Warwick's MP has said it is a "relief" that "flawed" plans for Warwickshire to join the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) have been put on ice.

In a weekly update circulated to boroughs, districts and parishes, it was revealed that Warwickshire County Council's (WCC) cabinet had decided against the option of pushing through full membership, which would have entailed coming under the remit of the directly-elected West Midlands mayor, for now. 

It came just 11 days after the cabinet resolved to ask council officers, the employed professionals that run the day-to-day business of the authority, to look at the prospect of becoming full constituent members and other options to ensure Warwickshire did not get left behind amid government plans to give more powers and financial control to local authorities under devolution deals.

Labour MP for Warwick and Leamington Matt Western had opposed the plans, with over 900 residents signing his petition to stop the move.

Matt Western accused West Midlands mayor Andy Street of "naked gerrymandering" and attempting to "shore up support from traditional Conservative voting Warwickshire" ahead of the mayoral election. 

"It is a relief that these flawed plans are being halted as it was never in the best interests of Warwickshire residents, only the interests of Cllr Seccombe and Mayor Street," he said.

"I was grateful to local residents for joining me in opposing this attempt to annex Warwickshire into the WMCA and move important decisions away from our local representatives and into the hands of a Mayor almost 30 miles away. 

"It was naked gerrymandering which the Conservative leadership at Warwickshire, the Combined Authority and Michael Gove were trying to rush through to try and save their chances in the 2024 West Midlands Mayoral election."

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The statement circulated by WCC said local residents need to be fully consulted before any plans progress.

"Cabinet has decided not to pursue joining the WMCA as a full constituent member at this time due to the time constraints in a major change such as this," it said.

"The residents of Warwickshire, and those of the wider West Midlands, need a full consideration to be sure that the evidence supports any decision. 

"With the timeline set out, it has become clear to cabinet that they could not deliver an evidenced case, nor a credible consultation.

"Warwickshire County Council will consider the opportunity in the period ahead of the next mayoral elections in 2028."