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Combined Authority Board
Thursday, 30th July 2026 at 11:00am

 
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  1. Presentation Slides
  2. Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
  3. Myles Larrington, Committee Services Officer (West Yorkshire Combined Authority)
  4. Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
  5. Cllr Alan Lamb Leeds City Council
  6. Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
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  1. Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
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  1. Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
  2. Simon Pope, Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority)
  3. Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
  4. Cllr Cllr Sarah Wood Kirklees Council
  5. Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
  6. Simon Pope, Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority)
  7. Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
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  1. Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
  2. Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
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  1. Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
  2. Simon Pope, Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority)
  3. Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
  4. Cllr Andrew Cooper (Kirklees Council)
  5. Simon Pope, Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority)
  6. Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
  7. Cllr Alan Lamb Leeds City Council
  8. Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
  9. Simon Pope, Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority)
  10. Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
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  1. Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
  2. Liz Hunter, Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority)
  3. Cllr Andrew Cooper (Kirklees Council)
  4. Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
  5. Liz Hunter, Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority)
  6. Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
  7. Cllr Alan Lamb Leeds City Council
  8. Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
  9. Cllr Andrew Cooper (Kirklees Council)
  10. Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
  11. Ben Still, Chief Executive (West Yorkshire Combined Authority)
  12. Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
  13. Cllr Andrew Cooper (Kirklees Council)
  14. Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
  15. Cllr Cllr Sarah Wood Kirklees Council
  16. Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
  17. Cllr Cllr Bob Webb City of York Council
  18. Cllr James Lewis (Leeds City Council)
  19. Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
  20. Cllr Cllr Bob Webb City of York Council
  21. Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
  22. Cllr Andrew Cooper (Kirklees Council)
  23. Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
  24. Cllr Andrew Cooper (Kirklees Council)
  25. Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
  26. Cllr Andrew Cooper (Kirklees Council)
  27. Cllr Cllr Sarah Wood Kirklees Council
  28. Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
  29. Liz Hunter, Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority)
  30. Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
  31. Mandy Ridyard (West Yorkshire Business Board)
  32. Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
  33. Cllr Alan Lamb Leeds City Council
  34. Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
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  1. Webcast Finished

1 Apologies for Absence

Presentation Slides - 0:00:22
.
.
Thank you. Thank you after all that I told everybody else to press their button and forgot
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 0:01:17
to press mine. Right let's get on to the proper meeting. Miles apologies thank you.
Myles Larrington, Committee Services Officer (West Yorkshire Combined Authority) - 0:01:25
Apologies for absence Mayor Brimacy from Councillor Claire Douglas with Councillor Bob Webb kindly
attending as her substitute. Further apologies from Councillor Carl Johnson
and his substitute Councillor John Thomas, Councillor Adam Wilkinson and his substitute
Councillor Ren Khan. Thank you so much. Item 2, declarations of
interest. Any members any interests they wish to declare?
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 0:01:46
Councillor Lamb. Thank you, Mayor. If I could declare an interest
in item 10, the members allowances scheme, as a political balance member I will benefit
Cllr Councillor Darren Commons Calderdale Council - 0:01:54
from that and if the legal advisor could just confirm that it's still all right for us to
take part and vote on that item.
Thank you, Nicky.
Yes, it's entirely appropriate that you're entitled to vote.
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 0:02:08
This is an IRP report that's being presented in wholesale.
So the same would apply to many members around the table and indeed Councillor Cooper who's
present today.
But it's entirely appropriate that you take part in that item.
Thank you, Councillor Cooper.
Does it relate to the same question?
Lovely. Thank you so much. Okay, moving on to item three exclusion of press and public

3 Exempt Information - Possible Exclusion of the Press and Public

Officers have advised that information contained in appendix six to agenda item seven boss franchising
compulsory purchase order and appendix one and two to agenda item nine West Yorkshire indicative housing pipeline and partnership models are
are treated as exempt under paragraph three of part one
to schedule 12A of the local government act 1972.
This is because they have information relating to
financial or business affairs to any particular
person, including the combined authority,
and further that it's considered that the public
interest in disclosing, 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. If we agree, the public will be excluded
should members wish to discuss the content of the appendices when we consider items 7
and 9. So do we agree to the exclusion of press and public during consideration of agenda
item 7, appendix 6, agenda item 9, appendix 1 and 2 in accordance with paragraph 3 of
Part 1 of Schedule 12a to the Local Government Act 1972.
Can we indicate all those in favour, please raise your hand.
All those against, no abstentions, thank you.
That has carried.
So at those items, we will go off the live feed and members of the public will be invited
to leave.

