West Midlands Mayor's bid to take over police rejected
Plans for the West Midlands Mayor to take over policing across the region have been rejected.
The West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) voted to throw out a scheme to scrap the role of police and crime commissioner (PCC) by a majority of nine against five at a meeting today.
The plans, which were put forward by Mayor Andy Street, would have seen the mayoralty take charge of policing oversight from May 2020.
It had received overwhelming public support in a consultation, but was voted down due to concerns from WMCA board members that the process had not been transparent.
The consultation was shrouded in controversy after a post from the Mayor's account emerged encouraging Tory members to "do anything you can to get us three, four, five or more responses".
Mr Street, who insists he had nothing to do with the post, was cleared of any wrongdoing in an independent investigation.
A probe into a response from Solihull councillor Bob Grinsell is still ongoing.
Labour PCC David Jamieson, who is stepping down next year, was against the merger of the two roles.
The vote means that separate elections for a Mayor and a PCC will be held in May 2020.
