The seven West Midlands councils are today submitting their bid for a share of a £60 billion government devolution handout - but have been urged to go much further.

Birmingham, Solihull, the Black Country and Coventry have put forward plans to form a combined authority in April and take over control of the region's transport, skills and economic development policy from Whitehall.

They are among dozens of regions and cities putting in devolution bids to Chancellor George Osborne in a bid to bring decisions on key issues such as housing, health and transport closer to the people they serve.

But the Greater Birmingham councils have been urged to go further and look at taking more responsibility for policing, the fire service and health services and adopt a Boris Johnson-style metro mayor or risk being left behind.

The bid from what is being called the West Midlands Combined Authority is under wraps and sources say it has moved on from an initial five proposals, which included economy and transport policy, outlined in June.

In comparison, Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire want a ten-year transport fund and full control of housing spending is also being sought whereas Gloucestershire wants control of its entire health and social care budget and Liverpool is pushing for full control of bus services.

Siôn Simon, Labour's West Midlands MEP, said: "Congratulations to the council leaders on the work done so far.

"I know it is step by step but they really do need to get striding - otherwise we're going to be left further and further behind the rest of the country.

"Police, health, skills, the Department for Work and Pensions budget - we need all those things as well as transport and economic development."

The Local Government Association has identified £60 billion of government funding which could be handed down from London to councils and combined authorities.

Association chairman Gary Potter said: "Local people know best how to spend money and run services in their local area.

"Taking decisions closer to where people live is key to rebalancing the economy and improving the services which bind our communities together and protect our most vulnerable."