Warwickshire councils have been asked to enter negotiations with counterparts in Worcestershire and Gloucestershire over potentially forming a mayoral authority.

It was revealed in an update to Stratford District Council’s overview and scrutiny committee this week that the government had made the request, seemingly steering Warwickshire’s authorities away from potential membership of the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA).

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Initially, local government reorganisation – plans that are set to merge Warwickshire's six councils across two levels of local government into one or two unitary councils – was set to happen before the discussion around how devolution will take place.

It was revealed in an update to Stratford District Council’s overview and scrutiny committee this week that the government had made the request, seemingly steering Warwickshire’s authorities away from potential membership of the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA). Photo by Google

The reshuffle has always been seen as the precursor to wider devolution plans through more strategic authorities like the WMCA, dovetailing policies on transport, education, skills and larger housing sites across bigger areas than council patches.

This week's meeting saw Stratford’s deputy chief executive Tony Perks explain how a fresh government consultation had been thrown in at the 11th hour on spatial development strategies and the foundation of strategic authorities in areas where they do not currently exist.

In Warwickshire it is something of a grey area. The six current county, district and borough councils are non-constituent members of the WMCA with limited voting rights, but there are strong links, particularly in relation to the economy cross-cutting into areas like Coventry and Solihull where councils are full members of the WMCA.

Those links form a big part of argument for seeking full membership through whatever councils come forward but opponents point to the reluctance of current West Midlands mayor Richard Parker (Lab) to expand the footprint and the potential for Warwickshire to be lost in an organisation that already covers a population of around three million. Worcestershire councils are in a similar position.

The government wants to devolve more powers to new strategic authorities of 1.5 million or more and this new update deals a blow to the two main ideas that have done the rounds, Warwickshire joining the WMCA or seeking to form its own standalone strategic authority.

Mr Perks said: “We have been asked to talk to Worcestershire and Gloucestershire about the feasibility of forming some sort of mayoral or strategic authority with them. We have been asked to provide feedback to the government.

“Initially we were told that this would be done after local government reorganisation. That agenda now seems to have been brought forward so they are looking to conclude this, from what we have seen so far, at the same time.”

Councillor Mike Rice (Lib Dem, Henley-in-Arden) sought clarification on exactly who had made that request with Mr Perks confirming it had come from government minister Matthew Pennycook MP (Lab).

Councillor Sarah Whalley-Hoggins (Reform UK, Brailes & Compton) asked him to explain “why we would go outside Warwickshire’s boundary to achieve this”.

Mr Perks replied: “The advice we have had from the government is that they are looking to form strategic or mayoral authorities with populations of around 1.5 million.

“Warwickshire would not meet those numbers so it is likely we will need a larger footprint.”