The offices of Lichfield District Council. Pic: Lichfield District Council

A residents’ group has said the decision not to sign up to a West Midlands combined authority was “the only choice” Lichfield District Council could make.

The Conservative controlled local authority rejected the chance to join the regional link-up at a meeting earlier this month, with leader Mike Wilcox claiming concerns over voting powers were to blame.

Beacon Street Area Residents Association chairman Bob Smith said the lack of detail would have made joining a difficult decision.

“We have kept an open mind regarding the combined authority process, particularly while there is uncertainty as to the full role that the new body will undertake,” he said.

“The decision made by Lichfield District Council to defer applying to be part of the inaugural process would seem to be the only choice it could make.”

Cllr Wilcox did not rule out joining a West Midlands group at a later stage.

But Mr Smith said he hoped any decision would also involve input from residents.

“If Lichfield District Council does decide to reconsider membership of the ‘Midlands Powerhouse’ in the future when the exact terms of membership and its modus operandi are publicly established, it is considered that it would be wise to put the process out to democratic public consultation to enable the electorate to air their views.”

Founder of Lichfield Live and editor of the site.

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Thornton
8 years ago

It wasn’t the only decision they could make else there wouldn’t have been a decision to make.