West Yorkshire Combined Authority - Thursday 12 December 2024, 11:00am - West Yorkshire Combined Authority Webcasting

West Yorkshire Combined Authority
Thursday, 12th December 2024 at 11:00am 

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  1. Myles Larrington, Committee Services Officer (West Yorkshire Combined Authority)
  2. Myles Larrington, Committee Services Officer (West Yorkshire Combined Authority)
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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
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  1. Cllr Stewart Golton Leeds City Council
  2. Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe (Bradford Council)
  3. Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
  4. Simon Warburton, Executive Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority)
  5. Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
  6. Simon Warburton, Executive Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority)
  7. Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
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  1. Simon Warburton, Executive Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority)
  2. Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
  3. Cllr Jane Scullion (Calderdale Council)
  4. Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
  5. Ben Still, Chief Executive (West Yorkshire Combined Authority)
  6. Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe (Bradford 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. Simon Warburton, Executive Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority)
  11. 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 Susan Hinchcliffe (Bradford Council)
  4. Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
  5. Cllr Stewart Golton Leeds City Council
  6. Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
  7. Mandy Ridyard (West Yorkshire Business Board)
  8. Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
  9. Ben Still, Chief Executive (West Yorkshire Combined Authority)
  10. Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
  11. Cllr Alan Lamb Leeds City Council
  12. Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
  13. Cllr Cllr. Martin Love Bradford Council
  14. Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
  15. Mandy Ridyard (West Yorkshire Business Board)
  16. Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
  17. Cllr Barry Anderson (Chair)
  18. Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
  19. Sarah Eaton, Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority)
  20. Sarah Eaton, Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority)
  21. Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
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  1. Michelle Burton, Officer (West Yorkshire Combined Authority)
  2. Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
  3. Cllr Alan Lamb Leeds City Council
  4. Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
  5. Michelle Burton, Officer (West Yorkshire Combined Authority)
  6. Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
  7. Cllr Stewart Golton Leeds City Council
  8. Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
  9. Michelle Burton, Officer (West Yorkshire Combined Authority)
  10. Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
  11. 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. Angela Taylor, Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority)
  4. Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
  5. Cllr Stewart Golton Leeds City Council
  6. Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
  7. Simon Warburton, Executive Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority)
  8. Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
  9. Cllr Denise Jeffery (Wakefield Council)
  10. Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
  11. Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
  12. Cllr Alan Lamb Leeds City Council
  13. Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
  14. Angela Taylor, Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority)
  15. Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
  16. Angela Taylor, Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority)
  17. Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
  18. Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe (Bradford Council)
  19. Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
  20. Ben Still, Chief Executive (West Yorkshire Combined Authority)
  21. Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
  22. Caroline Norreys, Assistant Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority)
  23. Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
  24. Cllr Alan Lamb Leeds City Council
  25. Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
  26. Sarah Eaton, Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority)
  27. Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
  28. Cllr Alan Lamb Leeds City Council
  29. Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
  30. Simon Warburton, Executive Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority)
  31. Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
  32. Cllr Alan Lamb Leeds City Council
  33. Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
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  1. Liz Hunter, Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority)
  2. Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
  3. Cllr Alan Lamb Leeds City Council
  4. Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
  5. Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
  6. Liz Hunter, Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority)
  7. Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
  8. Liz Hunter, Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority)
  9. Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
  10. Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
  11. Simon Warburton, Executive Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority)
  12. Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
  13. Cllr Stewart Golton Leeds City Council
  14. Cllr Stewart Golton Leeds City Council
  15. Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
  16. Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
  17. Simon Warburton, Executive Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority)
  18. Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
  19. Cllr Jonathan Pryor Leeds City Council
  20. Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
  21. Cllr Carole Pattison (Kirklees Council)
  22. Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
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  1. Caroline Norreys, Assistant Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority)
  2. Caroline Norreys, Assistant Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority)
  3. Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
  4. Webcast Finished

1 Apologies for Absence

Myles Larrington, Committee Services Officer (West Yorkshire Combined Authority) - 0:00:00
Myles Larrington, Committee Services Officer (West Yorkshire Combined Authority) - 0:00:00
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 0:00:15
Good morning, all. Thank you very much for coming and for the final Combined Authority
meeting of 2024. What a year it's been. I don't know about anybody else, but I feel
have it's it's three years in one we've been so busy um so um we'll touch more on what we've
achieved or uh what's coming up throughout the meeting so let's crack on um uh do we have any
apologies miles apologies for absence may have been received from council holdsworth with
Myles Larrington, Committee Services Officer (West Yorkshire Combined Authority) - 0:00:45
council golden attending a sub and council lewis with council prior attending a sub
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 0:00:52
thank you so much and um any declarations of interest from members no thank you all so much

2 Declarations of Disclosable Pecuniary Interests

Exclusion of press and public there are no four

3 Exempt Information - Possible Exclusion of the Press and Public

items that need the exclusion of the public
minutes
item for minutes of 31st of October any

4 Minutes of the Meeting of the Combined Authority held on 31 October 2024

comments or questions
No, thank you so much. We are happy to confirm. This is an accurate record
Yes, yes
Councillor Galton mayor. I was just checking to see whether you'd had
Cllr Stewart Golton Leeds City Council - 0:01:20
any correspondence back from the Transport Commissioner to your letter
we have yes councilor Hinchcliffe yeah it came to come back last week I think
Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe (Bradford Council) - 0:01:33
so I'm sure it can be circulated as you sent us a copy last week so Simon yes the
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 0:01:40
Simon Warburton, Executive Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority) - 0:01:44
transport commissioner has has acknowledged receipt and we are in
dialogue at the moment with the sorry the traffic commissioner in terms of how
we can work with them to expedite changes at very short notice happily
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 0:02:03
yes we're happy to circulate the letter amongst members thank you
Simon Warburton, Executive Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority) - 0:02:05
happy to
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 0:02:07
approve the minutes otherwise thank you so much thank you for that councillor

For Decision

Galton okay so moving on to item five the mayor's update well a bit very busy

5 Mayor's Update

few weeks since we last met in October much of what's happened is reflected in
the agenda. We further developed our local growth plan and I am delighted that we are
the first MCA to produce it and to launch it publicly and we are working alongside government
as we inform the national industrial strategy, obviously discussing that later in the agenda.
Following the Chancellor's budget we had 36 million of funding for our bus service improvement
plan confirmed for next year, which
has been wrapped into our budget proposals that
are in front of us.
And the confirmation of that funding
means we can retain our single two pound mayor's
fair and the five pound day saver
until the end of March 2025.
And I know the public will be very
pleased to see that continuing in the cost of living crisis
and over Christmas.
But there will be small increases to two pound 50
And six pound respectively proposed until the end of next year December 2025
Ensuring we have some of the lowest boss fares in the country, and I do know that the public were
at the mayor's question time asking why the 50p extra and just to reassure the public that we need that flexibility
To support routes, so it's not just about cheaper fares
but also making sure we have the finances to support roots as we move towards franchising.
In the budget item later we'll discuss the wider financial context we're in,
some of the decisions that we face, not all easy, alongside those of the local authorities
over the coming months. We welcomed the launch of the Get Britain Working White Paper,
which confirmed more than £20 million of funding in West Yorkshire to support people back into work
through health and skills into work.
And we've got a paper later in the agenda to discuss it.
And I'd hoped by now we'd have a few more
details of the English devolution white paper,
but that's been moved to next week.
I think it was all parliamentary business that
pushed it on to next week.
And we're anticipating that it's going
to set out details of government's plans
for deeper devolution to combined authorities.
and will ensure there's a full briefing shared with members after publication.
As you remember, we were under the assumption that we would get the single settlement with the previous government by 2028.
It was very pleasing to see that us and a few other combined authorities will get the single settlement by 26.
So we are in conversations with other MCAs as well, sharing knowledge and so on.
Okie doke, so that is my update and if we can move on to the aforementioned local growth plan.
I'm so sorry I didn't see your hand. Please do come in Councillor.
Thank you, I just wondered if, following on the last meeting,
was any updates on Bradford Interchange and particularly the communication plan,
which doesn't seem to have been communicated yet.
Thank you Councillor Lamb and yes there is an update that we can provide. Simon.
Simon Warburton, Executive Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority) - 0:05:36
Yes, thank you, so the rollout of the preparations for 5th of January continue to work schedule as we set out at the last meeting.
We have certainly been looking to continue to keep members very closely briefed in terms of that.
So I'll pick up on the specific observations at the end of the meeting
counselor,
if that's okay with you around a suggestion that that hasn't been the case,
um, so that I can, uh,
just understand specifically where that hasn't been the case. Uh,
but other than that, we continue to proceed to plan as,
as agreed at the last meeting.
Thank you so much. Councillor Scullion.
Thank you, mayor.
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 0:06:20
I just wanted to pick up on what you just said about sharing knowledge with
Cllr Jane Scullion (Calderdale Council) - 0:06:22
other MCAs, in the light of the paper on devolution that's
coming out on Monday, I do actually
think that we're short of combined authority,
not as long established as Greater Manchester,
not as new as some of the other ones,
whether we should actually assist the LGA
in a cross -party basis in terms of being
available to some of the new combined authorities
that will undoubtedly come out of that devo paper.
You know, we may not know everything but we certainly cross -party can contribute in terms of sharing our own experience of setting up
a West Yorkshire combined authority and strengths and weaknesses
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 0:07:02
Thank You councillor scullion and as the chair of the UK mayor's
We have been taken taking a very front -footed approach to support
candidates in the first instance and then talking to
to those candidates when they are elected.
And we will see more cross -party working necessary
because currently of the 12 mayors,
we only have one mayor that is not Labour,
Ben Houshian in the Tees Valley.
But my instinct is that there is going to be
many more mayors coming.
And I would always say that it is place over politics
when it comes to mayors.
And we have been very supportive of mayors
as they've been setting up their offices and so on.
but it may be something that needs, because there are more coming, a greater structure.
And it's something that I've raised with Jim McMahon about the fact that I went to New York
on the Bloomberg mayor's program. Do we have to go all the way to America to learn how to be a mayor?
So we're suggesting a couple of options about training and support and so on in a more
formalized way. I don't know if anybody wants to comment on that in particular. Ben.
Thank you, Chair. So just to provide some comfort, as chief execs of the different
Ben Still, Chief Executive (West Yorkshire Combined Authority) - 0:08:23
miracle mile authorities, we're already talking about how to share learning and best practice.
So that process is beginning. Good stuff. Susan.
Yeah, just I'll go back to the interchange, actually, which obviously is something that has
Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe (Bradford Council) - 0:08:39
Been a big piece of work this year and so relieved that it's opening in as I know you are
May be in in January and we did have a an update on the full council meeting at
Bradford on Monday night and
Obviously we have made sure as well that there's meetings in the diary for all councillors have an online
Briefing session and also going to have a another walk around group leaders and members of the combined authority
So if you want to go on that walk around you be very very welcome in Bradford
Thank you, Councillor Lamb, and your interest in, as a Leeds Councillor,
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 0:09:11
you're interested in Bradford Interchange also underscores the importance of the
interchange, not just for Bradfordians, but for people across West Yorkshire.
Councillor Lamb.
Yeah, thank you. I appreciate the updates.
I'd just ask if we could make sure that Leeds Councillors, particularly those on the west
of the city, have the same opportunities to be briefed, because as you say, it is of huge
benefit and interest and importance to them as well.
Cllr Alan Lamb Leeds City Council - 0:09:35
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 0:09:40
Simon yeah just to reassure council lamb that I think it was around 10 days ago
Simon Warburton, Executive Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority) - 0:09:42
we last provided a briefing for councilors on the west side of leads super
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 0:09:49
thank you were you aware of that council lamb did it not come to you well we just
make sure that the comms make sure that you're on the list you have to be on the
list or you don't get in so we'll make sure that you do you do get that okey
Happy to move on?
Yep, to the next item, which is the local growth plan.

