West Yorkshire Combined Authority - Thursday 31 October 2024, 11:00am - West Yorkshire Combined Authority Webcasting

West Yorkshire Combined Authority
Thursday, 31st October 2024 at 11:00am 

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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. Myles Larrington, Committee Services Officer (West Yorkshire Combined Authority)
  3. Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
  4. Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
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  1. Sarah Eaton, Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority)
  2. Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
  3. Cllr Claire Douglas
  4. Mandy Ridyard (West Yorkshire Business Board)
  5. Mandy Ridyard (West Yorkshire Business Board)
  6. Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
  7. Cllr Jane Scullion (Calderdale Council)
  8. Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
  9. Cllr Stewart Golton Leeds City Council
  10. Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
  11. Cllr James Lewis (Leeds City Council)
  12. Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
  13. Cllr Alan Lamb Leeds City Council
  14. Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
  15. Felix Kumi-Ampofo, Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority)
  16. Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
  17. Angela Taylor, Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority)
  18. Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
  19. Simon Warburton, Executive Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority)
  20. Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
  21. Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe (Bradford Council)
  22. Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
  23. Mandy Ridyard (West Yorkshire Business Board)
  24. Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
  25. Cllr Cllr. Martin Love Bradford Council
  26. Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
  27. Cllr Cllr. Martin Love Bradford Council
  28. Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
  29. Angela Taylor, Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority)
  30. Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
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  1. Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe (Bradford Council)
  2. Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
  3. Dave Haskins, Interim Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority)
  4. Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
  5. Dave Haskins, Interim 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. Dave Haskins, Interim Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority)
  10. Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
  11. Cllr Cllr. Martin Love Bradford Council
  12. Cllr Cllr. Martin Love Bradford Council
  13. Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
  14. Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
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  1. Cllr James Lewis (Leeds City Council)
  2. Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
  3. Felix Kumi-Ampofo, Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority)
  4. Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
  5. Cllr Cllr. Martin Love Bradford Council
  6. Cllr Stewart Golton Leeds City Council
  7. Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
  8. Cllr Alan Lamb Leeds City Council
  9. Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
  10. Felix Kumi-Ampofo, Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority)
  11. Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
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  1. Felix Kumi-Ampofo, Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority)
  2. Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
  3. Cllr Cllr. Martin Love Bradford Council
  4. Cllr Alan Lamb Leeds City Council
  5. Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
  6. Ben Still, Chief Executive (West Yorkshire Combined Authority)
  7. Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
  8. Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe (Bradford Council)
  9. Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
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  1. Ben Still, Chief Executive (West Yorkshire Combined Authority)
  2. Felix Kumi-Ampofo, Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority)
  3. Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
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  1. Felix Kumi-Ampofo, Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority)
  2. Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
  3. Liz Hunter, Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority)
  4. Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
  5. Cllr Alan Lamb Leeds City Council
  6. Cllr Stewart Golton Leeds City Council
  7. Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
  8. Cllr Alan Lamb Leeds City Council
  9. Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
  10. Liz Hunter, Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority)
  11. Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
  12. Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
  13. Cllr Jane Scullion (Calderdale Council)
  14. Liz Hunter, Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority)
  15. Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
  16. Cllr Stewart Golton Leeds City Council
  17. Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
  18. Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
  19. Simon Warburton, Executive Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority)
  20. Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
  21. Cllr Alan Lamb Leeds City Council
  22. Simon Warburton, Executive Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority)
  23. Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
  24. Cllr Cllr. Martin Love Bradford Council
  25. Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
  26. Cllr Cllr. Martin Love Bradford Council
  27. Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe (Bradford Council)
  28. 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. Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe (Bradford Council)
  4. Simon Warburton, Executive Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority)
  5. Simon Warburton, Executive Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority)
  6. Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
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  1. Cllr Jane Scullion (Calderdale Council)
  2. Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
  3. Liz Hunter, Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority)
  4. Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
  5. Cllr Carole Pattison (Kirklees Council)
  6. Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
  7. Cllr Stewart Golton Leeds City Council
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  9. Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
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  1. Angela Taylor, Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority)
  2. Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
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  1. Alan Reiss, Chief Operating Officer (West Yorkshire Combined Authority)
  2. Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
  3. Barry Anderson, Scrutiny Chair
  4. Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
  5. Barry Anderson, Scrutiny Chair
  6. Cllr Stewart Golton Leeds City Council
  7. Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
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  1. Caroline Norreys
  2. Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
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  1. Webcast Finished

1 Apologies for Absence

Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 0:00:00
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 0:00:03
you so much for coming. Feels like quite an exciting time at the moment with the
budget yesterday and so thank you for taking the time to join us. A lot to say,
a lot to get through, so I don't want to say much at the top of the agenda as
there's a few things I'm going to reference at different points so let's
crack on. Miles any apologies? Apologies may have been received from
Myles Larrington, Committee Services Officer (West Yorkshire Combined Authority) - 0:00:26
Councillor Douglas and Councillor Holtzworth. Thank you so much and
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 0:00:31
Councillor Denise Jeffries. Yes. Thank you so much. Okey -doke. So any
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 0:00:38
declarations of interest? No. Thank you so much. Okey -doke item 3 exclusion of
press and public. Officers have advised that the information contained in

3 Exempt Information - Possible Exclusion of the Press and Public

Appendix 3 to Agenda Item 7 on Bradford Interchange, Next Steps, and Appendix 1 to Agenda Item 12,
under the 19th travel scheme, is treated as exempt under paragraph 3 of part 1 to schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972,
as they contain information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person, including the combined authority.
and further it's considered that the public interest in maintaining the content of the appendices as
Exempt outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information as publication could prejudice current and future
Decision making if we agree the press and public will be excluded should members wish to discuss the content of the appendices
When we consider items 7 and 12 are we content to agree the recommendation that the information is exempt?

4 Minutes of the Meeting of the Combined Authority held on 19 September 2024

We're happy to agree. Thank you. Okeydoke item for um minutes of the 19th of September 2024. Any comments or uh suggestions?
No, thank you. We're content to confirm these as not your record.
Thank you so much.

5 Mayor's Update

Okie doke, item five, the mayor's update.
Obviously clearly today's news dominated by the headlines of yesterday's budget in which
we'll have an item next on the agenda so I'll pick up the reflections on that at that point.
Since we last met, I took a delegation of 12 businesses on a trade mission to the United
States.
Whilst I was there, I signed a health tech bridge with the mayor of Nashville, a memorandum
of understanding to encourage strong links between our two growing health tech sectors.
In addition, I met with the mayor of Cambridge and consul generals of Tennessee and New England
to explore collaboration, trade, and investment opportunities.
The visit took place to align with the Nashville healthcare sessions conference and the global
health innovators summit supporting our businesses to export to the challenging US market.
We also visited Boston to continue to build on the relationships developed during my visit
last year which led to reciprocal visits to the UK and enabled us to bring a business
delegation with us this time to explore the potential to secure new partnerships and export
contracts.
Also able to visit the headquarters of existing US investors in West Yorkshire to strengthen
in those relationships and support future growth
in the region, including Cummins, United Health Group,
and Johnson & Johnson.
It was also really fantastic to meet
with one of the leading universities in the US,
Vanderbilt University in Nashville,
where we discussed opportunities for R &D collaborations, staff
and student exchanges, particularly
in relation to their Wondery Innovation Center and Nexus
at the University of Leeds.
As a result of the meeting, the Vice Provost will be attending the West Yorkshire Innovation
Festival in March 2025 to continue to strengthen the links.
Further details about the trade mission and the outcomes will be reported at the next
meeting of the Economy Committee.
I also wanted to mention the current state of the BOSS network in Wakefield, North Kirklees
and South East Leeds.
Frustratingly, Areva Yorkshire advised us last month that they intend to make significant
reductions to their bus network in our region.
Their rationale is driver shortages linked to ongoing issues with Wakefield Depot, which
has seen buildings on the site condemned.
Despite the efforts we've made to train more than 150 drivers through our adult education
budget, sadly only a handful of them have gone to work for Areva. We're in
continual regular dialogue with Areva and have stressed the impact any changes
would have on bus passengers across the region and whilst attempting to
mitigate the worst impacts and I know this is particularly tough for the
residents of Wakefield. Now Areva have yet to confirm changes to services, we're
expecting them to do this at the end of this week and once we've come with
confirmation of their proposals the transport team are prepared to step in
and find alternative operators but we're not sitting on our hands we're already
tendering for some services we expect a river town back so we can put in a new
operator straightaway also council Hinchcliffe council Jeffrey and I have
written to the traffic commissioner to raise concerns about a reverse parlous
performance, highlighting that 10 % of the scheduled mileage
is currently not being operated.
Finally, I want to touch on two meetings
I was invited to on behalf of West Yorkshire, the Council
of Regions and Nations, chaired by the prime minister,
and the Council of Mayors, chaired by the deputy prime
minister.
Unfortunately, really terrible timing,
because I was in the US on my trade mission
when both meetings took place.
I gave apologies to the Council of Nations and Regions,
where the focus of the conversation
was about the national industrial strategy and interaction with local growth plans.
However, I was able to dial into the Council of Mayors meeting where we discussed the upcoming
English devolution bill which will set out the new devolution framework for England,
empowering mayors and local leaders to really deliver for our communities.
And I can't tell you how welcome this new approach to engagement with mayors is and
and I really look forward to it continuing under this government.
Okeydoke any comments on Mayors update great. Let's move on to the autumn statement to the budget.
The budget provides the item provides an update on our budget submission also gives an opportunity to update the combined authority on yesterday's budget.