4 Minutes of the Meeting of the Combined Authority Board Annual Meeting held on 25 June 2026

Okay, moving on, Item 4, minutes of the meeting held on the 25th of June.
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 0:04:09
Members have any further comments or thoughts?
No?
All good?
Are we content to confirm these as an accurate record?
Obviously, they're new to you, Councillor Wood,
but the next round you'll be able to, obviously,
comment on them.
Okay, moving on.
Item five, the mayor's update.

For Decision

Since we last met, we now have a new prime minister,
Andy Burnham, being confirmed after meeting the

5 Mayor's Update

King last week, and there's been several relevant
policy announcements that matter to us from government.
The two -pound bus fare cap will benefit users of the
Weaver network when it's introduced in January 2027.
It's going to really inform the decisions we make on
our overall fare strategy for the network when we
discuss it later this year.
We know from our experience that lower fares did boost
patronage, and I look forward to seeing the
impact next year.
Earlier this week, there was an announcement that's going to
really help us in our region put rocket boosters under our
announcement of a region of learning and creativity with a
commitment to working with mayors, schools, and businesses
to create place -specific technical education routes into
work for young people.
And we're working with partners already to improve access to
technical education routes through our bespoke, and I think
it's the only one in the country, that West Yorkshire
promise that will ensure that all under -18s have
access to a period of good quality work experience,
support with apprenticeships, support with
poor mental health, and also those soft skills that
young people need and that businesses are crying out for.
And it will help us to deliver on that promise,
and the backing of government is really welcome.
Last Friday, really privileged to attend the
first meeting of the National Economic Council,
along with other mayors from across the country.
The council was first established,
as some of you may remember, by Gordon Brown in 2008,
as a subcommittee of the cabinet,
meaning it has the right to get decisions made.
My understanding is mayors won't attend all of the
meetings of the council, but I really did welcome the
opportunity that it creates for stronger partnership
between government and places on growth and delivery.
And at the meeting, I was able to set out our plans
to drive greater growth and opportunity in our region,
specifically mentioning Leeds South Bank project,
the new station in Bradford,
and the Southern Gateway opportunity,
and of course, mass transit.
Later in this meeting, we're discussing our wider housing
and regeneration pipeline as a region which, if agreed,
we will be asking government and their agencies
to stand behind.
So very ambitious. We know that we've got government's backing and it's only going to turbocharge
Everything that we have already been doing for the last five years. So on to the rest of the meeting

6 Governance Arrangements (To Follow - Late Item)

moving on to item six governance arrangements
This report sets out a number of appointments to the CA board and its committees following the completion of nomination processes and
and changes notified by constituent councils.
I wonder if, Nicky, do you want to speak through it
or I can do it myself.
I'll do it while you find the page.
So we have Katie Kimber in Calderdale
appointed as a scrutiny member.
Simon Brophy, Kirk Lees replaces Stefan Dransfield
as a member of the investment board.
Sarah Wood replaces David Birch as substitute.
Councillor John Hardy, Kirk Lees replaces Luke Fallas
as a member of the Weaver Network board.
Councillor Mark Smith replaces Councillor John Hardy as a substitute member.
Councillor Simon Brophy replaces Councillor John Hardy as a member of the governance and
audit committee.
Councillor Brian Martin replaces Councillor Michael Simmons as a member of the committee.
Councillor Matthew Maud, now a member of the committee with Councillor James O 'Leary replacing
Councillor Pip Harvey as a substitute member.
And also, as I just clarified at the beginning, the Labour group intend to appoint Councillor
Imran Khan, the leader of the Labour group in Bradford, as a substitute political balance
member on this committee.
So Nicky, if you want to introduce the report or any further amends.
Thank you, Mayor.
There's very little for me to do.
But other than to explain that there are statutory mechanisms in regards to the appointments,
As this is the first time that we have the leader of Kirklees, Councillor Wood, present,
it's right that we now are able to appoint balance members and we have Councillor Cooper
and Councillor Lamb present as a consequence of that calculus and our order requirements
and also Councillor Wilkinson who will be present at the next meeting.
The papers are there for noting and approval with regards to the balance members.
They are set out on your papers for approval.
Thank you, Nicky.
Can we note the appointment by Kirkley's Council of Combined Authority Board Member and substitute
note the appointment of political balance members to the CA board to approve the appointment
of political balance members to the governance and audit committee, investment board and
Weaver network board to note appointments made to committees and boards under officer
delegation to note the further appointments verbally reported which have been made to
committees and boards under official delegation,
officer delegation, following the issuing of this report.
So recommendations.
All those in favour, please raise your hand.
Thank you.
No abstentions and no one against.
The recommendations have been carried.
Thank you.
Item seven, bus franchising programme,
approval of compulsory purchase order,
and supporting statutory documentation.
This is an important and exciting milestone in our
journey to deliver on our Weaver network and bring
busses back under public control across
West Yorkshire.

