Almost three quarters of Dudley residents who responded to a survey are in favour of a combined authority for the West Midlands.

Five key questions were asked gauge the level of backing for the setting up of a 'West Midlands Combined Authority' to take charge of the region’s strategic planning.

An overwhelming 88 per cent of respondents agreed or strongly agreed that the authority should not become a ‘super council’ and that a combined authority for the region should not have an adverse effect on the identities and interests of local communities. But 22 per cent of respondents disagreed with the four questions relating to the WMCA’s role and functions.

There were also concerns about the role and powers of a directly elected mayor and about whether there would be cross party unity between participating authorities and the ongoing identity of the WMCA.

Dudley Council leader Councillor Pete Lowe said: “In Dudley we are a community council and that means the views and opinions of people across Dudley borough are at the heart of everything we do.

“This West Midlands Combined Authority consultation has been an incredibly useful opportunity for local people to tell us what they think and it has shown that there is certainly an appetite to discuss plans to become a combined authority.

"It’s important that Dudley borough people have a voice and express their views. The responses, along with those from other areas across the council area involved will form a picture for the whole region Cllr Lowe added: “Time will now be taken to analyse what people have said and how we can best respond to it.”

Initial results have now been submitted to government which will decide whether it is in the region’s best interests to form a combined authority.