A Combined Authority is a legal body set up using national legislation that enables a group of two or more councils to collaborate and take collective decisions across council boundaries.
The West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) was established in 2016 by the seven metropolitan councils in the region (Birmingham, Coventry, Dudley, Sandwell, Solihull, Walsall and Wolverhampton). The WMCA was created to build a strong partnership, based on voluntary collaboration, ready to take on key powers devolved from central Government and enable collective decision making at a regional level.
WMCA in a nutshell:
7 Constituent Authorities:
- Birmingham City Council
Coventry City Council
Dudley Metro Borough Council
Sandwell Metro Borough Council
Solihull Metro Borough Council
Walsall Council
City of Wolverhampton
10 Non-Constituent Authorities:
- Cannock Chase District Council
- North Warwickshire Borough Council
- Nuneaton & Bedworth Borough Council
- Redditch Borough Council
- Rugby Borough Council
- Shropshire Council
- Stratford-on-Avon District Council
- Tamworth Borough Council
- Telford & Wrekin Council
- Warwickshire County Council
3 Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs):
- Black Country
- Coventry & Warwickshire
- Greater Birmingham & Solihull
4 Observers Organisations:
- Herefordshire Council
- Marches LEP
- West Midlands Fire & Rescue Authority
- West Midlands Police & Crime Commissioner
The WMCA is a politically led organisation and led by its elected Mayor and the leaders of the seven constituent local authorities, who have full voting rights. The leadership also includes the chairs of the Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs), which are business-led organisations that help build relationships between businesses and local authorities. Non- constituent authorities, which include the LEPs and ten local councils from across the wider West Midlands area, have reduced voting rights but play a crucial role at board level, helping to inform policy and drive forward the WMCA agenda. Observer organisations, including other councils, LEPs and bodies awaiting non-constituent membership, also influence the WMCA’s work.
The WMCA’s current portfolio areas include:
Deputy Mayor and Finance Portfolio
Transport
Housing & Land
Productivity & Skills
Economy & Innovation
Environment & Energy, HS2
Public Service Reform & Social Economy
Culture & Digital
Wellbeing
Inclusive Communities
Elected members and officers lead on key policy portfolio areas, working in partnership with LEP colleagues.
