OPPOSITION groups on Dudley Council are complaining that members are not being given enough time to give their views on plans for a new super authority for the West Midlands.

Councillor Pete Lowe, leader of the Labour-dominated Dudley Council, sent out a letter on August 13 inviting councillors to give their feedback on proposals for the West Midlands Combined Authority by August 28.

But Councillor Patrick Harley, leader of the Tory opposition on the council, described the timetable as "completely unacceptable" - and UKIP group leader Councillor Paul Brothwood said: "This is very short notice and not ideal timing."

Councillor Harley said: "Two weeks to respond and in the middle of August where a lot of people will be on holiday is not how a transparent council should operate."

And Councillor Brothwood said: "It is vital that feedback is given on this disastrous concept.

"The previous combined authority failed and I see no reason why this one will be any different.

"Centralising power is never a good thing.

"The further local people are removed from the decision making process the more detached they become and local democracy is eroded."

But Councillor Lowe said: "We are complying with the deadlines set down by Patrick's own party and we are trying to get as much information as we can before we submit our thoughts to the government.

"There will be a full consultation later this year and Patrick and Paul have had regular briefings on this so it wouldn't have come as a surprise to them.

"There has been endless coverage of the issue over the last 12 months."

The combined authority would link together Dudley, Sandwell, Solihull, Walsall, Wolverhampton, Birmingham and Coventry to work together on issues affecting the region - and the parliamentary go-ahead for it is expected next April.

In his letter to councillors, Councillor Lowe said it would be a new opportunity for councils to work together to promote transport, economic development and regeneration across the whole region - and a chance to better plan issues such as tourism, skills development and business support.

He adds: "Our local identity will be maintained and strengthened."

And he says it will not replace existing councils or diminish Dudley's local identity.

UKIP Councillor and MEP Bill Etheridge said: "The fanciful article produced by the council about the alleged benefits of the authority are false.

"We have seen the strong opposition to elected mayors across the country but this is a condition of a combined authority.

"What’s also not been made clear is that there will be no extra funding available for these new authorities.”

“I cannot believe the timescales for the feedback about the authority has been set centrally, as stated by the leader of the council, and if this is correct it shows the inherent dangers of more centralised powers to a combined authority.”