West Yorkshire Combined Authority - Thursday 22 January 2026, 11:00am - West Yorkshire Combined Authority Webcasting

West Yorkshire Combined Authority
Thursday, 22nd January 2026 at 11:00am 

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  1. Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
  2. Cllr James Lewis (Leeds City Council)
  3. Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
  4. Cllr Alan Lamb Leeds City Council
  5. Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
  6. Cllr Barry Anderson (WYCA Scrutiny Chair)
  7. Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
  8. Sarah Naylor, Committee Services (West Yorkshire Combined Authority)
  9. Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
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  1. Cllr Alan Lamb Leeds City Council
  2. Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
  3. Nikki Deol Assistant Director Legal, Governance & Compliance
  4. Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
  5. Ben Still, Chief Executive (West Yorkshire Combined Authority)
  6. Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
  7. Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
  8. Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
  9. Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
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  1. Cllr Alan Lamb Leeds City Council
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  3. Cllr Alan Lamb Leeds City Council
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  5. Cllr Alan Lamb Leeds City Council
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  1. Dave Haskins, Officer (West Yorkshire Combined Authority)
  2. Rachel Jones
  3. Dave Haskins, Officer (West Yorkshire Combined Authority)
  4. Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
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  1. Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe (Bradford Council)
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  3. Paul Matthews, Director West Yorkshire Combined Authority
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  5. Paul Matthews, Director West Yorkshire Combined Authority
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  7. Paul Matthews, Director West Yorkshire Combined Authority
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  9. Cllr Matthew Morley Wakefield Council
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  11. Cllr Jane Scullion (Calderdale Council)
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  13. Paul Matthews, Director West Yorkshire Combined Authority
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  15. Cllr Alan Lamb Leeds City Council
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  17. Cllr Alan Lamb Leeds City Council
  18. Paul Matthews, Director West Yorkshire Combined Authority
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  20. Cllr Martin Love Bradford Council
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  22. Ben Still, Chief Executive (West Yorkshire Combined Authority)
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  1. Sarah Eaton, Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority)
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  3. Cllr Jane Scullion (Calderdale Council)
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  5. Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe (Bradford Council)
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  7. Cllr Alan Lamb Leeds City Council
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  9. Sarah Eaton, Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority)
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  11. Ben Still, Chief Executive (West Yorkshire Combined Authority)
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  1. Cllr James Lewis (Leeds City Council)
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  3. Felix Kumi-Ampofo, Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority)
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  5. Mandy Ridyard (West Yorkshire Business Board)
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  7. Cllr Alan Lamb Leeds City Council
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  9. Felix Kumi-Ampofo, Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority)
  10. Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
  11. Ben Still, Chief Executive (West Yorkshire Combined Authority)
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  3. Mandy Ridyard (West Yorkshire Business Board)
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  5. Cllr Alan Lamb Leeds City Council
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  7. Cllr Alan Lamb Leeds City Council
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  9. Felix Kumi-Ampofo, Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority)
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  11. Cllr Sue Holdsworth (Calderdale Council)
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  13. Felix Kumi-Ampofo, Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority)
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  15. Mandy Ridyard (West Yorkshire Business Board)
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  1. Kate Taylor, Director West Yorkshire Combined Authority
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  3. Cllr Alan Lamb Leeds City Council
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  3. Cllr Alan Lamb Leeds City Council
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  6. Felix Kumi-Ampofo, Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority)
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  1. Cllr Jane Scullion (Calderdale Council)
  2. Liz Hunter, Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority)
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  5. Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe (Bradford Council)
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  1. Simon Pope, Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority)
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  6. Simon Pope, Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority)
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  9. Rachel Jones
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  12. Simon Pope, Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority)
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  1. Kate Taylor, Director West Yorkshire Combined Authority
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  3. Cllr Peter Kilbane (York Council)
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  4. Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe (Bradford Council)
  5. Nikki Deol Assistant Director Legal, Governance & Compliance
  6. Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
  7. Nikki Deol Assistant Director Legal, Governance & Compliance
  8. Cllr Alan Lamb Leeds City Council
  9. Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
  10. Cllr Alan Lamb Leeds City Council
  11. Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
  12. Nikki Deol Assistant Director Legal, Governance & Compliance
  13. Cllr Alan Lamb Leeds City Council
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  15. Ben Still, Chief Executive (West Yorkshire Combined Authority)
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  1. Webcast Finished

1 Apologies for Absence

Good morning, everybody.
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 0:00:31
and welcome to this Combined Authority meeting.
A really massive agenda today, but before we start,
I'd like to pay tribute to Leeds Councillor
Mahalia Franz -Meyer, who died tragically this week.
I know so many of our thought of all of us
around this table knew her,
and you will be really as shocked as we are
and want to send on our condolences
to her friends and family at this tragic time.
But James, I wonder if I could come to you,
if you'd like to say a few words,
and obviously other councillors, if you would so wish.
Thank you, Mayor.
Cllr James Lewis (Leeds City Council) - 0:01:10
Yes, and it was a huge shock to everybody
that Mahalia passed away this week.
She was somebody that was really well liked
by everybody in the council,
her residents in Moretown and Meanwood Ward.
She was a real trailblazer,
as one of the few Muslim women elected
to leave the council,
and a real compassionate and warm person who has left a real gap in our labour group and
will miss us so badly.
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 0:01:42
Thank you and she was so young and four children as well. Councillors would you like to say
anything?
Cllr Alan Lamb Leeds City Council - 0:01:50
Yes thank you Mayor, I won't add very much other than to echo your condolences, just
to say whatever our political differences, she was a very kind, gentle, generous woman
in my experience of it. I went to the funeral yesterday and it's so sad to see that but
we're all one team when it comes to these kind of things. So condolences to everyone
affected but we will all miss her deeply.
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 0:02:16
Thank you Councillor Anderson, because she was on the scrutiny.
Cllr Barry Anderson (WYCA Scrutiny Chair) - 0:02:20
yeah I'm going to I would endorse what you said and I'm going to make my own personal tribute to her
tomorrow at the beginning of the scrutiny board when her other colleagues will be present at the same time as well
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 0:02:34
to hear what we're going to say thank you. Thank you so much and as I said
condolences from all of the in the organisation thank you. All right moving
Moving on to the meeting. Any apologies, Sarah?
Sarah Naylor, Committee Services (West Yorkshire Combined Authority) - 0:02:49
Thank you, Chair. We have apologies from Councillors Denise Jeffrey and Claire Douglas, with Councillors
Matthew Morley and Peter Culbane attending the substitutes respectively.

2 Declarations of Disclosable Pecuniary Interests

Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 0:02:59
Thank you so much. Any declarations of interest that colleagues would like to share?
No, thank you. Okay, moving on to exclusion of press and public.

3 Exempt Information - Possible Exclusion of the Press and Public

officers have advised that information contained in appendix 1 to agenda item 6
the White Rose rail station update and appendix 2 to agenda item 14 mass
transit updates are treated as exempt under paragraph 3 of part 1 to schedule
12a of the local government act in 1972. this is because they contain information
relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person
including the combined authority, and further that it is considered that the public interest
in maintaining the content of the Appendices as exempt outweighs the public interest in
disclosing the information, as publication would prejudice current and future decision -making.
In addition, Appendix 1A to Item Agenda 6, White Rose Rail Station Update, has been circulated
to members as a supplementary item, which as Chair I am content to add to the agenda.
If you agree the press and public will be excluded should members wish to discuss the content of the appendices when we consider item
6 and 14 are we in agreement?
Thank you so much. Yes councillor
Cllr Alan Lamb Leeds City Council - 0:04:24
I'm in agreement with the first one on white rose because of the commercial sensitivity
I just like to ask a few questions about the second one because I'm not entirely satisfied that it's in the public interest
to fully exempt
that document. I did alert the Chief Executive and Nicky in advance and I'm grateful for
the responses that I've had and discussion this morning and I've got better understanding
of the issues but I still think it's important to express my concerns on the record and make
sure they're addressed. So just a few questions that I have and accepting that sensitive commercial
information should be protected. It would be helpful to set out which specific parts
of the appendix are commercially sensitive, was a redacted version considered, what exactly
is the harm claimed from publishing the findings and if the advice still stands will officers
at the very least commit to publishing a public assurance summary and action plan as soon
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 0:05:23
as possible. Thank you and as this has been shared with
members could I hand over to Nicky thank you. Thank you Mayor, thank you Councillor Lamb.
Nikki Deol Assistant Director Legal, Governance & Compliance - 0:05:32
The first point in discussing exemptions under schedule 12a paragraph 3 is where the disclosure
ought to be provided in its entirety to the public.
In relation to this report itself, it was considered that paragraph 3 was fully engaged
for that report, specifically in relation to the fact that this relates to an independent
peer review with government, within which it relates to matters of commercial sensitivity,
financial affairs for the organisation, including information around critique
and risk which should be kept confidential at this moment in time. The
whole purpose of an independent review is so that you can have candid and frank
discussions and those matters kept under review. On that basis paragraph 3 was
fully engaged for full exemption. What I did as monitoring officer consider is
where the reduction would be suitable in the context of that report, however
when you read the report in its entirety, the view is that if you were to start redaction,
it would create a largely unintelligible report that would not make any sense to the public
and could create a mosaic effect which would create influences where it is incorrect and
possibly misleading to the public. On that basis and on balance, I consider that the
public interest of not disclosing it is fully met.
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 0:06:54
Thank you. And as chief executive, Ben, would you like to add?
Ben Still, Chief Executive (West Yorkshire Combined Authority) - 0:06:59
Just to add to your second point about can we provide assurance and the work that will
follow the report to a future meeting. Yes, we can do that as part of the setting up and
setting up the project for success that we're doing in the light of several things, including
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 0:07:19
the NISTA review. So we can make that commitment. Thank you so much and thank you for that thorough
answer Nikki
Shall we take a vote on exemption?
Those who are happy to keep these items exempt from public and press
Item
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 0:07:35
agenda item six
Are we happy to exempt agenda item six, which is white rose rail station update?
we are thank you so much and item 12 14 apologies the item regarding then the
mass transit report please show of hands thank you happy to exempt lovely thank
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 0:08:05
okay one second
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 0:08:14
Thank you. And who would like to disagree? Thank you. Anyone like to abstain? Thank you
so much. Okay, let's move on. And we will exempt both items from press and public. Thank
you so much, Nikki, for that information. Moving on to item four. These are the minutes

4 Minutes of the Meeting of the Combined Authority held on 4 December 2025

the meeting for the CA. Members have any further comments or questions? No, thank you. Are we
content to confirm these as an accurate record? We are. Thank you so much. Okay, moving on to item 5

5 Mayor's Update

to my update. Most of what I want to update you on, including mass transit, White Rose station,
budget and bus franchising are covered extensively in the formal papers, so my update will be
relatively brief.
Of great significance to our region
was last week's announcement from the chancellor
at an event in Leeds about Northern Powerhouse Rail,
£45 billion worth of commitment over the coming decades
to transform rail connectivity across the north.
A commitment to that all -important new station,
Bradford, including a new line down to Huddersfield,
additional capacity at Leeds station,
and improvements to the Leeds Sheffield line.
As you all know, we've had so many false dawns, I think 60 promises on Northern Powerhouse
Rail, not a spade in the ground from previous governments, but this time it is different.
The government working in lockstep with mayors and local councils from across the North to
get Northern Powerhouse Rail delivered once and for all.
And I'm pleased to report that I and the council leaders around the table have just come from
a meeting at Leeds Station with Heidi Alexander, the Secretary of State for Transport, to sign
that all -important compact with our region,
committing the government to deliver on its promises to our community.
The announcement was influenced by the work that Oliver Coppard, David Scaeth,
and I asked Lord David Blunkett to do with us to look at our ambitions for rail in Yorkshire.
Our Yorkshire's plan for rail is credible, affordable, phased plan set out,
how to improve rail connexions between our cities and our towns,
and aligns with the plans of Andy Burnham and Steve
Rotherham in Greater Manchester and Liverpool
City Region, and of course, Kim McGinnis' plans in the
north east to improve links to the rest of the north.
And I would just like to thank my colleagues in the
transport team at the CA for driving that work on
the White Rose Rail Plan.
I'm delighted that government has worked with
us, and we were able to endorse that huge
commitment over the next decade and more.
Included in the announcement was 1 .1 billion in this spending review to develop schemes
and make progress on plans, including in Bradford.
This is with an eye on releasing funds at the next spending review in 2028 to ensure
we can make a start on the plans for Yorkshire in the first phase.
It is really nice to say for once Yorkshire is front of the queue.
I'm really grateful to government for working so closely with us on this.
Right. I'll end my update now on with the rest of the meeting
item
6 yes counsellor
Cllr Alan Lamb Leeds City Council - 0:11:31
Sorry, maybe I have a question which as a curse I did that email you earlier in the week
So it wasn't a surprise that it was coming
so
There's a lot of big ticket items on here today around mass transit and franchising but for a lot of residents
they would just like the combined authority to get the basics rights and
and you've been copied into a number of emails
from residents concerned about the lack of toilet facilities
in Leeds Bus Station.
You may not be aware, I did put it in the email,
but as someone who suffers from ulcerative colitis,
and I live with a stoma, I chair the Leeds Stoma Group,
and that issue has been brought up at the last three meetings.
So the concern from the resident that copied us both
into an email, A, was that you hadn't replied or responded
at all to several emails from him and b when can people expect the toilets to be
fixed because it's absolutely vital for for so many people and if we can't get
those little things right how are we going to get these big ticket items
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 0:12:32
right. Thank you so much and can I say thank you for your leadership in this
space and stoma bins are very important across not just a lead station but
elsewhere so thank you for that. I do agree with you about toilet facilities
been a really important part of individuals journeys and having sat with
drivers from Unite, female drivers, who are also very concerned about toilet
facilities across their journeys and often having been caught short or
being concerned about where they park their bus in order to use facilities.
This is something I'm looking at in the round so be reassured and we will make
sure that that email is swiftly replied to but to reassure yourself that this is
something that's very important that's why bringing busses back into public
control we will then be able to enhance those facilities to make sure that they
serve not only the public but the workforce that support the public
Cllr Alan Lamb Leeds City Council - 0:13:37
Councillor Lamb. Thank you for that reassurance I understand I think we're
in control of Leeds bus station so it's entirely in your gift to solve this
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 0:13:48
Cllr Alan Lamb Leeds City Council - 0:13:50
issue. It was a wider point Councillor Lamb about the whole network and the drivers. Noted but could you give us a
timeline for when the toilets will be fixed and if it's not going to be within
the next within days could you arrange for temporary facilities to put in place
so at least there's something there for people to use in the short term. Thank
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 0:14:05
you Councillor Lamb we'll definitely take that away as an item of urgent
attention so thank you. Okay so moving on and at the risk of it being the
Councillor Land Show if we may move on to the next item thank you. So White Rose
Rail Station update we're working with partners as you know we've been working
really hard over recent months to resolve legacy issues relating to the