7 Bus Franchising Programme - Approval of Compulsory Purchase Order & Supporting Statutory Documentation

We all know bus franchising is going to allow us to
create that more reliable, affordable, integrated
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 0:10:13
public transport network that supports economic
growth in every postcode in our region.
It will help employers access talent, support
local businesses, strengthen our towns and
city centres, and make it easier for residents to
access the opportunities they need to succeed.
Part of that plan requires us to purchase bus depots
from existing operators in the region in line with our
depot strategy that's previously been agreed
by the CA.
We are in negotiations with bus operators to agree the
commercial purchase of those depots, and that remains
our preferred choice and approach.
The paper in front of us today seeks approval to
progress a compulsory purchase order and
associated statutory documentation needed to
secure key depot infrastructure that will
support the successful delivery of the
franchise network.
As I've said, a deal on commercial terms remains
our preferred approach, but recommendations in front of
us will help ensure the programme can continue to
move forward with confidence.
By investing in infrastructure needed to
support franchising.
We are laying the foundations for a modern,
integrated transport network that works for all
of our communities and delivers that long -term
economic growth across the region we all want.
So there is a private appendix to this item,
which we need to discuss as members.
But before we move to that, could I ask Simon Pope,
please, our Transport Capital Programme Director,
to introduce the public report and the
recommendations.
Thank you, Simon.
Simon Pope, Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority) - 0:11:52
Thank you, Mayor. So as you rightly referred to, the depot strategy proposed combined authority
ownership of up to 10 depots needed to operate the largest or tier A contracts. Back in July
of last year, the combined authority endorsed a dual approach involving the making of a
compulsory purchase order to be enacted in the event that parallel negotiations seeking
to secure depots through private agreement were to fail. It's worth saying significant
Progress has been made with those negotiations, but in some cases agreement has not yet been
achievable within reasonable commercial parameters.
Negotiations are ongoing and as you say, is our preferred route to acquisition, but to
mitigate the risk that we aren't able to secure depots through negotiation, we are seeking
to move the parallel compulsory purchase process to the next stage.
So the paper seeks to authorise the chief executive to formalise the compulsory purchase
order.
The land and interest that are required are set out in the relevant appendices, alongside
the statement of reasons, which explains why the assets are needed to be acquired and why
the use of compulsory purchase powers is thought to be justified.
Given the potential for objection, examination and legal challenge, were the CA to rely on
compulsory purchase to secure certain depots, the earliest that affected franchising contracts
could go live would be October 2028.
So under such a scenario, a reset of the programme would be brought back to members together
with an assessment of the impact on transition costs.
I should stress that the making of the CPO does not preclude ongoing efforts to reach
an agreement with negotiation, which remains our strong preference.
Use of the compulsory purchase order will incur costs for professional fees and statutory
process, including likely public inquiry, that are not currently reflected in our transition
costs.
So the paper also recommends that these are funded from within the combined authorities
2026 -27 revenue budget supported by reserves if required.
Thank you.
Do members have any comments on the paper that Simon has introduced?
Yes, Councillor Wood.
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 0:13:57
Please may I be provided with the date that any land interests were first discussed or
identified?
Cllr Cllr Sarah Wood Kirklees Council - 0:14:06
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 0:14:12
Thank you.
Any further comments or questions?
Simon Pope, Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority) - 0:14:16
Okie doke.
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 0:14:18
Thank you so much.
So we will now move on to the separate private appendix.
So, if I could invite members of the press and public, please, to leave and also to stop
the live feed.
Thank you.
So, if you wouldn't mind, Stets.

7 Bus Franchising Programme - Approval of Compulsory Purchase Order & Supporting Statutory Documentation

Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 0:14:38
Thank you so much.
We are now back and live and in public session.
We're moving on to item eight, project approvals, bus reform.
So recommendations that the CA board on the previous item approved the making of a compulsory
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 0:15:09
purchase order pursuant to section 10 of the transport act 1968 and the acquisition of
land act 1981, approve the order map and schedule of interest and adopt the statement of reasons
and supporting statutory documentation.
We authorise the chief executive in consultation with the monitoring officer, section 73 officer,
to finalise the order and supporting documentation, take all necessary steps to submit the compulsory
purchase order to the Secretary of State, make any minor or technical amendments required,
and progress the compulsory purchase order process, including negotiation, consultation,
and if required, a public inquiry.
Finally, approve the funding costs associated with the compulsory purchase order process
for 2627 from within the overall combined authority revenue budget utilising reserves
as necessary. If we can vote on these recommendations,
all those in favour, please raise your hand. Thank you.
None against. No abstentions.
Those recommendations have been carried. Thank you.
Item 8, project approvals, bus reform fleet provision.

