A combined authority will stop the Black Country and Birmingham getting 'crumbs off the table'

Darren Cooper says the West Midlands has to unite under one banner - but stressed it would not mean the loss of any individual area's identity.

It comes after Chancellor George Osborne raised the prospect of Birmingham having an elected mayor, despite the city rejecting one in a referendum two years ago.

Councillor Cooper, leader of Sandwell Council, said: "Put simply, a combined authority would bring leaders from neighbouring councils together to deal with the issues that affect us all – like transport, housing, the local economy and tourism.Darren Cooper regeneration.

"It would give us major decision-making powers at a local level and more influence over how money is spent.

"So instead of getting the crumbs from the table when the Chancellor makes an announcement, we would be able to make decisions locally and more democratically – through councillors elected by their communities.

"Some people have asked me if it means councils will cease to exist, leaving us with one big authority representing all of the councils who join. The simple answer is no – it just means our councils working more closely together.

"Another thing that seems to concern people when we talk about combined authorities is communities losing their identity.

"But I can assure everyone that their areas will keep their identities, their councils and their local governance arrangements.

"Whether you're from Smethwick or Willenhall, Tettenhall or Sedgley – that's where you'll still be from."

He said he was not in favour of the name Greater Birmingham and wants it to be called the West Midlands Combined Authority.

Councillor Cooper has issued Birmingham with a deadline of Christmas to negotiate or the Black Country will seek an alliance elsewhere. However, neither South Staffordshire nor Telford and Wrekin councils are keen.