The West Midlands County Council (WMCC) was, from 1974 to 1986, the upper-tier administrative body for the West Midlands county, a metropolitan county in England.
The WMCC existed for a total of twelve years. It was established on 1 April 1974, by the Local Government Act 1972 and was abolished on 31 March 1986. It was abolished along with five other metropolitan county councils and the Greater London Council by the government of Margaret Thatcher by the Local Government Act 1985.
The WMCC was a strategic authority running regional services such as transport, emergency services, and strategic planning. Elections were held to the council in 1973, 1977 and 1981. Elections were due to be held in 1985 but were cancelled due to the council's abolition.
The Labour Party controlled the council from 1974–77, with the Conservatives controlling it 1977–81. It reverted to Labour control for the last term 1981–86.
When it existed the council's headquarters (County Hall) were based at Lancaster Circus in central Birmingham, in a building that is now occupied, but not as its headquarters, by Birmingham City Council.
Upon its abolition, most of the functions of the council such as planning were devolved to the metropolitan district councils of Birmingham, Coventry, Dudley, Sandwell, Solihull, Walsall, and Wolverhampton. Some of its functions were taken over by joint-boards and continued to be run on a county-wide basis, these included policing, fire and rescue and public transport.
Its assets were split between the West Midlands Residuary Body and the West Midlands boroughs councils.
Read more about West Midlands County Council: Leaders of The WMCC
Famous quotes containing the words west, midlands, county and/or council:
“We were young, we were merry, we were very very wise,
And the door stood open at our feast,
When there passed us a woman with the West in her eyes,
And a man with his back to the East.”
—Mary Elizabeth Coleridge (1861–1907)
“Sunday night meant, in the dark, wintry, rainy Midlands ... anywhere where two creatures might stand and squeeze together and spoon.... Spooning was a fine art, whereas kissing and cuddling are calf-processes.”
—D.H. (David Herbert)
“But I would say to my fellows, once for all, As long as possible live free and uncommitted. It makes but little difference whether you are committed to a farm or the county jail.”
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)
“There by some wrinkled stones round a leafless tree
With beards askew, their eyes dull and wild
Twelve ragged men, the council of charity
Wandering the face of the earth a fatherless child....”
—Allen Tate (1899–1979)