Councillors involved in a potential West Midlands combined authority have been told they need to put political allegiances aside if the link-up is to work.
Lichfield District Council will make its own decision about whether to join the group in October.
Some of the controlling Conservative group had expressed concerns about a possible link-up.
But Cllr Mike Wilcox, leader of Lichfield District Council, believes the signs are positive that different political groups will be able to work together for the good of the region.
“I think the big turning point was the creation of the shadow board for the combined authority and the appointment of Bob Sleigh, Solihull Metropolitan Council’s leader, as chair.
“Most of the metropolitan councils in the proposed group are Labour, so to put a Conservative leader in the chair shows that leaders want to work together regardless of political persuasion – that has to be good for the whole West Midlands and area.
“We’ve got to put politics aside on this and ensure any combined authority is run collectively and with collaboration from all involved.”
