West Midlands (county)

The County of West Midlands is a metropolitan county in western central England, the United Kingdom, formed in 1974. The county contains the cities of Birmingham, Wolverhampton and Coventry.

Local government

The West Midlands is divided into seven metropolitan boroughs, these are, Birmingham, Coventry, Dudley, Sandwell, Solihull, Walsall and Wolverhampton (see map). Three of these boroughs: Birmingham, Coventry and Woverhampton have city status.

Related Topics:
Metropolitan borough - Birmingham - Coventry - Dudley - Sandwell - Solihull - Walsall - Wolverhampton - City status

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For the first twelve years after the West Midlands was created in 1974, the county had a two-tier system of local government, and the boroughs shared power with the West Midlands County Council.

Related Topics:
1974 - Local government - West Midlands County Council

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However in 1986, along with five other metropolitan county councils and the Greater London Council, the West Midlands County Council was abolished, and most of its powers were devolved to the boroughs, which became effective unitary authorities.

Related Topics:
1986 - Metropolitan county - Greater London Council - Unitary authorities

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Despite the abolition of the county council, some local services are still run jointly on a county-wide basis. Including:

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• The West Midlands Passenger Transport Executive, known as Centro, which is responsible for planning and co-ordinating public transport across the county.
• The West Midlands Police, who are overseen by a joint Police authority.
• The West Midlands Fire Service, which is administered by a joint "Fire and Civil Defence Authority".

These are administered by joint-boards which are made up of councillors appointed from each of the seven West Midlands councils. A number of joint-commitees also exist to co-ordinate matters such as roads and planning.

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The boroughs jointly own a share in Birmingham International Airport, which used to be owned by the county council.

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