6 White Rose Rail Station Update

station to allow the construction to start. I'm really delighted now that we
can finally say we're at a point where we can work towards remobilizing the
project and completing the construction of this important piece of transport infrastructure
in South Leeds. It's a live issue and there's been further details that have come to light
since the publication of the papers and members will have received an updated appendix to
the report. Just to remind members, this is exempt, therefore if we wish to discuss any
of the content from the appendix, which I'm sure we will, then I will have to ask members
of the public, thank you so much for joining us, and press to leave the room. The main
report covers next steps to remobilize the project as well as providing an
overview scrutiny involvement relating to lessons learned and their application
to the wider rail programme going forward may I turn to Dave Haskins strategic
head of major projects please speak to the item thank you excuse me thanks to
the initial overview there chair as it says members will recall the report was
brought to the combined authority in May in 2025 setting up the challenges in
Remobilizing scheme and planned activity and as you said we have some positive progress to report around around this activity
Dave Haskins, Officer (West Yorkshire Combined Authority) - 0:15:42
This work has been ongoing so the project can be completed it has been and continues to be a complex situation
So hopefully we're now at the point where there'll be greater greater clarity on the future activity requirements in the project
key progress to report here is on concluding negotiations with it with scheme promoter to close out legacy issues and
Rachel Jones - 0:16:02
and ensuring that all land parcels now will be within combined authority ownership.
It also relates to the commissioning of Network Rail to develop a project specification
and note that this has been dependent on the conclusion of these legacy issues to date.
The next steps on the project, which will be led by Network Rail,
Dave Haskins, Officer (West Yorkshire Combined Authority) - 0:16:19
relate to design review and procurement, the design stage itself, and then construction and entry into service.
It's to be noted that a change request has been brought forward which is set out in appendix
three if I've got my numbers correct to draw down approximately 1 .423 million pound of
funding to undertake this work as well as to deal with ongoing project costs that have
been arising.
Further reports will be provided on the approach, scope, time scale and cost.
We don't have firm indication on these at this stage.
This is why the approval is required through this report so that the work can be done to
give robust information to work on going forward.
The report also required to agree activity, the report will also be required to agree
activity on the highways and access works which will be the first element of remobilization
as intended to be undertaken by Leeds City Council.
Importantly the report also covers lessons learnt which is a theme that came up at the
previous Combined Authority meeting. Work has been ongoing through closely working
with scrutiny which has been welcome and we've been able to demonstrate application to wider
activity on our rail programme and that there are a number of areas where we're already bringing in this such as
Procurement and looking at the project interfaces to support rail delivery. It should be noted as a point that in
Discrutiny relates to West Yorkshire combined authority only although in paragraph 314 of the report for the first bullet point does reference lead City Council
It's admitted by myself actually that the statement could have been worded a bit better as
As I said, the scrutiny is intended to focus on combined authority and leads was not part
of the review.
The wording here should recognise that leads did have limited oversight of the project
and their input on the scheme was commensurate to the role played.
So in a simple term, a bit of clunky wording from me there in that paragraph, which I'd
like to clear up.
I'd like to leave it there for questions at this point, Chair.
Thank you.
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 0:18:12
Any questions?
I'm assuming we would like to discuss the amended item, the exempt item.
We do?
Yes.
So if I could, apologies, ask press and public just to step out for a moment, please.
And of course you will be welcome back after this.
Thank you.

6 White Rose Rail Station Update

No baby has yet.
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 0:18:53
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 0:19:04
Thank you so much. So welcome back into the room members of the public and the
press. And if just before we take the next decision just to update Councillor
Lam, I've requested information regarding the Leeds toilets and their
under refurbishment should be finished by the end of the month just for your
constituent. So continuing with what we were discussing, so item just to remind
ourselves item 6 the White Rose rail station update. So our members are happy to note the
contents of this report and associated appendices and to note May 25 approval to commit funding
and enter into legal agreements including delegation to the chief executive to acquire
land for project progression noting further funding will be required to complete White
and will be brought back in a further report with recommendations in summer 2026.
Can we also approve the change request to the White Rose Rail Station scheme
to increase the CA's funding by the amounts outlined in the report
to fund the first phase of scheme remobilisation costs during delivery, activity 5,
to approve entering into an agreement with Network Rail for the next stage of activity,
and to agree that future approvals are made in accordance with the assurance pathway and approval route set out in Appendix 3,
subject to remaining within tolerances.
Those in favour of the recommendations, please raise your hand.
Thank you.
Those against.
Those abstaining.
Thank you so much.
Moving on to Item 7, Bus Franchising Update.