6 The Autumn Statement 2024

I'll pass to Sarah Eaton, our director of strategy shortly, but wanted to say just a couple of things up front.
Wasn't it a significant moment that it was the first budget delivered by the first ever female Chancellor of the Exchequer who is from Leeds.
I was so enormously proud of Rachel Reeves and I thought she did incredibly well with such assurance from the dispatch box.
Now we all know that she's taken some difficult decisions.
I think it was an honest budget that's going to help turn our country around.
Whilst I know some of these decisions present real challenges for our region, especially
for our business community, and I'll come to Mandy Rijard in a moment to give us her
thoughts, this has got to be balanced against a really welcome increase in the national
minimum wage.
It's going to impact on 40 ,000 people in West Yorkshire who are going to have more money
in their pocket, support for the NHS and prioritizing
longer term investment in infrastructure.
So I was pleased to hear the Chancellor back our West
Yorkshire mass transit program, the Trans -Pennine route upgrade
and investment in Bradford 40 Square Station.
It was also welcome to have confirmed a year long extension
to our bus service improvement plans,
though we await details of what our allocation will be.
There's 640 million nationally allocated to additional bus revenue.
We're expecting our chunk of that to come to us over the next few days,
how much we're going to be getting from that 640 million.
Once we know that, we are going to be able to confirm future plans for Mayor's Fairs.
As you know, we're not part of the National Fair Cap Scheme.
We were a first adopter and we've got our own arrangements locally
I intend to keep those local arrangements so we can keep control of our fares in the region and ensure they continue to remain
Affordable to the public we can't forget that the previous government was going to end the capped
Scheme in December
So there was an absolute cliff edge there and I am pleased to see whilst it's more than the arm as fares
there is some certainty about low fares for the next year.
I'm also pleased to welcome the government's commitment to fund the Levelling Up fund bids in the region,
including projects in Holbeck, in Leeds and Production Park in Wakefield.
Obviously, less good news, the government's decided not to proceed with a series of cultural capital projects,
as the previous government made them as unfunded commitments.
This impacts on funding seemingly promised earlier this year to British Library North and National Poetry Centre in Leeds
And also the Bingley swimming pool. It's not the end of projects and I'll continue to work alongside partners to make progress
We still have devolved funding committed to the British Library North and I'll continue to update those
Round this table as we find alternative solutions to bringing that particular project forward
Now, the most exciting news, however, was confirmation, and you'll have heard me bang
on about this for the last three years, that we are eligible to get this single integrated
settlement with government from April 26.
Significantly sooner than had been the case under the previous government.
That was scheduled 2028.
The single settlement will allow us to take more control over the money that's spent in
West Yorkshire, ensuring that programs are properly tailored to the needs of the people
of our region.
So we'll now start the process of working with government
to implement this new change,
and I know we're in a really positive place
to take this work forward swiftly.
Can I pass over now to Sarah to take us through
any further details before I open it up to comments?
And can I just publicly put on record
my thanks to Sarah and your team and the whole of the CA,
who at speed responded to something,
a budget of an hour and 15 minutes,
and you managed to turn around overnight a very detailed look at the impact this would have on West Yorkshire.
So the Treasury might have their own crack economists, we've got our own here in West Yorkshire.
So just thank you to your team, over to you Sarah.
Sarah Eaton, Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority) - 0:11:10
Thank you Mayor, so what I'm not intending to do is go over the kind of key points that you've made,
so some really good news in some of that.
But just as the paper kind of sets out, it's covering the submission that we made to government
and I think what is pleasing to see is that some of the key elements of that submission
that we work collectively on with our local authority partners, kind of picks up some
of the key things that we highlighted there, which were particularly around the long term
single settlement for West Yorkshire, which we know is really important in terms of kind
of reducing some of those competitive bidding rounds, enabling us to kind of have much more
freedom and flexibility about how we spend resources to meet our ambitions. Kind of a
financial settlement for local government, you know, reflecting the need that we know
around supporting local authorities to kind of deliver, which is absolutely critical
in terms of delivering our ambitions for the region. The maximisation of opportunities began
through the new English devolution bill, so that's kind of building and developing on our kind of
partnership arrangements with key government departments, which is going to be incredibly
important in delivering some of the key priorities for the region around mass transit and kind of
social hours and decarbonisation, but also that ability to bring forward new powers.
And what we do know is that the devolution white paper, we're expecting that to be coming
forward quite quickly towards the end of November.
We're expecting much more detail around the powers and flexibilities that we'll be receiving
through that new devolution framework.
So that's going to be a really important one to watch moving forward.
But also their assurance that some of their current government would be honouring some
decisions and I think we've seen that in partway through the budget
and announcement that was made yesterday. I think it's fair to say, looking at the
the briefing that we've produced, that quite a lot of the
activity that is in the budget this time around really does focus on
the first part of the government's plans and
really covers a lot of things that might be happening over the current year.
I think there's a lot of pointers to what might be coming forward
in the spring budget next year.
And I guess a key point for us to think about
is how we prepare for that spring budget next year,
where we think we'll get some longer term detail
around some of the proposals that might be coming forward.
So just a couple of highlights that the mayor's not mentioned.
I think there's a real confirmation
around local growth and the rollout of local growth plans
and then being fundamental to delivering ambitions for growth
across the country and specifically for the region.
Unfortunately, the UK shared prosperity fund,
we've had numerous reports come here around that fund,
will continue into the next year, which is good news,
but at a reduced level.
And we're expecting there to be equivalent around 40 % reduction
in spend on UK SPF next time around.
Not quite sure of the details again there,
but we will be bringing that forward once we know.
We know that the multiply program will not continue, but what we are able to do is kind of fund some of that activity through the funding that we will get moving forward.
So there will be an opportunity for us to think about our priorities for that fund as we progress.
No detail about the rural fund in that announcement, so we'll be trying to press to see what's happening with that.
I think also the long -term plan for towns will be retained and that will be reformed into a new regeneration program, and that will be supporting projects in Dews, Brake, Heathley and Castleford.
But I think, as I've just mentioned, the commitment to reform of local government funding and
what we saw, I think, in the budget was confirmation of a comprehensive set of measures that would
be supporting local authorities moving forward.
And for the moment, that is an increase in the core spending power of approximately 3 .2 %
in real terms.
And what we also saw was some additional funding there, £1 .3 billion worth of new grant funding
that will be made available to local authorities, including
600 million for kind of social care,
and I think a 6 % increase in SEND funding, which we know
are particular pressures for our local authority partners.
So really, really important that that funding has come forward.
But also confirmation that they would be reviewing the approach
to kind of the funding allocations.
I think just some of the quick things.
I think you've mentioned the money that's
going to transport.
In addition to that, that kind of 640 million
coming for kind of bus service improvement plan.
There's an announcement of another 200 million from the CR SDS fund which will be coming forward
and another 640 million for other improvements around bus service activity.
Also 500 million, I know this is a small amount of money increase for local road maintenance
so we know that kind of potholes are very important for our local people and local communities
if one of the things that kind of people feel is important to them.
We also have seen an announcement of the government investing over £200 million to accelerate
electric vehicle charging infrastructure, again a key priority for us.
And I think on housing and planning, £500 million to top up the Affordable Earns Programme.
Just on skills, there was an announcement of around £240 million for employment support
moving forward and an announcement of around 16 Trailblazer pilots.
So we're not quite sure at the minute where we are in those pilots, but there's eight around employment support and eight around youth guarantee funding.
And we know that there'll be an announcement of three areas that are being piloted around work and health, which is obviously a critical area of work for us and fits nicely with our plans.
So we'll be waiting to see where we feature in those kind of announcements moving forward.
I think just on trade there was an announcement, I just whipped past it, so let me just quickly move back.
And so that, innovation, sorry, about 6 .1 billion pounds to protect core research funding.
And of this 520 million set aside for new life sciences innovative manufacturing fund,
which again, region currently has around 300 health tech firms, generating about 3 billion pound a year.
So as a basis for investment zone,
that's a really good opportunity for us to link into that.
And then I think on policing and crime, just finally,
commitment to increased funding, which
will support more PCSOs and that reduction in crime that's
needed across the country.
So I'll stop there, just in terms
of some of the key highlights.
We've sent around the briefing.
People will have other things that they're perhaps
interested in, which we will come on to discuss.
I think just in terms of what we need to do next, obviously there's a lot of work
taking place on the local growth plan. We do need to kind of start now thinking
about what that single settlement will mean moving forward and preparing the
devolution white paper. That's going to be really critical for us in terms of
kind of getting ready for what's coming over the next year. But I think also I
think one of the key priorities continuing to work to influence the
government on, I think he asks for the next submission really, the spring
budget multi -year integrated budget
and as I said continue to work with government to shape the contents of some of the
The other papers that are coming forward over this coming period so we'll stop there
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 0:18:31
Now just if anybody's got any kind of questions or any discussion items there
Thank you so much Sarah before we open it up could I come to Monday just to speak to?
the impact for businesses obviously it's a challenging time and
my understanding is this is a one -year focus and Rachel Reeves has been out on
the media saying she would not be doing what she's done this year again and it
was something she felt that needed to be done for one year so be interesting to
Cllr Claire Douglas - 0:18:59
hear your thoughts Monday. Thanks very much Mayor. There's some good news for
West Yorkshire in terms of the single settlement and a number of other things
but I guess for business it might be a slightly different message so for small
and medium -sized businesses, they are the backbone of the West Yorkshire economy.
And of the 40 billion of tax rises, 25 billion of those was on the shoulders of
business. That hike in national insurance and the reduction to the threshold will
be a big challenge for many of our businesses. To put that into context, the
median wage of around 30 ,000 will be an additional cost per employee of 700
pounds, which is significant. The minimum wage changes are the right thing to do,
But the cost on an employee currently on the minimum wage going up to
Mandy Ridyard (West Yorkshire Business Board) - 0:19:45
the new minimum wage will be about fourteen hundred pounds for a business
So there is a lot there for businesses to absorb and I think we need to be very mindful of that
There are mitigations however for small businesses. So the increased employment allowances are really welcome
And the freezing of the small business multiplier for business rates is really welcome
And like we have a lot of small businesses in this region
And I think that that's good news.
And there are other things that are welcome for businesses.
The extension of the business rates relief,
which would have seen a quadrupling of business rates,
I think will now be a doubling, which,
although still a challenge, is better than it would have been.
So that's good.
The fuel duty freeze is important to people,
but it's also important to business, transporting
your goods, especially in manufacturing,
which is big for our region.
We don't need more increases, and that's really
going to help us.
And some of the minor things that
are important for our region is the UK export finance extension to people in
the businesses in the supply chain could be really game -changing if it's if we
start to talk about that and help businesses understand what that could
Mandy Ridyard (West Yorkshire Business Board) - 0:20:50
mean for them. Businesses want a stable tax environment so the corporate tax
roadmap is really welcome and the freeze on corporation tax levels for the rest
of this Parliament I think is something that businesses will really welcome
alongside the investment reliefs that are important to business confidence.
The Chancellor also committed to invest 40 million, I think, to begin the much needed reform of the apprenticeship levy,
which all business trade associations have been asking for.
Making that more flexible into a growth and skills levy, I think, will help businesses to be able to reform what they do in a way that suits business better.
But there is no doubt that this will be an incredibly challenging time for businesses.
So the work we're doing on our local growth plan and will be essential to helping businesses grow
So that's going to be critical and it's important that we listen to businesses and our
actual business groups and find out really what's happening with our businesses and
Support those where we can so our business board will be watching that very closely
but if anybody has any specifics that they'd like to bring to my attention,
then that would be very welcome. Thank you.
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 0:22:06
Thank you so much, Mandy, and as always the voice of business.
Thank you very much. So I've got Jane would like to speak.
Thank you, Mayor. And I do agree with you actually that the Chancellor
Cllr Jane Scullion (Calderdale Council) - 0:22:17
was very composed
and you know, did a very competent job actually, it was very nice to see.
and really do understand that the government can't do everything all at once, really,
much as me might like them to do.
Really pleased to hear about mass transit.
I think that's a vote of confidence in us as West Yorkshire,
and also Forster Square, really pleased about that.
But I really wanted some assurance,
because my ears pricked up during the budget when I heard about East West Rail.
I thought, oh, our moment has come.
But actually they weren't talking about how to Liverpool or parts in between.
And so, Mayor, I really like your continued assurance that actually the Calder Valley
line, its electrification, work in Bradford, work in Leeds and so on, is still an absolutely
key part of our plans for growth in the area.
I couldn't agree more.
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 0:23:15
absolutely Halifax is a thriving hub and needs that connectivity over to
Manchester and beyond. Also just to mention on that just for your
reassurance the poor service from Northern we have brought in we did there
was a rail north emergency committee and we are demanding better outcomes from
Northern on that line so I have got reassurance that they are focusing on
de Valle upgrade and electrification so I'll give you more detail once I know
more as well thank you so and councillor Galton thanks man and yes very historic
moment to have not just another MP from Leeds being a chance of exchequer but
also being the first female chance of exchequer and I have to say my my
Cllr Stewart Golton Leeds City Council - 0:24:06
attention was fixed to what was a pretty monumental
budget for the country.
One of my surprises though is how much people are
pleased and grateful for the biggest decisions being
the reconfirmation decisions that had already been taken
by a conservative government before this one got elected,
because this one got elected on a platform of change.
and I was really excited at the beginning because the Chancellor talked about
Invest, Invest, Invest
but unfortunately as the detail has come out
it feels like the only response we can give is
when, when, when. So for instance
I'm very disappointed because I wrote to you before Mayor about the
British Library of the North
A very key piece of investment, cultural investment,
cultural led recovery for a key part
of our city center here in Leeds,
delivering thousands of new homes in association with it.
And yet, we're told, well in this paper it says
it's reduced, but actually the chancellor explicitly says
in the budget that they're minded to cancel it.
Now you've already committed, I believe,
20 million pounds towards it,
But that can't be spent unless you get the reciprocal
investment from central government.
And I would just like to state now that I think we're all
really behind you in getting that decision made
as soon as possible.
And it can't be kicked down the road,
because it was originally going to be a 70 million pound
project, it's already now an 80 million pound project,
and with construction inflation it just becomes
more expensive to the taxpayer the longer that the government dithers. So we really
like some commitment on that. In terms of the hospital programme as well, I was disappointed
that there was a commitment to delivering new hospitals but no specific new hospital
sites were mentioned. And one of the things that was included in it was that the Chancellor
would want to prioritize those hospitals
in the new hospital program which were in build.
And I don't know what that expression means,
but I'm hoping that somebody around this table
might be able to tell me.
Because the Leeds General Infirmary Project
is ready to go, and they've demolished
acres of buildings in readiness for it.
So if that's not considered to be in build,
I'd love to know who we can get to change the definition.
And then finally of course we have the disappointing news that the mayor's fairs initiative could
be undermined by a 50 % increase in the minimum fair that's being offered to the country nationally.
I know you have your own scheme but of course not knowing how much your bus service improvement
plan pot is, isn't helping you to settle people's minds,
feeling the pinch, and want to make sure that their
transport is at least gonna be cheap, even if we can't
guarantee it's reliable if you come from Wakefield
or an area like mine, thanks to Areva.
So I would have hoped that that kind of clarity
would have been in place by now, considering the amount
of preparation which has been made.
So I just want to say we're fully behind you in getting that clarity, but I'm hoping that you're going to be able to tell us it's going to happen pretty soon.
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 0:27:50
Thank you so much, Councillor Galton. And I do share with you the ambition for cheaper travel across the region.
So a couple of things. Firstly, around invest, invest, invest. The Chancellor has changed the fiscal rules, so we will know more in the spring about what these big infrastructure projects are.
but nothing was set in stone because we have had so many promises from a previous government that
were unfunded that actually given the state of the finances with the 20 billion pound black hole
the projects that were already agreed could have easily been withdrawn so we are in every meeting
keeping up the pressure for mass transit it is going to be eye -wateringly expensive and at a time
when the chancellor as you've seen is having to make difficult decisions it could have been a
potentially collateral damage.
We have to keep making that case and to have it reiterated
about transparent and upgrade, about mass transit,
to have those reiterated for our region
gives confidence to business that we are gonna be the center
of rail engineering for the next decade.
And I was very grateful for that.
So it was, it may feel like a re -announcement,
Nothing was certain about looking at the future.
Just on that point, regarding the British Library, I absolutely am with you on the fact
that the British Library North is an iconic project.
I am behind it all the way and it is about the regeneration and the opening up of the
South Bank.
None of these projects are dead in the water because you will see in the fine print that
the government has said, we will consult on all of these projects
that we've decided to withdraw on.