6 Local Growth Plan

And this plan is a vital part of delivering our shared vision for that brighter, fairer West Yorkshire.
Not just about addressing the challenges we face today, but also about seizing opportunities for growth that will benefit all of our communities today and in the future.
We've already a high rate of fast growing businesses across specialisms, but we have to do more.
If the UK is going to achieve its national growth ambitions, it needs West Yorkshire,
the fourth largest urban area in the country to drive up our productivity growth.
We know investment is key to this, supporting infrastructure development, helping businesses
innovate.
Ultimately, my mission is to grow the economy and put more money into people's pockets.
And the plan in front of us sets out our five priorities for growth to unlock opportunities
across the region.
boosting the region's fastest growing business sectors,
including financial and professional services
where we really excel, advanced manufacturing and engineering,
life sciences and health technologies,
and the creative industries.
Supporting small and medium -sized businesses
to grow and succeed with that greater access
to finance, skills, workspace, innovation, markets, promotion,
and supporting that whole ecosystem
of public -private partnerships.
And fundamentally, a better connected
an integrated transport network with more reliable and frequent buses under public control,
greater rail capacity to reduce congestion journey times, and that new tram fully integrated
with Boston Rail to connect the whole region. We're building a region of learning and creativity
where people of all ages and backgrounds can access qualification skills and employment
support they need to secure well -paid work and fulfil their potential. We're developing
Thriving places with warm and affordable homes for all safer communities free from crime and unsocial behavior
neighborhoods resilient flooding and impacts of climate change and greater access to culture and heritage and
Sport for all now our plan is going to address the output gap which has left our economy 11 billion
Pounds smaller than it should and could be due to lower than average productivity and employment
fixing that gap will mean
18 ,000 more businesses, 33 ,000 jobs, and a boost to the economy of 26 billion, and 53 ,000
more people with level 4 qualifications.
The impact of this growth plan cannot be underestimated.
Engagement is continuing with government to ensure the plan informs the development of
the industrial strategy, and this includes a response to the green paper that has been
coordinated with local authorities, private sector
reps, and identification of priorities for growth
where government engagement is needed for delivery.
And this work will also feed in to the development
of a statutory local growth plan based on our shared priorities
with government.
Now, as the report highlights, this 10 -year plan
is built on a strong evidence base,
reflects extensive collaborations
with yourselves, councils, businesses, voluntary sector,
focusing on key priorities like tackling the investment gap, improving
connectivity, addressing skills shortages, all of which is holding our region back.
It is a dragnet on our ambitions. Now I'm encouraged by the progress we've made to
get to this point. We're all eager to move forward with the actions and
deliverables and just to inform the board that I'm after this meeting going
to Darlington to be on a roundtable with the Chancellor, with other mayors, to talk
about our growth plan and how that's going to inform the industrial strategy to grow
not just our economy but the economy across the country.
So any comments on that?
Before we go to comments, actually, Felix isn't with us today, so I'm going to hand
over to Sarah Eaton, our Director of Strategy, Commerce and Intelligence, just to talk us
through the recommendations and then we can open it up more widely.
Thank you, Sarah.
Sarah Eaton, Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority) - 0:14:21
I think you've covered the main points, Mayor, in your introduction to the paper.
I think just to reiterate the amount of partnership, effort and input that's gone into developing
the plan, and obviously it's been in front of this, the Combined Authority, a number
of times as it's progressed throughout its journey.
I think just to reinforce the fact that the five priorities that we've identified there
absolutely fundamental in terms of addressing those three key barriers that are identified
in the plan, but also to kind of
reinforce, I think, the kind of the opportunities around the corridors of opportunities and the fact that our places are really important in terms of
kind of
ensuring that we take these priorities forward and kind of in the paper
there's a the demonstration of that and illustration of that in terms of how we
wanted to progress over this kind of coming period.
I think there will be some more work to do as the national industrial strategy kind of develops and we get feedback around
Growth sectors and we'll be clearly making sure that that any new plans that the government are pulling forward
We are iterating our approach and maximizing opportunities that may come forward from from national government
So I'll stop there because I think we've you know, given a really good summary. You gave a really good summary there
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 0:15:34
Thank you, sir. And I would say the corridors of opportunity are
are particularly exciting when you think about our clusters of specialisms,
being home to the NHS, health and life sciences being a priority,
financial services, professional services.
Once you see on the map, it is very clear the opportunity for growth
by the agglomeration of talents across our region.
Any comments on the growth plan?
I'm very, very pleased that we've managed to distill what could be many voices for particular
communities distilled into a guiding mind that comes from collaboration from Team West
Yorkshire to deliver that guiding mind for what we want for growth in our region.
So it's been quite a long haul, but as I say, we are the first MCA to launch our plan, so
I'm very proud with the way that you've worked so hard
Very tight deadlines as well. Yes, can't say inch group
So yeah, I really welcome this plan and I as you say it's really
Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe (Bradford Council) - 0:16:43
important for our conversation for government going forward
so we're moving into period now whether
I'll be working through the comprehensive spending review and really pleased to see Bradford well profiled in this paper
I think 26 ,000 jobs
I think can be created actually probably across the North because of Bradford's investment in that rail connectivity
We've been lacking for so long and the focus on connectivity a growth potential
Innovation and of course culture is really welcomed in this. I think it was a real flavor of West Yorkshire
and now of course we have to make it happen don't we and that is always the
The tricky bit in the middle making the money fit and getting all the schemes on
On side and on the best external investment in as well
So looking forward to delivering it, but as you say I think this will change over time as different investment streams come in
Don't they but this is a good start and vision really for what we want to achieve and yeah
We all want to get on with delivering it. Thank you. And just to say
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 0:17:40
that because of that 11 billion pound gap
It's it's a slightly could be overwhelming
But actually it's a massive opportunity because we know what we need to do and given the tools and the freedoms and flexibilities
actually we could be the good news story across the north because there's so much
we can achieve by working together and the opportunity is just there for us.
Councillor Goulton. Thanks Mayor, it's a very impressive document and it really
does show the ambition of West Yorkshire as a sub region. I had some
Cllr Stewart Golton Leeds City Council - 0:18:16
difficulties with it up to a point. So for instance in terms of emphasising the
five areas in terms of clusters of growth that we think we can really make a difference
in economically. I think there might be a danger that other sectors might feel that
they are excluded from attention by the combined authority and I think we need to have that
referenced somewhere. I'm not sure if that's in this document or an alternative document.
And I'll just give an example in terms of the area of social care, health and social
care, there's a real potential for that
to be a driver for economic growth,
not just seen as a public spending pressure.
And I think there's plenty of entrepreneurs out there
within that sector who are wanting
to make a big difference to growing economy through jobs
which are not graduate based.
And a lot of the sectors are emphasized here.
It's very graduate based.
So I think that's something that could be developed.
But that comes down to my other area that I want to clarify, because I wasn't sure if this was some kind of bid document, because you've mentioned it's the first growth plan of many devolved authorities.
It doesn't clarify how much of this is dependent upon future promised resource, or it's stuff that we can just deliver already.
and therefore it's an ask of government, isn't it?
But there's an inference that there's an element of competition
between us and other devolved authorities,
and I just wondered if that could be clarified somewhat
in terms of the ask in this document.
Thank you, Councillor Galton.
I mean, the ask is to grow our economy,
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 0:20:04
and of course there will be a particular focus on our region,
But we also know and you will see on the map the connectivity
Arrows to Manchester the connectivity arrows to Sheffield. That's why the Great North is
Going to be such a powerful
Body because working collectively across the north
Is going to be the key to this. So for example, we may
There may be three MCA's that have advanced manufacturing in their growth plan, but they will have particular
sectors within advanced manufacturing that come together in the whole across the north
means we grow the economy together.
So I would say the challenge for us as we developed this plan was the fastest growing
sectors.
So your point is well made that we will not allow growth at any cost and growth has to
be inclusive.
but this was a plan for growth and picking out our sectors that we're going to be backing and resourcing,
but that doesn't mean to say that there are others that are going to miss out, because we need social care to work.
And that's why I'm really pleased that we are investing in entrepreneurs with great ideas in health and life sciences,
the innovation arc up in Leeds and the investment zones, all of that work will
support your concern but we had to have a guiding mind and growth had to
be the focus and whilst you may feel that there is an element of competition
it's inevitable but I believe working in partnership with other MCAs is the way
that we get faster growth for all of us and one example is One Creative North
that we are leading on with Royal Society of the Arts,
Mayors, Channel 4 and others collectively coming together
to have a creative offer for the North,
