Coventry set to join 'Greater Birmingham' super authority

[Melisandre]

Democracy that word now makes people

[dutchman]

Is John Lewis boss being lined up to be new Midlands mayor



The boss of John Lewis could be a potential Conservative party candidate to be regional mayor of the West Midlands.

It is understood from sources within the party that attempts are being made to try to convince Andy Street, managing director of the John Lewis Partnership, to stand for the post created by the West Midlands Combined Authority formed by Midlands councils, including Coventry.

Prime Minister David Cameron suggested a business leader could be right for the job during an interview with our sister title the Birmingham Mail on a visit to the Midlands.

As well as overseeing the successful retail giant, Mr Street is chairman of the Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership.

That role already sees him work with government ministers, West Midlands councils and local employers to help the West Midlands economy.

He’s never been involved in politics but is said to be a Conservative supporter.

[dutchman]

West Midlands Combined Authority up and running

THE WEST Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) is officially up and running.

As of today (June 17) the new regional body – formed of local authorities in Birmingham, Coventry, Dudley, Sandwell, Solihull, Walsall and Wolverhampton – has come into force after MPs and the Secretary of State signed off on plans to create the WMCA on Wednesday.

The latest development comes just weeks after all constituent members agreed to accept a controversial elected metro mayor to head up the new body.

Welcoming the advent of the WMCA, char of the WMCA shadow board and leader of Solihull Council, Coun Bob Sleigh described today as ‘the culmination of a lot of hard work and negotiation’ over the last 18 months.

He said: “It is the beginning of the process which brings together local authorities, businesses and other stakeholders and partners to collectively stimulate economic growth across the region and reform public services across the region.”

Coun Sleigh added: “The first devolution agreement had been secured and now delivery can commence, with work on future devolution deals already in progress.

“The WMCA will lead the delivery of the devolution deal and future devolution deals.

“The Combined Authority will be the strong voice for the region; a voice that would be listened to in Whitehall and across the UK.

“A voice that will ensure this region is also heard on the global stage, attracting inward investment and selling our skills and expertise.”

"Bob Sleigh"

[dutchman]

Solihull Council leader to chair new West Midlands Combined Authority



Solihull Council leader Bob Sleigh has been elected chairman of the shadow board for the region's new combined authority.

Coun Sleigh has been handed the top job with Sandwell Council leader Darren Cooper elected vice-chairman at the inaugural West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) meeting this morning.

Coun Sleigh is one of only two Conservatives among the seven council leaders in the running.

The announcement comes as talks continue over proposals for the combined authority, which is a prerequisite for winning powers and funding currently hoarded in Whitehall.

It remains to be seen whether spatial planning, powers over housing and NHS spending will form part of its remit.

Less contentious are unity over transport, which already largely exists, as well as infrastructure and skills.

The authority, which also contains Birmingham, Wolverhampton, Coventry, Dudley and Walsall, aims to follow in the footsteps of Greater Manchester which has secured billions of pounds worth of spending powers.

The appointment of Coun Sleigh, along with the dismissal of the "Greater Birmingham" title, serves to quell fears that the authority would be dominated by Birmingham City Council, which is the largest in Europe.

[dutchman]

Boss of John Lewis throws his hat in the ring for West Midlands mayor job



John Lewis boss Andy Street is set to enter the battle to become the first-ever elected mayor of the West Midlands.

The managing director of the upmarket retailer is to apply to become the Conservative candidate, according to reports.

Voters in Birmingham, Coventry, Dudley, Walsall, Sandwell, Solihull and Wolverhampton go to the polls in May 2017 to elect the region’s first mayor as part of the Government’s attempts to hand more power to English regions.

Labour has launched its contest to find a candidate with a ballot of party members who are choosing between West Midlands MEP Sion Simon, a former Birmingham MP, and former Birmingham councillor Steve Bedser.

In an article for the Birmingham Post newspaper, Mr Street sets out a vision for the region in a time of “political turbulence” and “disruption” following the Brexit vote.

He argues that the strength of the region’s businesses, new infrastructure and the “creativity and innovative nature” of its young population put the West Midlands in a position to “emerge as a victor from this time of change”.

And following speculation that a future government could reconsider building HS2, the planned high speed rail line linking London, Birmingham, Manchester and Leeds, he says that regional leaders must make it a priority to ensure the line goes ahead.

Mr Street said: “Now is not the time to doubt HS2. Our job as regional leaders is to press firmly on with our plans for delivering its transformational potential.”

The planned rail line was already leading to improvements to central Birmingham and encouraging the development of new industry, he said.

“It is already happening and having an effect on our economy. Jobs are already being enjoyed at the construction headquarters here at Snowhill, the National College for High Speed Rail is being built at Eastside, and across the region companies are already tendering for work.”

Mr Street said the West Midlands had survived the 2008 economic crash and could do the same again as the UK entered another period of uncertainty.

No formal announcement of a candidacy bid is expected until the Conservative Party officially begins the process of choosing a candidate.

[dutchman]

Coventry asked what powers 'Greater Birmingham' mayor should have



Coventry people are being given the chance to have a say on what powers a West Midlands mayor should have - despite not being given the opportunity to decide if they wanted one in the first place.

The West Midlands is set to elect its first mayor on May 4 next year after the position was imposed on the region by central government.

Powers which will be wielded by the new ‘metro mayor’ are still to be finalised, although detail of the type of control they are likely to wield was first revealed by the Telegraph in September when we reported a leaked devolution bid document from leaders in the proposed WMCA to the Treasury.

Areas where mayoral controls are being considered include transport, housing, employment, highways and infrastructure projects.

The consultation runs until August 21, and people can have their say by clicking here.

[rebbonk]

Is the Telegraph trying to wind us up with constant references to "greater Birmingham" or are we simply being softened up?

[dutchman]

It's a derogatory term as far as I can tell?

[dutchman]

'Greater Birmingham' business rates changes could leave Coventry £27m worse off



Coventry looks set to lose out on £27million under new business rates rules set to come in under the West Midlands Combined Authority.

Plans for the WMCA - commonly referred to as ‘Greater Birmingham’ - include the region keeping all business rates collected in the area rather than the 50 per cent local councils currently retain with the rest going to central government.

Councils then see their income topped up by needs assessed grants from Westminster.

A report to Coventry council’s scrutiny committee suggests annual business rates retained by the city will increase from £67million to £137million when the rules come into force in 2020. But the forecast also indicates that the predicted withdrawal of government support grants will result in a total shortfall of £27million from today’s income.

The figures in the report are set to be discussed by the scrutiny panel on September 7 and will be used by the council and the WMCA to lobby the government to help address the probable shortfall.

One method of increasing revenues could be to get the government to change the rules around student accommodation which currently mean large scale operators currently pay no business rates or council tax.

Labour Coun Jim O’Boyle, Coventry council’s cabinet member for business, said the government was trying to dress up a bad deal as a good one.

He said: “I’m not sure how we’re going to make up the shortfall. The government have been warned about this time and time again.

“We need to continue to lobby government locally and through the local authority.”

He added: “They know damn well we’re getting a worse deal. It’s a disgraceful piece of chicanery designed to undermine local authorities. It’s completely and utterly political.”

And yet his party voted for it!

[rebbonk]

Has the Telegraph approached Lucas et al for any comment?