So there will be other ways, what's the phrase,
to skin the cat.
And we can work in partnership to help deliver
these really brilliant projects.
But I'm going to come to James on this,
because obviously, both the hospital and the library
and the Poetry Center are going to be in partnership with Leeds.
But certainly the new hospitals, we had 40 promised,
no space in the ground.
I think West Streeting has taken a very sensible,
pragmatic decision to have a review.
I am very confident that Leeds is, as you say,
ready to go and that that will be a project that is,
once the review is underway,
seen to be something that we get going.
Airedale, there is a confirmation about Airedale
getting money to deal with RAC.
So I think that's um that's good news as well and regarding the mayor's fairs
First in the country to be doing it. We know the impact. It's had 10 % uplift on patronage really important
There was as I said in my opening remarks potentially going to be a cliff edge
So I am very grateful for the certainty of the three pounds now
We don't know and we will know in the next week or so what our allocation is and we'll take a view
But I will do everything I can to ensure that fares are as cheap as we can possibly do
We don't have control of the fare box yet. We are underway with our franchising journey
So there are challenges around that but rest assured I like you want to have the cheap as cheap affairs
But also the routes to match it
We don't want cheap fares and then no no investment in routes
So it is a balancing act, but if I could come to James about the British Library and the hospital
Cllr James Lewis (Leeds City Council) - 0:31:21
Thank you
I won't
Keep combined authority too long this morning discussing all the projects promised are not delivered by the last government, but just to focus on the two
we're working on at
the moment the council golden rate the British Library is
A really as council got says a really ambitious project with lots of moving parts. I'm confident working
with all our different partners in there we can keep this project.
We can keep this project moving.
The full amount to deliver the project in full was never committed, even by the last government,
in some of their quite fantastical, unfunded announcements, but certainly we'll keep the project moving.
LGI, as Councilor Galton and Lamb know, because they both signed a letter we sent to the government
we put in a strong submission to a review in hospitals around making the case for LGI.
I mean, LGI started off in a programme of six hospitals to be rebuilt.
The last government was better at adding names of hospitals to a list than they were actually
building hospitals, which was probably getting things the wrong way around, but we certainly
continue to make a strong case around the impacts of LGI.
And of course, it's a big part of our innovation arc as well in Leeds.
Thank you, Mayor.
Thank you so much. And as home of the NHS, I am hoping that the
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 0:32:53
government understand the importance of that innovation arc as part of the investment zones as well.
And the money for the investment zones was also secured, which was very welcome because that could potentially not have been.
OK, so moving on to Councillor Lamb.
Thank you Mayor. I'll try and follow the spirit of not being too political around this table.
My job here is to represent the opposition groups. I'm not here to represent small business,
but I am a small business operator and I think it's important to bring
Cllr Alan Lamb Leeds City Council - 0:33:28
that voice to this table.
and I can tell all members of the combined authority, it won't be a surprise to Mandy,
small business operators are angry, betrayed and worried this morning after the budget.
The costs that were piled on to hospitality, retail and many other small businesses were huge.
It's described as a challenge and we'd like to say challenging as it's frightening and dangerous
and as we see from the OBR and all the independent reports, the consequences, every working person
in this country will be poorer in four years' time than they are today. That's the consequence.
That's not a political point. That's what the OBR said. That's what the IFS said. Everyone
will be poorer. Inflation is going up. Interest rates are going up. Real wages are going down.
and growth is going down from where it was forecast to be over the next four years.
That's the OBR's words, not mine.
So that's the consequence and that's the backdrop that we're now working in.
Like every budget, there's still a lot of detail that we're waiting to hear.
That's not new to this new government.
And there are good things and bad things in it, as you've alluded to, Mayor.
some of the things I would focus on, the LGI,
and particularly the innovation arc that goes with it,
that was crucial to Leeds, it is crucial to Leeds.
It is deeply disappointing that as much as we celebrate
a Leeds and a woman, the first woman chancellor
delivering a budget, she did not take the opportunity
to go into bat for her own city,
and that is a huge disappointment.
Hopefully it is still to come,
but it could and should have been announced yesterday,
and I think collectively we have to keep pushing and pushing and pushing on that until it's delivered.
It's notable to me and I'm sure many others that Manchester and the West Midlands are still being
treated as superior to West Yorkshire. I'm sure you'll share my disappointment in that. It's
welcomed the single settlement coming forward but I don't see why we couldn't have had it next year
along with Manchester and the West Midlands and I'm sure you're as disappointed as I am.
about that. The other group that are particularly angry, and I'm going to move on to some questions,
I think the important thing actually is what's the real impact on our economy in West Yorkshire.
So the other group that are particularly angry are farmers, which are a huge proportion of
our economy in West Yorkshire. Lots of small businesses who suddenly feel again frightened
and betrayed that the prospects of their long tradition of handing the family farm on to
the next generation suddenly in jeopardy as a result of the changes yesterday and I think
there will be a lot more to come on that. So I just have a number of questions if I
may that hopefully officers can help with. So can anyone tell me what proportion of our
economy and what the value is of farming and the wider rural economy in West Yorkshire?
Around national insurance contributions two particular points. What's the impact going
to be on bus operators and then how much of their budget is that going to take
out of the public transport economy because they're a very labor -intensive
business every single bus driver is now probably gonna cost Mandy might be able
to give me a better idea but with the minimum wage rise about 1400 pounds a
year more for each driver of a bus so somebody has to stand that cost somewhere
it's either fares, it's either subsidies,
very unlikely to be operators saying,
yeah, we can just stand that cost
and there'll be no impact, there will be an impact
and it would be useful to know what that's going to be.
And that feeds on to a wider point.
For simple math's sake, roughly this combined authority
across capital and revenue spends about a billion pounds
a year, there or thereabouts.
A large proportion, and my question is what proportion
of that is delivered through third parties,
whether that's the third sector, business partners, et cetera.
And therefore, what is the cost pressure
that's gonna come back on all our schemes and services
because all of those are not gonna be protected
from the national insurance increases.
So everything we do is about to get more expensive
unless we deliver it in -house
and significantly more expensive.
So we need to understand the impact on that.
And the final point on national insurance contributions,
I wasn't clear from the budget, I don't think anyone knows the details so you might
need to come back to us, but will combined authorities be treated in the same way as
what's described as the public sector in terms of being, their impact of NICs being
offset by the government or will we have to stand that cost?
If we did, what would the potential impact be directly to the combined authority?
Um so there's lots of other things that we could say, but I think the key thing is what's the impact going to be uh on West Yorkshire.
Thank you, Councillor Lamb and it's always really important to hear
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 0:38:42
the voice of business. So thank you for that contribution.
Um we might have a difference of opinion about um certainly about the first ever female Chancellor of the Exchequer,
been Labour and I was absolutely delighted and of course she would not be partisan. No one would expect her to be partisan for her own patch.
She is leading the country
Certainly that is something that I'm enormously proud of so there are some quite technical questions
So I'm going to come to Felix in answer to some of them and then to Angela about the CA
And
potentially if officers want to indicate if they've got answers to some of those specific questions, and then I'll come to Susan okay Felix
Thank you, Mayor. I'll answer the first one
Felix Kumi-Ampofo, Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority) - 0:39:28
West Yorkshire has 1 .1 million people in employment, 1 ,700 of those are in agriculture. This makes
up 0 .2 % of our economy. This is as of 2022 numbers that we've got. The 0 .2 % is similar
for GV share which is about 107 million pounds nationally agriculture makes up
not 0 .6 percent of our employment and not 0 .8 percent of our GV so we are under
representative in that respect in terms of our contribution. Thank you
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 0:40:13
you're happy to share that with
Councillor Lam anything else regarding rural so Angela thank you and obviously
it's the budget was yesterday there's a lot of detail we need to understand and
you are right there was a commitment that public sector would and would be
supported in the National Insurance burden we will be speaking with
officials to understand how that affects us directly and how that money we have
Angela Taylor, Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority) - 0:40:45
comes to us and on what basis it will be provided. We have done a calculation based on our current
workforce figures, the impact because it's both the percentage point increase to the rate plus the
lowering of the threshold. For us that is looking at the best part of 900 ,000. So we are obviously
we'll be pursuing how we are compensated for that. In terms of the wider supply chain, some of the
budget what we've been doing has been looking generally at inflation and what that means
in our contracts and I think that DNI now adds an additional factor into that because
we do have, as you pointed out, bus operators is one area. We have other contracts where
we have, for example, our security arrangements for bus stations are outsourced. So we'll
be working on that. We do have a paper later on the agenda about our approach to the budget
and part of that is about updating some of the risks and pressures based on what we have
yesterday and that will form part of the work when we come back to you in
December with the headlines of the budget and the pressures and the figures
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 0:41:50
that we're trying to manage within that. Thank you and Simon regarding bus
Simon Warburton, Executive Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority) - 0:41:56
operators? Yes certainly thank you so council Lambs are absolutely right to
highlight that there are two fundamental revenue costs in the operation of a bus
system, people and fuel and what we now need to understand in detail are the
numbers that sit behind the revenue funding that was identified in the note
in terms of the second of those those elements so the bus service operators
grant is a development on from what was previously the fuel duty rebate scheme
and we need to understand the extent to which there are balancing ins and outs
in terms of the overall revenue costs that operators will face at the same
time as gaining clarification which we're hoping to receive in the coming
week from the department in terms of our specific BSIP allocation only at that
point can we give advice back in terms of what the revenue mix looks like for
the operation of bus services into next year and therefore what recommendations
should we put to you in terms of balancing those. So I think it is part of the picture,
but we need to have all of the relevant numbers in order to be able to
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 0:43:40
paint that picture
in the round. Thank you and I'll come to you in a moment
Mandy, but also just to say that in all of my meetings with businesses, there is a focus
us for them on a skilled workforce, on people being able to get to work, on a healthy workforce,
and being able to ensure that the lowest paid, 40 ,000 people in West Yorkshire are going
to have more money directly in their pay packet because of the uplift in the minimum wage,
and also 100 ,000 people who are economically inactive currently due to poor health.
There is funding now to help them get back into into work
And if we can fund properly schools Fe colleges 300 million for Fe
Get that skilled workforce and support the foundational economy the foundations of our society
Businesses have told me that that is also important alongside
Obviously the economy so it is a balancing act and I think we have may have a difference of opinion
but I do think the Chancellor really did understand the importance of the right
balance, taking the right tone to ensure that what has been destroyed over
the last 14 years there is some opportunity to rebuild. Councillor Hinchliffe.
Thank you very much Mayor. I mean I have to say that the previous
Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe (Bradford Council) - 0:45:05
government were absolutely reckless in managing the economy and what we saw
yesterday was the first step at putting things back in place and it was
refreshing to see think about all parts of the economy make sure the building
blocks are thought of, acknowledged and start to put some money back into public
services. I mean the fact that the 13 billion pounds was missing for the
infected blood scandal, you know, they just miss I mean none of us could do
that in our budgets and council or West George Combined Authority after four
but plan, there's gonna be some money to pay out,
where is it?
That 13 billion was missing from the national budget,
and they've had to find that and put that in.
And that is quite, you know,
that's reckless management of a national economy.
And I'm really pleased to see somebody sensible
in charge of the country, and putting, I say,
putting the building blocks back in place.
So there's that knowledge about also
the NHS funding going in, mentioned local councils,
and additional funding go to local councils and then as you say we hope
from this multi -year spending review which happened from next year that
there'll be further building blocks actually making sure we're all better
on an even keel. The IFS internationally said that's the right thing to do. So all
that is positive. And obviously from a local point of view we were
disappointed in Bingley Pool obviously and so a lot of people put a lot of work
into that in terms of campaigning over the years local councillors particular
and the local MP and now we put a bid in a two years before and I'm told that was
not successful by a Conservative government and then just before the
election all of a sudden the money came and we were also pleased about that but
obviously now that is no longer the case that money didn't seem to be in the
national budget but we will continue to work on Bingley and we're obviously we'll
be able to brief you on that council member a bin and make sure that we continue to focus
on the regeneration of being late and the assets that we have there and we'll work with
local councils, the MP and yourself to bring forward projects there and we will talk to
governments about what else might be possible on the railways.
Um, I was mentioned actually yesterday, northern power's rail and actually I thought many people
Maria that Northern powers really includes that leads Bradford and electrification
uh and that does benefit the cold valley line as course as well um so that that is
in there um obviously fossil square was mentioned which we're really pleased
about so those state those services are definitely coming now may 25 and
also mass transit release Bradford is great to see the proper mentioned twice
in that budget uh in a positive way so um we're currently working on that line
business case for the new station in Bradford which is a game changer to get
onto the main line and that will be really significant for us going forward
and that really as you say mayor is for the significant decisions in the
comprehensive spender review next year so we're all working towards that just
on the on the hospitals of the air Dale really pleased to have that confirmed
and actually just a few weeks ago it was announced that Linfield mounts would be
have money as well, which is a hospital mental health facility in Bradford
district, which serves a wide area. So we're really pleased about that as well.
So from 4th of July to now, that's quite a lot of work to try and undo 14 years
of austerity, of kicking public services when they're down and kicking them a bit
more then. You know, we need to be all grown -ups in this country, work together,
acknowledge that public services need to function, need to be funded properly,
and go for growth. And with the Combined Authority, we are going for growth.
We've got lots of investment coming through yourself, Mayor, and together as a team we can really make great things in West Yorkshire.
Hear, hear to that. Team West Yorkshire all the way. And Mandy, you
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 0:48:59
wanted to come in.
Mandy Ridyard (West Yorkshire Business Board) - 0:49:00
Thanks, Mayor. I think the point's been really well made and the point about health and the
importance of health, health tech, hospital building and everything else in this region is essential.
I come from a family of farmers. So I do understand the points that you made
Councillor lamb. However, I think that three -quarters of farms won't be affected by the changes and within the changes that do exist
There are some mitigations. So I think that at least does mitigate some of those issues
I think the point that you made about bus drivers is really important
Although the median wage I think for bus drivers is about twenty nine thousand if I've got that correct
and therefore it's not the point around the minimum wage as much as the point around national insurance,
and that affects all businesses.
I think where we do need to look to mitigate is in sectors where headcount employees are the whole of the business.
So the social care sector is something that we need to be completely and acutely aware of
in terms of the cost that those businesses will have.
And I think that also plays into the issues around health and well -being and hospitals.
So the management of hospitals depends on the social care sector.
So I think that that's something going forward that when we look at the Business Board that
will be a sector that we watch carefully.
And if there are any others that you'd like to draw my attention to, then we'll note those
two.
But it's a difficult time for any budget because of all the reasons that we all know of.
And so just making sure that we watch businesses because they are shouldering that cost I think is important
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 0:50:42
Thank you, and it was pleasing to see that they carers allowance. You are now able to do more hours
Before you get penalized and also kinship carers who didn't get any support like foster carers
Those people who are taking on children in their family and bearing the financial burden. They're also going to get support as well
So it is the poorest paid and the most vulnerable.
It feels like that's been a priority for this government
because let's not forget when it comes to land,
some people are buying land in order to avoid paying tax.
So I think Rachel was particularly looking at that
and trying to protect small farmers.
So finally, we must move on after this contribution.
So Councillor Love.
Cllr Cllr. Martin Love Bradford Council - 0:51:28
Thank you, Mayor.
I'll try not to be any more political ground standing, I think there's been enough of that
in the meeting so far already. Can I just ask for some clarification from Angela on
the national insurance for our own staff? The 900 ,000 you mentioned is that, you said
it's potential for it to be compensated for by government, does the government already
compensate us for the existing national insurance contributions we make for staff or if not
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 0:52:02
Cllr Cllr. Martin Love Bradford Council - 0:52:03
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 0:52:03
why do you have the possibility that we could be compensated on this?
Thank you, Angela.
Angela Taylor, Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority) - 0:52:07
Thank you. No, we're not currently provided with funding for NI.
This was a specific announcement yesterday where it was trying to ensure that
there wasn't a further burden on the public sector.
So the budget announcement stated that there would be support for the public
sector,
but it didn't go into details yet about how that would find its way out to the
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 0:52:27
different parts of local government.
Thank you so much. Okey -doke, let's move on if everyone's happy. We're happy to note the submission that was made to the government ahead of the autumn budget as detailed in Appendix 1 and to grant the Chief Executive of the Combined Authority in consultation with myself delegated power to make in -year budget decisions arising from the Chancellor's Autumn Statement.
I don't think we need that.
Okay.
Given that no issues have been raised.
Very good. Let's strike that out of the minutes. Wonderful.

