Shropshire Council could link with three counties in combined authority

It would form a large Mercian partnership that would run alongside – but separate to – the new West Midlands Combined Authority that Telford & Wrekin Council plans to join forces with.

Shropshire Council leader Keith Barrow today confirmed talks were under way – but stressed he would only do "what was right for the county".

The announcement came the day after neighbouring Telford & Wrekin Council announced it would apply to become a non-constituent member of the West Midlands Combined Authority.

It would have a seat at the table and collaborate over regional issues, but remain independent with its own local powers.

Councillor Barrow and Staffordshire MPs Gavin Williamson and Jeremy Lefroy do not believe it is in their respective county's interests to join forces with Birmingham and the Black Country in the West Midlands Combined Authority.

Councillor Barrow said residents in Shropshire did not identify themselves with the West Midlands.

He did, however, say the move "made sense" for Telford & Wrekin.

Councillor Barrow said discussions were ongoing between Shropshire and Staffordshire. The development was also confirmed by Mr Williamson and Mr Lefroy, who announced that they were in talks with Staffordshire County Council's leader Philip Atkins on reaching out to other rural counties in the Midlands to seek devolved powers and work together on their economies.

Councillor Barrow said: "We have been involved in a conversation with Staffordshire and others for a long time now.

"We think it has potential and we want to be part of the conversation and see where it goes.

"We have a lot of synergy with Staffordshire."

It comes as leaders across Telford & Wrekin and Shropshire today reacted to news concerning the potential overhaul of the local authority model.

Shrewsbury MP Daniel Kawczynski has expressed his "disappointment" over Telford's decision to link up with the West Midlands Combined Authority, saying it ruled out a potential merger between the authority and Shropshire Council.

He said: "I am very disappointed and I think Councillor Sahota needs to explain when he discounted the prospect of a merger with Shropshire Council.

"Why does he feel he can do that with a council outside the county?

"Is Telford in Shropshire or the Black Country?"