Local Liberal Democrats have called on the county council to "put party politics aside" and consider the needs of local residents amidst possible plans to join the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA).

Warwickshire County Council (WCC) will this week discuss fully joining the authority, with the council already a non-constituent member.

WMCA, led by elected mayor Andy Street, is a formal alliance of many councils across the Midlands from Shropshire to the west to Warwickshire to the east. 

The councils still function in their own right but in a move towards more devolved powers for regions of the country, the authority has a much greater say over how to bring in investment for and allocate money to economic development, housing, skills and transport.

Seven councils – Birmingham, Wolverhampton, Coventry, Dudley, Sandwell, Solihull and Walsall – are constituent members with full voting rights.

But the possible move for Warwickshire to join has already been met with opposition from local politicians and residents.

Labour MP for Warwick and Leamington Matt Western has set up a petition to try and halt the move, while the Liberal Democrat-led Stratford District Council is planning to set up a group to consider the implications of the move.

And with the Conservative leader of WCC Cllr Izzi Seccombe saying she does not know what would happen to the district and borough councils in Warwickshire should the county join WMCA, local Lib Dems have voiced their concerns.

"Both in the WMCA area and in the shire counties what's top of people's priorities is how to manage through the cost of living crisis with increased food and fuel bills, bigger mortgage payments and higher rents," said Cllr Richard Dickson, chair of the West Midlands Region Liberal Democrats.

"This is closely followed by concerns over the state of the NHS and getting a GP or dentist appointment. Then there's responding to the climate crisis, sewage in our rivers and the state of our schools.

"Let's put aside the party politics of this. 

"What matters are the policies that might justify such an expansion of the WMCA. What's in it for local residents of shire counties, for our local employers and for local communities that could warrant the cost? 

"And what are the processes that might be gone through to scrutinise and consult properly on the plans? How will it strengthen and increase trust in our local democracy?

"Finally, let's never forget either the key lesson learned last year when two Conservative councils in the Midlands tried to merge but failed to deliver. Culture eats strategy for breakfast."