Sandwell Council leader mulls over 'metro mayor' role
Sandwell Council leader Councillor Darren Cooper has thrown his hat into the ring to become the West Midlands Combined Authority's new metro mayor.
Mr Cooper said he would be interested in the post, which was announced by the Chancellor on Monday as part of a landmark devolution deal.
He said: "It's not something I'd rule out. The metro mayor will be a massive job with a great deal of responsibility.
"I'm used to speaking up for Sandwell, whether people would want a mouthpiece like me speaking up for the whole region is another matter."
A mayor is set to be elected in 2017 to preside over the combined authority, which includes Dudley, Sandwell, Coventry, Walsall, Wolverhampton, Solihull, Birmingham.
The Cities and Local Government Devolution Bill states that a metro mayor candidate must be separate from the combined authority councils.
It means Mr Cooper will have to quit as councillor if he wants to stand for mayor.
