PEN has been put to paper by the leader of Dudley Council to formally agree to a devolution deal as part of the West Midlands Combined Authority.

The £8 billion deal is claimed to bolster more public transport, jobs, investment and housing in the borough than ever before.

Councillor Pete Lowe, leader of Dudley Council, joined the other Midlands borough leaders, as well as members of the Government to sign the agreement, hailing it a “monumental achievement”.

The West Midlands authorities – Dudley, Birmingham, Coventry, Sandwell, Solihull, Walsall and Wolverhampton – are being offered devolved power in return for agreeing to be run by an elected Mayor.

Projects in Dudley include bringing brownfield sites back to use for housing or employment and £699 million investment into the proposed Midland Metro extension from Brierley Hill to Birmingham.

The move will link the borough up with the existing light rail system, as well as the Birmingham hub of HS2.

Councillor Pete Lowe, leader of Dudley Council, said: “This is a monumental achievement, and Dudley is very much a key part of it with jobs, investment and other opportunities coming directly to us here in the borough.

“The money coming in for Midland Metro will revolutionise the whole borough’s transport links while the plans for investment in brownfield sites will open up huge potential to create new housing and employment opportunities which will have a massive impact on the local economy.

“I must stress that this excellent news for Dudley is about building us a better future, while maintaining our own strong and unique identity which has been built over hundreds of years.

“We will continue to make our own decisions while working closely with our West Midlands neighbours for the benefit of the whole of the region.”

The proposed agreement with the Government will see the local authorities make an annual contribution of £40 million for 30 years to support an overall investment package worth £8 billion.