The organisation carries over the previous responsibilities of Centro (the West Midlands Passenger Transport Executive).

[14] While local planning will remain in the hands of the seven boroughs, the WMCA will be able to analyse county-wide brownfield sites and decide where new homes should be built.

The WMCA has co-run the West Midlands Young Combined Authority with Birmingham-based organisation Aspire4U CIC, via its specific project named LyfeProof, since June 2021,[16] and before that with the Beatfreeks Collective from September 2019 to May 2021.

[19] It functions as a scrutiny and campaign body, and for 2020/21 had co-leads who dedicated to comment and engaged on the work of relevant WMCA portfolio leads.

A directly elected mayor for the combined authority area was described as 'inevitable',[22] as such a role had been stated as a conditional requirement for a more powerful devolution deal.

[23] Powers sought for a regional metro mayor and the WMCA were first revealed in a leaked bid document first reported by Simon Gilbert, of the Coventry Telegraph.

[27] Richard Parker of the Labour Party won the 2024 election, held on 2 May 2024, narrowly defeating Street, who was running for a third term.

As of June 2024, the membership of the Combined Authority's Board were as follows:[28] Colour key (for political parties): Conservative Labour Independent / Non-political