but of course creative industries are in our growth plan.
So it is by coming together collectively as well.
Collaboration is the key and we are not in competition,
we're not gonna drop any drawbridge with other MCAs,
we need to work collectively.
Thank you, Mandy.
Thank you, Mayor. I think it's a really valid point and so from the
Mandy Ridyard (West Yorkshire Business Board) - 0:22:24
business and private sector bodies of people that are within the combined authority, we've been working very closely with helping to feed into this.
And so it's really important that priority two in the growth plan is around enabling all businesses and organizations to succeed
And the wheel of enterprise in that picks up a lot of those
Business support issues that are important to making sure that everybody can succeed not just the high growth clusters
I think to the mayor's point around working across
political boundaries
Clusters don't obey political boundaries businesses don't obey political boundaries
And so that's why things like space of Yorkshire which is one of our high growth clusters and our space north initiative is
Across some of those boundaries and when the other growth plans are published
We'll be able to see where the niches are that we can work together on and semiconductors may well be one of those for example
So I think that it's really important that we look at how we supercharge our region
But we need to do that in collaboration with others and that hopefully we're we're looking at that from a business board perspective
That's a great contribution, thank you Mandy.
And what's the American phrase?
Nitches make riches.
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 0:23:35
And I think we have to understand our specialisms
and really give them the space to grow.
I've got Ben.
Thank you, Chair.
Ben Still, Chief Executive (West Yorkshire Combined Authority) - 0:23:46
Just to, I guess,
try and address Councillor Galton's point very starkly.
It is not a bidding document in the way
that the original SEPs back in 2012, 10, 11, 12 were.
In other words, we're not bidding into a government
competition at a national level. This has been a growth plan that has been
developed to meet the needs of the region that provides the guide for all
that will follow. Your question around how much of it is already funded
and what additional funding needs to be found is of course really
complicated because there are, for a start, and I think what's really
the scale of the challenge, not with a predefined amount of money in mind. So
this is genuinely about what are the scales of the of the social,
economic and well -being and other challenges that West Yorkshire faces. Of
course therefore that's going to be ambitious, it's going to be seeking a
significant amount of funding for West Yorkshire. We will then work behind the
scenes to provide, put as much of that funding in place as we possibly can and
they probably fall into two camps. There are things that we
know are important such as around the skills agenda, work and employment, where
we will fund what we can with local resources and we'll continue to bid into
government as or seek funding from government and behind the scenes we'll
move money in and out to make sure that the services to people remain stable and
and coherent. And then there are a third category of, a separate category of
mostly capital projects where we could arguably say that we've got the funding
that we need to make this progress that we need now,
I'm thinking of mass transit
and some of the big capital projects,
but we don't have the full amount.
That will be an outcome of further business cases.
So as you would expect, it's a combination of things.
But I think what this document tries to do
is set everything down in a coherent picture
about what West Ocean needs to grow
its inclusive economy going forwards.
Thank you, Ben, that's incredibly helpful.
Councillor Lamm.
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 0:25:50
Yeah, thank you, Mayor.
I always like to start with something ambitious
and I'm pleased that this is an ambitious document.
The challenge is getting from a point of making something work in theory,
which is what this does, to making it work in practice,
and adding to Councillor Galton's point, the key part of this is
what's going to close that £11 billion gap is private investment,
Cllr Alan Lamb Leeds City Council - 0:26:13
private sector involvement, people being willing to take risks,
entrepreneurial spirit. There is only so much that we can do,
and as I see this plan, it's about putting the conditions
in place to support those people and businesses
and individuals to grow.
So the two points I really wanted to make
were one about measuring, because it's crucial that,
Felix explained it very well in my briefing,
but it's important to have it on the record here.
I think that one of the key things is measuring
what would have happened anyway if we did nothing,
and then what happens because of what we did
so that we can see that gap closing.
And the reason that's important is
I've done many business plans in my time
and I'm sure Mandi will agree,
I've never written one that went exactly
as it was intended when I started.
And you have to be prepared to pivot,
change your approach, change strategies along the way,
and when we're a very big organization
that's difficult to do.
When you're small and you're the only decision maker,
it's very quick to change your mind.
And the reason getting the measuring right along the way
and a projection is to make sure that we are brave enough
to concede when actually what we thought
was gonna be the right approach
in the current circumstances isn't working.
And there will be things in here that look right now
that won't look so great in 12 months time.
Some of them will be going ahead gangbusters
and some of them not so much.
So getting that measuring right is crucial.
so that we can intervene at the right time.
So I said, you know what, with the best of intentions,
that's not working, let's change approach.
And because, and we've got to listen
to the business feedback as well
because they're the crucial things.
Why haven't businesses invested in West Yorkshire before?
Why do we not have the productivity?
We know it's around mass transit,
we know it's around productivity,
we know it's around the skills gap.
They're things that this authority can and should
and is doing something about.
But if our approach isn't working,
got to be ready to to hold our hands up and change it. Absolutely and devolution
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 0:28:24
gives us that opportunity to be agile. Councillor Love. Thank you Mayor. Reading
Cllr Cllr. Martin Love Bradford Council - 0:28:29
through the the draft I couldn't help thinking that that if this had been
produced ten years ago or even five years ago it wouldn't have had the same
level of emphasis on sustainability and movement towards net zero in 2038 so in
that respect it's a very impressive document. There's just one paragraph in there which
I think could negate so much of the good things in there which is about the investment in
Leesbethad Airport and the proposal to increase passenger numbers and flights and the proposed
expansion of the airport and its capacity could reverse so much of the good things that
It will be a great shame on that.
Thank you, Councillor Love.
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 0:29:19
We will have to agree to disagree on that paragraph,
because to grow our economy, we need a thriving airport.
We've had these discussions many times,
and we do disagree on that, because you've seen
the growth at Greater Manchester.
We can't have our businesses relying on Manchester Airport
and then trundling everything over the Pennines.
It's it's not it doesn't feel sensible. We do disagree on that. But thank you for raising your concerns
Mandy
If I can just come back on that point to somebody who works in aerospace
Mandy Ridyard (West Yorkshire Business Board) - 0:29:51
I completely understand your concerns
And I like the fact that sustainability is throughout all of this for all of the reasons that you you're concerned by I think we have
adaptation
and legislation and innovation in our toolkit
to help reduce the impact of what you're talking about.
And as somebody who sits on an innovation council
within aerospace, I think pushing that agenda
allows us to reduce what you're concerned about
but at the same time enable businesses and people
to move around in a way that we'd all like to.
So I think it's important that we keep an eye on it,
but it's important that we keep pushing on
that innovation button and that is something that I know we're very keen on
in this region. Thank you and I would hate the Councillor to misunderstand that I
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 0:30:42
not minded to also press as Mandy has said aerospace companies the airport
Vincent at the airport about doing more so it's not a cavalier approach because
I am also reassured by the government's new
Approach about regarding more sustainable fuels etc. So I think to Mandy's point innovation is the key
but I would hate you to
Misinterpret what I said that it was a cavalier because it's also about innovation and investment in the future
Thank you
Thank you, Mandy for reminding me of all the good work that we're doing behind the scenes on things like that
concerns
briefly, I've got
Plans for an implementation plan coming forward for example the on pages 114 115 you talk about the monitoring indicators
Cllr Barry Anderson (Chair) - 0:31:40
You've got a very high level, which is fine
That's not a problem, but setting what the baseline figure is at the moment so that we can monitor
what's moved and also on top of that as well what level of investment is going
to be needed in order to make a significant difference in those areas.
Now I'm not expecting it to be in this high -level document but have you got
plans to bring forward an implementation plan? Thank you yeah Sarah. Yeah so
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 0:32:08
obviously this is this is this kind of the strategy and to follow up on the
Sarah Eaton, Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority) - 0:32:10
strategy to be a kind of a detailed action plan I think we've got kind of
Impact measures that we look at in the state of the region,
which look long term around the impacts that we'll be making.
But obviously, as we're looking at specific interventions,
Sarah Eaton, Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority) - 0:32:23
we will need monitoring indicators
that are tracking progress on a much more frequent basis.
And we will look at them internally,
but we will be bringing them forward
for consideration in the various committees
as and when those interventions are being pulled forward
and discussed in more detail.
So yeah, that's a really important factor
of kind of delivering delivering the plan and something that we're trying to strengthen in terms of our overall approach to performance
In any case so you can definitely make sure that we can keeping you updated on progress
Thank you so much. Okay, so we happy to recommend the combined authority of proven adopt
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 0:32:58
Oh a short growth plan a set out in appendix one
We are lovely. Thank you so much moving on to work and health

