Major powers could be handed to one man in West Midlands as he says 'determined to use them'

West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker is set to become the single most powerful politician in the West Midlands, bar none. He has been given the right 'by default' to take over fire and police services, oversee health services, call in major building plans and develop a blueprint for growth.

The extended powers will likely signal the demise of the police and crime commissioner and fire authority roles. The unprecedented new powers are wrapped up in a major shake-up of local government unveiled today, declared the biggest in five decades. It will see Labour fulfil its pledge to devolve power out of Whitehall into local communities.

The English Devolution White Paper confirms the future hegemony of mayors, who will be given a mandate to run the region's affairs in partnership with councils, health, transport, education and emergency services. It will also likely mark the demise of some smaller district and borough councils in areas that currently have 'two tiers', like in Worcestershire and Warwickshire, in a plan to introduce a more uniform local government system across the country.

READ MORE: Equal pay prediction that triggered Birmingham's bankruptcy 'was figment of imagination'

Under the vision, Mr Parker will, by default, take over running the region's police and fire services, with an expectation that he will also be invited to 'chair or co-chair' the region's health service bodies, the Integrated Care Partnerships.

He will also be responsible for creating a strategic blueprint for future developments and infrastructure across the region, with powers to call in any major schemes. Announcing the plans earlier today, the Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner said: "The number one mission of this government is to relight the fire of our economy and ignite growth in every region. To do this, we need to end this ‘cap in hand’ approach to our regions, where towns and cities are pitted against each other, fighting for a small portion.

"Because the truth is that for all the promises of levelling up, when the rubber hits the road, central government’s first instinct is all too often to hoard power and hold our economy back."

On transport, Parker will get powers similar to their London counterpart Sadiq Khan to create an integrated public transport system, with trains, trams, buses and active travel networks set to come under his oversight. That should lead to a seamless 'pay as you go' system for commuters.

The West Midlands Combined Authority is described as a flagship 'Established Mayoral Strategic Authority' under the new plans. A 'majority vote' among members will approve most major decisions, although the mayor will retrain specific powers.

"Given Mayors are the government’s strong preference, the deepest powers will only be available at the Mayoral level and higher," says the Government. "Mayors should have a unique role in an institution which allows them to focus fully on their devolved responsibilities, while council leaders must continue to focus on leading their place and delivering vital services."

The most controversial aspect of the White Paper would see a redesign of local government that is expected to see some district councils scrapped and absorbed into bigger unitary authorities. A network of mayors will also be introduced that will cover the country. In Worcestershire, for example, district councils are responsible for some services, while the county council oversees education, transport and social services. Consultation will begin in the new year on what happens next.

In the West Midlands area, there will be a limited immediate direct impact as the seven councils inside the combined authority area already have unitary powers and responsibilities - Birmingham, Coventry, Dudley, Sandwell, Solihull, Walsall, Wolverhampton. But it could potentially mean areas on the outskirts might get absorbed to create a super region; and it might also involve revisiting whether Birmingham is an appropriate size to function to its optimum.

The paper also says: "We will introduce an expectation that Mayors are appointed to Integrated Care Partnerships and are considered for the role of Chair or Co-Chair. The Mayor should also be engaged in appointing Chairs of Integrated Care Boards. Over the long term, the government is announcing an ambition to align public service boundaries, including job centres, police, probation, fire, health services and Strategic and Local Authorities."

Parker must also produce Local Growth Plans designed to hardwire how local and national priorities align. Agencies responsible for major projects and funding initiatives - including Homes England, Great British Railways, National Highways, Great British Energy and Arts Council England - will be asked to reconfigure how they work to fit in with the new regional arrangements.

In a few lines that local community activists will likely leap on, the Government say the loss of 'shared community forums, places and institutions – whether it be local news outlets, community cafes, youth clubs, pubs, historic buildings, libraries or sport facilities – has eroded a sense of local civic pride and contributed to a feeling of decline in neighbourhoods and high streets'.

"The government will therefore deliver on its manifesto commitment to replace the community ‘Right to Bid’ with a strengthened ‘Right to Buy’ Assets of Community Value, creating a more robust pathway to community asset ownership. We will support community ownership by funding projects...and allow communities across the country to purchase cherished assets that are at risk of being lost."

Mr Parker said of the proposals: "Today's White Paper is a resounding endorsement of the potential in our regions, and the West Midlands is primed to make the most of the opportunities it brings. By moving powers from Westminster to the West Midlands, we can act swiftly and boldly to benefit our region. Every home we build, every journey we improve, every young person we skill up creates opportunities for the West Midlands and the people who live and work there.

"As mayor, I'm determined to use these powers to ensure that no corner of our region is left behind. The West Midlands will be a place where ambition is rewarded, communities are strengthened and potential is realised. This is an opportunity to write the next chapter of our region's remarkable story, building a legacy that future generations will celebrate."

The new powers mark the most dramatic shift since the West Midlands mayoralty was created eight years ago, from a largely ambassadorial role with limited funding and staffing, to the most powerful position in the region.

Parker's predecessor, Conservative Andy Street, twice tried, and failed, to absorb the role of police and crime commissioner into the mayoralty, without success. There was also an aborted bid to take over governance of the fire service.

Both are likely to now go ahead. Mr Parker, responding to questions from BirminghamLive, said he felt today was a key moment in devolution.

"Since the creation of the combined authority, progress with devolution and funding to do it has been tentative, bureaucratic and piecemeal. We've had various announcements from the previous government of projects like levelling up but that just pitted communities, towns and cities against each other to try to get their share of the pie. 'Begging bowl politics' as it was described...and on many occasions our towns and cities would return empty handed.

"I do feel today is a key moment...It's a step change, for all regions, including ours. The White Paper is clear and unambiguous in its intent and it gives me as mayor the key powers to better connect our communities, create jobs, build homes and drive growth...but this is just the floor, not the ceiling. Angela Rayner has committed to work with me and other mayors to devolve even more."

Consultation will begin in the new year on the specifics of the White Paper.