8 Project Approvals - Bus Reform Fleet Provision

This relates to our plans to purchase busses for the Weaver
network.
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 0:16:31
As you may know, we've already put in an order for 193 new
electric busses critical to operating franchise services in
round one.
The recommendation today releases the balance for those
busses.
It also enables us to place further orders for new busses
that are going to be added to the fleet in round two of the
Weaver network rollout.
We will be bringing forward a further approval to purchase more new busses for round three
later this year.
This investment demonstrates our commitment to building that better connected West Yorkshire
with a bus network that is fit for the future.
The Weaver network and its busses will be the pride of not just West Yorkshire but the whole
of Yorkshire.
So before we move on, members should note there's a typographical error in recommendation
4 .12 on page 68. The figure should read 90 ,347 ,136 for the avoidance of doubt that corrected figure
will apply for the purposes of the recommendation and any vote on this item.
Could I invite Simon Popar, transport capital programme director, to present further details.
Simon.
Thank you, Mayor. So this relates to the purchase of new fleet
needed to operate the larger tier A contracts, plug in the gap between total fleet requirements
Simon Pope, Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority) - 0:17:48
and the number of vehicles we're expected to inherit from existing operators that meet our age
and quality standards. A great majority of this new fleet will be zero emission which generates
significant operating cost savings over diesel and as well as environmental benefits. Outline
approval for the purchase of the new fleet was granted by the command authority in October of
last year. An indicative cost for round one of 100 million
pounds was socialised at that time, albeit the scope and costs were yet to be finalised
due to ongoing negotiations regarding the inherited fleet and procurement of manufacturers'
contracts. So we're now recommending phased full approval
of the scheme. The total cost for round one is confirmed
as 97 million pounds, so within the indicative envelope that was previously advised.
The maximum cost for round two is expected to be £25 million.
Due to the complexities associated with delivery of the new build fully electric depot in Wakefield,
it is now proposed that the launch of franchise services from this depot will be put back to October 2028.
The order for those new vehicles will therefore be included as part of round three.
It's worth stating that two -thirds of services in the Wakefield district will still be franchised from January 2028
28 in line with the round 2 timetable, including tier A services that are operated from the
five towns depot and tier B and tier C services throughout the district.
Negotiations to secure inherited fleet for round 3 and the future need to retender manufacturers'
contracts limits our certainty on the final scope and costs for round 3 at this time.
So approval for round 3 will therefore form a future phase of the scheme.
The current approval therefore covers round one and round two only and seeks the release
of a further 91 million taking the total approved to date to 122 million.
As you rightly point out, there is a typographical error in the papers.
So paragraph 4 .12 should state a recommendation to approve additional funding of 90 ,347 ,136
pounds.
This aligns with what is presented in paragraph 421 and the accompanying business case summary.
The total amount approved and other recommendations remain as drafted.
And then a future approval for round 3, which will include the 125 new electric busses to
operate from the Wakefield Epiro will be brought to the command authority for consideration
later this year.
Thank you.
I'm looking forward to my visit to Wright bus to see our busses come off the production
line.
Okay.
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 0:20:25
Any comments on this item?
Yes, Councillor Cooper.
Cllr Andrew Cooper (Kirklees Council) - 0:20:32
So really good that we're getting a large electric vehicle fleet.
That's really good to hear.
But there are 48 diesel vehicles there.
So just wanting to understand whether we are transitioning to a Euro 7 as the new standard
for diesel.
Just wondering if our busses are going to be Euro 6 or Euro 7.
Yes, sure.
Simon Pope, Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority) - 0:20:57
So you're right, there is a maximum potential order for 48 new diesel vehicles.
The final number will be determined by our ongoing negotiations around inherited fleet
for round two.
The reason why there's a requirement for some diesel vehicles to be ordered reflects the
pace at which we're able to roll out electric charging infrastructure to the depots.
As things stand, with the manufacturers with whom we have contracts, there isn't a product
on the market at the moment in terms of a Euro 7, but that is expected to change later
this year.
So, we'll clearly look to negotiate with those manufacturers to see whether a Euro 7 diesel
as opposed to a Euro 6 might be desirable, because as you rightly pointed out, there
be benefits in terms of particulates and implications for air quality. So we will
approach the manufacturers at the time that the products are available to see whether they
provide a viable option for us when confirming the round two order. Thank you and to reassure
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 0:21:57
the Councillor that we want the very best for the people of West Yorkshire. So we will always
look to deliver best in class. Councillor Lamb. Thank you Mayor. I just wonder if you could tell
as what the life cycle of the diesel busses is,
and what are we expecting to run them for their whole life,
Cllr Councillor Darren Commons Calderdale Council - 0:22:12
or is there a plan that they will be phased out
earlier than their natural life,
and what's the economics of that?
Simon?
So, maximum age of a vehicle
operating in West Yorkshire is 15 years.
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 0:22:30
Simon Pope, Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority) - 0:22:31
There are opportunities to potentially
repower diesel fleet midlife.
That can provide a whole life cost saving because of the lower cost of operating electric
fleet.
But obviously our ability to do so will in part be dictated by the pace at which we're
able to instal electric charging infrastructure into the depots.
We have an indicative plan for the pace at which we're going to do that over the course
of the first contract period.
But obviously some of the final numbers are subject to the number of vehicles we inherit
from the existing operators and therefore the implications for the fleet cascade.
So we'll certainly look to see whether a midlife repower is viable.
But we've got a little bit of time to work that through.
Thank you so much.
Any further comments?
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 0:23:19
Lovely.
Okay.
Thank you so much.
So for the bus reform fleet provision, can the board approve the bus reform fleet provision
scheme for round one and two that it proceeds through decision point four, full business
case, and work commences on activity five, which is delivery.
Part two, approve the combined authority's additional funding of 90 .3 million, taking
the total approval to 121 .5 million.
The estimated total scheme costs are up to 265 .8 million.
Three, approve that future approvals are made in accordance with the assurance pathway.
approval, root and tolerances set out in the business case summary attached to the report.
All those in favour, please raise your hand. Thank you. No abstentions and none against.
Their recommendations have been carried. Thank you so much.