7 Work and Health

Now this item is an update on employment support with a focus on the links as I said in my opening remarks between health and work and
About the 20 million that we've been allocated in our region and this paper outlines
Outlines the plans we have to make the most of this funding
working closely with partners in health local authorities and
The Department of Work and pensions now economic inactivity is a growing issue for us here in West Yorkshire
many residents facing significant barriers to employment, including ill health.
This not only impacts individuals and families, but poses a real threat to the item we've just been discussing, which is our growth plan.
Now, we're doing a great deal of work in this area, and government have actually recognised this with the additional support we're getting.
So I'm really want to put on record my thanks to this the team to have already in place this project
in an iteration that works for us and now government have
Reflected their support for it by giving us this extra funding
So Michelle Burton our head of employment skills, could you take us through the paper and recommendations, please?
Michelle Burton, Officer (West Yorkshire Combined Authority) - 0:34:21
Yeah, very happy to thank you. Thank you very much. So and this paper summarizes
is quite a lot in this very fast growing agenda.
So in terms of economic inactivity,
as a reminder for this committee,
that huge figure, which is higher
than the national average, 26 .3 % of people in West Yorkshire
are economically inactive.
That's basically everyone who's not in employment
and has not been looking for work in the last four weeks
and isn't able to start work in the next two weeks.
So it includes quite a broad range of different types
of people.
So people that are retired, people that are in education,
people who choose not to work for all sorts
of different reasons.
But about a quarter of those people
are not available for the labor force
and for long -term health -related issues.
And that's one of our greatest economic challenges.
So this paper summarizes our current approach
as a region to this societal and economic challenge.
And summarizes the strong partnership
that's already in place, which them
has recognized between governments and the health
system.
So national, regional, and local government
bringing together the employment support and health related
parts of the system.
So we have got a strong partnership in place and great foundations with the Employment
West Yorkshire model which has long delivered to support people into and within work.
This paper provides a summary of the strategic work that we're doing and there is an executive
summary of the work skills and health plan included as an appendix to the paper.
And then we've also provided a summary of those investments that the Mayor made
reference to that we've very very recently been being announced in the
Greckeft Britain working white paper. So the trailblazer, the accelerator and the
connect to work and investments. Now this is a complex agenda and I would
therefore really like to draw your attention to the to the diagram in
appendix 3 where we've tried to bring together the system in a way that we
hope is helpful to members of this committee
to get across the different cohorts that
could benefit from those different schemes.
So with this paper, we're asking you
to note and support the approach that we're taking.
I'm very happy to answer questions.
And also, we're asking for authorization
to be given to the chief executive in consultation
with the Mayor and the Chair of the Economy Committee, it was Councillor Lewis, to accept
the funding that will come from these three different funding streams, but also to progress
the programme design and implementation, which we're conscious will need to happen over the
coming weeks. So we need to work across the partnership to get delivery plans in place,
and so we're seeking the delegation to the Chief Executive to approve that.
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 0:37:31
Thank you so much and the way that you've hid the wiring over the last three years is
incredible and that's why we're making the case to government that we want more autonomy
around skills and learning and enabling people to have those opportunities to get into work
so thank you and I am very grateful for the map because it's a complicated landscape and
that gives it a lot of clarity. So questions? Yes, Councillor Lamb.
Yeah, thank you. I'm hoping, sorry, it's another very impressive document and hopefully it
does what's intended. I've asked this question a few, I started off
Cllr Alan Lamb Leeds City Council - 0:38:05
when I first started
thinking I should probably know the answer, but nobody's been able to give it to me yet,
so it made me feel a bit better, but I hope to get some clarity. So it's around the skills
gap and how we deal with apprenticeships and if I could give an example of a young man
that lives in my ward, and I have a small property developer
who would like to take the young man on as an apprentice brick
layer.
And he's very keen to be an apprentice brick layer,
but they can't because he has really struggled
to pass his maths GCSE.
Very bright and lots of other regards,
but I think he's on attempt four.
And the conclusion is not that he's not good at maths.
He's not good at exams in maths.
He's very capable of being a bricklayer and has all the attributes that he needs.
The employer would like to give him a job, he would like to have the job, but he can't
because the system doesn't allow it. He can't be taken on as an apprentice unless he paths his maths.
And the employer is getting utterly fed up and at the point of saying,
I'm not taking an apprentice again because this is ridiculous.
The communication with the colleges and things is another example.
but who decides that that is a key requirement that is non -negotiable when in this situation you think
that that's
The young man is getting depressed and is now getting mental health support because he's come to the conclusion
He is never going to be accepted into the labor market because he can't pass his master GCSE and that's crazy
We have to do something about that with you council. I'm Michelle
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 0:39:46
OK, so I'm going to take the most straightforward part
Michelle Burton, Officer (West Yorkshire Combined Authority) - 0:39:48
of your question, which is who decides?
And that is a national requirement
that as part of apprenticeships, you
have to have the maths and English in order
to progress down that route.
That's the most straightforward part of your question
to answer.
So that is part of the national standard,
and that is a national approach.
However, the good news is that at a West Yorkshire level,
there is quite a lot of support for people
to pass their maths and English to navigate this complex system.
So I will get your details afterwards,
and we'll see what we can do to support through the Devolve
funding that we have.
So we are people learning in different ways.
And one of the things that we've really
innovated in West Yorkshire is delivering
maths in particular in different ways that work
for different types of learners.
So I really hope that there's something
that the advisors here in West Yorkshire
are able to help with.
So I think that the so we'll take offline the specific example, and I hope that helps answer your question
Thank You councillor Lam. Yeah. No, thank you for that. So
Given you're seeing the Chancellor this afternoon
Could you ask her to do something quickly in the form of a ministerial statement and give flexibility?
To employers and colleges to be able to say actually
This shouldn't be the barrier for that young man, and I suspect hundreds and thousands
of others around the country, to being able to access employment.
And we could fix a lot of this pretty quickly by just getting a bit of bureaucracy out of
the way.
Thank you.
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 0:41:24
Whilst it might not be in the Chancellor's remit, I want to just reassure you that I
was on a call with Bridget Philipson, the Minister for – Secretary of State for Education,
and we are making the case that we need to support young people from 16 so we can make our own decisions about who goes into
apprenticeships etc and that case was
Loudly made by not just me but other mayors as well
so there are problems inherent in the system that if we had more autonomy and ownership over we could definitely
Get better outcomes. So
Was it won't be on the agenda today?
rest assured that I have raised it and we will continue to raise it as an issue
that is blocking young people from getting on to that ladder of opportunity.
Councillor Galton. Thanks Mayor and following on from the previous paper we
Cllr Stewart Golton Leeds City Council - 0:42:15
discussed I'm very encouraged to see that the only sector which has
particularly been mentioned in this paper is health and social care and it's
mentioned as an area where you hope that the work that you're doing will actually lead
to development and expansion of that workforce. But I didn't see any detail in the rest of
the paper as to how that was happening. So is the wiring hidden on that one as well?
Can you give us an update in terms of what is the strategy there?
I see you have a particular focus on this and it may be possible to just send Councillor
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 0:42:54
in a note?
No, I'd rather hear it.
OK.
Michelle Burton, Officer (West Yorkshire Combined Authority) - 0:43:00
So I think you're looking at the part of the paper that
relates to the accelerator in particular.
And so what our focus on economic activity
is about getting people closer to and into the labor
market across all sectors.
You're absolutely right.
It's not cut by sector.
We're not trying to get people into work
in a particular sector.
But absolutely, having a health and social care workforce
that delivers, that's innovative, that's agile,
that's efficient, is crucial to support people into work.
So it's not so our focus on health and social care
is about addressing the economic inactivity problem.
And the workforce in health and social care
is absolutely essential.
And it's therefore, you're absolutely right,
underpins a lot of what's in the local growth plan,
doesn't it, because we need a healthy workforce in order
to drive employment in those sectors.
Employment in the health and social care sector
is not a driver of the economy per se,
but it is incredibly important to deliver
all of the ambitions in the local growth plan.
And economic inactivity is a blocker and a barrier
to all of the ambitions that are put forward
in the local growth plan.
And also just to reassure that one of our agile responses
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 0:44:12
to a recruitment crisis in health and social care
was the million pounds that we approved as a board
To train people in towns and social care
So hopefully that answers your question council Galton
Very good and any other questions
Thank you so much Michelle for that
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 0:44:32
So the report asks members to note and support the strategic approach to addressing health barriers to work and seeks approval for the chief
executive in consultation with myself the mayor and the economy
um uh committee chair to accept funding and progress
related program development with key partners quite a mouthful are we happy
to approve thank you all so much and i'm pleased
um it's a reward for the team because that you've
worked so hard doing this work already so moving on to item eight business
planning and budgets and the next item on the agenda is an
update on our business planning and budget proposals for 25 26

