DESPITE fierce opposition Redditch Council has pledged its support to Birmingham and the West Midlands by giving the green light to join the proposed West Midlands Combined Authority as a non-constituent member.

The controversial decision was made during a meeting last Thursday, where councillors voted 16-10 in favour of the historic deal which sees the town join Birmingham, Coventry, Dudley, Sandwell, Solihull, Walsall and Wolverhampton in a collective authority - to be run under the control of a proposed metro mayor.

The council has agreed to cough up £10,000 for a start-up fee and a further £25,000 to be a part of the proposed group.

This forms part of the Government plans to devolve some of its powers to regional groups of councils that have formed combined authorities.

There was lively debate between councillors with all Labour members voting in favour of the proposals alongside only one Conservative member despite this being a Conservative initiative.

Council leader Bill Hartnett, acknowledged people had asked for more details but said the timetable to make a decision on this was fast- with a looming central government deadline set for October 12.

“This is too big an opportunity to miss for Redditch, with opportunities for growth, jobs, investment and improved transport,” he said.

“We have a chance to be part of the biggest combined authority in the country, with well over 3.5 million people, if we are at the table we can influence the decision and be part of this if we are not at the table we can`t.”

Several councillors expressed concerns over the lack of information and wanted further details on the proposals.

Conservative councillor Brandon Clayton said: “The problem with this proposal is ifs and buts because this is an ongoing process.”

In reference to the council documents on the combined authority, Conservative councillor Tom Baker-Price said: “After 140 pages we still have hundreds of questions.”

Conservative councillor David Thain said he did not want Redditch to become a building block for Birmingham, which was later disputed by Labour councillor Andrew Fry who said that happened in 1964.

Conservative councillor David Bush was initially unsure on whether to vote in favour. “From my point of view I want to have more information.”

But he later agreed to the proposal.

Labour councillor Pat Witherspoon said: “We want the best for the people of Redditch.

“This way we can be there at the table at the beginning.”

An additional recommendation was added at the beginning of the meeting, allowing chief executive Kevin Dicks, following consultation with the leader Bill Hartnett, to approve minor amendments to the documents as long as they do not change the content of what councillors had in front of them at the meeting.

A survey of residents organised by the council on the proposal received 90 responses, 44 against, 40 in favour and six don’t knows.

The council can still join a combined authority for Worcestershire.