7 Bradford Interchange - Next Steps

Let's move on to item seven, Bradford Interchange, next steps.
This concerns the phased reopening of Bradford Interchange.
We discussed this at our previous meeting.
As I've said previously, I really do recognize the challenge for the traveling public by this closure,
and also appreciate their patience as we came to this conclusion.
As the report confirms, the decision to close the interchange due to structural concerns was the right one.
However, the latest surveys offer encouraging news with the findings from Jacobs.
I'm pleased that we can now safely move toward reopening the lower concourse by the end of the month.
And if we agree the recommendation in front of us, the full reopening of the bus station and car park would be scheduled for the 5th of January 25,
which I'm sure will come as a big relief to those who rely on the interchange.
And as we reopen in a phased way, some ongoing resurfacing works will need to continue into the spring.
Can I thank and put on record my thanks to partners, operators, colleagues and the public for their cooperation,
ensuring that smooth transition back to full service.
And can I just remind everyone, Appendix 3 contains exempt information.
If you want to discuss this item, let me know and I will ask the press and public to leave
Can I pass over to councillor Hinchcliffe chair of the Transport Committee to introduce the report and then Dave on further details?
Thank you, mayor. So
like you I'm relieved to see this paper coming forward with the final
Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe (Bradford Council) - 0:54:36
decision to reopen the interchange and
It was great actually to come travel here this morning through the interchange to the concourse open
a small steps, but it would that was great to see that progress being made
Like you and to thank the patience of traveling public really through this time. It has been hugely frustrating for people
And I know they will share with me the relief that they can see prospects. It would be no pain again
And there is quite a lot of work to do with operators. You can't just switch it back on quickly and off quickly
Obviously it affects, you know, how much time it gets them into the interchange and to park to move out etc
So all that timetabling needs to be done
But I just we have some reassurance about the communications really going forward
Because what what is really important is that people are aware early enough to be able to make plans
To know which service is going back in when?
What the new times are if there are new times and I think that you know constant communication
and even if there's very little to say,
I think it's gonna be really vital
to make sure we have a smooth transition to the interchange.
I think it's also worth noting, of course,
the work continues about the West Yorkshire Mass Transit
and tram bus interchange,
which is an opportunity out of all this.
Let's make sure it's connected in the future
with the new mode of transport that's coming in.
And altogether, that integrated transport system,
we want to see, I want to see that in Bradford
as well as the rest of us West everywhere else in West Yorkshire. Thank you. Thank you so much Susan.
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 0:56:14
Dave Haskins, Interim Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority) - 0:56:16
Dave. Okay I'll repeat a little bit of that but not much hopefully. So by way of background
combined authorities as you say have been provided with regular updates on the status of the
interchange closure since early in January this year. It's fair to say it's been it's been a hugely
complicated exercise to deal with changes as you say to bus services and passenger arrangements
really importantly at short notice, while at the same time also working to get to a position
whereby the bus station can reopen again. But throughout all this time health and safety has
been paramount as we hopefully move to the next stage of remobilization, it will continue to
remain so. But on the back of the initial surveys over the summer and the expert advice which has
been set out in the report, the Lower Concourse, which provides access to rail stations as Councillor
Hinscliffe rightly says, did reopen at the start of the week and this includes provision for toilets,
Which is a welcome move for passengers and wider in Bradford because that has been one of the challenges that people have faced
The report itself highlights the extensive work that has been undertaken in terms of surveys
To establish that this 50 year old structure can remain operational in the short to medium term
The findings from the interim Jacob structural surveys which we got at the start of September have been reviewed by an independent expert
forensic structural engineer
It's a long statement and I won't go through it but section 3 .11 report is particularly critical which sets out the key
Conclusions from this work and these reports are also provided as appendices to paper appendix 1
It's a Jacob's report in appendix 2 from the independent experts
These do give us the assurance that that we were looking for
Which is also required for us to progress towards reopening subject to ongoing
Inspection and monitoring and this is work that we are currently sort of working through
The report also sets out
briefly some of the financial challenges that we have faced over the year and we have previously reported that what the cost of closure has
been and we made a budget provision for this. The current indications, now
we have greater clarity that the reopening costs are a further five hundred thousand pounds which are attributable there.
And of course the ongoing
rewaterproofing works has been remobilized and that has some implications around the reopening which I'll go on to mention.
As well as this, there remains, as previously reported, a risk to relating 20 claims from tenants which are yet unsettled, and anything further which may emerge which is yet unknown.
But if I pull it back to the issues relating to the reopening and future transport provision in Bradford, as mentioned, we highlight the work that has commenced around looking at an alternative location for new interchange,
recognizing from the work we've had through the surveys
that the current facility does have a limited life
and the cost of maintenance will increase somewhat
over time.
And there is activity ongoing as Councillor Hinchliffe
has stated relating to the new rail station for Bradford
and synergies with mass transit that go with that as well.
But subject to a series of recommendations,
the report does give us a green light
for a phase reopening which we are now working to
on the 5th of January.
The challenge we face within this relates to two key areas really.
Firstly, that not all buses will be able to initially serve the bus station.
This is because of the ongoing works to complete the re -waterproofing works that was paused back in January.
And this work is really critical.
Whilst not in health and safety terms, it needs to be done to prevent historic water ingress issues that the building has experienced.
We don't yet have the information on specific services which will be in and which will out
and that will probably change over time, but we'll be working through this over the coming weeks.
The second issue is the fact that we have highlighted in the report there will be a lack
of real -time information at the bus station when it reopens.
This is due to some complex issues around timing of bus service registrations
and data processing requirements requiring specialist input.
While we've highlighted that initially we won't have real -time information,
We will be developing a comprehensive strategy to ensure that all forms of passenger information are utilized
We don't just rely on real -time information. We have a web presence. We have paper copies
We have a presence on the ground and this face -to -face contact will be really really important in the initial period following reopening
And we'll make sure we cover that well
So communication therefore as stated becomes a really critical importance and report this reference will be detailing would be developing a detailed
communication strategy over the coming weeks to ensure we get maximum outreach
in advance of reopening and on an ongoing basis even beyond the reopening.
The final point I'd like to make is around scrutiny and what the experience
of Bradford Interchange closure tells us going forward. The workshop was held with
members on the 18th of October with a specific focus around Bradford Interchange
but with an eye on what the wider application of lessons learned for that
could be. We covered five key points of inquiry, which were democratic oversight, communications,
information and data, timelines and monitoring, and lessons learned. And from this, two key
areas of focus flowed. Firstly, is to ensure there's live ongoing scrutiny of the interim
operations, that's to date and post operations in January. And secondly, to ensure that future
scrutiny of lessons learned includes all changes planned or made to asset management, emergency
plans communications and a mass transit and bus franchising. So I'll stop there
for now and we'll see if we can allow some time for any any comments and
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 1:01:43
questions. Thank you Dave just for my understanding with the mitigations
underway whilst it's open what percentage of bays are going to be
Dave Haskins, Interim Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority) - 1:01:50
affected do we know? My understanding is about is about six of the twenty bays
will be unavailable that may vary slightly over time but that's
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 1:01:58
indications we've been given at this point in time. Thank You.
Councillor Lamb. Thank you Mayor. Good news that the interchange is reopening.
Two points if I may. First of all, as been alluded to, the importance of
communication and the practical opening. There is the potential for it to be
Cllr Alan Lamb Leeds City Council - 1:02:19
incredibly confusing for passengers because if I've understood correctly
through opening in two phases.
So not all the buses that previously would have used
the interchange will be using them straight away.
And there is no RTI available as I understand it.
So there clearly is potential for a lot of confusion
for passengers.
So we've said to communicate is important,
but specifically, what are we going to do to make sure
that we have really clear communication
and in so far as humanly possible,
people will know what's going on, where to go to get their bus and where they're
going to end up when they get on the bus at the other end. And the second point
you alluded to at the end of their day for lessons learned. So I'm keen to
understand one how this kind of crept up on us. So when you read the the experts
summary advice in the Jacobs report hindsight's always a wonderful thing but
it clearly should not have come as a surprise to anybody when they
Interchange had to be closed that it needed to be closed and it could have been prevented and planned for sooner
So the two parts to that question one who was negligent
in that and to
Can we have an assurance that we have process in place?
There aren't other buildings and assets the responsibility of the combined authority that could be in a similar position
Thank You councillor lamb and just regarding the communications David
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 1:03:48
But I wouldn't ask you to reiterate what you've already said about communications.
Dave Haskins, Interim Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority) - 1:03:54
I won't go I'll go back into that, but the point is we'll in the coming weeks,
next few weeks from bus operator that much clearer view as to what specific services will be going in or not going in and working through the plans,
both with bus operators and with Bradford officers bearing in mind the current construction activity across Bradford,
getting assurance that certain critical pieces of infrastructure will be complete by that point in time.
And then we'll start putting out the information not just in Bradford, but at other bus stations as well
We recognize and location who recognize that people travel into Bradford and they'll just start their journeys there
That's on the first point on the second point for lessons learned
We've previously set out a report which which does highlight quite a comprehensive history around Bradford interchange
Which included a lot of detail around the various
Rectification measures that have been put in place over time
It's been understood that it's a building which has a design life of 50
years but that investment is required and increasingly so over time to ensure
that that remains operational in a safe environment. We've done quite a bit of
work within the team over the last number of months reflecting on this and
I think part of this is also looking at how we can strengthen our
assets team and our assets function, have clearer asset management plans going
forward. We have lessons learned which come from building building projects
such as Halifax bus station recently and other bus stations. I think
the assurance about other structures, we don't we don't we understand
there are no other structures which are built like this anywhere anywhere
remotely near of a concrete nature or structures which are any form of
risk of falling concrete or closure but we do have an asset management plan in
place we do have a series of surveys which we are in process of undertaking
across all of us facilities and investment plan for that which will
follow as required in most cases they will be around issues around midlife
refurbishments as opposed to end of life looking at the assets. Thank you Dave
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 1:05:56
Cllr Cllr. Martin Love Bradford Council - 1:05:57
okey -dokey Oh councillor Lough. Just briefly thank you Mayor. Can I just echo what Susan
said about about relief that this is finally coming to an end. I'd also like
I'd like to thank Dave and your colleagues
for the recent improvement in communication
with elected members in Bradford,
because that has, over the last 12 months been,
10 months been, sporadically in its effectiveness.
I can ask that going forward,
you include elected members in Bradford
ahead of what's being announced publicly.
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 1:06:34
Cllr Cllr. Martin Love Bradford Council - 1:06:34
So we are people's first point of contact about this.
If you could take on board all the comments raised by the committee.
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 1:06:40
Thank you so much.
It has been raised at this committee previously about communication.
Just to say again, we couldn't tell you what we didn't know.
That was always going to be a challenge while we were waiting for surveys to come through.
I do appreciate your support for the reopening.
Thank you so are we happy to consider the information contained and approve the phased reopening of Bradford?
Interchange station as outlined we are marvelous
Super everybody very enthusiastic on that one the people of Bradford will be delighted
Okie doke moving on to item 8 the local growth plan

