Councils in new push to create 'city region'

Controversial plans to create a "city region" that would hand devolved powers to councils in the West Midlands could be resurrected next month, it has emerged.

Authorities in the Black Country are set to give their backing to a joint bid to win Government approval for the Birmingham, Coventry and Black Country City Region to become one of two pilot areas granted independent powers.

An announcement on the successful city region bids is expected to be made when the next budget is unveiled in early March.

There is a deadline of February 27 for applications.

Fears have previously been raised that creating a West Midlands city region would lead to the Black Country being "swallowed up" into Birmingham and losing its identity.

Similar moves have also been coolly received elsewhere in the country, with residents voting against the scheme being introduced in the north east in a referendum in 2004.

It would mean authority chiefs being granted extra powers for dealing with issues such as public transport and planning without the need for Whitehall approval and could pave the way for the extension of the Midland Metro to go ahead.

Sandwell Council's ruling cabinet will formally give its approval to back the region-wide application tomorrow, with other authorities expected to do the same.

The bid is being put together by the volunteer partnership City Region group.

Sandwell Council leader Councillor Bill Thomas said he had previously supported the idea of calling the region "Greater Birmingham" as it would mean more to potential investors across the globe and insisted it would not affect the Black Country's own identity locally or nationally.