8 Business Planning and Budgets

and beyond and some of our budget as you know as a board is fixed and set
particularly in relation to capital spending this budget sets out how we'll
continue to deliver on our ambitions for bus franchising and mass transit but
there are some areas where we have greater flexibility such as how we spend
our gain share from government how we work with colleagues around the table to
use the transport levy a single settlement from government kicking in
from April 26, will offer us greater flexibility.
And we'll be working over the course of this year
alongside government how to implement this.
And the local growth plan we've set out today
sets out some of our bold ambitions.
But at present, we haven't secured all the funding
we need to deliver on them.
Of course, we're going to have to wait for the spending review
next spring, summer for that to be confirmed.
So this means that this year, we need
to make some choices about how we allocate our resources to best meet our
ambitions we have. Now obviously I don't need to tell colleagues around this
table how difficult it's been. The last couple of years the financial
environment that you're operating in, we're all operating in, and local
authority partners in particular are facing some incredibly difficult
decisions over the coming weeks and we as WICA are not immune to those
challenges. However as the report clearly outlines we've made some significant
progress in aligning priorities and planning for the future.
So thank you to the partners around this table for the heavy lifting you've been doing recently
as we collaborate, working towards ensuring the financial stability of our combined efforts.
And if I may just add that from afar, we are seen as a mature MCA that really does collaborate
well and cooperate and that admiration is the hard work that you've all put in.
So thank you for that. We are not one plus five, we are a family of six and we
all need each other to be successful. So the work done so far particularly in
identifying key priorities across the sectors such as transport, we've
discussed all this transport skills and regeneration, will be crucial in
supporting the delivery of our shared ambitions and the proposals set out in
this paper are designed to strike that balance between addressing immediate pressures and
securing long -term growth for West Yorkshire.
Now while we face uncertainties, I'm confident that with this continued partnership approach,
we can navigate the challenges ahead.
There is also a reference in this paper to the pay award being negotiated with the unions,
And I believe that there is an update on this if I could come first to Alan Risa
Chief operating officer to updates on that and then I will go to Angela Taylor director of finance and commercial services
To take us through the paper. Thank you, Alan
Thank you, ma 'am
Yes at the time of publication of the papers the pay award for this
Alan Reiss, Chief Operating Officer (West Yorkshire Combined Authority) - 0:48:12
financial year 24 25 had not yet been settled
Since the publication of the papers agreement has now been reached
So colleagues across the command authority now have certainty about what their pay for 24 -25 is.
That creates a slight additional pressure which is containable within this year's budgets
and the addition to the payroll will be built into future years.
Thank you so much.
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 0:48:44
And I want to thank colleagues who have taken a measured approach and given it some thought
and to also continue the encouragement for colleagues to join the union
Because it is in collaboration with unions that we keep front of mind
the workforce needs
Particularly in a cost of living crisis. So thank you so over to you Angela for the paper
Thank you mayor and
Angela Taylor, Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority) - 0:49:13
You had a paper at the last meeting in October which set up business planning and budget
It set out the work that was underway.
It also set out a range of challenges, risks, pressures,
and a collection of unknowns.
Since then, work has been continuing.
We filled in some of the unknowns.
We have made some progress.
And the paper today brings forward
a bit of an update on progress and some decisions
to help take us forward so we can bring full paper back
to the 30th of January meeting where the intention is
to set the Green Business Plan, the budget, and the transport
levy.
The work won't stop there because there will be further announcements from government in spring next year in terms of spending reviews in terms of future funding
So and I think you'll expect to see budget papers quite frequently and going forward into next year
The first section of the paper picks up the work on the priorities
with the emerging corporate priorities aligned with the missions and
These are being further turned into specific actions and outcomes and you will see that for the work at the January meeting
The next section then moves on to the budget and reflecting what the Mayor said in her introduction.
We're doing this at a time of extreme financial difficulty.
Local government is having severe challenges in setting budgets and there is obviously a clear need for us to ensure that we are all aligned in working together.
as the mayor said in the six when we are all dependent on each other for
delivering the priorities and ambitions of the region and
Reminder in there of the key shared priorities for West Yorkshire which include the bus franchising must transit skills
Culture regen and the capital investment and since the last meeting we have had some funding and agreed and and that was covered
So that was covered earlier in terms of connect to work
We've also had clarification of the B set the bus service improvement plan
Which allows us to unlock part of our budget challenges for the year
So the paper goes on to set out the pressures on the transport revenue budget
which alongside the usual general inflationary contract inflation pressures and
particularly acute in bus -tended services and concessionary travel and
There's also a reminder of the commitment that was made earlier this year that we need to maintain bus services at
the March 24 level so that we go into bus franchising
in a positive and healthy position.
And a reminder that the bus franchising business case
assumed that increase in the transport levy,
which we've not been able to increase in this region
for some time but will need to be increased by 2 %
from 26, 27 to match the commitments from business case.
There's a reminder of the capital pressures
which you've covered in earlier on in the summer
in terms of the inflation and delivery pressures,
the resource and capacity constraints
on delivering the capital program.
So lots of problems, lots of challenges,
but then we move on to hopefully unlocking some
of those and some solutions.
The confirmation of the BSIP, as I said before,
helps move on with the decision on fares.
So paragraph 336 sets out a number of proposed changes
to the very successful Mayor's Fares scheme
And some constant changes to day saver ticket and also under 19
So the proposal here is that some of that B. CIP funding is used to enable
Bus fare to move from the current two -pound level rather move to the three -pound national to move to two pound fifty from
30th of March 2025 through to the end of December
It also then sets out the change the day saver that's needed because that changes as the adult single fare cap moves
And also an update to the under 19's fares
Which are being simplified from the three bands into two bands again these prices to run through to the end of next December
They're here today because there needs to be a lead in time for making the changes
And further work on pricing and ticket strategy will be coming forward next year
ahead of those end of December dates on the transport capital and
We talked in other meetings of a new approach to make sure we're prioritizing the most strategic projects, the highest strategic fit, getting them moving quickly, moving at pace.
This paper proposes a change in the way in which we reimburse partner authorities.
So for those projects that have got through to the final stage, in delivery, they're contracted, out on the streets, happening.
rather than reimburse partners in arrears
from funding that we have already received,
we'll make a payment in advance
to ease cash flow pressures for partners
and to hopefully make life a little bit simpler.
On non -transport, it's the gain share
that's been used primarily to allow us to move forward
on a number of fronts.
And four years ago, we set out a program,
you agreed, at the Director of Travel
for where the gains should be spent and we've had a number of projects here over
the years across skills, business, region, culture and that have all been delivered
across the region. We've also had UK shared prosperity fund. We are still
we've been advised that there is a further transition year of funding. We
still don't know what that is looking like but we are working on some
assessment of what that could be alongside the gains share and we are in
the midst of working with partners to develop a program of revenue interventions across
the non -transport agenda and bring those back to this meeting in January with the budget.
That would cover to the end of the mayoral term, so again there's a package we're looking
across a number of years and give confidence to get moving on a number of projects.
Also looking to develop up a revenue fund, sorry, a capital program which is funded by
gain share revenue.
So the capital program would incur borrowing costs, that borrowing would be met by the
gain share.
That's previously been discussed, recognizing the gain share isn't inflation linked, so
its purchasing power is declining.
So there's two parallel programs being worked up of revenue gain share projects and a capital
program that own deep discussions with partners about what to bring forward and hope to bring
those back with the budget in January.
Reflecting back on the need that we all need to be able to deliver against shared priorities, there is a further commitment sought today which is to agree in principle for the 30 million of capacity funding for partners across the time through to the end of 27 -28.
That's in principle because we need to take it through our assurance process as usual, but as soon as that's done we bring that back for full approval, ideally as early as possible in the new year.
And that's to ensure that partners do have that capacity to focus on the the shared priorities
In areas where there are probably some very severe budget pressures on the local authorities
And I'll pause at that and I think just to say finally any
input today will be will help shape the final budget that comes forward in January and also finalize a
budget engagement which we're putting the finishing touches to more finalize
and subsequent to this meeting thank you thank you so much and thank you for the
work that you and your team have done to get us to this point comments
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 0:56:43
yes
councilor Galton thank you man we referenced the letter that was sent to
Cllr Stewart Golton Leeds City Council - 0:56:53
the Transport Commissioner earlier and there was significant concern around the
performance of certain bus operators and we've now got the new bus service improvement fund.
And franchising isn't going to happen until very early 2027. Have we had an evaluation
at the enhanced bus partnership level as to what needs to happen to leverage best value
out of the bus service improvement plan subsidies to bus operators to get better
functionality out of them given the service failure which we've suffered for
instance in the Wakefield area with Areva where they've had consistent
subsidy through the bus service improvement plan for through the mayor's
fairs but also of course through subsidy of specific routes to increase the
frequency and I just wondered if there had been an evaluation at the enhanced bus partnership level which is the current model
for driving performance in our bus services in prior to
Franchising coming in to see how we can make a difference with the money that we've got
Considering it's increased as well, hasn't it? Because there's a deprivation level which means with this year
We've got an extra one and a half million. I think in our bus service improvement plan
so
So have we had a rethink about how we can make sure that that consistent level of service,
which is mentioned in terms of what we need to have in place for bus franchising, is actually
more likely to happen given the service failure we've had so far?
Thank you, Councillor Galton. We know who we're talking about and we know it's been
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 0:58:44
an absolute disaster in Wakefield and I feel for the people of Wakefield and that's why,
perfect example of why we made the decision to bring buses back into public
control because we cannot be held to ransom by failing bus companies. Simon.
Simon Warburton, Executive Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority) - 0:59:03
Thank you, Mayor. So firstly to address the situation with with regard to Ariba,
some members will be aware that in order to address their central issue within
Ariba which is their ability to recruit and retain sufficient drivers. Ariba have
undertaken a review of the network which they have been operating to date and have served notice
of the withdrawal of a number of those services. So in the first instance the focus of our efforts
has then been on working with the industry to understand which of those services other
operators are prepared to step forward on and where we need to undertake any
activities making use of public subsidy in order to maintain the network that
process is coming to a conclusion I think very positively we've seen a number
of operators interestingly in the context of the forthcoming franchising
process including new operators into West Yorkshire who are showing an
interest in taking some of those services which is clearly a very
positive early dividend if you like of of the change that there is to come so
so so so that's stage one is to ensure that we have the same network out there
from January onwards as we've seen at the moment albeit provided in a slightly different way.
Stage two then is absolutely for us to continue to maintain a dialogue through the Enhanced Bus