7 Bus Franchising Update

As you all know, I took the decision to franchise the bus network in 2024. Ever
since, we've been focused on getting the first franchise busses onto the roads of
West Yorkshire early next year. We've already launched our Weaver Network
brand, begun procurement on the first round of tenders and are looking at the
super designs of the new bus fleet we will be purchasing. Creating a brand new
public -run bus network is difficult. Only Greater Manchester have done so this so far.
We have an extensive and complex transition programme that's beginning to reshape the
Combined Authority as an organisation. Now, so much has been achieved in the first two
years of transition and we now have greater clarity about what is required to complete
the task over the coming months. It's absolutely vital the Combined Authority ensures the transition
transition programme is properly funded to support smooth and
timely delivery of the new service.
And remember, we only have to do this once.
There is a significant amount of technical work that needs
to be completed.
The report we're presented with sets out the costs needed to
ensure successful delivery of the franchise and transition
programme well into delivery.
The report also brings forward approvals for the development
and delivery of assets that would be needed to run the
We have a network as a public service.
Plans to accelerate delivery of depot electrification,
including in Huddersfield and Bradford,
marks a significant step towards our plans for zero emission bus
fleet for the region, and development
of a single coordinated bus network control
centre for our franchise services
across West Yorkshire.
And we'll support the transition to a unified network
under franchising with customers at the heart
of an improved offer and if I can say the control centre is also the game changer for us because currently it's each
individual bus operator that controls what's happening on the roads that guiding mind of a control centre is
Absolutely vital. Can I go to councillor Susan Hinchcliffe as chair of the Transport Committee?
For any further comments and then I'll turn to Paul Matthews director of bus franchising to speak to the item councillor Hinchcliffe
Thank you, Mayor and I just wanted to add really
Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe (Bradford Council) - 0:23:09
Thanks to for the shadow bus franchising board because actually that is going through a lot of the detail that is required on this
And it is a huge
Operation but you can see how we're putting the building blocks in place to get to where we need to get to
So I just thought so that's a cross party board as well
So that's great to see that an operation and many of these issues have already been discussed cross party at that board
So, thank you very much
Thank you so much and your point about it being cross -party, this is for everybody in
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 0:23:37
West Yorkshire and certainly scrutiny, challenge, critical friends, that's really important
in these huge projects that we are all on board to deliver for the people of West Yorkshire.
Over to you Paul.
Paul Matthews, Director West Yorkshire Combined Authority - 0:23:56
Thank you Chair, yes a good summary, it is a complex paper and I apologise for that but
As the chair said, it's a complex programme and therefore I think the paper probably reflects that.
I mean, in essence, it is in four parts.
One, it does talk a bit about the programme and give a bit of a programme update.
It does talk about sustaining that momentum to get into the end point of delivery.
It does talk about the status of depots and some ambitions and what we want to do with electrification and the control centre.
And I think hopefully the report speaks for itself, but if I just pull out a couple
Bullets to bring to your attention
And I think that the first one is in terms of the table which is attached at 3 .8
Which summarises or attempts to summarise only at a high level?
the work that has been done in the first phase of
the the franchising journey
which took us to the award of the issuing of the first ITC, the contract tendering documents.
Now we're in the phase two, which is equally important about preparing for the launch.
And as you recall, members will recall, we have a workstream structure,
and so the table presents the different activities which are going on in the different work streams,
both within that have happened in phase one, but are also happening in phase two.
As we look ahead, we do need to ensure, as the Chair said, that we sustain the momentum
and that we have adequate funds to do so.
And within 3 .11, that explains that when the – prior to the assessment – prior to the
decision being taken in 2024, an assessment was made of what budgetary allowance would
be needed to run the programme for the four -year period
from that date up until April 28.
And that sum was calculated based on, as I say,
what we thought was going to be needed,
really based upon limited experiences
within Greater Manchester.
And that was spread over the four years,
a sum of just over 20 million pound.
fund. That is designed to fund the programme costs of staffing, to buy in specialist support,
and also, most importantly of all, to begin the recruitment process to make sure the authority
has sufficient staff to actually run the franchise network when we get to April 27. So three
elements to that particular funding.
I think it's worth pointing out 3 .15 that to date,
and by the time we get to the first two years of the programme,
we are actually on track with spending half of that
20 million pound.
But as is standard practise, we have reviewed what we need to do
to get to the end point of 28 and what the level,
the activity that will be needed and as a result we have identified that because
of significant additional work which is set out in bullets 3 .19 to 3 .21 the
programme will need a cautious estimate of 13 million pound over the next two years
to get to the April 28 position to ensure that we are we can continue to
deliver and sustain the momentum that we are doing currently.
That is a cautious estimate, and clearly we
will continue to manage our costs completely.
I think it's also worth stressing that in 3 .25
that the work which is hugely important about the future
financial revenue model for bus franchising, the franchise
network is underway, but by the summer we'll have a clearer picture as to what that revenue
model will look like, and indeed its ability to absorb some of the transition costs in
that final year should we wish to do that. But we can't wait for that, and that's why
in 3 .27 we're suggesting an allocation of the CRSTS capacity fund to fund that £13
million additional uplift of the programme costs.
You'll see in that bullet the fact
that we have received an additional amount of money
from government within that fund, which
is required to be spent and has nothing allocated to it
at the moment.
And so it is funding that is best designed for a situation
that we're finding ourselves in in this situation.
And the balancing number would be funded from CRSTS
and activity which are unlikely to be completed in the time
night required.
The second part of, or the third part of the paper really,
is addressing the, or returning to the depot strategy,
the authority previously approved, and it is in two
parts.
If I refer you to the 3 .39, 3 .40, beg your pardon, the first part talks about the depot strategy.
And you recall that the intention was to acquire depots that were needed.
And as I think members will be aware, that the Wakefield depot has not proved possible to acquire because of its state,
And therefore we're going through a development
Work at the moment to build a new site, which as you can see in 3 .4. One is identified now as being at Newton bar
However, it's unlikely that that site will actually be ready for round two when we're required to to
be up and running and
So in 3 .4 3 what we're saying is we do need to have contingency arrangements to manage
the Wakefield network when it goes live before that depot is fit and ready to function,
or if it isn't fit and ready to function.
And so we're seeking a variation to the delegation previously awarded
to enable either leasing or further acquisitions of small sites for maintenance or temporary parking,
which would then be released back once Wakefield Depot is up and running.
The second part of the depot position is around electrification.
As you members will be aware, there is the ambition to make sure all the larger tier
A franchise contracts have electrified depots at some point during the course of the next
10 or so years.
But however, there is a 3 .53 and 3 .53.
there are two opportunities to accelerate the electrification process
at two depots, one in Huddlesfield and one in Bradford. And at 3 .57 we identify
how those electrification work would or how that electrification work would be
funding would be funded and it'd be funded by a reallocation of Zebra
funding which initially was partly designed for Wakefield in terms of new
vehicles which cannot now be delivered so it's reallocation of that funding
it's using some funding that through the JACU funding that Bradford has received
and it's also using some unsent Zebra funding to ensure that these two depots
are up and running and electrified ready for when they are need to be
Huddersfield for round one and Bradford in round three and
then in terms of the
Control centre as the chair you said this is a final item and it does relate to our
Ambitions for an integrated bus control centre, which was set out in the original assessment and the benefits are set out in
3 .64 to
3 .68
The project however does have some set timelines to deliver and as yet we're going to we are having you not
decided upon location and we're doing some options appraisals to identify what the location of that
facility would be but we do however need to have some development funding to get that facility up
and running. And as you can see finally in 3 .71 business case requests using some BSIP
funding to take the business case to decision point four to enable the develop work for
that control centre to happen. So I'll pause there for any questions.
Thank you so much and thanks for the rigour taking us through that. Can I just double
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 0:33:15
cheque Paul that in the way that it was framed it did feel like Wakefield's losing out. Can
Can you please just reassure us that the people of Wakefield are not going to be held back
in bus franchising in any way because of these decisions?
Paul Matthews, Director West Yorkshire Combined Authority - 0:33:31
It's an important point and clearly the paper does show a reduction in the number of vehicles
being electrified and that's because of the inability to deliver that part of the Zebra
programme, which was designed in partnership with the REVA to deliver new vehicles and
electrify the depot in Wakefield.
As we know that's not now possible because of the state of that infrastructure and so in the short term
Yes, Wakefield will not get the progress. It should have had by now
But clearly the new build facility that we are building will be further fully electrified when we get to that round
We will be procuring new vehicles, which will also be electric
So it's a delay to their electrification not any sort of pushback for forever
It's pretty delay and they will get a better
Depot
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 0:34:22
Out of this is funny electrified depot and potentially a fully electrified fleet
Paul Matthews, Director West Yorkshire Combined Authority - 0:34:27
Excellent. Thank you councilman
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 0:34:31
Thank you, man. Thank you for raising that question and
Cllr Matthew Morley Wakefield Council - 0:34:37
Given the absolutely dismal state of busses in in Wakefield District. Yes. We want electric busses, but we just want busses
Please we just want busses. So
Electrable busses, great, they will come but anything just to make sure that we're not
left behind as we have been for the last five to six years.
Thank you.
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 0:34:56
Thank you, Councillor, and we are looking at ways that we can support not just people
of Wakefield but across the region to ensure that they, whilst we're in this transition,
are able to use busses more efficiently and more affordably.
Councillor Scullion.
Thank you, Mayor.
Cllr Jane Scullion (Calderdale Council) - 0:35:15
I just wanted to come back briefly to 3 .8 and I know it's a bit technical, bear with
me, the service permit regime, which affects Calderdale particularly, but actually affects
all authorities really.
We're not an island, we are adjacent to lots of other council areas and we don't want to
be negatively affected by the new service permitting regime.
And in terms of looking at some of those cross -border arrangements, we really want those negotiations
to give us good outcomes.
And obviously, looking towards Greater Manchester, we'd like to look at kind of long -term possible
smooth franchising arrangements across both authorities.
It will be worth it, really.
and when everybody else is looking at franchising in the Upper Valley in
Calderdale we're still dependent on the service permitting regime. We want some
of the benefits of franchising at the same time. Thank you and a really good
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 0:36:21
point well made. Paul anything to add? Clearly we recognise it is a hugely a
Paul Matthews, Director West Yorkshire Combined Authority - 0:36:29
sensitive issue for those people in Calder Valley. We are well aware of
bit. We are going through, as I think you are probably aware, a form of statutory consultation
with, not with the public, but with operators and with district authorities about the shape
of the service permit regime, which will clearly capture those concerns. And once we know what
the operator position would be, then we�re positioned to plug any gaps that might arise
from that. I think the only other thing I would probably
say there is some sort of talk around the approach the authorities adopting in
respect of permits being different from that adopted in Greater Manchester. I
wish to assure members we're adopting exactly the same approach as Greater
Manchester and we are in discussions with Greater Manchester about those
cross -boundary journeys as we are with all bordering authorities. Thank you
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 0:37:24
Cllr Alan Lamb Leeds City Council - 0:37:26
Councillor Lecce. Thank you Mayor and thank you for the update. I think it's always
worth starting when we're talking about franchising.
I have no doubt everyone around this table wants better busses.
We have a slight variance on whether franchising
is the best mechanism to do that,
but I would be delighted to be proved wrong
and you be proved right on this one,
and I hope that's how it plays out.
In terms of what this paper tells us,
there's a lot of technical language, a lot of acronyms
and things in it.
It's necessary, that's how it is.
but my plain English summary of what it's telling us
is the costs are going up substantially.
In terms of the transition cost envelope,
it's almost 50 % more in terms of what you're asking for today
in terms of the electrification that's going up.
We're not talking about a few hundred thousand,
we're talking about tens of millions going up.
And the promise at the start of this
was to meet the mayor's commitment
to bring busses under public control and to maintain services at their current level.
There isn't a promise to improve services, just to maintain them.
I think the hope is over time, under public control, they can be improved, but that isn't
the promise.
The price is going up and up, but when can we expect to see improvements in services
for people, as Councillor Morley has rightly, it's not unique to Wakefield.
I can tell you, we want to see better busses.
So what assurance can you give us that the transition cost envelope is stable now?
With regard to the depo acquisition and leasing arrangements. Are they all secured? And if not, what is the risk to the April?
2027 launch
You've talked about the electrification and it's clearly not going to happen in Wakefield in time
What's the timeline for full electrification readiness at all of the other depots?
Have operators raised any concerns about workforce transfer under chupy?
Are we confident about the digital systems procurement and that that will be ready on time?
Counsellor lamb these are great questions. I really wish you'd come to the shadow board
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 0:39:33
More more often because we could we could have those questions in great detail and unfortunately
We are running out of time for the for the CA
But I would love those questions and please do attend the board more regularly
If I may respond to that
Cllr Alan Lamb Leeds City Council - 0:39:51
Gladly, I will transcend the substituents not possible equally if you could arrange for officers to brief us in advance of the meetings
Then we could have asked some of these questions then but that didn't happen this time unfortunately
Well a lot of
Paul Matthews, Director West Yorkshire Combined Authority - 0:40:05
Lots of questions there and probably in terms of time won't be able to answer them all the transition costs
costs, they are higher, without doubt, than we had originally said. I think I would probably
rephrase the fact that they have gone up. There are just things that we had not expected
to be necessary that are now necessary. But it�s semantics, I know. But the programme
is bigger and more complex, taking longer than was really expected. And as a consequence,
the costs are higher than we originally had expected.
I think in terms of some of the electrification costs,
I'm not, again, my colleague Simon might help me out here.
I don't think these are necessarily going up.
There will be a full electrification,
depot electrification proposal coming back to the authority
shortly.
This is around bringing forward some existing capital that
would not have otherwise have been
spent to enable the acceleration of some electrification work.
So I wouldn't necessarily say that these electrification
costs have gone up, because there
would be a paper coming back to the board
with a full cost of those electrifications.
In terms of some of the briefly, in terms of the other ones,
the workforce clearly are aware.
I have regular dialogue with Unite the Union.
There's a chupy process which is happening.
And there are there are no particular concerns clearly
It's unsettling for all staff and we need to respect that but in terms of the process everyone is aware
Of the chupy process that's going through
And the the timelines for Wakefield. Well, that is something that we're currently working with the contractor
We have got on board to assess what those timelines are but current estimates are that it will be beyond the October
Sorry the January 28
deadline for Wakefield and it will be probably another nine months beyond that.
Thank you so much Paul and I look forward to seeing you at the next meeting.
Councillor Love.
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 0:42:13
Cllr Martin Love Bradford Council - 0:42:18
Thank you Mayor. I'll echo your comments about the Shadow Board. It's extremely useful and
we can delve into these matters. It's a great deal more depth than we can in a meeting like
that. Well it's the private meeting side of it that I want to ask why it is that it's
as a private meeting and that the papers, obviously some have to be kept confidential,
but why the papers and agendas can't be made available on the website.
Ben.
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 0:42:43
I think the short answer is because what is being sought here is an opportunity to bring
Ben Still, Chief Executive (West Yorkshire Combined Authority) - 0:42:48
members up to speed on emerging issues and forthcoming papers to come for formal decisions.
So it's very much about explaining the detail, not all of which makes it into the public
papers because as council and says
We do our best to make sure those papers are understandable by the general public
but there's a lot of technical detail that sits behind so
That is that's the rationale for why?
As you're aware in the context of the integrated settlement that we're about to come to on the agenda. We are looking at the overall
governance of the command authority in the context of
the work streams and the programmes that we have coming up under the integrated settlement and certainly
The nature of the meetings we have about bus franchising and transport in public is one
of the things that is part of that review.
And I think you will remember, Councillor Love, when we were talking about the app in
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 0:43:40
the shadow board and the discussion was a bit more of a workshop and people were free
to be able to speak their mind and also to ask all the silly questions that they might
want to ask.
That is just about me.
And I am not sure my silly questions are for the public.
I don't know, but maybe there's something to take away as we look at the governance.
But I really would encourage all members from all political parties, please do come to the
Shadow Board, because that is where you can have your questions.
It is not about getting them on camera, the questions for clipping and for politics.
This is about actually delivering franchising for the public.
It's about making sure you're part of the storey, so that when we have that fantastic
Weaver Network, you can be proud and say that you were part of those discussions. This is
a team sport. It's not about politics. And I really would just encourage all members
to please lean into that responsibility. Okie doke. Any further questions? Let's go
to the recommendations. Thank you. So, is the Combined Authority happy to approve the
increased transition programme revenue costs of up to £13 million? And it's funded via
the CRSTS Capacity Fund and delegates authority to approve a change request to the CRSTS programme.
It varies a previous delegation relating to the approved depot strategy to include flexibility
to lease and or temporarily purchase additional land or infrastructure, approves a change
request to the zero emission bus regional areas, the Zebra programme to provide electric
bus charging infrastructure at Huddersfield and
Bradford bus depots in preparation for franchising,
including using 8 million subject to being received
from DEFRA via its joint air quality unit, and
reallocating 11 million pounds available within the
Zebra programme, and approves funding for
development work in relation to a single
coordinated bus network control centre to support
the operation of franchise services for the region.
All those in favour of the recommendations, please raise your hand.
Thank you.
Those against?
And those abstaining.
Thank you so much.
Thank you.
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 0:46:02
These are all big, meaty items that deserve the time and effort and thought that you've
all put into your questions.
Thank you all so much.
Moving on.
Devolution and the integrated settlement update.

