So, today we know the region wants to host one of the world’s biggest events, make the M6 Toll free and bring some of the most sought after art to the West Midlands.

But I wouldn’t clear your calendar, get in your car and start swatting up on Picasso just yet.

The truth is while the leaked West Midlands Combined Authority documents calling for a host of things from Government make for one hell of a sexy list, some killjoy needs to sound a note of caution. And here I am.

These demands have been drawn up by the leaders of the seven major councils in the West Midlands, aided by the three local enterprise partnerships, after months of meetings about what our possibilities are and, probably more important, what we think we can get from the Government.

But now the hard work starts – the negotiation.

When you are negotiating, you ask for ten things with a view to getting five. On that (entirely made up) ratio, you can rule a lot of the demands out realistically. Some things will have been thrown in there so we can look like we are relenting. My best guess is the 2025 World Expo and the national innovation centre might be on that list.

For the record, both should come here. After all, this is the home of innovation and after our bid for the 1992 Olympics was snubbed by the Government, followed by our whole-hearted support for the 2012 London Games and 2002 Manchester Commonwealth Games, I’d say it’s our turn for a big event.

But thinking pragmatically, I’d imagine they are towards the pie-in-the-sky end of the list and there will be concessions.

What really matters long term is the dull stuff. The control over things like transport, housing, skills and enterprise zones are what will bring the jobs.

At the end of this process, we need to be a functional economy of our own – creating jobs and ensuring the benefit remains in the West Midlands, or Greater Birmingham as anyone who has given it any thought knows it should be known.

Presently, too much filters back to Whitehall and that stifles the momentum towards real growth.

So, now the negotiation starts. To make it more difficult, we will be sat Whitehall opposite the people who currently control the powers and funds we want.

While an expo would be lovely, the objective has to be an end to Whitehall knows best.