8 Local Growth Plan

This is an update on the West Yorkshire local growth plan. It was a manifesto commitment of mine something
I promised to produce within the first six months of my term a
A heap of stuff has happened since I made that pledge, not least a general election, a budget, and major transformation in our relationship with government.
Now we've got a near final draft of the Growth Plan, which is circulating among partners for final comments, and it's going to come in front of you for approval when we next meet in December.
The growth plan brought together vital evidence of our strengths and challenges.
We have engaged extensively with partners to ensure it captures our collective ambitions.
The government's recent green paper on the modern industrial strategy aligns really well
with our priorities.
It is encouraging to see where Yorkshire is recognised as the centre of modern industry.
Our response to the consultation highlighted sectors where we are particularly strong.
We are continuing to work closely with the Government to refine our sector propositions,
ensure they fit within the broader scope of our growth plan, which covers a much broader
range of local growth factors such as, as we have discussed, transport, place development
and health.
So if I could come to Councillor Lewis as Chair of the Economy Board to add his comments
before then passing over to Felix, Kumi and Pofo to talk us through recommendations.
Cllr James Lewis (Leeds City Council) - 1:08:42
Can we just go straight to Felix please?
Absolutely, we did say that earlier on so apologies for passing you the baton.
So over to you Felix.
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 1:08:53
Thank you very much Mayor.
I'll be really brief with this.
Felix Kumi-Ampofo, Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority) - 1:09:01
At the last meeting of this board we presented the Lookout Growth Plan.
I had a set of slides where we walked through where we were, what the key priorities that
we've been developing look like, what the evidence has told us,
and so our conclusion from that evidence which informed
obviously the priorities.
We then also discussed the idea of the corridor
that we focus in order to give this a sense of place.
Since then, as the mayor has just set out,
we've been working closely with central governments
on the sectors, the key sectors, confirming the key sectors
in our economy to make sure we are well represented
and recognizing the national industrial strategy.
And there's a lot more work that is underway.
Since then, again, we have circulated
a draft of the document.
It's gone around all our local authority partners,
our university friends, the ICB, and other partners
that we've been working with.
Comments have come back.
The team has been working on those comments
and turning those around.
We expect to share with you within the next week,
we can have a revised version of that document.
So you can look at that and feedback to us any final comments
that we need to take account of before we send the final version
ahead of your next meeting in December.
So that's where we have the work that we're doing. Thank you.
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 1:10:25
Thank you so much, Felix.
And again, thank you to your team.
Lots of interaction with government to identify what works for us.
It's our growth plan, but also this growth plan will impact
and guide the industrial strategy for the government. So the timing has also
been great that we've had the budget now so we're at the end of our process the
budget has now happened we can see the lie of the land and then we can have
those final comments and get our growth plan off to government. Thank you very
much for the work that you and your team have done. Councillor Galton.
Thanks Chair. I found this a really frustrating paper because it didn't
actually include any content in which was created by West Yorkshire Combined Authority.
When I had my briefing I was told, oh well it came to the last meeting and that's where
all the detail was, but I wasn't at the last meeting. So it would have been nice, it would
have been nice if this decision which we're supposed to be making
Cllr Cllr. Martin Love Bradford Council - 1:11:25
today was actually a
Cllr Stewart Golton Leeds City Council - 1:11:29
decision because all that we're doing is noting that there's some progress being made on it
but we can't sit here and read it, we have to be told verbally what it is.
And when I go into the minutes of the last meeting, when you were discussing something which there was more information at hand,
it talks about having to submit something in October.
But this update, which comes a month later, doesn't actually say you've submitted anything in October,
it talks about how you're still talking about something and you might actually hand it in in two weeks time.
So are we behind the submission deadline?
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 1:12:00
May I jump in there, Councillor Galton? There was absolutely no point in preparing
a growth plan without knowing what the budget, I mean, we absolutely had to take into account
what the future year and the direction of travel of this government was going to be.
But also, this is co -produced. So you would absolutely jump on me if I was
like, this is what we're going to do without contributions from our local partners.
So it was eminently sensible I would suggest that we take we take it after
the budget so we know what we're dealing with and what the challenges that are facing this government and
Apologies that you didn't have time to read the previous
Papers and we did we did miss you so that you snooze you lose. I'm afraid
If you don't come to the meeting it would be useful there if the items in a board
meeting were actually decisions instead of just a reference for someone to give a verbal update
it's a process but
Your your comments are noted and thank you for that comment any further comments on the growth plan
Yes, councillor Lam
Just to help council. I wasn't at the last meeting either
So I took the extraordinary step of just asking someone to send me the slides so that I could see the information
Cllr Alan Lamb Leeds City Council - 1:13:22
innovative and top of the class.
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 1:13:28
Well done, Councillor Lamb.
Felix.
Just to make the point around the submission,
Felix Kumi-Ampofo, Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority) - 1:13:36
maybe there's a bit of confusion there,
like to clear up.
That was referring to the submission we made
to central government on the key sectors in West Yorkshire
that was then reflected in the green paper
that came out on the industrial strategy.
So the submission went in as we promised at the time.
That was reflected in the national document that has been published since then.
And we are working on our response to that green paper that is connected to, obviously,
but separate to the local growth plan document itself, which picks up the entirety of our
evidence and our response to that evidence, what our priorities look like and how we're
going to develop the economy.
Thank you for that clarification.
Really welcome.
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 1:14:22
Okey -doke so are we happy then to
Note the progress of the local growth plan and to endorse next steps
good stuff, and I look forward to seeing you at the next CA meeting where we will be endorsing the plan and
Moving on with it okey -doke moving on to the employment and skills system review
As you know addressing the skills gap in West Yorkshire is vital to unlocking future growth and opportunity
This report highlights the challenges we face with a significant proportion of our population
lacking higher level qualifications.
But I am encouraged by the progress so far, particularly in developing a more integrated