8 Devolution and the Integrated Settlement Update

We receive an update on the progress made to deliver the integrated settlement from
April, Work to Develop an Outcomes Framework for the
Integrated Settlement continues alongside
development for a broader framework of all our activities.
Together, they'll help demonstrate the impact of
our work to government and to the public, while
retaining the flexibility through the Integrated
Settlement that's vital for achieving our ambitious priorities.
The CA is also asked to consider and also to
approve the approach to updating our West Yorkshire
Local Growth Plan to bring it into line with new
statutory guidance.
If I may remind everybody, we were one of the first regions in the country to deliver
our local growth plan and we're definitely ahead of the game.
So Sarah Eaton, our Director of Strategy, if you could take us through the report.
Thank you.
Thank you, Mayor.
So I think as you've outlined, this paper is seeking to kind of cover three things.
Sarah Eaton, Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority) - 0:47:10
One is the updates on progress on the development of the broader outcomes framework, which is
something that we're not technically required to do, but something that we feel will be
extremely valuable for the organisation, for the region,
in terms of being able to measure outcomes moving forward.
The second one is the update
on the integrated settlement outcomes framework.
And as you said, the third is around the local growth plan.
So I'll just quickly move through the paper, I think.
Just in terms of that broader outcomes framework,
I think this is based on learning over the last few years,
particularly around evaluation
and completing our gateway review last year
around how we consistently measure progress and how we measure impact and what we're seeking
to do with that broader outcomes framework as we've described in previous meetings of
the combined authority is to get to a position where we've got a really consistent baseline
of measures that people can kind of attach their activity to.
The integrated settlement outcomes framework is a subset of that outcomes framework and
I think appendix one shows how we've tried to align both that broader outcomes framework
and the integrated settlement outcomes framework.
So really important that we understand the integrated settlement outcomes framework is
the vehicle that the government will hold us to account for delivering a set of targets.
But essentially what we've tried to do with the broader outcomes framework is align to
the competencies that we will be taking on board as we become a mayoral strategic authority.
and what we think is that future proves any additional work that we want to be
doing so as we move forward it'll be really clear about how we're trying to
deliver activities that are of benefit for the region. As you'll see in the paper
there's quite a lot of work being done in this space so we've developed
logic models for each theme to kind of illustrate theories of change and what
we're expecting is that by kind of aligning our data collection methodology
will be able to kind of understand how we're delivering on those strategic
outcomes of the longer term. What I would say is that obviously as new things
happen the Outcomes Framework will need to be kind of developed and iterated to
kind of pick up on those things and specifically if we get any additional
funding streams where we've got a requirement to kind of have specific
measures in place we'll need to kind of take that account as we move forward. But
onto the Integrator Settlement Outcomes Framework before Christmas, I think
It's for the December we brought an update on where we got to with the development, that
particular outcomes framework.
And we also kind of set out the quantum that we've been given by government, and we got
that at the end of November.
As we know, there's been some slippage in the timelines, but that paper kind of outlined
the progress we've made on agreeing outcomes and measures.
And what you're seeing in Appendix 2 now is a list of the measures that we've kind of
agreed with government at this particular point in time.
The work that we're now doing is around setting targets based on that quantum that we received at the end of November
And we're well on the way with that
But we've we're not at that position where we've completely agreed that at the moment and which is why it's not with you today
That work is now happening in earnest and we picked up work after Christmas
Where we submitted that third draught and we're in bilateral negotiated with government on number of these
targets as we speak
Our intention is once we finalise those targets, and this will be really quickly, we'll need
to move at speed, is to ensure that we share those targets with Combined Authority members
before we sign off approval from the Combined Authority.
And in September last year, we got delegated authority for the Chief Executive to sign
off those targets.
But what we want to do is make sure that Combined Authority members can see those targets in
advance of submitting them.
Those targets will then go up ministerial and they will all sign off, we think mid -February.
Once we've signed that, we'll bring that back to the Command Authority for endorsement,
but the paper just sets out a little bit about what will happen after we've gone through
that process.
As we've said previously, there will be a board that will be established which MHCLG
will chair, that's an officer board, and we will be required to report six months late
on progress on delivery of the outcomes that we've got in there.
And that's going to be really important.
There's a real degree of transparency about how we are delivering on that integrated settlement as we progress.
And as Ben has outlined, we're really looking at our governance arrangements
to make sure that we've got the ability to do this in an effective way moving forward.
Just moving on to the kind of the final item around the local growth plan.
As you've said, we were the first area to establish a local growth plan.
As part of the devolution and community empowerment bill that is working its way through parliament
as we speak, it's currently in the House of Lords, there will be a statutory requirement
on us to have some really key specifics within that local growth plan and what this paper
is seeking to do is to give an update on the things that we think we will need to do to
make sure that we're delivering on that.
They will come into force two months after the devolution bill has been adopted and we're
expecting that adoption to be in spring, so this will be in June time.
So we're getting ahead of the curve in terms of that work that we need to do.
Most of it is set out in the paper.
I'm not intending to go through that.
I think just to say that one of the additional pieces of work that we're doing at the moment
is around the development of an investment pipeline.
We're clear that's really important in terms of us being able to kind of look to the future
around what we are going to deliver and I'm sure we will be bringing further reports forward
on that as we speak. What we are trying to do here is give a really quick update every
meeting around the work we are doing in this space so expect to have potentially next time
around a bit more of an update on where we are with some of the amendments that have
made to the devolution bill. So I will stop speaking there now but if there are any questions
happy to take those. Thank you so much Sarah and just to reassure
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 0:53:05
members that all the MSAs are going through this outcomes framework at the moment. We're
in discussions with other MSAs to make sure that we're all in the same space about what
government expect from all of us. So we don't want to be out of step with any other MSA
about what their plan delivery is versus ours. So we are in conversations across all five.
Councillor Scullion. Thank you and thank you to the officers. I'm
I'm sure it's been challenging negotiations,
Cllr Jane Scullion (Calderdale Council) - 0:53:37
and I'm sorry we weren't able to bring the number down anymore,
but good try there.
I actually think we should just get on with this, really,
and we should press government to get on with it.
And actually, we've got the settlement,
we've got the strategic outcomes.
Actually, we know what we need in Wyschos.
We know what we need in terms of jobs, in terms of housing,
in terms of skills, et cetera.
Key thing for us is continued flexibility
Those are the outcomes actually in terms of how we get there
I think is for us and West Yorkshire to apply that money as best we can so keep pressing the question of flexibility
Thank you
Thank you get on with it
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 0:54:22
It needs to be our mantra doesn't it government wants us to get on with it
And then we have to work it at their time frame council a to go
I'm really pleased to see this. I know it's been done at PACE as well, so thank you very
Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe (Bradford Council) - 0:54:33
much. I think people working over Christmas, et cetera. I think this also gives us the
opportunity through the governance review to make sure that we have that flexibility
within West Yorkshire as well. So obviously we work in good partnership across the five
authorities and we need to make sure that we have that flexibility to deliver differently
in different places depending on what existing resources there and what strengths there,
What gaps are there so I think we need to make sure in that governance we can demonstrate the fleet effort as well
Just really helpful to remind that when we're going through that. Thank you
Yeah, one size doesn't always fit all council on
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 0:55:13
Thank you. I think the move turning to greater settlement is and it's very welcome
Cllr Alan Lamb Leeds City Council - 0:55:16
And if it works as intended brilliant the concern is a bit of cynicism born out of experiences
all governments and especially the Treasury,
and I'll criticise my own government last time now,
when they first came into office in 2010,
for local government they removed lots of ring fences,
which seemed very welcome at the time,
gave councils more flexibility,
and then gradually used metrics and measuring
to start strangling what you could actually do
with the money.
And that's the worry here,
of how we make sure we get to a point where we're not,
yes, technically we have an integrated settlement
that we can do what we want with,
but there are so many strings attached
that it really limits what you can do.
So my couple questions are around what are the gaps
in stopping us getting to a framework?
What's the disagreements that are still there,
that have stopped us getting there?
And can we be sure it really is flexible
and it's taking away unnecessary reporting burdens?
And the final bit is what happens operationally
if we get into the new financial year and the framework isn't agreed and signed.
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 0:56:28
Thank you. And to your point about flexibility and freedoms, that's why I'm very pleased
that this government have brought in the right to request through the Mayor's Council, so
we will be able to, where appropriate, request new freedoms and flexibilities. But this is
a long way from where we were, and frankly there are MCAs that really want this integrated
settlement so it was a real win for us to prove that maturity to be able to
deliver on an integrated settlement. But Sarah do you want to respond to a couple
of those questions? Yeah I think flexibility is the reason why we've
Sarah Eaton, Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority) - 0:57:06
spent quite a bit of time making sure that we get the measures right and
negotiating on the measures. I think we've tried to keep those as minimal as
we possibly can to make sure that we have got flexibility to deliver activity
that benefits West Yorkshire region and aligns to our plans actually so we've
done quite a lot of work in this space to I think get to that position and as
the Mayor outlined we've also done quite a lot of work with other MSA's
particularly the Trailblazers and we've got experience of this and they've been
running a free year with their one year integrated settlement so it's been
quite a lot of work done in that space and I think in terms of areas I think it's
the timing, it's getting a quantum at the end of November and then having to
and we have to do those bilateral conversations with different government departments.
So it's just a challenge of making sure that we're aligning what we think we can spend
and being proportionate in terms of the indicators with the targets that we're agreeing.
I think we've been looking at the housing targets and the housing measures, so there's
been a little bit of delay around that and some technical guidance that's come through,
but we're hoping that we've freed that up now and we can kind of move forward.
I don't think there will be a delay in terms of getting there.
I think we're confident that we will get there by the end of January in terms of getting everything sorted and signed off.
And if there's any slippage, I think it will be at a national level and we'll be in line with other areas in that space.
As I say, we've done quite a bit of work to make sure that we do hit the deadlines.
We've met every deadline that we've been given actually in terms of being able to submit something.
I think moving forward, I think this is around that devolution journey and it's not resting
on our laurels in terms of being able to work with the government to push this into the
next phase and we're already starting to think about what that might look like, particularly
working with the established, other established mayoral authorities that are in this space.
So I think just because we're at this point, that doesn't mean that we don't put that foot
on, keep our foot on the pedal in terms of being able to push for more.
So we're definitely, once we've got this little bit
of a line up for the next stage of this process
that we'll be looking at.
Thank you so much, Ben.
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 0:59:15
Thank you, just to build on what Sarah has been saying,
Ben Still, Chief Executive (West Yorkshire Combined Authority) - 0:59:20
and to, I guess, add a note of caution.
So the outcome framework is exactly where
we're trying to get to, but as you'll see when you look
at the annex, they're not all outcomes.
Some of them are still outputs, and so there's still work
to do in future years about that.
Secondly, each of those pillars and the funding streams, they come with their own strings,
so we've got more or less freedom on some of them compared to others, so there's still
work to do in that space. But as Sarah says, what this is is a first step on that journey,
and I think as the mayor has said, the presence of the Mayoral Council, where mayors are able
to continue to keep the pressure on central government to continue to give us more freedoms
of flexibilities, we hope that will prevent any reversion back to the kind of scenario
that you've outlined, Council.
We've had reassurance from government that this is the floor, not the ceiling on devolution,
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 1:00:15
so we are on the foothills. Fast forward five years, it will feel and look very different,
but we have to get over this phase. Was that fingers crossed or did you want to speak?
Fingers crossed.
Fingers crossed.
Fingers crossed.
Fingers crossed.
time.
Can the CA note the progress made to develop a broader outcomes framework for the CA and
an integrated settlement outcomes framework?
Note the proposal to circulate the updated integrated settlement targets to combined
authority members for comment before ministerial and mayoral sign -off.
Can that be agreed?
And that the final integrated settlement outcomes framework be brought back to the meeting of
the CA in March this year for endorsement and that the CA approve the approach to updating
the West Yorkshire Local Growth Plan in line with government statutory guidance.
In favour of the recommendations, please raise your hand.
Thank you.
Any against?
Any abstaining?
No, thank you.
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 1:01:17
Moving on, item 9, Innovation Plan, Local Innovation Partnership Fund.

