COUNCILLORS at Stratford District Council have had a change of heart and have voted to join West Midlands Combined Authority.

The decision was made at a meeting of full council on Monday January 24 and means the council will now become a non-constituent member.

A Notice of Motion was brought to the council by Cllr Maurice Howse.

Cllr Chris Saint, leader of Stratford District Council said: “I am pleased that the district council has taken the decision to be part of the West Midlands Combined Authority and aim to maximising the benefits for our district.

“The decision means that the district council will be able to play an active part in the devolution process currently under development. This does not represent a 'super council' as each member of the Combined Authority retains its independence and will continue to provide services like planning and refuse and recycling. It just means that there will be better collaboration between councils on strategic issues such as investment, skills, housing and economic development.

“We have always been a big believer in partnership working and where you cannot do things on your own, joining a partnership gives you greater resilience, greater freedom and greater spending powers allowing us to make sure our district benefits as much as possible.”