A major parish shake up has taken the next step forward after the latest consultation again showed public support. 

As the Local Democracy Reporting Service reported last year Balsall Parish Council and Berkswell Parish Council made a joint request to merge as the councils said in a letter they are "intrinsically linked".

In an initial consultation 273 residents responded with 205 saying they were in favour of a merger.

Draft proposals for a merged council consisting of four wards were then drawn up, with this plan going out to consultation between December and February. 

The four wards would be:

• Berkswell Ward
• Balsall Common West Ward
• Balsall Common East Ward
• Temple Balsall, Fen End and Meer End Ward

From 737 residents who responded a majority of 465 – 63 per cent – favoured the merging of the councils.

In the public speaking section of the latest governance committee meeting on March 25 Balsall parish councillor Richard Drake, who drafted the original request from the parish councils, said: "We support the merger, it is in line with the original request – please do support."

Solihull councillor Andrew Burrow, who has served on both parish councils, said: "The last time this was around eight years ago, I opposed it.

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"Given the amount of change hitting the Balsall Common area (through HS2 and housing) I think it needs a single parish council."

But Councillor Richard Lloyd, who serves on both councils, said: "Most people don't see there is a problem.

"The issue has triggered hardly any debate in public or on social media."

And he argued, taking into account the electorate who hadn't participated in the consultation and those who did not want the merger, 94 per cent did not want a change.

And Dinah Edwards, vice chairman of Berkswell Parish Council, added: "I believe the only way this should be settled is at the ballot box.

"I'm a realist and whilst I'd love to think you would move in this way, I doubt that you will."

During the debate Councillor Max McLoughlin asked what the options were in having a referendum. 

Matthew Rossi, electoral services manager, explained the law is it should be done as a consultation, not a referendum. 

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Cllr Leslie Kaye said: "The question of low turnout – there was sufficient consultation with residents so that everybody who did have an opinion was able to respond." 

Cllr Richard Holt said: "I'm heartened by the fact ward councillors (for the parishes) approve this, and the vast majority of councillors within both parish councils approve it as well."

Cllr Ade Adeyemo added: "It is quite clear it is not unanimous.

"However we have gone through the proper process, it has been democratic.

"The public decides if they want to engage."

Councillors agreed to recommend the merger for a final decision at April's full council meeting.