partnership around the viability of the network as it stands at present and
therefore the anticipated provision that we need to make over the next two
to three years to ensure that the network stays out there. Competition law
precludes us from that becoming a very explicit conversation with incumbent
operators around how we use subsidy that would take us outside of the
provisions of competition legislation even within an agreed enhanced bus
partnership but what the bus partnership does allow us to do is to have operators
in a far more regular dialogue than would otherwise be the case to help us
to anticipate with them where challenges may lie.
The maintenance of the fares policy in the background has also seen an increase in demand across bus travel
and that's very helpful in terms of the stability of the network at the same time
and helps us in terms of projecting those future assumptions.
So yes, we're absolutely making use of the partnership.
There are limitations within which how we can use the partnership,
which in many ways is the reason why we brought forward the advice
to the Commander Authority and to the Mayor to pursue franchising.
And right now our number one focus is to make sure
that as Areva withdraw from those services in the new year,
we can maintain the network and then see the benefits which are Eva have assured
us will follow in terms of a more reliable provision of the services that
they will continue to provide because they have rationalized the demand on on
their driver compliment Thank You Simon it's a it's a moving feast isn't it
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 1:03:14
particularly when they're trying to pull services at short it short notice
Kelsey Jeffrey
Yeah, thank you
Cllr Denise Jeffery (Wakefield Council) - 1:03:23
Thank you for bringing it forward. What great field is suffering more than anyone else?
With the areva situation. It's it's really it's been really bad a bad situation
And I'm grateful to the command authority for the work that that Simon is doing
to try and find new operators because we had a situation a few weeks ago where they were going to cut services.
We wouldn't be able to get kids to school.
People couldn't get to the hospital appointments at Pinfield Hospital and it does affect your area as well.
So we're doing all we can, working with Simon and his team and your team, Tracy, to see what we can do.
but you know we're taking no prisoners with a river we've made it pretty plain
when we had a meeting with them the other week just how we feel about them
and the business of not being able to get enough drivers you have to ask
yourself why can't they get enough drivers you know what is wrong with the
company that people don't actually want to work with them I'm sorry to say that
but I feel really angry I wouldn't have raised it again but I've raised it in a
Number of places and I feel really angry about how my district has been treated
Thank You counselor and certainly our bus driver training program
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 1:04:46
delivered up 150 drivers and only a handful
Wanted to then go and work for a river
So also to reassure you counselor Jeffrey that the first tranche of bus franchising
our hope is that by 27 not 28 that
Wakefield and district will have fully franchised buses
So you will be in first in the queue and I know it's a great need not just for Wakefield but Leeds and and into Kirklees as well
councillor lamb
Yeah, thank you, man. There's two separate issues. I'd like to raise so first on
2 .3. We're talking about the gain share funding
And we all it's one of the quirks of devolution that we all have
An interest in this around the table and a conflict that if I put my lead City Council hat on
I'd like the combined authority of us as much money as possible with the least amount of strings attached as possible
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 1:05:45
Which item counselor sorry I'm looking at the gain share from the in the recommendations 2 .3
So we're agreeing the principle of 30 million of revenue gain share for partner capacity funding
Thank you, I've got it, thank you
so yeah, so
Cllr Alan Lamb Leeds City Council - 1:06:03
Yeah, as I said, my point is from a lead city council perspective, I'd like as much money as possible with the fewest strings attached as possible.
When I put my combined authority board member hat on, I want to know what the strings are, so what are we getting for the money and what are we holding them to account for.
So that's really the question what what is it that we're expecting in return as a combined authority?
Or is the intention that we are trying to support partner councils by giving them some money they can use flexibly
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 1:06:35
Thank You council and this is obviously money to 2028
Angela could come to you. Yeah
Angela Taylor, Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority) - 1:06:41
So the reference before to the assurance process is because we do need to understand what what we what the combined authority is getting for
that money.
We went through that with the previous rounds of gains share.
And we have a long list of things
that happened because the gains share money was there
with partners covering things like development of climate
projects, of digital skills.
There's a long list of them.
We do do an evaluation of the work that's done.
So that's why it's an in principle decision
today because we do need to see set out what those outcomes are.
And that would come forward in terms of the final approval.
So there are strings attached the balances as you say it's making sure that and they're not too constraining
But equally that we do get value for money from it because it is public money
We are accountable for and it has to align with our priorities as a
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 1:07:30
combined authority
And absolutely and in terms of the conflict and I think it's Caroline
Angela Taylor, Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority) - 1:07:35
go to we're going to give a response on that
If I may I'll come to Caroline
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 1:07:39
sorry if I can come to council hinge clip yeah I mean obviously the mayor has
Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe (Bradford Council) - 1:07:47
been really really clear about priorities about deliver deliver deliver
and I think we would all agree with that across West Yorkshire and that is
something that we're all united on so actually our objectives whether it's
councils or combined authority are actually the same we all want to deliver
growth and a future better jobs for our residents being here on skills you know
So I think our objectives are very much aligned and therefore this I think is just all about align those objectives and make sure we move
Faster to deliver as you say now and certainly it's giving certainty
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 1:08:19
for the future because as you know local authorities have been
Given short -term funding. It's hard to plan and this gives this proposal gives certainty
For jobs particularly going forward Ben
Thank You chair. I think it's just important to see this in the context of the previous item the local growth plan
And this is about ensuring that, as Councilor Lynchkiff says,
Ben Still, Chief Executive (West Yorkshire Combined Authority) - 1:08:39
all the partners have got the capacity to do the preparatory work
and deliver the elements of that plan.
Thank you, Ben.
Caroline, is there anything you want to add regarding,
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 1:08:54
obviously, it's in principle and how we get that sort of robust assurance?
Yes, Chair. Just on the point of conflicts of interest
and I suppose for the transparency of the minutes,
Caroline Norreys, Assistant Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority) - 1:09:03
all combined authority members and their substitutes
have been granted a dispensation by the combined authority to enable them to participate and
vote on matters which relate to their business in terms of their own host local authority.
We recognise as a combined authority and we've got the agenda items we're about to come to,
this is all around growth across the region.
It inevitably means that decisions are going to be taken that will affect partner councils
and in order for the business of the combined authority to continue, those members need
to be able to take part in those decisions.
So those dispensations are in place.
That does go through a process.
And it's clear in terms that dispensation relates solely
to a member's role as an elected representative of their partner
council.
It does not cover scenarios where a member may
stand to gain a personal financial gain or otherwise.
So it's very clear it's around the business.
But I hope for the transparency purposes
that that gives some comfort that we have got our ducks in order. Thank you so
much. Councillor Loughlin. Thank you and apologies if I gave the impression I was
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 1:10:11
challenging the right to make the decision. I'm not suggesting anyone's
Cllr Alan Lamb Leeds City Council - 1:10:14
doing anything wrong it's more the mental flip you've got to do when you're
considering this. So the follow -up question would be when do we get to see
the outcomes of the previous round of gain share funding and if we got what we
expecting to get and then how are we going to measure going forward what we
get because I don't recall seeing that come back here so I may have missed it
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 1:10:42
or forgotten. Thank you I wonder Sarah are you able to answer that before I
come to Angela? So we're basically working with local authorities to try and
understand that picture and obviously we'll be doing that work over
Sarah Eaton, Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority) - 1:10:54
the next
period and we'll have some kind of identification of that out in the paper
but I think we have got to do that piece of work over this next period of time.
It's quite a tight time scale for us to be able to kind of progress that,
but obviously really important in terms of kind of being able to kind of bring that paper back in January.
Thank you so much. And there may be an opportunity for an early
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 1:11:18
sighting of some examples.
If, Angela, you mentioned a couple of things, so maybe if we could circulate some good examples
of where we've seen evidence of that capacity funding saving jobs and
continuing on our priorities for a combined authority.
Councillor Lamm. Thank you. Sorry to labour the point I think it's not
Cllr Alan Lamb Leeds City Council - 1:11:40
an
unreasonable request to say before we commit another 30 million even in
principle that we do have sites and understanding of what happened to the
previous iteration of the funding that we we committed so I'll look forward to
received that if I could go on to my second issue on this paper of course but
if I could just jump in and say I don't think anybody thinks is an unreasonable
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 1:12:01
request so thank you for raising that thank you so at the last meeting we
deferred the item about bus fares and under 19 travel and we were going to
have a separate meeting and that's now been merged into into this meeting so
So when we discussed it last, I asked if we could look into the cross -boundary issues
given the extra time that we had.
And I haven't been given the information yet, and I haven't seen it in the papers that we
asked for around how many young people in particular are affected by those cross -boundary
issues.
I appreciate it's not necessarily easy to quantify, but it doesn't seem that we've taken
the opportunity or done anything to address that.
And so while it's welcome that,
well, you have to recognize fares are increasing
for many people from March next year,
for a lot of our residents on outer areas
right across the region,
they are still having to pay significantly higher fares.
And the two pound 50 or two pound is of no benefit to them
because they've got the equivalent
is four pounds 50 or five pounds
if you live in an outlying area
and need to access employment, leisure,
or
Education somewhere else Thank You councillor Lam
And that's one of the reasons why I'm very excited about the white rose agreement
In the new year that will be signing with David scathed the mayor of your cannot Yorkshire and the mayor of South Yorkshire Oliver Coppard
Because this is a classic example of cross -border working where we can support our communities
To move around the whole of Yorkshire
And of course, we'll have a new mayor in East riding and hole in May and I'm hoping that I that
Group of four mayors can do a lot more of this cross -boundary work
But it's it's a fair point that we haven't got back to you, but I'm sure Simon is underway with that work
Thank you, ma 'am. Yes apologies
Simon Warburton, Executive Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority) - 1:14:01
Council lamb if you were expected within this report, obviously this report is simply a budget report. We are bringing
a much more thorough update on the implications for the forward action plan
against the bus service improvement plan to the next meeting of the Transport
Committee and I was anticipating picking up that issue of cross boundary travel
as part of that so yeah apologies if you were expecting to see it in this report.
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 1:14:30
Thank you. Okeydoke. All happy to move on? Good stuff. So can we agree the
recommendation that the combined authority endorse in principle use of revenue gainshare to support ongoing initiatives till 27 28
approve the revised pricing structure for the mayor's fairs day saver and under 19 fairs for implementation 25
implement advanced payments for capital projects to improve cash flow and
commit to 30 million in capacity funding between 25 and 28
To support local authority partners in delivering shared objectives
Happy to agree
Council lamb yep, so I just like to record an abstention of these recommendations, please
Cllr Alan Lamb Leeds City Council - 1:15:13
One abstention can we take a
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 1:15:21
View please. Thank you so much brilliant and moving on
Thank you
project item 9 project approvals

