It basically looks like an effort to save money, with a few added bonuses: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-32792701

I don't like the idea of Coventry re-merging with Warwickshire; the reason the city was peeled away from the county was that it was too big: http://www.coventrytelegraph.net/news/coventry-news/coventry-tory-leader-joining-greater-9289183

There is only one good thing to ever come out of Birmingham, the A45 back to Coventry!

This idea was tried before, it didn't work. The people of Coventry don't want it (Someone please explain to Lucas what democracy is!) and any Mayor elected is likely to be Birmingham centric.

I see this as yet more bullsh*t that will create layers of bureaucracy and cost the tax payers a lot of money. My guess is that there are councillors on Coventry Council that know their days are numbered and are looking for other avenues.

Equally Lex, I quite understand why Warwickshire wouldn't want us. However, if we are forced to go down this route, I see the Coventry Warwickshire option as the lesser of the evils for all concerned.

Looks like the West Midlands Combined Authority will be going ahead next year: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-33417772

It looks like a done deal doesn't it? Time to stop the money eating consultation/engagement garbage and come clean.

Lucas will rue the day she sold us out. Some of us have long memories!

I'm slightly worried that Warwickshire will eventually be sucked into this - our police force already has an alliance with West Midlands Police. The north of the county would fit in well with the Combined Authority, but the south of the county is largely rural and of a completely different nature.

I remember the West Midlands council from a few years back. This will end up being a repeat of that. The only beneficiary will be Birmingham.

I don't see this Combined Authority as benefiting anyone. Pickles has already admitted that Local Authorities are riddled with corruption and that it is up to us to sort it out! I see this making things worse, because it will be even more difficult to seek out all the special little relationships and sweet deals that are going on.

I also see Warwickshire being dragged into this, and as you rightly point out, what does Birmingham (who will run things) know about country areas and their needs/requirements?

People keep on pointing to Greater Manchester and saying how good it is. Perhaps asking some of the residents of Salford (or similar) might give a different and more realistic view? Manchester itself has certainly done well out of things!

There has been talk of Stratford District Council working with councils in Northamptonshire. I can see this working for the Stratford District more than being swallowed by Birmingham; we have a lot more in common with Northants., south Worcestershire, Gloucestershire & northern Oxfordshire than Brum and Walsall!

Coventry City Council are holding some drop-in sessions about the new authority. It's the usual affair, though - most of the sessions are being held when no-one but the elderly & unemployed are available to turn up!

http://www.coventry.gov.uk/news/article/1362/drop-in_session_for_coventry_residents_to_have_their_say_on_combined_authority

It's pointless, we know it's a done deal.

Lucas has made it quite clear that we are going to throw our hand in with Birmingham. These drop in sessions are nothing more than a waste of money trying to convince the electorate that the council is doing the right thing. There has been several polls locally clearly showing Lucas that we don't want this enforced on us, but Lucas is pressing ahead for her own reasons.

The reason we won't be given a referendum is not due to time-scales or anything else, it's because Lucas knows full well we'll vote against anything to do with Birmingham.

I only hope that come the next local election where Lucas and Maton are up for re-election, the people remember them for what they have done to this city.

Looks like Warwickshire's signing up too. I won't be happy if the County Council drags us into this: http://www.rugbyadvertiser.co.uk/news/local-news/votes-due-on-joining-west-mids-super-council-1-6936149

It's going to be worse than how the population of Coventry are being treated. A few seconds on the County Council's daily 'news', announcing we'll be able to watch the meeting over the internet tomorrow. This isn't even lip service to democracy - short notice, and at a time where no-one will be watching. I doubt the video will even be posted on their website:
http://news.warwickshire.gov.uk/blog/2015/09/02/60-second-news-02092015-full-county-council-meeting-on-thursday/

Sadly where these muppets are concerned, democracy really is an illusion.

I wonder if malfeasance in office could be leveled at them? - Interesting if we could get some legals to do pro-bono on it!

Is there anyone out there who can help?

Stratford District's being dragged into this too. Well done to the a*******s on the council for publicising the consultation so effectively - NOT

http://www.stratford-herald.com/41260-district-council-decide-not-to-commit-to-combined-authority-for-now.html

http://www.stratford-herald.com/41318-combined-authority-plan-lacks-clarity.html

At least WCC has seen sense: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-coventry-warwickshire-34136729