined Authority, a non-constituent member of it.

"It means we will not lose any of our local powers. We will not be politically attached to them. We will be sitting at the table and there is potential that Telford& Wrekin will get something out of it.

"There is no merger. We will lose none of the local power. Decisions will be made in Telford & Wrekin.

"Telford and Wrekin is one of the region's fastest growing economies. Being a non-constituent member would give us the influence we need and retain our independence without giving up any of our powers.

"This is simply too great an opportunity for the borough to miss – it would allow us to negotiate and agree our devolution proposals; opportunities to retain more business rates, which could result in millions to reinvest here in the borough. It would allow the council to work closely with partners in the West Midlands as well as the Marches LEP for the good of our borough focusing on those issue that business tell us are most important to them – transport, roads, skills, employment, inward investment."

Councillor Eade said: "There is no support at all for throwing in our lot with the Black Country. There have been rumours for months that Telford was going to combine with Wolverhampton, which they strenuously denied. You are either a member of a group of councils or you are not, the rumours were absolutely true.

"They have denied it for all this time. They should have been straight and honest with the community. There has been no discussion with my group or the community as a whole. The council should have been transparent and honest."

Telford & Wrekin would join Cannock Chase and Tamworth councils in agreeing to go for membership of the authority, set up by the cities and metropolitan boroughs of Birmingham, Wolverhampton, Coventry, Sandwell, Dudley, Walsall and Solihull.

The combined authority is being set up to deal with transport, regeneration, housing and skills policies but none of the councils are meant to lose any of their existing powers or duties.

The borough would also remain in the Marches Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) through which the area has already benefited from over £19m of investment."

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