9 Project Approvals

This first approval report relates to the investment zone program
So if I could come to Liz Hunter our director of policing environment and place to take through the recommendations, please
Liz Hunter, Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority) - 1:15:42
Thank you, man, and so there are three areas for approval here. So the first one is around and
Committing further resource to planning. So when we went through the investment zone proposal with government and as you will will remember
We've secured kind of 80 million pounds over the next five years
part of that proposal was to have dedicated and planning and
supporting local authorities so that there is extra capacity to accelerate work and
So it'd be things like technical works viability support etc that we will bring
forward and the second approval is for Bradford University and
This is about them being able to purchase advanced manufacturing machinery
This is then offered to SMEs for them small medium -sized businesses sorry for
them to be able to use the kit and to be able to test their products which would
otherwise not be usually it'd be obtainable given the cost of the kit
upfront and this is really helpful in enabling businesses to innovate their
products and processes. And then the third approval is 700 ,000 pounds for the
continuation and
finalization of the Emily Sidon building at in Huddersfield
And this enables them to complete their health and well -being innovation center creating things like lab spaces
And specialist facilities which should open in 2026. Thank you
Thank you any comments at council and
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 1:17:11
Thank you, but it's a it's a broad comment if I may I'm not going to give a police and I'm not going to specifics
of all of the approvals
Cllr Alan Lamb Leeds City Council - 1:17:17
Apologies, we're just looking at the agenda and apologies for this.
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 1:17:26
It's slightly back
to front and I've got a different version. So we are slightly confused here. So I don't
know if I need to unravel your contribution. I don't think I do, Liz. But we will move
on to transport.
No, chair, I think keep going through the variables and then we'll circle back to silence.
So great places and infrastructure. Apologies everyone. It is a disaster when the chair has a different set of papers, but we work through it. Thank you.
Back to you, Councillor Lamb.
Thank you, Mayor. It's a broad point on the... I'm not going to comment on any of the specific projects, but in our briefings earlier,
made the point that in a lot of cases now,
this is the only place for any democratic oversight.
There's a good assurance framework,
which we've reassured that it's an exemplar in the country,
which is great, but it is really important
that democracy plays its part,
and a lot of these areas, I don't know the specifics,
I don't know the areas, I can read the reports,
but the bit that's missing is I don't know
what local people think, what local representatives
think and I just a suggestion that outside of the meeting perhaps we could have a look
at finding a way to balance the right and proper needs that we want to get things done
quickly and get things moving but to make sure there's opportunity for local representatives
to have their input and that we can see that either they're happy with what's proposed
or that they have concerns we might be wanting to proceed anyway but it's right and proper
that we should know that when they've had the opportunity to engage with them.
And that's why on big projects like must transit and boss franchising
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 1:19:11
we have absolutely why the widest
Consultation possible but Liz I wonder if you want to come back on how how the public can feedback
Thank you
Liz Hunter, Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority) - 1:19:23
Often when this projects coming forward and as you say the the sponsor or the local authority runs a kind of consultation
that's related to to the
of what they're trying to deliver.
I think it's interesting around investment zones
that some of these are projects which we are funding
as the scheme has already started.
So the Health Innovation Center in Huddersfield
is a good example where we're able to complete that.
But we're very happy outside of these meetings
to talk to you about the process
for each of the individual schemes and the overall program.
Because I think it's right that, as you say,
local people are able to input into the scheme development.
Thank you.
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 1:20:06
Any further comments on the investment zone and place
and people?
OK, so if we are happy to approve the investment zone
program, investment zone capital, the Bradford University
Digitization Hub, and the investment zone capital
for the National Health Innovation Campus,
happy to approve?
Great stuff.
And if anybody is in Kirklees, do
have a chance to go and see the building there,
because it's a phenomenal building and the second one is on its way out of the ground.
There are six of these amazing buildings led by the University
and it's going to really put us on the map with Health and Life Sciences.
So congratulations to all of Kirkley's. Liz?
So just to confirm, can we also confirm the planning, so there's the
Liz Hunter, Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority) - 1:20:52
three approvals just for the minutes if that's alright, Chair?
Thank you so much. Happy to approve those three?
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 1:20:58
Lovely, thank you so much.
Not yet, we're about to move on to transport now,
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 1:21:08
Councillor Galton. We have got some order back in the chair, so we know what we're doing.
So thank you so much. So let's move on to project approvals, investment priority five,
delivering sustainable, integrated, inclusive and affordable transport.
The next project report provides details of seven schemes recommended to progress through the assurance process,
with the delegation of approval of one scheme to the CA's chief executive. So
before I ask Simon Warburton our executive director for transport to take
through his recommendations, I just want to say something briefly on the balance
between public and private risk as part of these recommendations, particularly in
relation to lead city bikes. I am absolutely committed to making this bike
scheme work and I want this to be expanded to other parts of the region
in Bradford and Kirklees in the first instance,
but I'm really frustrated that we keep having to come back
to seek additional public resource to support the scheme.
This is a public -private partnership,
and I would have expected to see a greater balance
of risk being shared.
This isn't to say there hasn't been massive challenges
in how the scheme's been delivered,
and I really now hope the operator is able to overcome these
and protect the assets as we would see they should.
This also does require the support of the public too
and to ensure that they are treating the scheme
with the respect it needs to succeed.
Because if you are damaging these bikes,
if they're always in maintenance,
they will not be there for the public to use
and the scheme will not work.
So I would say to everybody in the community,
use the bikes, it's an amazing opportunity.
The new bikes are going to be lighter and less open to damage. It is a great
opportunity for us to make this bike scheme work but I just want to make sure
that everybody is aware that this scheme has to work but we all need to pull our
weight to make it work. So on that note can I pass over to Simon to run through
the scheme please. Thank you, so very briefly to talk through the
Simon Warburton, Executive Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority) - 1:23:19
the recommendations the first scheme is the Bradford bus hotspot hotspots scheme
which is a series of measures around the Leeds Road gyratory elements which is a
particular pinch point on the eastern approach to the city centre and we are
seeking approval of an additional £400 ,000 of funds to develop the scheme now to a full business case.
The second scheme is the A6177 Great Houghton Road and Houghton Grange Road scheme,
which is a series of neighborhood measures which have now been completed in completing the scheme.
The council delivery team have faced a series of unforeseen costs principally driven by
utility related issues of 563 ,000 pounds.
And so we're now seeking approval for a final funding
settlement of 6 .82 million pounds for that scheme.
Third scheme is North Halifax improved streets
for people scheme, which is a full business case
that is now complete, assured and ready to go
into
delivery this provides a series of
active travel links from areas in the Dean Clough and Oven done area in the north of Halifax
through to the town centre we are seeking approval of
the
full funding package of fourteen point five six nine million pounds for that scheme
Next scheme, I'm delighted to say we have a final business case completed and ready to go for Dewsbury Bus Station,
critical piece of infrastructure within Dewsbury Town Centre,
and we are seeking funding of just in excess of £23 million to deliver that scheme.
Our next scheme is phase two of the walking and cycling initiatives on the A64 corridor
in Leeds where we're seeking £990 ,000 of funds to progress the development of that
scheme.
nearly there. The West Yorkshire places scheme are a number of very targeted
active travel measures in Bradford, Colerdale, Kirklees and Wakefield that
effectively join up parts of principally the cycle network in West Yorkshire
points where the network doesn't quite join at present and we're seeking £640 ,000
of development funding for those schemes
to take them through to final business case.
And then the final scheme is the LEED City Bike Scheme,
Mayor, that you referred to before.
So we have regrettably, and I should stress
that LEEDS is not the only city center
that has regrettably seen this problem
over the past year or so,
high levels of antisocial behavior and security issues
around the scheme in partnership with other cities.
The managing officers in Leeds City Council
have worked with the provider to identify
a more secure and robust alternative to the scheme.
So I should stress that we are not simply proposing
introducing the same issues again.
and we are seeking a change request of 1 .117 million pounds to support that upgrade activity
to take place now so that we can have a robust offer in place for spring and summer of next
year. One final point there, you referred to the delegated approval. So the previous
meeting, as we touched on under the minutes, when we discussed the reopening of Bradford
change we identified the need for a specific budget to be approved to cover
all of the associated reopening costs we are working at present to a final
budget for those we believe that we may need to seek a change request to draw
down within available funds so this is not an additional funds up to an
additional 2 .5 million pounds we want to be able to do that in a timely fashion
and therefore we're seeking delegated authority to the chief executive in
consultation with yourself mayor to to grant that approval so that we can
ensure that we have sufficient cash flow over the next few weeks as we complete
the works on Bradford interchange and then we will clearly report a
reconciled number back to the next meeting of the combined authority thank
you thank you for walking us through those obviously there's a number of
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 1:29:03
schemes there any comments on particular schemes yes councilor Galton thank you
chair it was very encouraging to hear what you said earlier about the
Cllr Stewart Golton Leeds City Council - 1:29:14
the barrel bike scheme and that you wanted to make sure
that the investment that's being made is seen through
to deliver the outcomes that you desired.
And this is one of the problems with such schemes like this.
Once you've made a commitment and put your money in,
when difficulties arrive, there is an expectation
and obligation that you try and resolve those issues
to try and make it work as you intended.
It has turned out to be quite an expensive option though in terms of encouraging cycle use.
I tried to do the sums in my head so somebody who's better at it might be able to do it better for me.
But it felt like so far there are 85 ,000 trips and it works out at around about 22 quid per trip.
That's publicly funded, not including the charge for the person who's actually making the trip.
So we really do need to make it work better economically
on both sides.
But one of the things that I did note
in terms of this scheme,
because we've mentioned that other areas
have got them as well,
is I've had quite a lot of people get in touch with me
to say that they're disabled
and they're very disappointed that they can't get
mobility scooter hire in Leeds City Centre.
There used to be a shot mobility and there isn't now.
And I'm just aware that we're spending a lot of money
on able bodied people to get around Leeds city centre and other city and town centres
in West Yorkshire, we don't seem to be thinking very much about those who are less able bodied
to access active travel and I think it would be really useful and innovative if we could
actually commission something to respond to those needs of people with disabilities who
frankly
represent a larger
Section population than people who ride bikes so so I appreciate difficulty in this
But I think it's an opportunity for in the future to look at our
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 1:31:16
Cllr Stewart Golton Leeds City Council - 1:31:16
transport investment and think about being more inclusive in our schemes
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 1:31:22
Thank You councillor Galton in the interests of brevity and time
I wonder if it could be more of a question rather than always erudite speeches, but if we could
I'm just limited to the particular question.
I'll be so grateful.
When it comes to inclusivity, very important for me.
We've done an awful lot of research.
We've worked with partners and particular disability groups
around cycling.
But I'll come to you, Simon, particularly
on the investment in the infrastructure, which
of course is an upfront cost that is quite substantial.
Simon.
Simon Warburton, Executive Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority) - 1:32:02
Yes, thank you. So I think it's a very timely suggestion. Clearly, over the next few months,
we'll be looking at the preparation of our new local transport plan and the review of our active
travel policies in that regard. We're also looking at a refresh of the active travel promotion
activities that we undertake so I'd be very happy to take away how we look to
address that as I think I've previously briefed the Transport Committee we're
also currently in the process of establishing a new equality design
reference group for all of our transport schemes and I think they will be a very
a helpful group of colleagues with a range of lived experiences who can really help us to
make sure that we continue to drive forward on your EDI priorities. Thank you and we did see
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 1:33:06
a fantastic innovation where you just clip on an electric wheel to your wheelchair that gives you
greater mobility up our hills in Leeds and Wysholsham. Councillor Pryor. Just very briefly to
really welcome this paper I think this is such an important scheme for Leeds
Cllr Jonathan Pryor Leeds City Council - 1:33:21
and hopefully expanded across West Yorkshire at some point. I think when you
look at the benefit cost ratio to address Councillor Galton's point it has
moved down from very high to just high now so I think we still have to
recognise that there is there is a still a great benefit cost ratio. On the wider
point about accessibility I think the fact that they're electric bikes I think
is a huge benefit to people who maybe don't have the most complex needs but
have some needs and I think that makes cycling a lot easier.
And I think we also have to address that if we are getting
people who are able to use active travel out of their cars
and into bikes and to public transport,
actually that has a benefit for people who have to drive
because of disabilities and actually helps free up
the roads.
So I think this isn't just, we shouldn't just look at this
in isolation as this is good for people on bikes.
Actually it's good for the whole network including those
who do have to drive.
And certainly air quality is really important, isn't it for those people with
poor health
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 1:34:20
Okay
councillor Paterson
Sorry, I'm so used to calling you Carol councillor person
Sorry, just a very very quick comment
Cllr Carole Pattison (Kirklees Council) - 1:34:30
I mean just to say that I'm really pleased to see the Jews robust station here for the the project there
I mean that really complements the work that we're doing in in Jews re the network rail work as well
the council investment and private sector and it
means so much to Jews very so that's all thanks lovely any further comments on
any of the projects before we go to approvals no thank you so much
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 1:34:53
okie doke
so are we happy to approve the Brantford bus hotspot and the crsts yes happy to
prove brilliant I'll just rattle through them and the corridor improvement
program great Horton Road and Horton Grange thank you everybody
North Halifax improve streets for people
Thank you. That is going to be amazing getting you down to Dean cloth. It's gonna be fab and use people station
We've heard the enthusiastic support bus walking and cycling phase 2 a 64
Thank you. Where short your places see our STS
super and finally lead city bikes
Thank you all so much and the additional approval we need for Bradford interchange resurfacing works the delegation of approvals of the schemes
to the chief executive.
Very good. Thank you. Yes, that was a very enthusiastic.
Thank you, counselor.
And so moving swiftly on, I think we're almost coming to the end.
And moving on to the governance arrangements.
And this is key governance matters for the CA.

