The path to devolution has not been a straight one for many in local government, but the West Midlands Combined Authority's (WMCA) has been more winding and bumpy than most.

Due to launch on 10 June, the authority was put on ice after a challenge in Parliament by local MP John Spellar, who questioned the top-down nature of the authority and the imposition of a directly-elected mayor. It was blow to the WMCA, which was poised and ready to go live in advance of elections next May.