A consultation is underway on legislation which will dictate how a new West Midlands Mayor and Combined Authority will work.
Seven local authorities in the West Midlands (Birmingham, Coventry, Dudley, Sandwell, Solihull, Walsall, Wolverhampton) have already negotiated a devolution deal with the government which will see the creation of a West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) and Mayor.
The Mayoral WMCA Functions Scheme is the legislation that says how the Mayor and the WMCA will make decisions, who will be responsible for what and how the Mayor will work with the WMCA board.
Findings from this consultation will help inform the decision making of the Secretary of State and Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) before an Order could be laid before Parliament. The Secretary of State will look at whether the Scheme promotes efficient and effective governance and its impact on local community identity.
The consultation and supporting documents is available on the West Midlands Combined Authority website.
Those wishing to submit their views can complete an online survey.
The consultation will also be available in hard copy upon request at libraries and some council public buildings across the region.
Councillor Bob Sleigh, Chair of the WMCA, said: “The idea of a mayor for the WMCA area is to provide a strong voice for the region. They would also be an ambassador for the area, selling it on the global stage. They would be the point of contact when the Government want to speak to ‘the West Midlands’ and be responsible for driving the Devolution Agreement within government and the region.
“The detail in the Functions Scheme should demonstrate that we have given much thought to how a Mayoral WMCA will work effectively to deliver the Devolution Agreement.
“I encourage residents, businesses, community groups and partners from across the region to complete the consultation and have their say.”