Title

LEGAL

Court rules against police powers for West Midlands mayor

The High Court has ruled against the Government’s plans to merge the role of the West Midlands police and crime commissioner (PCC) with the regional mayor.

The High Court has ruled against the Government's plans to merge the role of the West Midlands police and crime commissioner (PCC) with the regional mayor.

Labour PCC Simon Foster took legal action against the Home Office to stop his powers over the West Midlands police being transferred to the mayor, a position currently held by Conservative Andy Street.

Mr Street requested the power transfer last November, arguing that ‘crime in this region has more than doubled' and that he 'could not allow it to go on any longer'.

Mr Foster said the plan amounted to a ‘hostile takeover' and 'cynical power grab'.

Judge Mr Justice Swift ruled that the Home Office had not provided sufficient information when consulting over its plans.

The Home Office said there had been a lawful consultation.

LEGAL

Platforms for change

By Max Wide | 14 August 2025

Now should be the time to reflect, learn and proceed with insight and refreshed practices if the new strategic authorities and the ingenuity of their leaders...

LEGAL

EXCLUSIVE: Government reluctant to interfere with successful strategic authority boundaries

By Dan Peters | 14 August 2025

The Government has suggested it will not want to rip up existing strategic authority boundaries where the organisations are ‘working well’.

LEGAL

Can Britain's cohesion drive stop the next riot?

By Paul Marinko | 13 August 2025

The Government’s cohesion taskforce promises a fresh approach to healing divisions – but councils warn that without fixing housing pressures and restoring tr...

LEGAL

Delivering on the promise of power

By Rebecca McKee | 11 August 2025

Mayors need effective economic strategies to deliver on the promise of English devolution, says Rebecca McKee.

Popular articles by William Eichler