9 West Yorkshire Indicative Housing Pipeline & Partnership Models

Now moving on to the West Yorkshire Indicative Housing Pipeline and Partnership Model. All
of us know that having that safe and secure and affordable home is the foundation for
good life.
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 0:24:26
You'll have heard me speak about my journey from
social housing and how that secure home enabled me to
flourish.
It shapes people's health, opportunities, and
wellbeing, and plays a huge role in creating the strong,
vibrant communities we want to see across West Yorkshire.
All of us have plans that are very ambitious for our
towns and cities, but unlocking that potential
means bringing more homes forward, regenerating
Brownfield sites and creating places where
people genuinely want to live, to work, and to raise
their family.
This report builds on the housing investment fund we
approved last month, sets out the scale of the
opportunity ahead of us, and demonstrates how we're
working with local authority partners to
identify those sites that deliver homes and support
growth and help transform communities across all
five of our districts.
It also highlights, I hope, a new generation of
partnership working in West Yorkshire,
bringing together local authorities,
homes England, the combined authority,
investors, developers.
We can use our devolved powers and funding in that smarter way,
attracting additional investment,
accelerating the regeneration of some of the most important
growth locations.
Because all of us know this is not just about housing numbers,
it's about creating those thriving places,
unlocking opportunity, ensuring the benefits of growth are felt
by communities right across West Yorkshire.
So there is a private appendix to this paper,
which if members do want to discuss,
we'll have to ask the press and public to leave.
But before we get to that paper,
can I ask Liz Hunter, Executive Director for Transport,
to take us through the report and recommendations.
Liz.
Thank you, Mayor.
So the report, as you described,
Liz Hunter, Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority) - 0:26:12
highlights our new place -based partnerships
that are emerging across West Yorkshire
that, as you say, bring together our local authorities,
Homes England investors and the combined authority to support and accelerate growth and regeneration.
And alongside this are the two exempt appendices which include the current housing pipeline,
again developed very much in partnership with the local authorities sat around the table.
This pipeline includes projects which may require funding from the West Yorkshire Housing
Investment Fund that the combined authority approved last time round that will help turn
our housing and regeneration ambitions into delivery.
The pipeline demonstrates the scale of opportunity,
but is not a commitment to fund every scheme.
It's a live and indicative pipeline that will help us
shape our future investment decisions and ensure that we
have the pipeline that we can build on and work with you
all to deliver.
So the endorsement of the pipeline will allow the
officer delegation decisions to be taken on eligible
schemes, which would otherwise need to come
forward individually.
We hope this approach will help us unlock the sites to
come forward with public sector, if they need public
and build on the success as you mentioned Mayor previously.
Happy to answer questions on the main report or if we need to on the appendices as necessary.
Thank you.
Any comments on the main report?
Councillor Cooper.
Thanks for the report.
It is really great to see more social housing coming forward.
Cllr Andrew Cooper (Kirklees Council) - 0:27:33
That's something that we really need to maximise.
Tackling the climate emergency implications, it's a bit light in the report.
I just wonder how much above building regulation standards for energy efficiency we would like
these houses to be built by.
I mean, I'd like to see passive house standard for new built housing or an air tightness
standard that we put in.
Because we're building these houses, it would be good to see a West Yorkshire standard is
for housing which goes above and beyond required under building regulations.
Now I do understand viability and I understand all the issues that come with that, but these
houses are going to be built for around, for up to 100 years, who knows, much longer.
So it would be good to know that the houses that we're passing on to people on some of
very lowest incomes have the very highest standards.
So just as we look for the very highest standards in terms of the busses that we put out, it
would also be good to see that we're also taking that same approach with the housing
that we support with our funding.
Thank you so much.
And certainly with our retrofit of social homes, all social homes across West Yorkshire,
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 0:28:56
making them warmer and build part of the whole narrative.
But I'll come to Liz on that question
and then Councillor Lam.
Thank you and in asking the question
you also explained to a degree the issues
Liz Hunter, Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority) - 0:29:13
that we face here and the viability gaps
that we have across the region to bring forward homes.
We have made representations to government
about trying to change the national standard
the
standard, because again, homes being built, as you say, which
at some point in the future may need to be retrofitted, subject
to the board's agreement, we will continue to make those
representations to try and change the national standard.
We don't have a West Yorkshire standard at present. I'm happy
to take that away.
I think the consequences, like we say, to date, we've tried to
work with developers where we can to try and encourage it.
