The team up between Birmingham, Wolverhampton, Walsall, Dudley, Sandwell, Coventry and Solihull Councils, as well as any others who may join, will be used to oversee skills, transport and attracting investment.

Sandwell Council leader Darren Cooper confirmed the name had been chosen following a discussion between council leaders.

He said: "We want an identifiable brand. Leaders felt we could not have one area dominant in the name.

"Greater Birmingham did not reflect the Black Country, Coventry and Solihull being part of the authority.

"We will be able to speak as one voice when we need to but each authority will continue to operate separately, set their own council tax and run their own services."

The authority may also be overseen by a directly elected 'metro mayor'.

Chancellor George Osborne is prepared to devolve billions of pounds worth of funding to the West Midlands but says there must be democratic accountability to get the 'full model' on offer.

The name Greater Birmingham is still used by the city's chamber of commerce and by the Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership, where the city council works with business leaders and district councils including Cannock Chase, Wyre Forest and Lichfield to support private sector growth and job creation.