9 Employment and Skills System Review

approach with local authorities.
The interim report sets out key principles and I am pleased to see that the final recommendations
build on this work and I am confident that once implemented, this new model will help
us provide a better careers advice system,
improve skills support for businesses,
and ensure a more joined up system across the region.
Now, I'm going to hand over to Felix.
But if you would like to make any comments, James, please do.
But Felix, over to you.
Thank you very much, Madam.
Felix Kumi-Ampofo, Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority) - 1:15:32
This paper brings together a lot of work
that we've been doing in the last few months
to make sure we are ready for what further evolution would look like.
But also it was a good opportunity for us to take a step back
and look at the skills system in the round
and understand with partners what our role is,
what the role of local authority partners and training providers
and colleges and others in this system, what their roles are,
and how we should be working together to make sure
We are delivering for the people who live here.
Since adult -skilled evolution arrived in West Yorkshire,
we've not had the opportunity to do this.
So this presented a really good opportunity
for us to do that.
The paper that you've got came with an annex,
which has the exact summary of the work that has been done.
And it particularly sets out in section 3 .9,
I won't go into detail,
but a very high level description
of the various levels of activity and areas
in which different partners will be working together.
Since then, the team has been working on the so what of this.
What is the implementation plan looks like?
And the paper goes on to seek your approval for delegation
to be taken outside of this meeting to make sure
the implementation plan can be finalized
and implementation can begin outside of the meeting cycle
that we've got here.
This is particularly important given the budget announcements
yesterday.
And there were about three or four employment and skills
related significant announcements
like Connect to Work and others.
And the work that we've done up till now, this report,
this review ensures that there's very little room for confusion
in terms of how we will act when such devolved responsibilities
come our way and has been able to implement,
get the implementation plan up and running really quickly would be quite crucial in that respect. Thank you.
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 1:17:44
Thank you, Felix. And I really do welcome the clarity of this plan. Any thoughts? Yes, Councillor Lamm.
Thank you, Mayor. I made this point in briefing to Michelle yesterday and she took the point and others did.
So the content, absolutely fine, no issues with.
The point I wanted to make was,
I felt as I was reading the report,
I needed a level four qualification to make sense of it.
And my question was, who is it for?
And aimed at, and actually you can make the same comment
by a lot of our reports that while they do need
to be high level, they do need detail,
but it reads as a senior local government officer report
to be read by senior local government officers.
And I think there needs to be some work done into how we make these things accessible because the point was made
Cllr Cllr. Martin Love Bradford Council - 1:18:36
But it's not meant to be a public facing document
The point I made was we're in a public meeting discussing it
Cllr Alan Lamb Leeds City Council - 1:18:42
And sharing it and I would hope that members of the public might think actually I'd like to see what's going on
And how my money's been spent so it's sort of a wider point right out certainly support recommendations
But I just wonder if we can do some work on how the presentation
and it's put out to help make it accessible
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 1:19:02
to the people it's intended to help.
Councilor Lamb, I do agree that we should have papers
that are accessible to absolutely everyone
and to be an easy read, more for me than anybody else.
So Ben, would you like to come in?
Yeah, just endorse those comments.
I think it's a fair comment
and we will make sure we pick that up.
Ben Still, Chief Executive (West Yorkshire Combined Authority) - 1:19:22
Slightly flippantly, I would say you should see
some of the things that don't make it
to the combined authority.
Yeah.
Councillor Hinchliffe.
Yeah, and I'd just like to welcome this approach really.
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 1:19:36
Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe (Bradford Council) - 1:19:38
I think it's so important from an employment skills
point of view that things are devolved to the community
level, even, and not just the local authority level.
And I think we in the combined authority understand that
and work as partners of six partners,
working to make sure that those people who wouldn't necessarily
they come through the doors of any institutions regional local level do
perhaps go into local community center and are supported into skills and
employment which really transforms lives so I think getting this right is really
important I know a lot of thought gone into this for all six authorities to
make sure it's a right model for delivery to make sure more people have
more opportunities to put moment in their pocket and support themselves and
their families go forward to make a good piece of work and let's let's make sure
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 1:20:25
it happens and make sure it functions well at our local levels. Thank you. Thank you and certainly I want to see the skills level rise across West Yorkshire so people can move between local authorities as well and have that strategic view of what does our what do our businesses need, what do our ambitions for our sectors, what do we need to backfill, so for example mass transit. We're going to have to be prepared in the skills pipeline four years ahead so that we've got the training time to get them ready for transport engineers or
Modelers or whatever so you're it's it's a good piece of work, and I think that team where short your approach is always good
Okie -doke
So are we happy to endorse the recommendations set out in the final summary report by shared intelligence?
appendix 1 and to delegate the approval of the implemented
implementation plan to the chief executive in consultation with the chair of the economy committee
We are lovely moving on to item 10

10 Adult Education Budget Procurement

And I'm afraid because we have had so much great discussion early on in this meeting. I'm going to be now fierce
About about discussion because otherwise we'll be here till tea time. So
We're moving on to adult education budget procurement
This is an update on the recent issues surrounding adult skills fund procurement
As you know, the skills funding is critical in supporting residents as we've discussed since devolution
We have made significant progress, investing over £180 million, helping tens of thousands
of people upskill.
However, earlier this year, the combined authority took the difficult decision to pause the procurement
process for the responsiveness element of the adult skills fund due to concerns raised
about the evaluation methodology.
While the decision to reevaluate was done in good faith, it led to differences in bidder
outcomes and a risk of a legal challenge that would slow down delivery.
As a result, the decision was made to reset the procurement, start again to ensure confidence
in the process and also get that money out to deliver skills training for our communities.
Could I ask Ben to introduce the report followed by Felix?
Thank you, Mayor. I guess I would just add that the responsiveness pot
Ben Still, Chief Executive (West Yorkshire Combined Authority) - 1:22:43
that you talk about
that's affected by this decision is about 7 % of the total,
about just under 10 million pounds.
I think I've asked to just kind of introduce this paper
to say that it provides a bit of an opportunity, really,
both to explain what has happened,
which is in the content of the paper,
but also to just, I guess, put a marker down,
that we are very aware of the impact that papers like this
can have on the kind of trust and confidence in the system.
And indeed, it is to make sure that there
is trust and confidence, as is for the majority of the program,
that we brought this paper, which was a request
from a previous CA meeting.
The paper is effectively saying that we are where we are,
partly because it's a feature of the current procurement rules
that often the fastest way to resolve an issue when there is
a threat of challenge is to stop and then start
afresh the process.
That in itself seems a curious turn of events.
And so we are definitely wanting to look at
how with the coming of new procurement regulations,
we can look at different ways to do these things.
And I guess this opportunity has also come about
because we're thinking that the method of procurement
that we have has been one that was inherited
for when adult skills funding was devolved.
And we want to look at whether there's a more proactive commissioning style model that we can take forward.
So although this paper has not arisen because of some challenges to the process,
it is an opportunity to look at how we can do things better going forwards.
And indeed in that context, it's always welcome to have challenge because it does allow us to try and improve things on a continuous basis.
but I'll just hand to Felix for any particular items
on the detail that you wanted to draw out, Felix.
Thank you.
Thank you very much.
I think I'll just draw attention
to just a couple of things really
Felix Kumi-Ampofo, Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority) - 1:24:43
on top of what has been said.
One is to reassure the board
that since these challenges came up
sort of late summer and autumn,
a lot of work has gone in to make sure
we fully understand why we are where we are
and to make sure we can rectify that.
So colleagues have worked really hard on that
to make sure we understand fully what is going on
and we put in litigation.
There's also work underway currently
to make sure whatever we may have missed comes to light
and we're able to put mitigation in place.
We expect that with those two sets of activities underway,
we should be able to go back to market
get on the remainder of the procurements, which we have to press pause on with this
side of Christmas, really, which was the promise that we made when this happened earlier on,
with the expectation that early in the new year we should be able to then let out those
contracts so that residents who need the training will be able to get access to it.
While that is going on, there will be some more work that we'll be doing to make sure,
or as Ben said, our devolved powers
and our responsibilities in this space
is multiplying at a really fast rate.
And the way we've been commissioning and procuring
in the past will not necessarily be the best way to do that.
So we committed to continuing to evolve,
transform really this function,
so that hopefully by the summer of next year,
we'll have a dedicated team in place
that has the depth and width of the skills that we need to put us in the strongest position
possible.
Of course, human error can never be eliminated, but the work that we're doing should get us
to the point where we can mitigate and reduce that as much as possible.
Thank you.
Thank you so much, Felix.
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 1:26:48
And actually, it's welcome that every day is a school day.
And learning from this, I think, is going to be valuable,
because it's going to strengthen our systems.
And we've got to build that trust.
And whilst evolution, we sort of lifted and shifted
the devolved budget and the responsibilities.
And we made some great decisions to streamline
how many people we worked with.
And we saved money by hiding the wiring.
we did an incredible job, now is maybe an opportunity to look again, and to Ben's point,
is this the best way to do it? So I think it is, whilst, you know, it's awkward, it's
also an opportunity to do better. So thank you. Any thoughts? Okie dokie, lovely. Thank
you all so much. So are we happy to note the issues outlined in the report and the actions
taken? We are. Great. So let's move on to 11A, project approvals. The first is on skills