Often the schemes that we are funding, they've already been
So they've all been through the local authority
owns assessment about what they should and shouldn't
be applying in terms of planning policy.
And so often the schemes have come to us
and they're looking for that gap funding
kind of quite at the end of that.
And we are the ones that are trying to kind of
get them over the line.
The partnerships that we've described in here,
it gives us an opportunity to work differently
with yourselves and with others
where we're involved earlier in the regeneration
housing schemes to consider collectively
what it is that should happen with those developments as they come forward.
Just to reassure you, Councillor, that we are also in a really front -footed position
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 0:30:33
in our partnership work, whether that's the West Yorkshire Housing Partnership or the
Housing Association is coming together to help us to deliver our relationship with Homes
England, but also now we have a developer forum, which we hadn't previously, and I think
I think being able to set a direction of travel with all of those partners in unison alongside
our MDZ of the Leeds New Town, how do we create beautiful places and lovely homes for people
to stay and for all of their, for generations to come is really important.
But like Liz says, the homes that come to us are often, they've gone through planning
and local authority level already.
I'll bring you, Councillor Lamb, then I'll bring you back, Andrew.
Thank you Mayor. It follows on from Councillor Cooper's comments and actually build standards
Cllr Councillor Darren Commons Calderdale Council - 0:31:26
and building regs have meant that insulation has improved dramatically and keeping homes
warm in the winter is less of a, in new homes, is less of a challenge. The big challenge
is how you keep them cool in the summer and so I think we need to be reflecting that in
these policies as well and looking at air conditioning and those kind of things.
And also I feel where we're putting public money into things it should be a
standard expectation that we're putting solar panels on on the roofs. I
personally I'm not a fan of solar farms and don't want to see good agricultural
land sacrificed for solar farms when there are roof scapes. It will not always
be possible because of viability as said but it should be our initial expectation.
It's a frustration for me constantly in the planning process that that isn't just what
we do with standards, but we should at least be striving to do it when we're putting public
money into those developments.
Thank you.
That's noted, and particularly about cooling.
And as we look at our public realm as well, how do we have cooler cities?
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 0:32:32
People do get on well when temperatures are this high, so you're absolutely right.
I think your points are noted, unless Liz wants to come back.
Thank you so much for that. Andrew then Ben.
Cllr Andrew Cooper (Kirklees Council) - 0:32:49
So here's what's been said and that's great. I'm just wondering if we could have a paper
that comes back which sees what scope there is to look at standards to see what is possible.
I accept that Passive House standard for West Yorkshire, though it's done in some areas,
might not be the thing that we can do here, but it would be good to see what it is.
Like Councillor Lamb mentioned, solar panels I presume with battery storage, how we actually
maintain cool properties in the summer, as Councillor Lamb mentioned.
So those, it would be good to have something that comes back which looks at that, so we've
got something substantial to look at which shows that we can move things forward.
Is that something that we could have come back to a future board meeting fairly soon?
If I could say I think there's no problem with that.
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 0:33:45
I think the investigation into what future housing could and potentially would look like
I think is something that we could investigate.
It might not be the largest report but we could at least do some headlines for you about
where we see best practise and where we can intervene as a CA in the process.
I think might be valuable. Liz, you're happy to take that away?
Thank you, chair. So the mayor referred to the housing developers
Ben Still, Chief Executive (West Yorkshire Combined Authority) - 0:34:16
forum which is meeting next week and I'm chairing that.
My suggestion is we'll pick this issue up with them and then we'll bring back a paper
that's been developed in partnership with them.
So that might take a little bit longer, Councillor Cooper, but it will probably reflect the industry
views as well which will be helpful. That's a very good suggestion because we know
that developers have really struggled after the changes in planning around the second
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 0:34:37
stairway and stuff like that. So it would be good to develop it in partnership. Yes,
Andrew. So I just wonder whether there are things
Cllr Andrew Cooper (Kirklees Council) - 0:34:45
that we can offer like develop training, the training and skills offered, the things that
we can do to sweeten the pill maybe with this and things that we can do which might make
it more palatable to developers.
Absolutely. Thank you for that. And we'll feed back from that meeting. Yes.
Councillor Wood.
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 0:35:11
Since we are amenable to a paper returning to the board regarding specification of housing,
Cllr Cllr Sarah Wood Kirklees Council - 0:35:16
I wonder if we could also add to that and think about antisocial behaviour in communities,
and how we can lay out housing in a way which can support police and other third party agencies
