About us
A combined authority is a group of local authorities working together to make their region a better place to live. The government gives combined authorities the money and power to make decisions for their regions.
This is called devolution. It means that decisions are made by people who know their region best.
West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) was set up in 2016. We want to make the West Midlands a happy, healthy, place to live. We’ll do this by:
- making it easier and safer to travel in and around the region
- using derelict land to build homes
- protecting our green spaces
- making sure young people have the education and employment opportunities to make a great start in life
- working together to support our communities and build a fairer, healthier and more inclusive West Midlands
- tackling climate change through our WM2041 pledge
You can read our constitution to find out more about how we run the WMCA.
We are not a council. You don’t pay council tax to us and we don’t collect your bins - your local authority does this.
Our structure
WMCA is made up of 18 local councils and 1 local enterprise partnership (LEPs). LEPs work together to benefit everyone who lives and works in the region. They include businesses, local councils and education leaders.
Our Chief Executive is Laura Shoaf. She leads WMCA along with the Mayor, Andy Street, and the leaders of 7 local councils.
West Midlands Mayoral and Local Elections 2024
People will go to the polls on Thursday 2 May to elect the mayor for the region alongside councillors to local authorities in many areas.
These local councils have full voting rights on any decision we make:
Some local councils and LEPs have reduced voting rights. They are:
These observer organisations come to our meetings but don’t vote: