West Yorkshire Combined Authority - Thursday 30 January 2025, 11:00am - West Yorkshire Combined Authority Webcasting

West Yorkshire Combined Authority
Thursday, 30th January 2025 at 11:00am 

Agenda

Slides

Transcript

Map

Resources

Forums

Speakers

Votes

 
Share this agenda point
  1. Simon Pope (Director- WYCA)
  2. Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
Share this agenda point
  1. Myles Larrington, Committee Services Officer (West Yorkshire Combined Authority)
Share this agenda point
  1. Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
Share this agenda point
Share this agenda point
Share this agenda point
Share this agenda point
  1. Cllr Alan Lamb Leeds City Council
  2. Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
  3. Ben Still, Chief Executive (West Yorkshire Combined Authority)
  4. Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
  5. Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe (Bradford 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 Jane Scullion (Calderdale Council)
  10. Cllr James Lewis (Leeds City Council)
  11. Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
  12. Cllr Alan Lamb Leeds City Council
  13. Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
  14. Simon Warburton, Executive Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority)
  15. Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
  16. Cllr Matthew Morley Wakefield Council
  17. Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
  18. Cllr Barry Anderson (Chair)
  19. Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
  20. Simon Warburton, Executive Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority)
  21. Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
  22. Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe (Bradford Council)
  23. Cllr Martin Love Bradford Council
  24. Simon Warburton, Executive Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority)
  25. Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
  26. Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
Share this agenda point
  1. Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
  2. Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
Share this agenda point
  1. Damon Lawrenson (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. Damon Lawrenson (West Yorkshire Combined Authority)
  6. Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
Share this agenda point
  1. Sarah Eaton, 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. Cllr Alan Lamb Leeds City Council
  6. Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
  7. Cllr Barry Anderson (Chair)
  8. Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
  9. Cllr Barry Anderson (Chair)
  10. Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
  11. Ben Still, Chief Executive (West Yorkshire Combined Authority)
  12. Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
Share this agenda point
  1. Cllr James Lewis (Leeds City Council)
  2. Felix Kumi-Ampofo, Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority)
  3. Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
  4. Cllr Sue Holdsworth Calderdale Council
  5. Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
  6. Felix Kumi-Ampofo, Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority)
  7. Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
  8. Felix Kumi-Ampofo, Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority)
  9. Cllr Alan Lamb Leeds City Council
  10. Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
  11. Felix Kumi-Ampofo, Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority)
  12. Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
Share this agenda point
  1. Felix Kumi-Ampofo, Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority)
  2. Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
  3. Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
  4. Simon Pope (Director- WYCA)
  5. Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
  6. Simon Pope (Director- WYCA)
  7. Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
  8. Simon Pope (Director- WYCA)
  9. Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
  10. Cllr Matthew Morley Wakefield Council
  11. Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
  12. Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe (Bradford Council)
  13. Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
  14. Ben Still, Chief Executive (West Yorkshire Combined Authority)
  15. Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
  16. Cllr Sue Holdsworth Calderdale Council
  17. Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
  18. Cllr Jane Scullion (Calderdale Council)
  19. Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
  20. Simon Pope (Director- WYCA)
  21. Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
  22. Cllr Matthew Morley Wakefield Council
  23. Simon Pope (Director- WYCA)
  24. Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
Share this agenda point
  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

Mr Simon Pope (Director- WYCA) - 0:00:00
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 0:00:06
Lovely. Thank you all so much for attending our first CA meeting of the new year 2025
and a bright future for our region this next year. Now there's a couple of new faces around
our table. Simon Pope, give us a wave. There you are. Director of Transport Capital Projects
and Damon Lawrence, interim director of finance. You are very, very welcome to the Combined
Authority. So, before we get into today's briefing, if you don't mind, I'd just like
to acknowledge that John Prescott is being laid to rest in hold today. I would have definitely
been there had we not had our important CA meeting, and I know that the thoughts of everyone
around the table are with his friends and family. I didn't know John that well. I went
campaigning with him a few times, but he was an icon for the Labour movement and his commitment
to Yorkshire and the North was inspiring. And for a working class politician, he really
did lead the way. A true political heavyweight who really did care about, genuinely cared
about regional inequalities, fighting for social justice and protecting the environment.
His legacy lives on in how we're approaching devolution now. And I know he would have championed
The approach that the government is now taking
So now we tend to the agenda miles any apologies, please

1 Apologies for Absence

Thank you, ma 'am as you've noted councilor Morley's attending us up for councilor Jeffrey who's given her apologies and apologies for Mandy Rudyard

2 Declarations of Disclosable Pecuniary Interests

Myles Larrington, Committee Services Officer (West Yorkshire Combined Authority) - 0:01:40
Thank you so much and item two declarations of interest do any members have any interest they wish to declare on any item on the agenda
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 0:01:49
No, thank you so much.
Moving on.
Item three.
Now, officers have advised that the information contained in appendices one, two, and three

3 Exempt Information - Possible Exclusion of the Press and Public

to agenda item six, bus franchising, are treated as exempt under paragraph three of part one
schedule 12A of the local government act 1972 as they contain information relating to financial
or business affairs of any particular person, including the combined authority, and further
that it is considered that the public interest in maintaining the content of the appendices
as exempt outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information as publication
could prejudice current and future decision -making.
If we are in agreement, the press and public will be excluded should members wish to discuss
the content of the appendices when we consider items 6.
And I'm assuming that people would want to discuss those appendices
So we will I I'm assuming we all take the view that we will do that in private
Lovely. Thank you so much. So we are recommending that the information is
Exempt item for minutes of the 12th of December any comments or questions

4 Minutes of the Meeting of the Combined Authority held on 12 December 2024

On the minutes of the meeting 12th of December last year
No, thank you. Are we content to confirm these as an accurate record? We are super. Okie dokie. So moving on to the mayor's update.

5 Mayor's Update

I want to start my update by acknowledging the successful reopening of Bradford Interchange finally on the 5th of January.
The snow and ice absolutely did its best to stop us, but thanks to the hard work of colleagues at bus station, did open as planned.
I know the previous 12 months has been really difficult for the people of Bradford and I want to thank them again
For their patience in what has been a really difficult period and also thanks to the staff
Both at the CA and Bradford Council who worked tirelessly to get the station reopened
I know that the traveling public are incredibly grateful for all the hard work and I did message the mayor
on the day and the BBC had loads of
Vox pops from the traveling public and it was seemingly uniformly pleasing to
hear that people were delighted it was open. Also it would be remiss of me not
to comment on the opening of Bradford City of Culture at the start of this
month and I am proudly wearing the scarf. It was an incredible event with 10 ,000
people braving the bitter cold in Centenary Square and a fitting opening
to what I know is going to be an incredible year of events and I know
I know everybody around this table will be heading to Bradford this year, and if not,
I want to know why.
When we last met on the 12th of December, the English devolution white paper hadn't
yet been published.
An update follows later in the agenda, but I was delighted that the government chose
to launch it here in West Yorkshire.
I genuinely think it's a significant moment for both our region and our country with more
powers, greater flexibilities over funding, and powers being transferred from Whitehall
into communities.
I'm really looking forward to being able to discuss the details shortly, but I know that we're all looking forward to having greater control
over our region's future.
Immediately after the last meeting, I
traveled up to Darlington to take part in a roundtable with the Chancellor and other mayors to discuss the government's growth mission and how we
pursue local growth. A very productive conversation. We agreed to continuing exploring further
fiscal devolution.
We also discussed engagement with the spending review which I understand is now being confirmed for the 11th of June
It doesn't feel like spring to me
But maybe that's their parliamentary calendar each combined authority has been allocated a senior Treasury civil servant as a body
To help with this process
Definitely an improvement on the previous ways of working and we of course working with departments on their spending review submissions
While developing our own and we'll keep members informed
Finally, last week the second mayor's council took place in Sheffield.
The council is chaired by the Deputy Prime Minister and provides a space for partnership
discussions between mayors and government.
The agenda is co -developed with mayors and this time had in attendance the Employment
Minister to discuss the Get Britain Working Plan and the National Child Poverty Action
Plan.
We also discussed the English devolution white paper and the role of local growth plans with
the Minister for Devolution, the Minister for Local Growth, and the Economic Secretary
to the Treasury.
And the next meeting of the Council will take place in May.
I also gave evidence in front of the select committee, MHCLG select committee, about devolution
with Louise from the LGA, and made the case that we will succeed here in West Yorkshire
if the evolution is deepened with greater freedoms and flexibilities.
That's all I wanted to update you on, so let's move on to the next item.
Item six. Oh, please, yes, apologies. I didn't see you.
No, no need to apologize.

6 Bus Franchising

I'm a little surprised you didn't make mention of the Leeds General Infirmary and the government's decision around that.
Given the agenda is growth, growth, growth,
Cllr Alan Lamb Leeds City Council - 0:07:09
the single biggest thing that would help Leeds and West Yorkshire would be the government
committing to get on with delivering the LGI and the innovation arc and all of the jobs
and impact on the health sector that would come with that. So what is the plan for this
combined authority? My proposal is we shouldn't take it lying down either as councils or as
a combined authority. We should say the decision is wrong, call the government out and what
can we do through your influence in government to get this right. Rachel Reeves is supposed
to be part of team leads, it feels like she's abandoned us on this one.
Well I would beg to differ that our Chancellor has abandoned leads and certainly you'll have
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 0:07:47
seen yesterday her commitment to mass transit which is absolutely pivotal for growth and
so I would disagree with you if I may on it is the hospital is the one single thing that's
going to deliver growth. I disagree, I think mass transit is the one single thing. Now
Of course, it was disappointing that the data has been pushed further down the line,
but as you can imagine, we're having private conversations to ensure that we do get a good
outcome. But we're also investing in the wet labs and also the innovation arc is not impacted
because we still have that investment money and we're going to be turbocharging that investment
for the City of Leeds. But Ben, do you want to come in? Thank you, just to add to the Mayor's
comments that we are talking to both colleagues in the City Council
Ben Still, Chief Executive (West Yorkshire Combined Authority) - 0:08:40
and to the other partners
involved in the Innovation Arc, both on the health side and the university side, to look
at what the options are ahead of the successful development of the hospital, to kind of look
at what the opportunities are in the interim period. And we're looking to hopefully say
and think publicly about that very soon.
Thank you. Any further comments?
Super. If we can move on to item six, bus franchising.
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 0:09:14
The paper in front of us takes stock of where we are with implementing our bus
franchising scheme, a landmark decision taken in
March 24. It's a big step forward for our region
and this update is all about making sure we're on track
and ready for the next stages. We know this isn't a simple process. Things like
sorting, the lotting, depots and branding are critical to getting this right. The
details in the report layout a clear approach aiming to drive competition and
deliver the best possible services for West Yorkshire. I'm really encouraged by
the progress so far, a testament to the hard work of our teams and the
strong partnerships we've built to make this happen. This scheme is a game changer
for public transport in our region. Today's discussion is an important step
in ensuring that we get it spot on.
Before we move forward, I'd like to remind everyone
that appendix one, two, and three
contain exempt information,
and as we've agreed, anyone who would like to discuss that,
we will stop the recording.
First, can I invite Councillor Hinchliffe
as chair of the Transport Committee
to provide any comments before passing on to Simon Warburton,
our executive director of transport,
to provide further detail on the recommendations.
Thank you.
Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe (Bradford Council) - 0:10:26
Yes, I think thank you mayor. I think it just shows from the paper and obviously
Discussing other things in the private session as well. How much work has already been done on this
we have a lot to do now to get ready for franchising and
We have an obviously not just
With the operators and moved to different model
But also to make sure that people realize what the network is like and the branding is also part of that as well
Obviously trying to do this as cheaply as possible as well, which I know is a prime concern for yours
So I'm happy to move over to Simon for more detailed explanation of
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 0:11:01
the front end of this paper. Thank you. Thank you Simon
Thank you very much. If I can just spend a few minutes taking members
Simon Warburton, Executive Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority) - 0:11:06
through the public paper
So since the decision was taken in March 2024
to introduce a defined scheme for franchising in West Yorkshire
we have been undertaking a substantial body of work to prepare in particular
for the first franchising tranche against which we intend to issue
invitations to tender in October of this year and then looking ahead to the full
rollout the program through to late 2028. The work has followed the framework that
we set out for members and discussed at the combined authority meeting in July.
But since then we have continued to develop the work with a particular focus on how we
prioritise activity within each of the work streams to ensure our readiness across three
timeframes that we start to discuss from paragraph 3 .4 of the report. So the first of those three
phases focuses on ensuring that we have our core contracting regime right, recognizing
that Tranche 1 will then establish the conditions for the two further tranches that follow.
So a second phase is then focused on ensuring that we've achieved all of the milestones
and all of the preparation necessary for the first operation, so the operation of Tranche
1 from March 2027.
And then a final phase that enables us to embed all of the arrangements that will be
needed to be ready for us to act as a full franchising authority from 2028 and to enable
us to work at scale across what becomes an overlapping process across the three tranches.
In organising ourselves this way we can ensure that we have our teams and funds best focused
throughout the programme, but critically also that members can be clearly cited on the key
