Mark Whitehead 17 September 2015

Poor leadership could delay West Midlands devo deal, minister warns

A devolution deal for the West Midlands could be delayed because of poor leadership at one of the main councils involved, local government minister Greg Clark has warned.

He told MPs that Birmingham City Council’s leaders had been too slow to make improvements to the authority and the Government would consider taking it over if they did not act fast.

The West Midlands Combined Authority comprising Birmingham, Coventry, Dudley, Sandwell, Solihull, Walsall and Wolverhampton, has submitted a bid to the Government for a devolution package giving them control of £8 billion for transport, skills and growth.

Asked if the lack of improvement made the deal impossible, Mr Clark (pictured) said: ‘The leadership has not been as fleet of foot as I think is needed for the scale of the opportunity, not just for the city of Birmingham but for the West Midlands.’

Asked whether the local authority could be taken over by the Government, Mr Clark told the communities and local government select committee: There are a number of options available.’

In a highly critical report last year former top civil servant Bob Kerslake warned that the council was failing to deliver basic services such as street cleaning and bin collection well enough.

A panel set up by the Government to report on how the authority was improving warned in July that poor leadership was one of the reasons it was failing to solve its problems quickly.

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Senior Lawyer (Planning)

Torbay Council
£55,181 - £58,269 / year
Torbay is breath-taking, captivating, and welcoming, occupying a prime position on the south coast of Devon. Torbay, Devon
Recuriter: Torbay Council

Legal Officer

Torbay Council
£28,598 - £31,022 / year
No two days in Torbay are ever the same! Torbay, Devon
Recuriter: Torbay Council

Technician - Highway Inspector

Derbyshire County Council
Grade 8 £29,719 - £31,691 per annum
Within the Highways Maintenance Team we are looking for an enthusiastic, customer focused and experienced person Derbyshire
Recuriter: Derbyshire County Council

Education, Employment and Training Case Worker

Oxfordshire County Council
£34434 - £37280
About the Role This is an exciting opportunity to be a part the of EET service and make a difference to a young person’s ambitions and future learning and employment. As an an EET Case Worker you will work directly with a caseload of NEET (not in educat Bicester Children & Family Centre
Recuriter: Oxfordshire County Council

Highway Design and Construction Manager

Bolton Council
Grade N, scp50 £62,443 to scp53 £65,663 per annum, plus essential car user allowance
We embrace AI to enhance our operations and to innovate our services. Bolton, Greater Manchester
Recuriter: Bolton Council
Linkedin Banner