A petition to stop Warwickshire County Council (WCC) joining the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) has been launched by Warwick's MP.

Over 300 people have already signed the 'Warwickshire, Let’s not be Run by Brum' online petition which was started by MP for Warwick and Leamington Matt Western.

Council leader Cllr Izzi Seccombe told the Local Democracy Reporting Service last week it would be "negligent" to not consider the move, but scotched suggestions that full membership is a done deal.

The West Midlands Local Authority, led by elected mayor Andy Street, is a formal alliance of seven councils across the Midlands from Shropshire to the west to Warwickshire to the east. 

Warwickshire is a non-constituent member, meaning it has less say on bigger decisions. And residents cannot vote on the mayor.

But the news has been met with criticism from local residents and politicians, with Mr Western branding the idea a "power grab".

"Andy Street wants to bring Warwickshire into the West Midlands Combined Authority, to shore up his Conservative support ahead of next May’s mayoral elections," the Labour MP said.

"It’s clear as day what’s he’s doing - it’s gerrymandering and Warwickshire wants no part in it.

"If you agree with me and want to keep our county run here, not almost 30 miles away in Birmingham, sign my petition here."

A letter from Mr Western to Cllr Seccombe about joining WMCA

Meanwhile leader of the Labour group at Warwick District Council Cllr Chris King described the plans as "an act of desperation" to "try and secure a Tory Mayor for the West Midlands"

Meanwhile Cllr Seccombe said it is "not the case" that a decision had or would be taken without engagement with stakeholders.

"It is fair to say that, from time to time, we explore whether we want to change our status and that is under consideration but there has certainly been no decision," she said last week.

"We review whether joining or not is the best thing for our residents and businesses. That is more relevant at the moment than before because of the demise of LEPs through which funding streams have flowed.

"This will be about the continuation of funding streams at a time when the LEPs are not there and it appears combined authorities may be the way.

"We are considering it but of course, any further consideration beyond that would be subject to consultation, discussions across districts and boroughs on what it means for them, our residents and our businesses, if indeed that is what we want to do. 

"It is a very long way from all that has been said." 

Nub News has approached Mr Street for comment.