to control that in a more appropriate manner and more consistency with the way they do
things and their ways of working.
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 0:35:42
Cllr Cllr Bob Webb City of York Council - 0:36:12
Cllr James Lewis (Leeds City Council) - 0:36:17
That's helpful.
Councillor Webb, is this the same topic?
Yes, pretty much.
So just an outside view from York, really.
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 0:36:25
Cllr Cllr Bob Webb City of York Council - 0:36:28
We've built a couple of different estates to passive house standards.
And there are benefits, obviously, by sort of getting that badge.
But actually, the development standards these days, that you can do that without that badge.
I think that what we've learned is stick to the prize, which is good quality homes for
our residents.
and I think that that's something that absolutely has to come first and I wouldn't want to
fire away from that.
But I'm just sort of putting the offer out there that there's something that's a process
that we've already gone through in York and maybe you want to connect with us and then
on green skills, I absolutely agree with you.
And again, York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority I know are very much on that journey
so potentially there's a link in there as well.
Thank you.
Thank you Bob.
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 0:37:19
Cllr Andrew Cooper (Kirklees Council) - 0:37:22
Thank you. Andrew. So I understand the point about actually having a passive house badge.
So there are other ways of doing it. We could have an airtightness standard, which is 0 .6
air changes per hour at a pressure of 50 pascals. I'm so delighted you're here. This is really
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 0:37:36
Cllr Andrew Cooper (Kirklees Council) - 0:37:40
useful. No, but seriously, I mean that is, if we actually say it's the outcomes that
we're interested in, not the badge. So if it's the outcomes that we're interested
in, then that is the airtightness standard. And so without going through those ‑‑
so if you say to a developer, this is what we're aiming to do at the end, forget passive
house, if you want to, that's the standard. Thank you.
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 0:38:07
We'll raise that with Ben's offer. Yes, Councillor.
Cllr Andrew Cooper (Kirklees Council) - 0:38:11
I think there's a risk that we might set the specification of what the paper brings back,
Cllr Cllr Sarah Wood Kirklees Council - 0:38:14
so if it's okay if we can bring the paper back and then maybe have a debate at that
point.
Super duper.
Thank you.
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 0:38:22
And the paper, just to double cheque, what the expectation of this paper is.
Liz, what do you understand it to be?
Thank you.
So I think it needs to set out the, I think the relationship between the kind of planning
I think it's important to recognise that there's a lot of
uncertainty in the system and the combined authority as per
Liz Hunter, Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority) - 0:38:40
Councillor Lewis' comments. So we recognise the relationship
between the planning and any funding decisions.
So there's clarity on roles. And I think it should come back
with what the kind of options are for any further standards
and the implications of that, as Ben has said, which is
developed with the developers. Because I think there will be a
range of implications, both in terms of outcomes but also kind
of cost and deliverability that I think it's important to
to recognise in the round.
So I think there's probably something
where we need to have a conversation before we're
getting into recommendations around any of those standards
to come forward first.
Super.
Thank you.
Mandy?
Just a thought for the developers forum
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 0:39:22
that you talked about is, obviously,
regulation and legislation is one way
Mandy Ridyard (West Yorkshire Business Board) - 0:39:25
to achieve some of the things you mentioned.
But the best way is obviously through innovation.
And so to that forum, maybe bringing in some
the expertise that we have potentially at the University of Leeds in sequestering carbon
in concrete, you know, is one thing, but also with the building college that we have and
the skills that we're teaching there, bringing that to that forum might help sort of persuade
people around the future rather than just the cheapest option.
Thank you so much. Councillor Lamb.
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 0:39:55
Thank you. My understanding, if I've got it right, is really what's behind this funding
Cllr Councillor Darren Commons Calderdale Council - 0:40:02
is about enabling difficult sites to come forward.
So for that reason, I think, mind -s
what we're asking for is what our priorities as a CA would be
in terms of those things that are difficult to deliver.
I don't think we can be too prescriptive
because that will just mean you create another delay in the process.
But it's not unreasonable that we've really set out
these are the things that we're looking to see,
whether that's solar panels, whether it's dealing with ASB
the home stand. I think that's really what we want, our top
three, four, five, six priorities that as the CA we would be looking to go into to help
those sites come forward quickly but deliver the things that we want to see happen as well.
Superb. Thank you. Good conversation. Thank you very much.
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 0:40:52
Okie doke. Does any member want to discuss the private
appendix.
Council Lam.
So if I could invite members of the public to leave the room and the live stream to end,
please.
Thank you.
To the live stream, Miles, thank you.

