Finally the name is out! The Midland’s new combined authority have ended with the adoption of ‘West Midlands Combined Authority’….reports Asian Lite News
Other local authorities who will be joining the proposed new body include the Black Country, Solihull and Coventry. It is believed the WMCA name was favoured by some of the authorities involved in the decision as a way of retaining their local identity.
The name is a harkback to the old West Midlands County Council, which was made up of most of the local authorities who will form the new combined organisation.
However, it also puts paid to other names, such as ‘Greater Birmingham’ or ‘Heart of England’, which business leaders have been campaigning for.
Despite this, business leaders have underlined their backing for the new combined authority. Chamber chief executive Jerry Blackett said: “From a Birmingham point of view this is obviously disappointing.
“However, the broader picture must come into play and the substance of the agreement is more important than the name.
“It would have been great to compete directly with Greater London and Greater Manchester but the important thing now is to drive through a combined authority agenda that will create the economic powerhouse we all desire.”
Businesses wanted ‘Greater Birmingham’ or ‘Heart of England’ as it is believed that the name ‘West Midlands’ carries little or no resonance in major economic countries such as China and USA