DO WE WANT TO JOIN THE WEST MIDLANDS AUTHORITY?

The release of the Prospectus for a greater West Midlands combined Authority sounds good for Birmingham, Coventry, Dudley, Sandwell, Solihull, Walsall & Wolverhampton but what about Rugby and the rest of Warwickshire?

The Prospectus invites the reader to say yes but little is said about governance and who would run the super authority. The option for a Metro Mayor is left open in the prospectus but if George Osborne has anything to do with it that looks likely to be compulsory. For now I think more questions and reflection are needed on what benefits will come towards people living in Rugby and the rest of Warwickshire County. Perhaps we should be pressing harder for a Unitary Warwickshire!

The prospectus can be found at http://www.westmidlandscombinedauthority.org.uk/ .

Cllr Jerry Roodhouse is leader of the liberal democrat group on Warwickshire County Council.