9 Innovation Plan / Local Innovation Partnership Fund

September meeting of the CA was agreed an innovation board is established to provide
strategic oversight and guidance on innovation activity.
The remit of the board includes responsibility
for the Local Innovation Partnership Fund,
a 30 million pound fund from UKRI
to support innovation clusters and drive economic growth.
If I'd like to pass to Councillor James Lewis,
the Chair of the Economy Board,
before going over to Felix Kumianpofo
to talk about the board's recommendation
for an innovation plan.
So, Councillor.
Thank you, Mayor.
I certainly pointed to Felix there,
but you didn't pick it up.
So just a few words of introduction.
Cllr James Lewis (Leeds City Council) - 1:01:57
A few words of introduction on this,
and then I feel it's coming.
I think it is the, recognises the work we've
done on the Economy Committee.
And it's, Mandy knows as well, it's
a great group of people around the table at the Economy
Committee as well to bring forward work like this
and make sure we're looking at the outcomes we want
to achieve for West Yorkshire.
But we're getting the voice of training providers and business
in that in doing that.
Thank you, that's the training providers and skills is particularly important around innovation feelings
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 1:02:31
Thank you very much mayor in the interest of time I'll take the hint
Felix Kumi-Ampofo, Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority) - 1:02:40
I will not go through the whole paper. I'm just taking it as read just some really quick comment
So I'm sure the board will remember in the local growth plan
The evidence was really clear that our economy still had a headroom of about 11 billion pounds
and that our performance on productivity
was a key reason why this was the case.
Not the only reason, but a key reason
why this was the case.
Economists are united, that to grow productivity,
we need to drive innovation.
And so in the local growth plan,
we did, my authority committed to West Yorkshire
becoming a centre of excellence for innovation.
And as the mayor said, you gave us approval then
to set up our innovation board to spearhead and help
us drive this activity.
It's worth saying that the region has
been investing in innovation and innovation activities
for a number of years.
We have our investment zone programme,
which has been running for a few years now.
The Mayor's Big Ideas Challenge is underway.
We have our innovation festival that takes place every year.
The local innovation partnership fund
is therefore just one funding stream that will help us do more in this space.
We are one of a few areas, MSAs, in the country that has been given earmarked status, so we
are not competing for this amount of money.
It's a minimum of £30 million.
However, to be able to access that, we need to go through certain hopes.
So we are in the middle of readiness cheques with UK Research and Innovation, UKRI, and
at the end of that we then have to submit our investment programme which has to go in
by the end of May.
The reason this paper has come to you, it's got two recommendations.
One, UKRI pre -requisites that the Innovation Board is able to sign off that investment
plan.
And so we are requesting a delegation from here to that board for us to be able to do that
Otherwise, we will not be able to access the money
And then secondly the Innovation Board which is already met twice has a third meeting later this month
Agreed for us to produce develop an innovation plan so that as further funding becomes available
We are not looking around asking ourselves what to do with it
We already have a plan with a set of activities or gaps identified,
and we know what to do, and we can move quickly.
And so again, we are seeking your permission, as it were,
for us to be able to get on and do that work.
Thank you.
Thank you so much.
I wonder, Mandy, if there's anything you'd like to comment,
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 1:05:29
because innovation is the driver of growth.
That's our challenge across the whole of our region.
Mandy?
Yes.
I mean, obviously, the Innovation Board is there to help drive growth.
Mandy Ridyard (West Yorkshire Business Board) - 1:05:42
and R &D investments as a percentage of GDP has to go up in some way, shape or form to
help drive that growth. So I'm delighted that the two proposed chairs of that board
are both from a business background and are significant. People in the region with innovation
weren't really under their belt. And what I'd like to just make sure that we are mindful
of is that innovation doesn't only happen in universities. That is a very important
part of the innovation puzzle but it happens in businesses and in people and
the work that we're doing with the most challenge and more widely around
business support and bringing together Team West Yorkshire to link businesses
to universities is an important part of that puzzle. Thank you that's a great
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 1:06:28
contribution thank you. Okay any further thoughts? Yes Councillor Lamb. Thank you
Cllr Alan Lamb Leeds City Council - 1:06:35
for I support the broad aims of this for four quick concerns Mandy has hit on
one of them, which is around making sure this isn't just money going to the usual suspects
and it's actually providing direct support to SMEs in particular to give them the chance
to innovate and grow. The second one is just around accountability and no disrespect to
Ben, but this is a lot of money to put in his hands and I'm just concerned that there's
not enough democratic oversight of this and I wonder if we can look at a way
not that doesn't complicate slow things down but just making sure there is a
democratic sense cheque to it. The third one is back to there's a lot of broad
outcomes here but I think we need to see real measurable KPIs so that we know
exactly what it is that we're trying to to achieve with the money before things
get going and the final one and Councillor Lewis will shout at me for saying this, there's
also a risk that this funding gets concentrated on Leeds and making sure that every part of
the combined authority actually benefits from it and we don't just centre it. As much as
I'd like all the money in Leeds, it's actually to the whole region's benefit if everyone
is getting a slice of this. This is a strategic investment for the whole
of West Yorkshire, so please be reassured.
Felix?
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 1:07:51
Thank you, Mayor, and thank you for those questions.
Felix Kumi-Ampofo, Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority) - 1:07:57
I should have said earlier on, there's
a human error in the paper.
The box for key decision should not have been ticked yes.
This is not a key decision.
It should have been no.
We will correct that when the papers come out.
So that's our failing apologies.
Regarding SMEs, I see every other part of the country SMEs make up 98 % of our business
base.
It is impossible for us to do something like this without SMEs benefiting significantly.
So that would definitely happen, but we don't know yet.
We haven't pulled together the investment programme, so we don't know yet how all of
this will take place.
it's important however to emphasise this is about innovation intensive
activity and so that will set in companies that have innovative in their
ways of working will be more likely to benefit from it but our job here is to
drive that through the rest of the economy to make sure more and more
companies do that. Democratic oversight so paragraph 3 .5 in the
The paper does say that the head of the paid service, if you are minded to provide that
delegation, will discharge that working with the mayor and the chair of the economic committee,
both of whom are elected members, and we will come back here for every meeting to make sure
you are fully updated and you've got all the information that you need.
LEAD's bias goes without saying that this is for the whole region and so we'll make
sure.
It's important however to say that as a standing start LEAD does have the most developed innovation
ecosystem.
Our job is to make sure the rest of West Yorkshire catches up to that and achieves its full potential.
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 1:10:06
Ben Still, Chief Executive (West Yorkshire Combined Authority) - 1:10:11
I'll say this out loud just to cheque whether colleagues agree with me, but my understanding
Councillor Ladd in terms of accountability is that this fund isn't part of the single
settlement, the accountability still sits with UKRI, that's why the paper is quite
carefully worth it in terms of responsibility. So this is not funding that's been devolved
to us, we are seeking to influence how UKRI spends the money.
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 1:10:35
This is what I wanted to devolve because they are another set of gatekeepers that
we have to conform to their timelines and their expected outcomes so it would
be great if we had the money ourselves and we could do what we wanted but it is
not in our gift currently. Thank you Sarah.
Ben Still, Chief Executive (West Yorkshire Combined Authority) - 1:10:52
Yeah just to say this was one of the areas that we've submitted a right to request for in terms of being able to get that funding and response coming directly from the CA.
So, he's an area that we lobbied on at the moment.
Okay, I have been the most terrible chair.
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 1:11:05
That is after half past 12 and there's so much to get through.
So, I'm going to be nice and succinct from now on.
So, there's, can we recommend the CA approves the Innovation Board's recommendation
for an innovation plan to be developed and that delegated authority is granted
to the head of paid service in conjunction with the Mayor and the Chair of the Economy Committee
for the Local Innovation Partnership Fund in West Yorkshire.
In favour of recommendations, please lift your hand.
Thank you.
Anybody against?
Anybody abstaining?
No, thank you.
Moving on, item 10.

10 Clean, Secure, Resilient : Driving Sustainable Business Growth

This is the draught Sustainable Business Growth Plan, which sets out how West Yorkshire is
going to support businesses and industry to decarbonize while strengthening productivity,
competitiveness, and inclusive economic growth.
It's partnership -led delivery, targeted support for energy -intensive sectors, and a focus
on skills, innovation and energy resilience and security and establishes a clear regional
framework to help businesses of all sizes and our region to benefit economically from
a clean energy transition to contribute to the achievement of net zero economy by 2038.
Would Councillor Lewis like to say a few words in opening this item?
Pass it over to the officers.
Fantastic.
Passing over to Felix to take us through the recommendations.
Thank you so much, Felix.
Thank you, Mayor.
Felix Kumi-Ampofo, Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority) - 1:12:29
As the Mayor just said, this paper comes with the attached draught plan for your consideration
and if you are minded to then approve for us to get on with the delivery.
When the climate and environment plan was put together, it made it very clear our emissions
were broadly falling to three areas, transport, consumers, households and business.
this plan takes a look at the business side and it puts a case forward for how
as a region we can work with our businesses to be more competitive, to be
resilient, to improve energy security and resilience and to support businesses to
decarbonise. And so if you are minded to, if this is approved, our delivery will then
follow on from that. It's important to say finally that not everything
here is about what the Combined Authority itself will do, this is about what needs to
be done in the region and there will be actions that will come out of this which the Combined
Authority itself will take a lead on, but many of the actions will fall on other partners.
Thank you.
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 1:13:41
Thank you so much and we have so many businesses that are heavy industry, that are very energy
intensive that hopefully this will be helpful.
Mandy, anything you'd like to comment?
Mandy Ridyard (West Yorkshire Business Board) - 1:13:52
Yes, I think the paper is really welcome and I think how we try and influence the
change to enabling businesses to access clean green energy is a problem from
across the country and we need to try and lean on that and try and expedite
that as soon as we can because whilst businesses mostly want to get on this
agenda then accessing that energy is one of the constraints that would change the
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 1:14:18
dial considerably. Thank you. Any further comments? Councillor Loughlin. I'll help you by
Cllr Alan Lamb Leeds City Council - 1:14:23
rationalising my seven questions to three very quickly. So what specific
funding streams will support businesses to deliver the actions in the plan? How
will we make sure that SMEs receive equal access to the support rather than
the benefits accruing to the big boys which is what usually happens? And what is
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 1:14:41
Cllr Alan Lamb Leeds City Council - 1:14:43
What is being done to address the region's acute skills shortages in green technologies?
Thank you.
Some nice big questions there.
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 1:14:50
Felix, a few headlines and then maybe we could talk about skills in more detail outside of
this meeting.
I take the hint.
Felix Kumi-Ampofo, Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority) - 1:15:05
So this is not like what we've done in the past where we see a problem, we put a bit
of money aside, we have a grant programme, we disburse that to businesses in the expectation
that they act in a certain way. This is the Combined Authority setting out to act as a
system leader, bring partners together to understand what the challenge looks like and
then work together as a partnership to work through what the solutions are.
And if the solution requires us to go seek funding, then that is what we work with partners
to do.
But this plan is not written to say there's a particular pot of money and we're going
to use that to do A, B or C. It's setting out the Combined Authority as a matured organisation
to play its role as a system leader.
The budget item that comes after this sets out our budget for the next year, where there
is the need for us to spend money to help deliver this,
that budget will allow us to do that.
But we are not setting out to work in the way
that we've done in the past.
In terms of SMEs, I suppose what I've said before comes in.
But also, I'd really like to take a conversation outside
of here, because it seems to be a common theme that SMEs miss
out on what we do, and actually it's
the big companies that benefit.
I have seen no evidence to say that it's true, but I would like to pick that up
and see if there's any other, anything else we can do to put that issue to bed
and if we are failing obviously we will pick that up but I have no evidence it's
actually much to the contrary. In terms of acute skills shortage, we'll take it
out of here but we do as part of our adult skills plan which you were kind
enough to approve before Christmas. We do put out distinct training programmes where
the need is identified in our key sectors and the green economy is one of them.
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 1:17:12
Very good and certainly the recommendations from the Green Jobs Task Force, you'll remember
Councillor Lamb, one of them was going into primary schools to talk about green jobs because
It's really important we get young people to have conversations with their parents even before they get secondary school
So be reassured that is a priority that pipeline of talent
Yes, councillor holds worth
Just a quick question
Cllr Sue Holdsworth (Calderdale Council) - 1:17:36
How is this going to be marketed to SMEs across the whole of West Yorkshire, please so that they are aware of
The scheme and what they can do to implement it
Thank you.
Good question.
Felix.
Thank you.
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 1:17:53
Very good question.
Felix Kumi-Ampofo, Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority) - 1:17:56
So we – the marketing channel or strategy depends on what it is that we are putting
out and who we need to engage with.
And as I said, this is a higher level plan, so we don't have a marketing plan next to
it yet.
But at the right time when there is a particular scheme, we engage with SMEs through all our
channels, whether it's through the business
representative bodies that we are setting up
affiliate arrangements with, through our social
media, different events that we put together.
We target SMEs because they make up over 98 percent
of our business base.
So, we disproportionately target SMEs.
I have no worry that we will not.
Where there's sometimes a challenge is that some
businesses are better connected than others, and
so they hear of things and others might not.
and we all have a job to do to make sure that businesses that usually might feel they miss
out of this have as good a chance as anyone else to take advantage of that. We work with
the business board and others to make sure that we can reach out as well as we can.
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 1:19:04
Thank you. It's often word of mouth and recommendations, isn't it, business to business. Did you want
to come in, Mandi?
Just very briefly, but the business board have an ambassadorial role, so that is part
Mandy Ridyard (West Yorkshire Business Board) - 1:19:11
of what we do.
Each of the cluster groups, including the local visitor
economy partnership, are doing work around how we develop
better comms plans around these things,
so this access to knowledge is really important.
And bringing Reset Connect here in March to the armouries,
which is a big event, a bit like REEF,
but with this subject in mind, is part of drawing attention
to this region and being able to communicate widely,
which I think all highlights and escalates the focus on this for businesses.
Thank you.
Thanks so much.
Okey -dokey.
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 1:19:49
Are we happy to approve the recommendation that the Combined Authority considers and
approves the draught Clean, Secure, Resilient, Driving Sustainable Business Growth Plan?
And two, that the Combined Authority delegates further evolution and delivery of this plan
to the Economy Committee with engagement with the Climate
and Environment Committee.
All those in favour of the recommendations,
please raise your hand.
Thank you.
And those abstaining, those against, thank you so much.
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 1:20:19
Okay, moving on to item 11, the substantial item,