11 Project Approvals

boot camp so Felix would you talk us through the recommendations please
Felix Kumi-Ampofo, Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority) - 1:27:52
thank you this this paper is about skills boot camps we are hopeful that in
the future with single settlements things will be done slightly differently
we've brought this now because we expect the decision the final confirmation of
this funding to fall in between meeting cycles.
This will be our sixth wave, as the paper says,
of running this program.
It's funding that allows us 7 and 1 half million
pounds on this occasion, but allows us to specifically
push training on that addresses skills gaps and skills
strategies in the labor market in which employers come to us,
or which the evidence suggests that we need.
We are asking you for this approval now
a lieu of the confirmation coming in
from central government so that as soon
as we have the confirmation, we are able to go to market.
We are proposing to do things a little bit differently
with this.
So there will be an element of grant funding
with this that goes to some of the paper
that I talked about earlier around our skill system review.
So we are able to provide grant funding and some certainty
to our local authority partners and FE colleges,
but also have a way then to be able to commission directly
from the independent provider market as quickly as we possibly can.
So that's what this paper is seeking to do.
Thank you.
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 1:29:18
And I'm pleased to see that the number of individuals
are going to get the opportunity increases from 3 ,000 to 4 ,450.
Okey -doke.
So we're going to go through all of these project approvals one at a time.
So if colleagues could be brief, let's take the papers as read.
Are we happy to approve?
We are.
Thank you so much.
Moving on.
The next one reports to approval report relates to the Brownfield housing fund and details one scheme that's been recommended to
progress through the assurance process with the delegation of approval of a scheme to the CS chief exec
Liz Hunter, Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority) - 1:29:54
So can I pass to Liz Hunter our director of policing environment in place, please?
Thank you, ma 'am. So to be brief and the first one is in is Wellington Square
Which is the one we're seeking delegation to the chief executive
You've hopefully got quite a bit of information there about the scheme but
there's some final details that we would like to clarify and post the meeting.
As colleagues will know this is the final year of Brownfield Housing funding so we
are trying to work at pace to be able to deliver these schemes hence why we're
asking for delegation. The second scheme which we're seeking your approval for
today is Mabgett Yard also in Leeds and that's a contribution of four million
pounds from the Brownfield Housing Fund happy to take questions. Thank you so
much. Councillor Goldtham. Thanks Mayor. I'm concerned and I know that you are that we
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 1:30:42
maximize as many affordable homes as we can in how we invest the money that we
have at our hand and I note that there's two schemes here for Brownfield subsidy
Cllr Alan Lamb Leeds City Council - 1:30:59
which is to do with the viability of a scheme as to whether or not you're about
Cllr Stewart Golton Leeds City Council - 1:31:02
to take place and one delivers 20 % something like 20 % affordable housing
which is pretty reasonable and then another scheme delivers virtually
nothing in terms of its 2 % oh thanks thanks and it really concerns me that
local authorities as the planning authorities have already been through
discussions with developers in the planning process to
negotiate what is appropriate in terms of
Added value to their developments and so they've all a lot of these developments have already been given a
Leeway to not deliver public goods because of their developments, and I think when it comes to us
Delivering brownfield fund we should be really strict about making sure that we prioritize our brownfield housing fund
to those that commit to delivering affordable housing on site.
And I just thought I'd mention that because I think it might be something we might want to take up in terms of a scrutiny investigation, Mayor.
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 1:32:07
Thank you and it was pleasing that the Deputy Prime Minister is focused on affordable house building.
I'll take Councillor Lamb's question and then come back to you, Liz.
Yeah, so I was gonna make exactly the same point and I just wanted to echo it that
As welcome as these schemes and developments new houses are two percent
Cllr Alan Lamb Leeds City Council - 1:32:30
Affordables, I think it was third. I've lost my place
I've highlighted but I think it's 13 units or something like that in that size of scheme 16 16. Thank you very much
Good double act
It just doesn't sit right that we're putting a public subsidy in and letting people off the hook on
the right proportion of affordable housing. I doubt anyone sat around this
table is particularly happy about whether we can do anything now I've got
no idea but it doesn't sit right. Thank you Liz. Thank you and councilor Garson
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 1:33:01
you're exactly right these have been through through planning already
Liz Hunter, Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority) - 1:33:04
and we
are prioritizing the schemes that are deliverable as I mentioned that we are
coming to the end of the program and we understand the district valuers office
did provide advice to the council about what was viable and therefore what
the projects could achieve. I think it's an interesting point about if we have
greater flexibility of a funding going forward, what the kind of criteria
we might use if we decided to carry on supporting homes on Brownfield. But just
to provide a bit of reassurance that the schemes that have come through so
far, we expect 31 % of those to be supported by the fund are being
are affordable so you know we have tried where we can to to promote schemes where
there is affordable homes but it is they have been through planning already and it's the planning
authorities responsibility to negotiate around what the affordable level is.
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 1:33:54
Thank you Liz. With all that in mind are we happy to approve these two projects?
We are. Thank you.
So okay, moving on to the next project approval.
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 1:34:08
This is tackling the climate emergency
and it's the home energy West Yorkshire.
Can I ask Councillor Jane Scullion
as chair of the Climate, Energy and Environment Committee
to comment on the report please
and then hand it back to Liz.
Thank you, Mayor.
Cllr Jane Scullion (Calderdale Council) - 1:34:22
It's a really interesting time
to be chairing climate committee.
It's topic of the moment.
It's really, it's the potential for mission creep
and be doing everything is really very, very powerful.
And this paper that's in front of you is very much
about what I feel is one of the core focuses in terms
of any public sector intervention into this area,
really, old, cold, stolen, pre -1919 houses, and damp,
and mold, and bills.
This particular project about homes and environmental,
sustainability, and energy is absolutely core to us.
This is about the direction of travel, further round of funding.
And one of the key things I think about this is actually it's not just on housing association, affordable housing or whatever.
It's actually about rented housing, private sector rented housing, own own own own housing, homeownership.
And actually where the bank actually owns your house because they've got the mortgage.
So it's all types of housing and I think it's absolutely crucial in terms of this
stage it's really quite key because it's about pace and scale really the time has
come really to put some serious energy into retrofit and I know that the
climate committee could you know start thinking of all kinds of things and we
do range in the meeting over wind farms, solar, offshore, all kinds of things but
actually when it comes down to West Yorkshire, our core focus, retrofit, I think, is the right thing to do in terms of the intervention of public sector money to make things happen so that we've actually got a foundation for the pace and scale we need for the future. Thank you.
Thank you, Liz.
Liz Hunter, Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority) - 1:36:13
Thanks. I'll be fair to add. I'll take questions.
Lovely. Any questions on this project? Yes. Councillor Galton.
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 1:36:19
It's a very quick one. One of the things that disappointed me recently as a local
Cllr Stewart Golton Leeds City Council - 1:36:25
councillor is that we had some homes which were considered not investable in
and they have to be demolished and we've got 70 new homes but no extra housing
are being developed through the millions of pounds that have been invested in it.
One of the things I like about this scheme is that it doesn't say to anybody
you don't count. It's inclusive and every type of housing is involved in this
scheme. I think that's very positive. Thank you. Councilor.
Thank you. I was going on to um the state and one of you okay to cover that in the
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 1:36:59
same room. No, no, we just need to approve this and then we can move on.
Okay. Don't get any further comments on the home energy West Yorkshire. No good stuff.
We are happy to approve progress through the insurance process. Thank you very much.
So we're moving on now to four schemes
that are
We need delegation of approval
To the combined authorities chief executive
So can I ask councillor Hinchcliffe as chair of the Transport Committee to comment on the report then handing over to Simon?
I'll just hand over to Simon as a short time. Thank you. Thank you so much
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 1:37:36
So Simon if you could talk us through the recommendations, please and
Simon Warburton, Executive Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority) - 1:37:39
it's the four projects. Thank you, ma 'am
So the report, just to clarify on the delegation of approval,
that's specifically for an item which we summarize
in the front of the report,
which relates to the proposed use of 100 ,000 pounds
of our BSIP funds for a mobility credits pilot,
pilot which will look to support a number of recent returners through the
adult skills fund program into training and employment for three
months worth of travel support. The report then moves on to a series of
specific capital schemes, the first of which is
statement sales and cycling and walking improvements,
which our colleagues at Bradford Council
have brought forward in the form of two phases.
There's further detail on that set out
in the business case that is attached,
or the link of which is set out in the report.
at this stage we are looking to draw down additional funds for the further development work
so that we can bring forward a full business case. We are not at this stage seeking all of the
delivery funds but we are noting the latest proposed delivery costs that are
set out within that so at this stage for Steeton and Tilsden we are seeking
approval of further development funding of 2 .737 million pounds to take the full
approved funds for the scheme at this stage to 3 .437 million pounds. The second
scheme is for us to move into delivery now for the A629, A629 North Orange
Street active travel route providing links through from Halifax town centre.
The report does note that unfortunately this scheme does suffer from the ongoing
challenge that we have in terms of DFTs appraisal regime and its shortcomings in
terms of attaching value and benefits to active travel schemes something that we
will again be seeking to pursue with the department but we do still recommend
that those strong strategic fit with the active travel policies of the combined
authority and then the final part of the report deals with our proposed approach
to the management of part one claims that are accrued from historic combined authority capital
program schemes and the way in which we propose to manage those in reaching a final settlement
figure for the Wakefield Eastern Relief Road scheme and in setting aside a provision for potential Part 1 claims against the Glass
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 1:41:38
Houghton Southern Link Road. Thank you.
Thank you so much for that. So, Councillor Lamb, you wanted to speak to the Silsden?
If I take two
I'm asking on behalf of councillor Paulson who sends our love to everybody
while the
Cllr Alan Lamb Leeds City Council - 1:41:53
The project at Steton and Silton is very welcome
This question won't surprise you is the bridge now being gold -plated
Simon Warburton, Executive Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority) - 1:42:02
No, it isn't gold -plated and I've had
conversations with
councillor Paulson who's raising
and quite rightly challenges around costs.
We've done a lot of work with our colleagues
in Bradford Council around the costs of the scheme.
It is a fully accessible pedestrian bridge
over what is a very significant piece of highway.
In working through the costs with our colleagues
in Bradford, we have found cost savings
and we are comfortable that the costs
that are being proposed now are well benchmarked with equivalent facilities that we would see
and I would note that within that figure there is just short of three and a half million
pounds which is still a risk provision so that is not necessarily the final out turned
cost and we will continue to work with our colleagues to make sure that we can minimise
The impact on a capital program whilst ensuring that it's a fully accessible
Bridge that comes forward. Thank you and councilor love then councillor
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 1:43:16
Cllr Cllr. Martin Love Bradford Council - 1:43:17
Thank you, ma 'am. I can I just ask you about the
100 ,000 contribution from Bradford is that down to section 106 funding?
I can't say for certain but I think it probably is a development contribution. I'll come back to you councillor just to confirm
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 1:43:33
Cllr Cllr. Martin Love Bradford Council - 1:43:34
Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe (Bradford Council) - 1:43:40
Thank you Councillor Hinchliffe. Yeah I think you know Merrill Devolution gives
us access to infrastructure funding that we've never had before doesn't it I think
we're perhaps not used to seeing new bridges going up like this I've
certainly welcome this and it is my understanding is in line with all the
costs of throughout the country of putting a similar structure in place it
is crucial to this community it connects two places which actually are very
close by but because the road are really severed so I I think still some
mistake and deserve this funding and deserve the improvement infrastructure
that devolution brings some welcome it thank you thank you so much are we happy
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 1:44:17
to approve the projects as we've heard brilliant I'm sorry I did say brilliant
before people raise their hands brilliant thank you so much wonderful
Well, moving on, just rattling through the pages.
Thank you all for your patience.
There was a number of approvals there.
The under 19s travel scheme.
So I said earlier in the meeting,
I fully recognize the importance of affordable travel
for everyone in West Yorkshire, but especially young people

12 Under 19's Travel Scheme

who've been hit particularly hard during this cost of living
crisis.
And the fair deal for under 19s introduced in 2021
has made a significant difference,
allowing young people to travel at half the adult fare supporting families across our region.
However, as the report highlights bus operators are facing increased financial pressures
due to rising
operational costs and have asked us to review the current fare situation. Now my
my suggestion is given that we still are waiting for the allocations from the
650 million B -SIP funding
not going to that we don't take this decision now because I think we need to
potentially see things in the round whether that's the mayor's fair whether
that's other concessionary fairs you know how does it look across the up to
the budget in spring or through next year so I just wonder if members are
comfortable. We will defer this item and then convene an emergency CA meeting.
Once we have the government's allocations in place and then we can take a more
holistic view of concessionary, fares, mayor's fares and others. Yes, Council
alum. Thank you, Mayor. I think that's sensible. Happy to support that approach.
I would just like to make a point that Simon knows in advance what I'm going to say, which
Cllr Alan Lamb Leeds City Council - 1:46:19
I think I would hope could feed into that review in the extra time.
So it's simply the first question, I don't know if you got the answer from yesterday,
Simon, as to what proportion of our young people live roughly in what I would call the
outer ring of West Yorkshire.
and the reason for asking the question is you could say get from Todmorden to Kipax as many people want to or whether it be as many more people want to for £2
but if you lived in Wetherby or Todmorden under 19 and needed to go say to Harrogate or Manchester or Oldham for your education, for your apprenticeship or job or for leisure
that's going to cost you £4 .70.
And I think it's worth, it's not an easy problem to solve,
I totally recognise that, but if we're going to have a fully fair integrated system
actually about how people live their lives rather than which administrative authority
they happen to live under, I think it's something we should look at as part of this
to see if there's more we can do working in partnership with, we've got the North Yorkshire
mayor now working with South Yorkshire and Manchester and others say is there a way actually we could make those fairs cross boundary which would give a big economic boost to all of the regions affected.
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 1:47:37
Thank you and yes to reiterate I am working with the mayor of York and North Yorkshire and South Yorkshire on trying to work out how we have that cross border fair system that does make enormous sense you're absolutely right.
Councillor Hughes -Cliff you want to come in?
Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe (Bradford Council) - 1:47:54
Yeah just to reiterate what we said there really Mayor Braben.
It is something we've raised already with North Yorkshire and surrounding authorities.
Obviously it's in all our interests to try and do whatever we could.
I suppose it's just the amount of cost because they would have to fund things as well.
So we're trying to work through what that would look like.
But I think all our aspirations to do that but it's just the practicalities of doing it I think is a challenge.
And Simon you wanted to come in?
Simon Warburton, Executive Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority) - 1:48:19
Yeah thank you so to our vice members that the data suggests that education
trips out of West Yorkshire to neighboring areas look to be somewhere
in the order of about 6 % of learners in West Yorkshire. So as you say we have
for some time been engaging with colleagues on this front. I think the
fact that we've now got clarity from government in terms of the funding
position going forwards and as you rightly know mayor over the next week or
Simon Warburton, Executive Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority) - 1:48:57
so we expect to receive our detailed figures as will our neighbours then it's
an opportune moment for us to revisit the issue. Thank you Simon and as we revisit
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 1:49:09
it it would be helpful I think for the board to have an understanding of young
people and how often they use the the buses and obviously often many of them
don't have a car and a bus is their only option but it will be good to have the
data and just to clarify that talking about the uptake of the mayor's fairs
increasing patronage by 10 % in some places 10 % overall it's 5 % but it will
be good also to know what percentage of those were young people for example so
We can have a more detailed discussion when we have that dedicated meeting. So thank you
So we're happy to postpone that item
Lovely, we're happy. Yes, we are super. Thank you so much

