Row over Warwickshire joining West Midlands Combined Authority

Warwickshire County Council leader, Conservative Izzi Seccombe, has held discussions with the West Midlands mayor over joining WMCA



A row has erupted after it emerged Warwickshire is taking steps towards becoming a full member of the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA).

The county council has published a report saying it will explore the option of joining.

The BBC understands discussions have already taken place between council leader Izzi Seccombe and West Midlands Mayor Andy Street.

A spokesperson for the WMCA said no formal approach had been made.

The authority is a currently a group of seven councils in the West Midlands.

It is granted money and power by central government to make decisions on issues like transport and the economy.

Warwickshire has been a non-constituent member of the authority since it was established in 2016, meaning it has some influence but does not get a say in all decisions.

Residents in the county do not currently vote on who becomes the region's mayor.

That election process is at the heart of the row, with Labour accusing the Conservative-controlled council of trying to strengthen Andy Street's position ahead of 2024's mayoral election.

The Labour leader of Coventry City Council, councillor George Duggins, told the BBC: "It's becoming clearer that Andy Street will not win that election and he needs to effectively increase the number of voters who he thinks might be favourable to him."

As it stands, leaders of the member local authorities would get a vote on whether Warwickshire could join, and Mr Duggins made it clear he would veto the deal.

There are currently four Labour leaders on the board, and three Conservatives.

But new legislation, the Levelling Up Bill, due to become law this year, could take the decision out of their hands and give the mayor and Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove the final say.

Mr Duggins said that could spell the end of the WMCA if it was used to allow Warwickshire to join.

"If Mr Gove is really suggesting ripping up the constitution of the combined authority, he's potentially ripping up the combined authority," he added.

Asked if he would take Coventry out of the combined authority over the row, he said: "I'm not saying that at this moment in time. But I think there will be conversations around that and, already, some constituent members are talking in those terms."

In the report, Warwickshire's officials said if the authority was a constituent member there could be "significant benefits" from existing WMCA deals and it could get more from devolution deals with the government.

They admit some issues would be delegated to the WMCA and they would have to pay more as an annual fee but add the move could further boost economic growth in the county.

The WMCA was not actively looking to expand but was aware of the report and would monitor conversations in Warwickshire, the spokesperson for the authority added.

"If a formal approach is made, we will ensure it is considered carefully and through the correct processes," they added.

Mr Street has been approached for comment.

Analysis by Simon Gilbert, BBC Coventry and Warwickshire political reporter

From the outside looking in, you might be thinking "what's all the fuss about?" Warwickshire already works with the combined authority and has been a non-constituent member since it was formed.

As is often the case, the answer to that is this is extremely political. At the heart of this row is the mayoral election, due to take place next year. Labour believe this is an attempt to get more Conservative votes for Andy Street - with the county traditionally seen as Conservative-voting.

The Conservatives, and Warwickshire County Council's leadership, will no doubt argue this is a natural evolution in the relationship with the WMCA that it strengthens their position at the table - not least when it comes to funding being handed out.

But there are a lot of hurdles to overcome before this happens. The Warwickshire leadership need to convince colleagues - and perhaps residents - that ceding some power to the West Midlands mayor is a good idea.

The district and borough councils will be forced into the combined authority under these plans and that is something else unlikely to play out smoothly. Questions over sovereignty - and perhaps wider implications such as the possible impact on Warwickshire's police and fire services - are likely to become louder.

Then there's the small matter of getting the law changed if existing members do not agree to admit Warwickshire - and the threats of existing members to leave.

All of this would need to be ironed out before the May election if Warwickshire's timetable is to be met. That seems like a big ask.

Bottom line, the MW Mayors role (which nobody wanted) has turned into an expensive political football, that the electorate is paying for.

MP accuses West Midlands mayor of 'gerrymandering' in combined authority row



An MP has accused a Conservative mayor of trying to shore up his own re-election next year by supporting a bid to bring a Tory-led council into the West Midlands Combined Authority.

Warwickshire County Council agreed to review the possibility in a cabinet meeting on Thursday.

Labour MP Matt Western has started a petition in protest, accusing mayor Andy Street of "naked gerrymandering".

Mr Street said the decision was up to Warwickshire's councillors.

"I'm not trying to annex Warwickshire. The leaders of Warwickshire are deciding what is in their long-term interests," he told the BBC's Politics Midlands programme.

Following the cabinet's agreement, council officers will now look at the pros and cons of joining.

At present, seven councils make up the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA), with four under Labour control and three ruled by the Conservatives.

In 2021 the Tories secured a large majority on Warwickshire County Council with 42 of the 57 seats.

If it joined the WMCA, it would mean extra voters in a traditionally Conservative-voting area able to cast their ballots in the 2024 mayoral election.

Mr Western's petition is calling for a referendum, saying Warwickshire residents did not want the decision "imposed upon them" by councillors and added the mayor was playing "political games".

"It is, at its very worst, naked gerrymandering by Andy Street, the mayor of the WMCA, for his own ends," said the Warwick and Leamington MP.

"The public should come first in this, they're the ones who should have their say. That's why I believe we should have a referendum in May next year for the public to decide."

Andy Street, who was re-elected as mayor in 2021, denied claims he was seeking an electoral benefit and told the BBC it was a decision for leaders in Warwickshire.

Adding that he supported the move, he said: "The combined authority's been a success. It's brought in a lot of investment and clearly it's a good thing if other people want to be part of that club."

Warwickshire County Council leader Izzi Seccombe told the BBC it was "right and proper" for the authority to consider joining.

"I am a collaborative leader so this isn't just about Warwickshire, it has to be of benefit as well to the West Midlands," she added.

Each of the council leaders on the WMCA currently have a veto and Coventry City Council's George Duggins has previously said he would use his to oppose Warwickshire's inclusion.

But the Levelling Up Bill, set to be introduced later this year, could give the mayor and government secretary Michael Gove the final say.

Warwickshire shelves plans to join West Midlands Combined Authority

Plans for Warwickshire to join the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) have been shelved.

The county council had begun a public consultation over plans to join the alliance of West Midlands councils.

Labour politicians had criticised the proposed merger as it would have come before next year's West Midlands Mayor election.

But the council said it had not provided enough time to give the move the credible consultation it deserved.

The WMCA said it is not seeking expansion but would consider future applications.

Labour politicians, including Coventry City Council leader George Duggins and Warwick and Leamington MP Matt Western, had suggested the move was an attempt to secure more votes for Conservative Mayor Andy Street - with Warwickshire traditionally seen as a Conservative stronghold.

The WMCA is made of 17 West Midlands councils and three enterprise partnerships and is granted money and power by central government to make decisions on issues such as transport and the economy.

Warwickshire County Council's leader Izzi Seccombe had previously said the potential benefits were why they wanted to explore the possibility of joining.

But an email sent by Ms Seccombe to county councillors on Friday said: "A major change such as this, is one which should be given the time and consideration it warrants.

"The residents of Warwickshire, and those of the wider West Midlands deserve the respect of full consideration to be sure that the evidence supports any decision.

"With the timeline set out for us, it has become clear that we could not deliver an evidenced case, nor the credible consultation required.

"To press ahead against these barriers would present considerable risk to Warwickshire's strong reputation, a risk which, on balance, is not worth taking."

The news was welcomed by Mr Western, who said: "It is a relief that these flawed plans are being halted as it was never in the best interests of Warwickshire residents, only the interests of Councillor Seccombe and Mayor Street. "

A statement from the WMCA said: "Whilst the WMCA is not seeking expansion, it is in the gift of local authorities to consider the best partnerships for their area and residents."