11 2026/27 Budget & Business Plan

one of many in the agenda today.
And can I just say thank you for your focus.
We're over halfway through this meeting.
And it's scheduled to finish at 1 .30.
So thank you very much for your sustained attention
So item 11 the budget as I mentioned earlier
The first budget will be setting under our new integrated settlement
And what we've got in front of us is the 26 27 budget and draught directorate business plans on a page for consideration
The full corporate plan for 26 27 will come to the next CA meeting for approval
Now, the single settlement means we've more money available to us as a combined authority
than we've ever had before.
The total budget for next year alone is 1 .25 billion.
Just think about that for West Yorkshire, and you would not have that without a mayor.
Four hundred and eighty -seven point three million revenue spent, seven hundred and sixty -seven
million capital expenditure.
This is a budget that will drive growth, opportunity
across the region, that's going to continue my
commitment to deliver, deliver, deliver, and help
us improve the Weaver network, continue to
deliver mass transit, and keep funding adult skills
and jobs programmes to ensure people and businesses are
able to thrive and grow.
Employment West Yorkshire, our business growth hub,
we've resources to deliver new homes, deliver
transport capital programmes across the region,
and committing the CA resources to deliver my
police and crime plan.
On top of our new home energy West Yorkshire
service, which will be helping people in our
region access the government's new warm
homes plan, helping to insulate homes, reduce
bills, and lower carbon emissions.
And of course, our investments into culture,
the creative industries, delivering programmes such
as libraries for primaries, our phenomenal young poet
Laureate scheme that's now rolled out across the
country, and our new seasons of culture programme
across the region.
When we were updated on our financial position last
year, there was a moment when we were projecting a
deficit of almost 40 million.
But thanks to prudent financial management and
more details coming through on a single settlement,
the new funding streams, like the local growth fund
as well, we are able to fill that gap.
We're having to use a one -off contribution from
my reserves to do this, ensuring we can continue
to invest in the BOSS network.
It's a one -off because this will be the final
financial year when we are not in control of the
BOSS network.
At the beginning of the next financial year, we
will be in control of over a third of the Weaver
network and taking over the second tranche later
in the year.
It's going to transform how we finance the BOSS
network, as we will be in control of the farebox,
meaning we can take decisions for passengers
rather than for profit.
So, in front of us today are really ambitious plans,
only possible because of the new devolution settlement
we have.
We have greater flexibility on how we spend the money
because of our integrated settlement.
Now, I'm not proposing we use the full range of
flexibility in this first year.
I'm not recommending we move money between pillars,
but I'm not against doing this in the future.
What we're doing is holding the flexibility
to transfer some capital funding into revenue,
which may help us to accelerate delivery.
If we do need to do this,
we'll come back to the CA for approval.
Now, a lot of work, as you can imagine,
has gone into the preparation of the budget,
and I'd like to really thank, from the bottom of my heart,
the entire finance team for their hard work.
And on that note, I'd like to hand across to Kate Taylor,
our director of finance and commercial services to take us through the detail the report and recommendations Kate
Thank you, Mayor and thank you for that. Thanks as well. I would say it is an absolute team effort
Kate Taylor, Director West Yorkshire Combined Authority - 1:24:23
It's the finance team of the control kind of getting to this point
But we do require the entire business to engage with us to get there
So I set out this paper has got two purposes
Which is a setting out the 26 27 both revenue and capital budget and also presenting those draught plans on a page
There is a housekeeping item, which is the first recommendation which is asking for approval for changes to 25 26
So the current year budget those changes were endorsed by FR CC in November, but come here for approval as required under the Constitution
Set out the budget set out a revenue budget of
487 point 3 million to be spent within 26 27 within their transport expenditure totals
250 .8 million and that is supported and funded in part by the transport levy of
99 .9 million. That has increased by 2 % on the prior year in line with
previous commitments in the bus franchising assessment with the
additional 1 .96 million pound of income being used to support bus reform. The
levy is split between districts based on the population and that is set out in the
and following approval we will notify district partners of their levy for the year.
The paper also confirms the mayoral budget of 0 .9 million.
That is in line with the proposal put forward in December.
I can confirm we have received no questions or further proposals from the combined authority
for that and hence it is presented as part of the total budget for the approval.
It also states there is no mayoral precept.
As noted, the budget is balanced through use of 13 .5 million of one -off reserves which
are applied in full to balance the transport position.
As the report notes, this is our last financial year of presenting the transport budget in
this way as a result of franchising.
The CA still has general reserves of 15 .2, I don't remember my writing there, and earmarked
reserves of 42 million providing financial resilience.
the capital programme budget of 600 of
767 million is proposed which includes the last year of the city regional sustainable transport settlements the RSTS
We have continued to work with partners
To prioritise that programme and ensure that we maximise that funding that alongside the results of bus franchising
And the year -end out term for the current year will be brought forward in a revised budget for approval in the summer
Section 4 of the report sets out the short and medium term risks and it also includes
my statutory advice for you as the Section 73 officer required under Section 25 of the
Local Government Act as to the robustness of the assumptions and the adequacy of reserves.
I confirm to you today that that statement still stands and there is nothing since the
publishing of the papers that would make me change that statement.
The report also asked the CA to note the work that needs to happen over 2026 to review the
MTFP, particularly to reflect the impact of bus franchising.
Those discussions will continue to happen over 2026 and come forward in summer and autumn.
Finally, the report presents those draught plans on a page for consideration and those will
then form the basis of the corporate plan that will come back to you in March for approval,
concluding the integrated business planning process
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 1:27:59
Thank you so much and whilst the numbers are big the public need to see
Transformation from these investments so we will be working
flat out to deliver on the Weaver Network and
To progress work on mass transit to deliver transformation for our communities housing
And also culture etc as we've heard so
Any thoughts on the budget discussion? Councillor Lamb.
Yep, thank you Mayor. A couple of comments and then a small number of questions.
Cllr Alan Lamb Leeds City Council - 1:28:30
So the first one is to thank Kate and her team for the work that they've done.
I'm really grateful for the... I feel the process is more transparent and open and
that's very helpful and welcome. So thank you. I know how much work has to go into this.
The second point is I'm not sure we can properly do justice to scrutinising the budget in this
forum and you wouldn't thank me if I went into the level of detail that I might like
to. It would be helpful going forward for future budgets if perhaps there can be more
opportunities for board members and scrutiny to be involved earlier in the process so that
I think it's not simply a nodding through exercise here, it shouldn't be that, but equally
it isn't the forum and we're already under huge time pressure with all the other items.
I could ask 50 questions on the budget, but hopefully that's something that can be taken
on board for future years.
The key things that I think is important just to explore a bit further today, it is a tight
budget relying on reserves as you said.
The first thing is are you comfortable with the level of reserves that we have?
It seems low in proportion to the budget and is there a plan over coming years to build
the reserves back up?
The second thing is around the assumptions in it.
So it's very tight around inflation.
So if there was to be a jump in inflation around some of the capital projects, what
resilience is in the budget around that?
I suspect most members of the public don't realise that when we talk about the transport
levy and things like that, that's out of their council tax.
So that's an extra pressure on councils.
I believe the commitment that was made last year was that the levy was expected to increase
by 2 % every year for the foreseeable future, which is an extra pressure that councils have
got to bear and council taxpayers have got to bear.
there was brief mention of a mayoral precept which isn't proposed. Are you comfortable
to rule that out for the three year lifetime of, I can't rule anything out forever, but
as things stand are you happy to say no mayoral precept within this three year period? There's
lots of other questions but I think they're the headline ones.
Thank you and to your point about where the discussion on the budget happens, I think
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 1:31:03
the FRCC has given it a really detailed once over.
But as we're looking at the governance review,
I think your point is well made about where
do people get sight of the budget
and how can they influence it or at least get across it.
I'd also like to agree with you about the papers.
I think they're really much more accessible.
There's more detail.
I do agree that the cake you coming in I think you've brought a whole new approach which I think is is really welcome
The to the other points regarding the the precept we are not as it says in the paper
We're not bringing a precept
I've always said the precept will come in when it is of something that will benefit the public
Directly and also regarding the levy the transport levy. We have kept that flat for many years since I was mayor. Where is other
and mayoral combined authorities,
they've seen their precept go up and up and up every year.
We've tried to keep it as flat as possible
until we have needed it
in order to deliver better outcomes for the public,
because having that argument to the public,
if you pay a little bit more,
you'll actually get a bus at the end of your road
and a bus that's on time,
and green and clean and affordable fares,
I think, is of value.
And also, just to reiterate,
We have kept down bus fares below the national cap since we brought in Mayor's Fairs, since we were the first to bring in Mayor's Fairs.
We have still a £2 .50 rather than a national cap of £3, so we understand the cost of living argument.
But Kate, would you like to come in on the further points?
Kate Taylor, Director West Yorkshire Combined Authority - 1:32:42
Thank you. Just around the Transport Levy, slight technicality actually.
It's not all out of people's council tax
So there is money that is passed over from DFT to a CLG that comes in the section 31 grants as well
Which covers the the concessionary element in there?
For it in terms of reserves. We have a
15 .2 million sitting in general reserves, which are 3 % of the general expenditure
General practise or good practise would be to have around three to five percent
So while we are at the lower end,
actually meeting that 3 % is a good place to be.
And a lot of both local authorities and MSAs
do struggle to even get to that 3%.
So that is helpful.
That helps me cushion against in -year fiscal shock.
So we have another pandemic, et cetera.
So I have that.
Then we have earmarked reserves that
sit there, which are for more of our, I guess,
some of our medium and risks that we have.
What we will be looking to do as we really do that
with MTFP refresh over the summer is we'll bring forward
again a proposal for how we will treat those reserves
and how we will start to match them against those risks
that we have.
Where we have any kind of, I guess any movement
in the budget in the year where the surplus goes up,
certainly I will have to bring that forward to FRCC
and my authority for final treatment.
My recommendation at the moment would be that we continue to build up the reserves to mitigate
some of those future risks in there, but that will be a decision for a later time.
So I am comfortable, as I have to be, that we have sufficient based on what we have now.
Certainly I would always hope that we can continue to build more within there.
In terms of the inflation point, where it is inflation on the capital programme, my
first expectation is that we would manage within the capital programme and we would
have to take from where we have not already kind of allocated money within that. So it
would kind of come within itself rather than hitting into my reserves for that.
I think there's a question on the pre -set as well.
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 1:34:53
Yes, I see that. Okay, any further comments on the budget? No? Great stuff, thank you.
Okie dokie. So I'm going to read out all the recommendations because it's the budget in
its entirety so I do bear with me so recommendations that we approve the
outline budget changes for 25 26 that they are adopted as per section 3 .1 3 .2
and 3 .3 approve the revenue budget for 26 27 totaling 487 point 3 million are
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 1:35:23
set out in this report approve an increase in the transport levy from 97
7 .9 million to 99 .9 million an increase of 2 % and
Authorises the section 73 officer to issue the levy letters for year ending the 31st of March
2027 approve the mayoral office budget of point
0.9 million for 26 27 and note that there will be no mayoral precept
Approve the use of reserves as set out in the paper section
3 .16
approved the first year 2627 of the indicative capital programme totaling
767 million are set out in 3 .17 .01 noting the indicative
onward programme thereafter. Note and have regard to the advice of the director of
finance and commercial services section 73 officer in relation to the robustness
of the budget and the adequacy of reserves as set out in 4 .3 to 4 .7 to delegate authority
to combined authority officers to progress expenditure within this budget that is in
furtherance of combined authority financial regulation and schemes of delegation, that
the combined authority notes the current medium -term financial plan, its risks and uncertainties,
in particular those arising from bus franchising, and endorses the proposed approach to further
financial planning and mitigations work during the first half of 2026, with an update to
be brought back to the CA summer 2026 section 4 .1 that the Combined Authority consider the
draught directorate plans on a page and notes that final draught plans and the overarching
corporate plan for 2026 -27 will be presented to the March 2026 Combined Authority for approval
section 3 .9 and 13 .18.
All those in favour of the recommendations.
I can say that again please.
Very funny.
Very good.
Those in favour of the recommendations, please raise your hand.
Thank you.
Those abstaining.
Those against.
Thank you so much.
Brilliant.
Let's move on to project approvals.

12 Project Approvals

12 a) Project Approvals – Investment Priority 1 – Good Jobs and Resilient Businesses (Including Entrepreneurialism)

Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 1:37:37
good jobs and resilient businesses including entrepreneurialism. This is
looking at two approvals from our economy team relating to our investment
zone and the economic inactivity trailblazer. If I could ask
Felix to pick up both of these schemes for consideration. Thank you very much
Mayor, the first one has to do with the investment zone
Felix Kumi-Ampofo, Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority) - 1:38:05
programme, which I referred to earlier on.
It's seeking approval from you for us
to put in place what we're calling a soft landing package.
This allows us to provide even more support to businesses that
are either in health tech or digital and tech, which
is what our investment zone programme covers.
It ensures that we're able to support businesses to land in West Yorkshire somewhere to you know
to put their equipment, connect them into the right networks, make sure they are plugged into
our clusters and they receive all the support that they need. It ensures that we are able to
compete with other places when we are working to attract businesses to come into West Yorkshire.
We will work with our universities who have both their capability and their capacity to do this and is seeking
1 .6 million pounds for us to be able to do that and to preempt potentially a question from Councillor Lamb about
SMEs
This is exclusively for SMEs
Very good Felix, so any comments on these schemes?
I was hoping you would come in, Councillor Lamb. You thought about it twice but then
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 1:39:30
you thought, no, I must speak. Councillor Lamb.
It's not that I must speak. There's a lot of money we're spending, Mayor, and it's right
Cllr Alan Lamb Leeds City Council - 1:39:41
that we ask questions about it. It's good to see officers now anticipating and answering
questions before they're asked. It's a bit like a 2 Ronnies sketch, I remember, in Mastermind.
So I wasn't going to ask that actually this time.
But my two questions were A, can we be assured this is it in terms of funding?
None of these schemes are going to come back and ask for more.
And on the economic inactivity trailblazer, easy to say, what proportion of participants
do you expect to achieve sustained employment and how are we measuring that?
Thank you.
And to be frank, good questions.
So Felix.
Thank you very much.
I am sorry, I talked about the first one and the second one.
Felix Kumi-Ampofo, Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority) - 1:40:24
I am happy to say a bit more about the inactivity trailblazer.
But for the soft landing package, yes, businesses will be entitled
to the support once because obviously they only land here once.
I do not know whether you are referring to businesses
being eligible for wider financial support from the combined authority
And if that is what you mean, then I will politely refer members to last year's decision
you made regarding our new access to finance approach and the way in which we are changing
how we engage with businesses and support them to access finance.
There will be much less that the Combined Authority itself is putting out in the form
of grants for businesses.
as that model showed at the time, we are embarking on a completely different approach where we
support businesses to access the funding that is out there instead of us all the time setting
ourselves up to do that.
Regarding the inactivity trailblazer, which I beg your pardon, I should have talked about
then, we already have phase one of the trailblazer up and running.
The government gave us £10 million.
This is part of our healthy working life programme, of which we've got a governance programme that
you approved from this board.
We have a programme board that I co -chair with the ICB, and we have a strategic board that
the mayor again co -chairs with the ICB.
And as part of that, there are various funding streams.
This is one of them, and this is the phase two.
This is year two funding, not phase two, year two funding, another £10 million.
It helps us to support people who are economically inactive and support them to come into employment
or closer to employment.
We are also able to support people who are in work but at risk of falling out because
of health reasons, to be able to remain in work and receive the support they need to
get all the benefits that come with being in employment.
We have a lot of targets from central governments.
The overriding target is to slow down the rate of increase in economic inactivity, of
which we have over 100 ,000 people in West Yorkshire, to slow down that rate of increase
and eventually to begin to bring that number down.
I'm happy out of here to have a conversation, if need be, about the details in terms of
our outputs and outcomes.
Thank you.
Thank you, Felix.
was there a clear target from government was it 1300?
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 1:42:59
Yes there's a 1300 number but that is not strictly to do with the trailblazer alone
Felix Kumi-Ampofo, Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority) - 1:43:10
it picks up also the accelerator I just didn't want to go into all of that because of the
time we've got but yes.
Thank you we have to stop people falling out of work as well as getting more people into
work and many people have complex lives and complex problems, it's a hard ask. But the
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 1:43:25
Healthy Working Life Board is proving a really good forum for delivery in this space and
I'd just like to put on record my thanks to Rob Webster, who's the Chief Executive of
the ICB who's now stepping down. He has been really a great partner in how we've worked
really agile with real agility and at speed to set up the board and get to work.
So I just wanted to put on record my thanks to him.
Thank you, Felix.
Any further comments?
Okie doke.
So the recommendations.
Can we approve for the two schemes outlined as we've heard to progress through to the
assurance process full approvals for the combined authorities funding contribution for delivery
and development costs and approval of future assurance pathways and approval routes and
Obviously the detailed recommendations are in the report.
In favour of the recommendations, please raise your hand.
Thank you.
Anyone against?
Anyone abstaining?
Thank you so much.
We are nearly there, folks.
Item 12B.