13 White Rose Forest Partnership Agreement

So moving on we we might actually be on time which is always good. So the white rose forest partnership agreement
This is an update on that program and our proposal for the CA to sign the white rose forest agreement for
24 -30
All of you are aware of the importance of tackling the climate environment emergency
Increasing tree cover is vital part of this the white rose forest is leading the way and great results so far but more to do
Could I ask councilor scullion to introduce the report Liz hunter to take us through the recommendations?
But if I could also come to councilor Patterson who may just want to talk to what is happening in Kirklees because you're taking a very
front -footed approach to this
Councillor Scullion
Thank you very little to say except it is important to support this
Cllr Jane Scullion (Calderdale Council) - 1:50:44
ongoing work
This is basically bringing in money funds from elsewhere provides that leverage
It's very much white rose a Yorkshire West Yorkshire forest of course if acorns blow off our oak trees into Lancashire
We want mines because we want to see the whole area forested
So important part Colerdale already signed up and Kirklees as mayor says
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 1:51:13
taking a very strong lead on this. Thank you. Thank you. Liz. Thank you mayor.
Liz Hunter, Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority) - 1:51:16
So we have been a signatory before to this agreement so we think it's
important to carry on for all the reasons already outlined and I
understand so Kirklees obviously are the accountable body so it's great as you
say to have you leading the partnership but it very much is a partnership and
there was a delivery plan developed which being part of the agreement
enables us all to have a seat around the table as that delivery plan is is
created and will be clearly updating the climate committee and as that work
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 1:51:46
develops. And can I encourage everybody on the board to do some tree planting
Cllr Carole Pattison (Kirklees Council) - 1:51:52
because it's very therapeutic. Councillor Paterson. There's not really much very
much to add other than say it's been an incredible success so far in the number
trees planted etc and the White Rose Forest is the biggest delivery partner of the National
Forest Project, Community Forest Project, so Kirklees are very happy to continue to lead on
this, to be the accountable body and to work with partners to ensure its continuous success.
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 1:52:18
Thank you so much, are we happy to approve the CAs becoming a signatory to the White
Forest Agreement. We are... oh so Councillor Galton you wanted to speak. Apologies.
Sorry yes, it was associated with the last discussion as well. I just thought
Cllr Stewart Golton Leeds City Council - 1:52:38
for a meeting coming forward, some of the comment that was in the budget
yesterday around devolution mentioned how the government is minded to ending
funding for pan -regional partnerships. Now I don't know what they mean by that
but this sounds like a pan -regional partnership because it's between West
Yorkshire and North Yorkshire. The discussions that we're going to have
around bus fares potentially are cross -border and could be hosted by
something like Transport for the North so I really think that some of those
useful pan -regional bodies it would really good to have some
It's surety going forward in terms of what is minded to be got rid of and what isn't
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 1:53:25
And just to reassure you councilor Galton that it wouldn't be affected
A pan regional partnership is like the Midlands engine. There is a body set up with an independent chair
Often from the business community to draw together partners so that the potential for a pan regional partnership could be the Great North
For example that was announced a few months ago
That would then get funding from the government to be a more
structured body but they made the decision that now we have the Council of regions and nations and the Council of mayors that that's
potentially where the investment should go so I wouldn't be concerned that these partnerships will continue.
Did you want to come in Ben?
Okay, great stuff.
Alright, so are we happy to approve the White Rose agreement?
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 1:54:11
We are. Good stuff, thank you.

14 Business Planning and Budgets

Moving on to item 14, business planning and budgets.
This concerns the multi -year integrated business and budget planning for 25 26
Obviously the current funding landscape
Poses significant challenge for all local authorities in West Yorkshire
I do appreciate the efforts made by our partners to navigate these difficulties as outlined in the report this multi -year approach
Aims to align our budget with strategic objectives ensuring we make we meet the needs of our constituents
Can I invite Angela Taylor our director of finance and commercial services to present the recommendation?
Thank you, man
And as you say this papers about setting out how we're approaching
Angela Taylor, Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority) - 1:54:52
business planning and budgets for 2025 26 and beyond
We tried to make this an outcome focused approach last year
We're picking up on that again
And the intention is we'll produce a four -year corporate plan which will be aligned around the five missions
This will have set beneath it a four -year delivery plan and some deeper detail in the
earlier years of that, so there's something very clear that we can be held accountable
for delivering.
Clearly the budget needs to align with those plans and as the Mayor said, I suspect we
said this last year, we'll say it again this year, probably the hardest year to set a budget
and the local government sector is facing a very difficult funding landscape.
So this paper sets out particular risks and challenges within that, starting from the
lack of the clear funding model for MCAs at the moment, but also recognizing the pressures
on local authority partners.
From section 3 .6 onwards, 3 .10, it sets out a long list of the risks and pressures.
I don't think there'd be anything in there that would be unexpected.
I think they're things you would have all seen before and come out from some of the other conversations
So this is a bit of scene setting obviously at the time we wrote this
We didn't know what was going to be announced in the Chancellor's budget yesterday
And and rather than second -guess that what we need to do now is build on this is what we knew before then
we now need to layer in what we learned yesterday and be clear therefore how we
Use this information what we learned yesterday and how we build that together into
a budget proposal for this authority to consider.
Part of that, we'll be looking at how we use our gain share funding.
That again needs to be shaped depending on where there is
funding coming through in other places, so we need to tell the information
out of yesterday's Chancellor's Statement to do that.
We're also looking at doing a level of public engagement and consultation on the budget
this side of Christmas to help in informing those ideas.
So we're bringing a full report back to the meeting in December of the combined
authority if there's anything members would like us to particularly take into
account in setting a budget happy to take those comments equally recognizing
the time if people want a separate discussion outside of here absolutely
happy to arrange that also. I'm grateful for that Angela thank you and the four
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 1:57:19
year budget makes so much sense doesn't it in the term of the mayor and also it
was aligned with the government's approach
to a multi -year settlement.
Any comments that are swift?
If not, you could contact directly, if that's okay.
If colleagues are happy to do that,
because I know this has been quite a long meeting.
And if we wanted to get into the detail,
I think it would be worth a longer conversation.
So expect your inbox to be full, Angela,
for comments from colleagues.
So are we happy to note the multi -year planning approach being implemented for the four -year period?
24 to 28 and consider the budget challenges and risks associated with this plan

15 Scrutiny Annual Report 2023-24

We are lovely. Thank you moving on to the scrutiny annual reports 23 24 is first to note the report
Recently approved by the new scrutiny committee and thank you for all of your work
undertaken by our previous three scrutiny committees during my first
Merrill term played a vital role in my thinking and during the early stages of
Devolution can I personally thank counselors Peter Haran?
Jeffrey Winard Amanda Parsons holes Andrew pinak
Stephen Baines and Peter Caffrey who led scrutiny as chairs and deputy chairs and of course all the scrutiny members
Over those years for their hard work and contributions in building the current system
I'm also glad to note former chairs and deputy chairs
Councillors Bob Felstedt, Richard Smith and Barry Anderson are still on the
committee now to help steer it through its new era. So if I can hand over to
Alan Rees, our Chief Operating Officer to outline the recommendations. Thank you
Alan Reiss, Chief Operating Officer (West Yorkshire Combined Authority) - 1:59:05
very brief very brief remarks noting that this is from last year's
set of three committees and the positions have since changed. We now have
a single committee which Councillor Anderson is the chair of. Obviously
scrutiny forms a key part of our system of accountability
and assurance.
Last year, three committees, corporate transport
and economy, each one of them carrying out their own reviews
into various aspects of the command authorities work,
and each one having the opportunity
to question yourself, Mayor.
One of the key things that they looked at
was, of course, the scrutiny protocol and level
four devolution, as was called, which then
led to the trend, the change in the way in which scrutiny operates.
I don't intend to go through the report in any detail, particularly given the time.
It's here for the combined authority to note.
And Councillor Anderson might want to say something about the position of scrutiny from 2024 onwards.
Thank you, Alan. Councillor Anderson.
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 2:00:05
Barry Anderson, Scrutiny Chair - 2:00:07
I'll be as quick as humanly possible because I need to get to a planning meeting.
So I've got an interest in this as well.
I've met with every member of the scrutiny committee
to find out what their interests are.
And I'm trying to fit square pegs into square holes,
et cetera, et cetera.
I've, as was remarked earlier on today,
I've probably met most of the senior management core
within WICA to try and understand what's going on.
And as a result of that, I do think scrutiny this year
has contributed so far into the AEB process,
the Bradford Interchange,
and risk management and performance management we've contributed to that
there's more to work there's a report meant to be coming to the next combined
authority meeting we will do even more flesh on the bones and we're also going
to have currently refining our work plan and after yesterday that will be refined
even more because there's other priorities coming forward so on that
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 2:01:03
Barry Anderson, Scrutiny Chair - 2:01:06
Thank you. Thank you so much and Councillor Galton if you could be brief.
Cllr Stewart Golton Leeds City Council - 2:01:11
Yes thanks. As a Scrutin chair in one of the constituent authorities to the
combined authority I think there is a great potential for co -working and
cross -working to ensure, to share the load of scrutiny and to make sure that
local voices aren't missed out when they're looking at the combined
by the combined authority.
So I look forward to a second iteration
of this journey on scrutiny
to think how we can put together those partnerships.
In particular, for instance,
the ability to call in a decision,
because at the moment it's restricted simply
to the members of a scrutiny board itself within WICAR,
or alternatively to escalate issues
from constituent authorities to WICAR to look into.
It's not beyond the wit of man to create protocols to allow that to happen.
And I look forward to working with you to enable that.
Thank you. The points are heard. Thank you.
We don't need to act on that at this moment.
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 2:02:13
So let's move on.
Are we happy to note the Scrutiny Committee's annual report at Appendix 1 summarising the work undertaken by the previous overview in Scrutiny Committee 2324?
We are happy. Thank you so much.

16 Governance Arrangements

The government learn a penultimate item governance
arrangements this report covers a number of different recommendations changes in committee membership and
proposals to establish a revised governance arrangements in relation to the appointment discipline and dismissal of our most senior officers
I've asked Caroline unfortunately to be very brief. So Caroline Norris assistant director of legal governance and compliance
Could you talk us through the reports and recommendations?
Caroline Norreys - 2:02:56
Thank you, yes, I will take heed of that request to to be speedy on this and the first three sets of recommendations do relate to membership on committees and appendix one there has the proposed membership for the newly appointed economy committee.
There are just a couple of further changes to that to just capture for the minutes that came in after publication, which is that Richard Paxman shown there is a private sector rep will be moving from this committee to the West Yorkshire Business Board.
That's one change and in terms of the higher education advisory reps
It will no longer be Peter O 'Brien, but will be Sue Cook and Martin Stokes so we capture that for minutes
Otherwise we just seeking approval to that membership
The second membership point is in relation to the independent members
proposals for two new independent members on the governance and Audit Committee
the report sets out the recruitment process that was undertaken including the chair of
of the G &A committee and members.
And there are two names put forward there
for approval to go on.
We think it's really good, strong candidates
and a good outcome from that recruitment exercise.
The final membership point is to note
that there are two vice chairs have been pointed
to the scrutiny committee, Richard Smith and Matt Edwards.
So that is the first set of three recommendations
around membership.
The fourth one there is to note that the chief exec
under his delegation has made an appointment to the capital program director role and
Again, that has been a process that has involved members and so hopefully that doesn't come as a surprise and to this meeting
and then the final part of this report is
putting forward a set of proposals for members to
to revise the arrangements we currently have in place
in relation to appointment, discipline,
and dismissal of our senior officers,
and to propose that we move to a different model for that
with the introduction of an employment panel
to assist the combined authority.
And what we've sought in the report,
and hopefully it is self -explanatory,
I know there's a lot of information in there,
is to actually take a tiered approach to that
and say actually in terms of the most senior officers, so chief executive and the statutory
officers, they remain matters for the combined authority itself to take a decision on, but
that the employment panel is used as part of that process to support the combined authority
in terms of making recommendations in relation to those matters.
But then it also has a function in terms of taking decisions around the appointment of
executive directors and has a role in the HR processes in relation to that
tier of directors as well. So there is a lot of there's a lot of detail set out
in there and partly that is because we we don't have processes in place around
these at the moment so for transparency we have actually set that out in quite
some detail in the appendices. I should just say in terms of consultation to
bring this forward we've consulted with the heads of legal and through them
heads of HR at each of the five partner councils and we've also consulted with
the unions as well who and who are supportive of us bringing that
transparency in that clarity to this process so I shall pause there but if
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 2:06:19
there are any questions I'm happy to answer. Lovely thank you so much I think
this is really welcome development just gives us a bit more structure any
thoughts or comments? No thank you that's brilliant so can members confirm their
agreement to the full set of recommendations as set out in paragraph two of the report we are thank you and just as was noted that
There's a new director of capital projects
It was remiss of me not to welcome Tim Taylor who is the head of transport services
I'm very welcome given that transport is going to be a huge priority for us as a region
So you are very welcome and hit the ground running absolutely in the first few days. So thank you very much

17 Minutes for Information

Okay, so minutes for information the report provides members with details of the minutes of committees informal meetings
So please do avail yourself of that if you wish to have a look and I'd like to thank you
This was a big meeting after a big budget and times are changing
For us here in West Yorkshire and as always I do value your contributions
Thank you all so much for attending and for your patience. I'm sure you're all starving. Thank you so much everybody

18 Date of the Next Meeting

And also just remind members the next meeting is Thursday the 12th December with an interim meeting before then
Out on the buses and funding before then. Okay. Thanks folks. Cheers
Webcast Finished - 2:07:40
now. Thank you miles
Caroline Norreys
Assistant Director, Legal, Governance and Compliance
Caroline Norreys : View profile page