Further details about an organisation to manage a £1.5bn transport and economic fund will be revealed today.

Initial results of a public consultation show 70% agree a Combined Authority is the way forward – with just 104 people or businesses logging on to the consultation website to have their say.

The five local councils in West Yorkshire are proposing to form a Combined Authority for transport and economic infrastructure.

The body would oversee investment devolved from Whitehall to the region’s leaders as part of the City Deal.

Kirklees Council leader Clr Mehboob Khan described the combined proposal as a “golden chance” to improve business, jobs and growth.

He said: “Across West Yorkshire Kirklees has the third most jobs in advanced manufacturing and engineering – this generates a third of the wealth for our area.

“The Combined Authority is a golden chance to further improve the environment for jobs and wealth creation.

“Taking a collaborative approach and working with our neighbouring authorities means we can put the needs of Kirklees businesses and our workforce at the heart of decisions. We will be connecting people to jobs and creating the right conditions for businesses to thrive.

“The Combined Authority allows the area a greater say in decisions currently taken in Whitehall and places the town hall in the driving seat of economic regeneration.”

The Examiner has already reported that plans for the transport fund include a park and ride at Ainley Top, Cooper Bridge junction improvements, a junction 24a at Rastrick and a Brighouse bypass. It is also predicted to deliver 20,000 jobs.

Bradford, Calderdale, Kirklees , Leeds and Wakefield councils will need to agree to the creation of a Combined Authority – and it will need the backing of the full councils.

If the Government backs the scheme, a shadow body will begin in September, with it formally established in April 2014 when funding will be released.

Initial results of the consultation from the micro-website show 104 people left 400 comments and 75% of respondents agreed with the proposed make-up of the councils in the combined authority and 70% agree with the scope of the proposals.

Details of further consultation involving businesses and MPs will be published at the end of June.