12 b) Project Approvals – Investment Priority 3 & 4 – Creating Great Places and Accelerated Infrastructure / Tackling the Climate Emergency and Environmental Sustainability

Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 1:44:30
This is tackling the climate emergency and environmental sustainability.
This report provides information about release of capital funding for investment zone linked
to the Brownfield Housing Fund and two additional approvals
include for the Brownfield Housing Fund
and the Heat Network Zone Coordination Body Scheme.
I'd like to invite Councillor Scollion to say a few words
on the Heat Network Zone Coordination Body Scheme
if you were minded to and if not, pass over to Liz Hunter,
Director of Policing, Environment and Place
to outline the schemes.
Councillor Scollion.
Thank you, Mayor.
I could go on about district heating networks,
Cllr Jane Scullion (Calderdale Council) - 1:45:10
But I will pass over straight to the officer Liz
Thank you
Liz Hunter, Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority) - 1:45:18
In in light of the time just to briefly run through because the paper cover the number of things as you've as you've mentioned
so firstly on the Brownfield housing fund and
As you know, we have an extension to the programme which you approved last year
And this paper brings forward three schemes for different reasons have taken longer than expected
But we'd still like to include them in the programme
So this is a change and to ask that those tolerances are changed to enable them still to be within the programme
And there is also then a specific a brownfield housing fund scheme in front of you for Castleford baths at a seven hundred fifty
Nine thousand and for 69 homes, which are hundred percent affordable
And separately then as you mentioned we have an investment zone scheme for you today for turn bridge Mills
this is the opportunity to
to create a med tech facility within that historic mill
and we're looking for your agreement today
for the funding for that project to come forward.
And then lastly, as mentioned about heat zoning,
so this is one of those areas where we know
that there are district heat networks already in place.
We've got them in Leeds, there's space in the ground
in Bradford and we've got various ones in development
in other places and what governments are now asking for
is that there is a degree of coordination around how those heat networks come forward
so that they can be maximised.
We don't yet know what that coordination looks like,
we don't know what we would be asked to be if we were to be one of these bodies,
but governments are engaging with us on the methodology.
And as always, we always say, well, if you want us to do extra,
how can you help us fund us to do that work?
And so in this instance, they have provided us with some funding
to at least do that investigation work,
And we will come back to you once we've done that to decide if we should be a body or not
And we're also in the meantime working very closely with leads in particular who will look at a consultation around that particular
Thank you, and I'm pleased with these pipes and with
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 1:47:18
Huddersfield and Bradford leading the way on some of this work is great to see any questions on this
No mark council Hinchcliffe just to briefly say I see something I'm quite interested in
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 1:47:29
that the one in Bradford,
Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe (Bradford Council) - 1:47:31
although it's a bit well out of the ground now actually,
because obviously it's all down.
People thought it was just a pedestrianisation.
There wasn't, there was heat pipes going in there
at the same time as well.
So we're really pleased about that.
It is, Bradford Council has not put any money in it.
It's private sector investment
and national government investment.
So all these are funded through different ways.
So in our instance, government would be more qualified
to coordinate rather than ourselves really
in West Yorkshire because it is a lot of private sector investment in partnership with the
national government. So anyway I'll pause there for a sec.
Very interesting, thank you. And certainly they're looking across the country and trying
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 1:48:09
to get a unified approach I think and we're just part of that but it's good to see that
we're ahead of the game. Good stuff, thank you. So are we happy to approve the two schemes
Investment Zones Capital, Turnbridge Mills and Brownfield Housing Fund, Castleford Baths,
outlined above to progress through the assurance process, full approvals of the CAs funding
contribution for delivery and development costs and approval of future assurance pathways
and approval routes.
Those in favour please raise your hand.
Thank you.
Those against.
Those abstaining.
No, thank you.
Okie doke.
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 1:48:47
Can I also ask for the approval for the second Brownfield Housing Fund programme change request
to extend delivery timescales as outlined above.
in favour of the recommendation.
Thank you.
And those against, abstaining, none, thank you.
And the final approval of the CEA's funding contribution to the Heat Network Zone Coordination Body Scheme to enter into a funding agreement.
Please raise your hand if you're in approval.
And those against, anyone abstaining?
No, thank you so much.
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 1:49:22
Thank you for powering through the hand -raising moment. Okay moving on to 12c

12 c) Project Approvals – Investment Priority 5 – Delivering Sustainable, Integrated, Inclusive and Affordable Transport

delivering sustainable integrated and inclusive and affordable transport and
This is details of five transport schemes coming to us for approval
I'm going to take them one by one in this instance and call on Simon Pope transport capital programme director
Then Rachel Jones head of mobility services to outline the schemes individually
So first off Leeds healthier streets Simon. Can you take us through this please? Thank you, Matt
Simon Pope, Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority) - 1:49:56
This is the outline business case for an 11 million pound scheme involving the delivery of new
improved walking and cycling infrastructure across six neighbourhoods in Leeds
Scheme aims to increase walking and cycling by 10 % and improve road safety through reducing road casualties by up to 30 %
The schemes being assessed as offering medium value for money with a benefit to cost ratio
1 .9821 reflective of the journey quality and health benefits afforded to both pedestrians and cyclists
Small scale interventions in Chappell Town, Victoria Park and Wortley are now ready for delivery for which
1 .8 million pounds in funding is recommended for immediate release
Larger scale interventions in cross gates armoury and inner east leads will take longer to develop for which the release of a million pounds to cover
Further development costs is recommended in order to develop before business case
Subject to those final costs remaining within the tolerances that are set out in the paper
We're also recommending that future approval of that for business case is delegated to the chief executive
Thank you so much in the interest of time
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 1:50:55
I'm hoping they're not questions as we rattle through this so we have time for mass transit. Thank You councillor lamb
brilliant, so can we
Raise our hands in favour of the recommendations, please raise your hands if you're in favour if you're against
Anyone abstaining? Thank you so much. The next item is the Leeds City Centre
Network and Interchange package, Leeds City Square Plus. Simon, if you wouldn't
mind just giving us a light touch on this change request. Thank you.
Simon Pope, Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority) - 1:51:29
Thanks Mayor. So members be familiar with City Square Plus scheme that was delivered on
site and completed last year. This approval relates to a retrospective
request for additional funding from Leeds City Council due to exceptional
circumstances encountered during delivery.
Additional costs have been incurred from redesign
to part of the scheme to allow direct access to the Queen's
hotel frontage, following a change in the hotel's
ownership, with the revised scheme then subsequently
counting issues during delivery.
Additional counterterrorism measures
to mitigate the risk of hostile vehicles
were also introduced in response to the change in design
and updates to the later counterterrorism guidance.
Whilst cost increases in delivery
aren't typically supported if these are demonstrated
to resort from a lack of rigour in the development process.
Following significant scrutiny by the Combined Authority to validate the additional costs
requested, we are recommending a £668 ,000 increase in funding is approved in this instance.
That's a 6 % increase on the Combined Authority's individual contribution.
We feel that is appropriate given the mitigating circumstances that apply in this case.
Thank you so much.
Those in favour of the recommendation, please raise your hand.
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 1:52:34
those against, those abstaining. Thank you.
The next item is the Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Levi Capability Scheme. Simon, thank you.
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 1:52:45
So this scheme aims to accelerate installation of EV charging infrastructure across the region.
Simon Pope, Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority) - 1:52:50
The Command Authority's previously approved capital funding for charge point rollout
involves partnering with private sector operators to deliver charge points in locations that would otherwise be commercially viable.
Percumen of the charge point operator has been very successful and with a higher private
sector contribution than was originally forecast, we're now able to deliver a much larger number
of, or a much greater number of charge points than was originally proposed.
The recommended approval relates to separate revenue funding that's been granted by the
Office for Zero Emission Vehicles to fund the necessary resources to deliver the now
larger programme.
An additional £539 ,000 has been awarded, which is proposed to split between the district
partners in the combined authority to cover associated legal procurement
project management and highway costs and the approval also recommends the
acceptance and allocation of additional funding and together an extension of
time for programme delivery from June 20 26 to April 20 28. Thank you for speaking
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 1:53:49
at speed Simon thank you. Those in favour of the recommendations? Thank you. Those
against? Anyone abstaining? No thank you. So Rachel, sorry you're gonna have to be
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 1:53:59
quick access bus fleet replacement if you could talk us through this yes thank
Rachel Jones - 1:54:08
you mayor and as many of you are probably aware the combined authorities
access bus service is a dialer ride and bus service providing door -to -door
transport in West Yorkshire which has been operating now for over 35 years and
it's got around 6 ,700 registered users and it aims in particular to serve the
needs of those people in West Yorkshire who have difficulty in accessing the
the general bus network.
It currently operates on a many people going to one venue,
including things like shopping trip opportunities,
luncheon clubs, and other social clubs as well.
It continues to be a very popular service
and is something that is constantly at or close
to capacity.
Now, given the customer demographic,
a bespoke type of vehicle is required,
one that's small enough to get down
some of our small streets that we've
across West Yorkshire to provide that door -to -door service but also needs to
be big enough to carry sufficient passengers to make the sort of model
work. We also need obviously more of an accessible layout than a traditional
conventional bus with low floors, more space for wheelchairs and other mobility
equipment. The existing fleet is well beyond its anticipated operating life
and with all the vehicles are now between 11 and 18 years old obviously
because of this we've sort of experienced more and more failures of the service which is obviously have it starting to have an impact on
The service that we can provide so we need to renew the fleet in its entirety now
and just say that we would expect vehicles of this nature to be replaced sort of every eight to ten years and
I set out in the paper
The market is not fully and is not sufficiently developed to allow the combined authority to replace the entire fleet
with a fully electric and
vehicle. So what we're looking to do subject to procurement which is ongoing is introduce
an ultra -low emission diesel fleet with a small amount of electric vehicles subject
to the procurement process. So the recommendations are that the combined authority approves the
access bus fleet replacement scheme to proceed through decision point two four and work comments
on activity five which is delivery and that the combined authority approves
funding of 6 .5 million pounds and the total scheme value is 6 .5 million
pounds. Future approvals are made in accordance with the assurance pathway
set out in the paper and note that 650 ,000 which is 10 % of the total scheme
cost is for risk and contingency allowance and I would just finish by
saying that having travelled on Accessbus and met some of our customers it really
is a real vital lifeline to many people in West Yorkshire who rely on this
service to get out and about and importantly give them that social
interaction which as we know can sometimes be lacking. Thank you Mayor.
Thank you so much Rachel and those in favour of the recommendations please
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 1:57:03
raise your hand. Thank you. Anybody against? And anybody abstaining? Thank you.
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 1:57:13
The next item is the West Bradford cycle superhighway phase 2 programme. Simon.
Thank you, Mayor.
This is a proposed segregated cycleway between Bradford City Centre and Thornton.
Simon Pope, Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority) - 1:57:19
The full scheme aims to increase cycling on the route by 10 % and reduce the occurrence
of cycle -related accidents aligned to our Vision Zero objectives.
Construction of Phase 1 up to the 86177 junction was completed last year.
This approval relates to the full business case for Phase 2 and recommends total funding
of £16 .1 million to deliver the project.
Obviously complementing works delivered as part of phase one is a strong strategic case
for delivery, providing safe and attractive facilities and that will encourage greater
cycle access into Bradford City Centre.
Thank you so much.
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 1:57:54
OK, those in favour of the recommendations, please raise your hand.
Thank you.
Those against?
Anyone abstaining?
Thank you.
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 1:58:05
OK, the approval of the extension of the Thornton Road scheme delivery dates to November 27
with a six month tolerance and allow future approval through the assurance pathway.
Bless you. Please Simon.
Simon Pope, Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority) - 1:58:18
Thank you. So yeah, this additional approval relates to the junction improvement scheme at Thornton Road.
Full approval was granted by the command authority in July 2024. It's an eight million pound scheme.
It's actually at the low or the intersection between phases one and two of the West Bradford Cycle Superhighway.
So Bradford Council is seeking what has delayed discharging conditions associated with the
existing approval in order to enable sequencing of the construction works with the West Bradford
cycle superhighway scheme.
As a result, the delay has extended the original programme tolerances requiring the extension
of time that you've just set out.
Therefore, we're recommending that the combined authority approves extending delivery from
March 2026 to November 27.
The total funding remains within the originally agreed envelope
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 1:59:06
Thank you so much those in favour of the recommendations on Thornton Road, please raise your hand. Thank you those against
Anyone abstaining? No, thank you so much moving on to project approval