9 West Yorkshire Indicative Housing Pipeline & Partnership Models

Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 0:41:11
And if the public could come back in, thank you.
Okie dokie.
So, the recommendations, can we endorse the indicative pipeline of projects to the West
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 0:41:28
Yorkshire Housing Investment Fund and delegate to the investment board endorsement of any
future revisions to the indicative pipeline of projects for the West Yorkshire Housing
Investment Fund and note the emerging partnership models that will drive growth and regeneration.
All those in favour, please raise your hand.
Thank you.
Any against?
Any abstentions?
Councillor Sutherland.
Thank you.
the recommendations have been carried. Moving on to item 10, members' allowances scheme.

10 Members' Allowances Scheme 2026-27

This is a paper, members may recall, that this paper was considered at the CA's annual
meeting 25th of June, 2026, when no decision was reached. The item has therefore been brought
back to the board for further consideration. I'll hand over to Nicky to introduce the report
recommendations. Over to you in the first instance, Nicky.
Thank you, Mayor. So members will recall this report was tabled
at the annual meeting and a vote was taken and no decision was made.
I just wanted to set a bit of the legal framework and then invite Councillor sorry, Dr Declan
Hall to the table who has co -authored the report and made the recommendations so that
If you have any questions, you can ask Dr Hall.
But in terms of legality,
the whole scheme around member allowances
is enshrined in legislation.
It is a requirement that we do this independently,
and that is why we appointed independent
remuneration panel to do a deep dive
in regards to the member roles, their specific duties,
in line with the new governance arrangements
that were approved in March 2025.
Now those recommendations are statutorily and legally material to your
considerations. If you wish to depart from those you're perfectly entitled to
do so but you must provide material reasons in doing so as to why. That is a
legal requirement and that is a good principle of public law but I would
invite members to consider the report in full and if you've got any questions
I would invite Dr Hall or indeed myself to answer those.
Thank you, Nicky.
Are there any questions on this paper before I invite Professor to come and talk to us?
No questions?
I am so sorry if your attendance has been unused, but I am very grateful for your support.
Thank you so much and for the rigour with which you have looked at this matter.
It means a lot that we have independence, particularly on allowances outside of the
organisation.
And I know and I've often admired the team that you've assembled when it comes to these
recommendations.
So thank you so much.
And I'm so sorry if it was a wasted journey.
Apologies.
Thank you all so much.
Okie doke.
Let's move on to the recommendation.
Can we recommend the CA board approve the recommendations of the independent remuneration
panel on remuneration for members as set out in paragraph 3 .3 and appendix 1 and adopt
the members allowance scheme for the 26 -27 municipal year as attached to appendix 2.
To vote on the recommendations, all in favour, please raise your hand. Thank you. Those abstaining,
thank you. And those against, thank you. And those numbers, does that mean the recommendation
has been carried? It's been carried by simple majority with you in the majority, Mayor.
Thank you so much. Okay, moving on. Finally, the minutes for information. This is from
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 0:45:07
other committees with summaries of formal meetings published on our website since the

11 Minutes for Information of Committee Meetings

last meeting. So, we got through that. Thank you all so much for your attendance and contributions.
And can I remind everyone the date of the next meeting, 24th of September 2026. And
And I hope you all have time over the summer to have some rest, readiness for a very busy
autumn ahead.
Thank you all so much for your support.
And that is the end of the meeting.
Thank you so much, Miles.
Thank you.