10 Governance Arrangements

Can I invite Caroline Norris, our assistant director of legal
Caroline Norreys, Assistant Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority) - 1:36:05
governance and compliance to outline the recommendations.
Thank you.
Caroline Norreys, Assistant Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority) - 1:36:09
Yes, thank you, Mayor. This is the last substantive item and it's a report in three parts.
The first part of this is seeking the approval of the combined authority to the appointment of Damon Lawrence as our interim section 73 officer with effect from the 13th of December.
As you know, Angela, this is Angela's last combined authority meeting and Angela retires at the end of the year.
And it is essential that this, the section 73 responsibility as a statutory officer is maintained.
The details in the report in terms of the recruitment that is underway for a permanent replacement to this role.
but it is essential in terms of the prudent and the good financial planning of the organization
that this key role does have an incumbent during the gap.
So that is the first recommendation for members here.
The second one is on an entirely separate point,
and this has really come about at the request of members of the Combined Authority, which we've listened to,
and that is a request that we put in place substitute members for the members that we have on our
Thematic committees and that is not that with the exception of transport committee, which has a much greater membership
But for the other thematic committees that we have substitutes in place to ensure that we always have the core scene
We have that continuity of presence
If that recommendations approved we would look we will contact your councils to
Obtain those names and bring those back to the January meeting to have those approved
And then finally chair the third recommendation there is for noting and it's to set out
It's some headline terms and some of the internal governance arrangements and changes that we're putting in place
to support the
Delivery mantra of the need for us to continue to operate at pace to deliver on the authorities
ambitions and so we wanted to share with members some of those changes which
effectively come in from the 6th of January around much broader decision
making that to directors and heads of service within a transparent and
accountable assurance framework and a new office and board structure to help
facilitate that so thank you chair unless there are any questions thank you
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 1:38:34
so much any questions lovely thank you so are we happy to approve the
Appointment of Damon Lawrence and I think it was here earlier sat at the back. We're happy to approve
Thank you so much. Obviously this is on an interim basis
Are we happy to approve the substitute member that was discussed just now?
Happy to approve. Thank you. And then the internal governance arrangements are just for noting. I have we have noted so thank you
Before we we finish I just want to build on what Caroline just said and just thank Angela
for everything that you've done for the combined authority.
When we had our leaving party to wave you off
into a fantastic retirement, I was really startled
by how long you'd been in the organization,
how you'd kept us going from so many changes,
from just being a transport authority
into then a combined authority
and now a mayoral combined authority.
And you've really steadied the ship
and you have kept us safe, which is always good
We are not on the front pages for some crazy investments because you have kept us actually
in line.
So thank you very much, Angela.
And I'm sure everybody around this table wants to thank you for the dedicated commitment
to our region and to the combined authorities.
So thank you for that.
Hear, hear.
Our final item is minutes for information.
that's as normal but again thank you so much and if I could wish you all a very
very Merry Christmas and it is going to be such an exciting few years ahead so
when you're making your wishes New Year's Eve lots of money for the
combined authority please and freedoms and flexibilities with a single
settlement so thank you all so much and have a great rest of your day thank you