12 d) Project Approvals – Investment Priority 6 – Creative Industries, Culture, Heritage and Sport

Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 1:59:13
12d and if I may just before we do this just
requests your patience
We are going to extend this meeting so we can have a full
conversation about mass transit for another 15 minutes. I hope that's okay with everyone.
We do need to stay quarant, so if I could make sure that we have our leaders tied to
the chairs so they can't go anywhere. But if we can move on, and I'll go as fast as
I can, the Creative Industries seasons of culture to build on that success of our years
of culture. Felix, if you just want to give us a headline, that would be grand.
I will, thank you very much.
This is seeking £1 .3 million to ensure we can continue to invest in culture and build
Felix Kumi-Ampofo, Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority) - 1:59:59
on the legacy of the years of culture in the UK, the city of culture in Bradford that we've
had last year.
It allows us to match funding from our arms length bodies, from our local authority partners,
and the first year will be themed around nature, and the plan is for next year to be around
I think public art and sculpture.
Thank you.
Wonderful, thank you so much.
Are we happy to, are we in favour of the recommendations?
Please raise your hand.
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 2:00:28
Thank you.
Anyone against?
Anyone abstaining?
No, thank you so much.
Okay, the portfolio summary is next, item 13.

13 Portfolio Summary

Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 2:00:39
Kate, if you could take us through the report and recommendations.
Thank you.
Thank you, Mayor.
I won't dwell on time in there.
Kate Taylor, Director West Yorkshire Combined Authority - 2:00:49
Obviously, this report is the report as it usually is, so it takes the performance to
date of the funds, adds in what you have just heard in terms of project approvals, and shows
the position on the programmes that are in there.
Happy to take any questions in there.
Noting the questions that we had previously about the format of the report, we are looking
At that we're implementing a new project system at the moment which gives us some enhancement surrounding reporting and we'll be looking to
Launch that in offices well with the integrated settlement as well
Just chance to have a look at that for the 26 27 municipal year
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 2:01:32
Thank you. Any comments? Yes, Councillor Kildon very briefly mayor
It would be remiss not to give my regular update when substitute for councillor Douglas that York station Gateway
Cllr Peter Kilbane (York Council) - 2:01:39
continues to transform the entrance into York every time I go through it.
It's getting better and that's pretty much on a daily basis.
But today when I entered the station coming to this meeting, Mayor Scaeth was there with
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander signing his part of the Northern Powerhouse Rail Compact
and I just thought what a difference devolution has made to the north of England and what
difference dare I say it Labour led combined authorities have made to
Yorkshire so thank you mayor and on that note I don't think you need me for
choracy so I'll take my leave. That's a very good way to end Thank You councillor
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 2:02:18
Kilbane and my regards to your wonderful mayor. Okie doke those in favour of the
recommendations please raise your hand those against anyone abstaining no thank
Thank you.
Okay, moving on to the mass transit update.

14 Mass Transit Update

Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 2:02:35
Everybody around this table was briefed on the announcement about the programme last month.
This report provides the CA with a formal update.
Mass transit remains the largest local transport project in the country, central to our vision
for inclusive economic growth, better connectivity and creating opportunities for decades to
come.
Our partnership with central government remains strong and secure.
In an exchange of letters with Transport Minister Lord Peter Endy, I secured clear backing for
the programme and a pledge to explore ways to accelerate delivery.
Government is even considering adding mass transit to its major projects portfolio.
This strengthened relationship means we're working hand in hand with government to deliver
mass transit once and for all.
An independent peer review has helped shape an updated timeline that reduces risk and
ensures success while services will now begin in
the late 2030s.
This approach prioritises certainty and ensures
every stage is backed by a government spending
mandate, giving us funding security and alignment
with national priorities.
My commitment to spades in the ground 2028 remains,
and we've also secured further investment
commitments last week following the Northern
powerhouse rail announcement where government
confirmed funding beyond 2032, which is great news.
And those of you watching TV closely on the rail
announcement, you'll have heard the Chancellor say on
live TV, mass transit means tram.
That doesn't mean we're taking our eye off the ball
in developing a strong business case to prove to
government that tram is the right option.
But as you know, the case, the way I feel, the case
has already been made across the country and in
European cities that tram is a driver of growth.
Members will also be aware we've shared the NISTA
review as an exempt appendix.
And you know, you all know we wanted to share a public
summary, but after taking legal advice, we've been
able to share the full report amongst members of
this committee.
And also, Nikki can share more details of that advice
if necessary.
And before we move on, if I could invite John Reid to
and join us at the table who is our interim lead on mass transit and comes
with fine pedigree for having sorted out Euston station and what's the other one
Trans -Pennine. So I'm very pleased that you are free and that you can help
us in this moment so over to you if you want to say a few words or shall I just
throw it open for discussion.
Please, thank you, John.
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 2:05:34
the other step changed it until we were the network with a mass transit scheme, compared
to one without. Also very conscious people who are interested in governance and how we
work together, so I'm still to support Ben and Tracey picking up the piece of work to
look at how do we bring districts together, how do we get together, sort of the objective
of creating that successful case. Tracey talked about the Government to release the funding,
really trying to build our governments around collaboration and problem solving as well as challenge.
I really look forward to working with you. If I haven't met you already, I hope you've got something in the diary.
I wish you'd heard about now, I think.
But I look forward to working with you and hope you can make a difference on this and really move forward this year.
Thank you so much and your expertise is really welcome.
I'm sorry to the public and to members of the press because we're going to be discussing the exempt item is my understanding
What would members like to discuss the exempt item
Council on it's not about the exempt item. Well, there are some things I'd like to say in public
Fantastic, thank you council. Um, so first of all just to correct some of the things that you said in your introduction
Cllr Alan Lamb Leeds City Council - 2:07:00
One, you said all members had been briefed before because that's technically accurate,
but you briefed the press first before you briefed all members and we were only briefed
because we asked to be briefed because the press then contacted us to ask if we had any
comment.
So it's not fair to say that I found that disrespectful to members of this board and
I hope that's not something that will happen again.
The second point, obviously, we can't say a lot of or we can't talk about what you've
just said in the public session.
I respect Nikki immensely and her judgement.
I still think there's some conversations to be had
about what can and should be shared
of this independent peer review.
But we'll have to discuss that in private.
Unfortunately, what I would say is the paper
and the presentation you've just given
bear no correlation to the independent peer review.
and I would go as far as to say it was dishonest in terms of some of the things that you've
just said. I won't go any further than that and I'll touch on it in the private session,
but I think people need to see and understand what is in this paper and what the implications
are because mass transit is in peril. I'm so sorry, Councillor. I can't allow you
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 2:08:18
continue if you're challenging me about honesty. I'm absolutely outraged, outraged
that you have challenged my honesty. Councillor Hinchliffe. I just think as
Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe (Bradford Council) - 2:08:32
that has been said I think it's holding on the city solicitor to provide the advice
again about why this exemption is in private because that is not a decision
of the mayor that is a decision of the combined authority so I think it's just
really important that you repeat that. Thank You Nikki. Absolutely thank you
Nikki Deol Assistant Director Legal, Governance & Compliance - 2:08:53
Councillor Lamb. Just to reiterate I provided some quite clear advice when we were
seeking and authority to exempt the report and the papers. Now the whole
nature of schedule 12 a paragraph 3 relates to financial and commercial
affairs of an authority or a business. The report that's been commissioned is a
peer review, it's an independent peer review of which there are other government bodies
involved. And when you undertake a peer review it's really important that candid information
can be expressed honestly in order for public projects to progress and changes to be made.
That reports it squarely within paragraph 3 for those particular reasons, including
matters around commerciality, financial risk and other matters that arise. The posture
within paragraph 3 sits squarely within this and it's my legal opinion as Monitoring Officer
that the exemption should be applied in full for those reasons. I'm happy to discuss it
further with you privately or in a private session but that is my legal assessment at
this moment in time. I would add that that duty is an ongoing duty. Schedule 12A in paragraph
Act 3 and the duty under the Freedom of Information Act, although parallel, are separate assessments,
but we as a local authority will always consider and review our position as to when disclosure
is required at the right time.
At this moment in time, it is premature.
It would create a mosaic impact and we wouldn't be able to disclose even a redacted version.
Thank you, Nikki, and as always, we take your legal advice.
We are not lawyers.
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 2:10:32
we take legal advice from people who can protect our organisation but also make sure the public
have as much of the facts as we are possible to give. If I may ask the Councillor to retract
your assumption about my honesty, I'll give you a moment to do that.
Nikki Deol Assistant Director Legal, Governance & Compliance - 2:10:52
Mayor Braben, I didn't contradict Nicky's advice, I accept Nicky's advice. My point
Cllr Alan Lamb Leeds City Council - 2:11:00
was there is a fundamental disconnect between the tone and nature and content of the public
paper and what's in the private papers to the point of being dishonest.
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 2:11:11
It was personal about my honesty. Please retract the statement about honesty.
I didn't say you were dishonest, Mayor. I don't believe you're dishonest. I believe
Cllr Alan Lamb Leeds City Council - 2:11:18
what's presented in the paper many members of the public would perceive as being dishonest
and I stand by that.
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 2:11:28
Nikki, do you want to talk about the truth of the situation we have found ourselves in?
I think, Councillor Lamb is entitled to make statements of personal nature.
Nikki Deol Assistant Director Legal, Governance & Compliance - 2:11:41
However, for the purpose of clarity, the statement that you've made, would you like to make a
public statement that that was not aimed at the mayor or otherwise?
and it's simply in relation to how the paper is drafted or presented. I think
that clarity is quite important for the purpose of a public meeting. Yeah I'm
happy to confirm that's the intent if any other intent was assumed or
Cllr Alan Lamb Leeds City Council - 2:12:06
implied that wasn't my intention. Thank you and if I could encourage all members
not to use this meeting ahead of local elections for electioneering. Thank you.
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 2:12:13
Thank you, Chair.
Ben Still, Chief Executive (West Yorkshire Combined Authority) - 2:12:19
Just to make clear the point that the officers of the draught of this paper, we don't believe
that there's been any breach of honesty or integrity either.
So, Councillor, I'm absolutely entitled to your opinion, but I think it is that and we
believe we've acted in the fairest way with integrity.
Thank you.
Good stuff.
Thank you.
So, are we minded to discuss the exempt item?
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 2:12:39
We would like to discuss that.
Council Holsworth, you are nodding.
Members of the press and public, apologies again.
If you wouldn't mind, thank you so much.
This is not good, 2 o 'clock.

14 Mass Transit Update

Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 2:12:54
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 2:12:55
Lovely, thank you. Welcome back everyone.
That was a good discussion, thank you.
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 2:13:02
Can we take the recommendation, the combined authority notes,
the government's continued commitment to the programme,
the independent peer review and the resulting timescale changes shifting the forecast for
operational mass transit from mid 30s to late
2030s and that the combined authority notes the revised submission timetable of the phase one strategic outline case
SOC to government those in favour of the recommendations, please raise your hand
Thank you those against
those abstaining, thank you so much for your continued commitment.

15 Date of the Next Meeting

Okay, we got there, two o 'clock, sorry for the late finish.
Thank you for all of your commitment and your dedication to ensuring that we deliver for
the people of West Yorkshire.
I'm continually grateful for your smarts and your attendance, so thank you.
Okay, next meeting, Thursday the 12th of March, and I close the meeting and no baby has yet.
So thank you all so much.
Thank you everyone if you could end the meeting.
Rachel Jones
Interim Head of Transport Policy
West Yorkshire Combined Authority
View profile Rachel Jones