District council rejects combined authority invite

When it was put to the vote, 14 councillors voted in favour of becoming a non-constituent member, 16 voted against and one abstained.

In the vote not to become a non-constituent member, 16 councillors vote for, eight against, and seven abstained.

Cllr Chris Saint, leader of Stratford District Council, said: “The district council feels that the risks from the West Midlands Combined Authority outweigh the benefits of becoming a non-constituent member and its future within the Government’s devolution programme lies in developing the synergies between itself and neighbouring councils in shire areas.

“As such, the district council has declined the invitation to become a non-constituent member of the West Midlands Combined Authority and will pursue alternative options, should any materialise, in line with the council’s decision on 1st September.”

That decision was for Cllr Saint to sit on a shadow board with a simple watching brief.

Metropolitan councils in the West Midlands region - Birmingham, Coventry, Dudley, Sandwell, Solihull, Walsall and Wolverhampton - are spearheading the combined authority.

The Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership has agreed to join, but concerns have also been expressed over the idea by Warwickshire's Police and Crime Commissioner, Ron Ball.