decisions that will need to be taken. And that's enormously important, recognising the
central importance of public accountability in all that we do in the case for franchising
that was agreed. With this in mind and recognising that this programme will touch travel in all
parts of the conurbation and involves a process of change that none of us have
previously undertaken within West Yorkshire. We recommend that a specific
shadow board be established to provide more detailed oversight and guidance,
accountable guidance for the process. As the report section from
3 .9 onwards then shows, we've made very positive progress since we last reported in July and
we're now ready to present the first group of recommendations to the Combined Authority
for decision today. So from paragraph 3 .18 we set out our approach to organising the
franchising lots within the tranches with further detail provided in an exempt appendix
and it is exempt so as to allow us to bring that final approach forward to the
market in a way that fits with our franchising scheme and we are seeking
delegated authority to complete the introduction of this approach following
discussion and comments from members today. From 3 .22 we set out the approach
to the acquisition of depots as was set out in the original case in a timely manner so that we can
ensure their readiness in the process and again further detail is set out in exempt appendices
reflecting the commercial nature of this decision and again we will then be seeking subject to
members discussion, authority to proceed against this depot strategy.
And then finally from 3 .30, we set out the importance of defining a branding approach
to the future network and the customer assets approaches that will follow through franchise
specification. Work is underway on this as set out in the report and what we're seeking at this stage
approval for the gradual retirement of the Metro brand and for members support
for us to progress towards a new brands to be brought forward in the spring
thank you ma 'am thank you so much any anybody wish to comment
councillor scullion and then councillor Lewis and then councillor that
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 0:16:27
thank you
thank you mayor and I will try very hard not to stray on to the exempt
Cllr Jane Scullion (Calderdale Council) - 0:16:32
items and
I know we're not focusing on local issues,
but I just wanted to say I really welcome the shadow board
because I think we've really got a part to play
in shaping bus services.
And more than that, we've got a part to play
in increasing the accountability of local bus services
in terms of performance.
And I want to be able to say,
and begin to say to residents that, you know,
we are turning this around actually,
and we're turning around the decline that we see.
and I'll use Colterdale example in terms of first bus,
the Upper Valley and the decline that we've seen
in services there.
It's a really beautiful place, Colterdale,
but if you have to stand and look at it for an extra hour
because the bus doesn't turn up,
I'm afraid that beauty pales a bit.
But the shadow board is really, really welcome.
We must make sure that actually we are keeping a close eye
on those services, filling those gaps,
But really we need to be shaping those services and making sure there's proper accountability for performance because this can't go on.
Thank you.
Thank you so much. Councillor Lewis.
Cllr James Lewis (Leeds City Council) - 0:17:47
Thanks. I had an opportunity to enjoy the beauty of Kippox this morning because the bus didn't turn up.
And I think it really underlines the point I'm sure Councillor Morley will feel over the border in Wakefield.
some of our bus companies at the moment aren't performing and franchising is really welcome in terms of having that long term solution.
But at the moment, you know, services have got timetables that have been thinned out recently and then even what's printed in the timetable doesn't turn up.
So just as Councillor Scullion says, having that focus now with our oversight on the bus network now and how we move into franchising,
I think it's a really a really important part of this paper and I think it is important that that's picked up on this item
Thank you so much councillor Lam
Yeah, thank you
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 0:18:37
Mr. Me obviously not to point out the obvious that I'm a franchising skeptic as you know, however on
This issue I very much hope I'm wrong and you're all proven right because we all want to see better buses has been outlined
We want more reliability better services
The decision is made so we have to make the best of it now a few questions
I don't think I'm straying into the appendixes and speaking in broad terms. So on the shadow board
Is there an intention to stick with the spirits of?
How we work around this table and have cross -party
representation on that shadow board
That would be the first question
The second point I'd have is there's an awful lot of detail in this paper and I don't pretend
to have got my head around every dot on every I and every cross on every T. But what is
apparent is that a lot of it is predicated on a significant increase in bus patronage
Which would buck the current trend and also in broad terms the finances?
By necessity are very unpredictable at this moment
I'm assuming a huge range of what the cost could be and I think it's important to set out early
What the hierarchy would be in terms of if we need more money?
Where's it going to come from are we going to ask councils to dig deeper into the transport levy?
Are we going to ask exclusively fair payers to pay more if that was necessary?
Are we going to be looking to a mayoral preset if there's not enough money in the kitty?
Or would it be a commitment to say, well, it's a high priority for the combined authority,
so we would need to do less of other things?
because the risk, it seems to me, is,
I believe we're suggesting we need to get 130 %
uplift in patronage versus 2018
when the direction of travel is in the opposite direction.
And my final point is there's a lot of technical stuff
in here and it may be discussed in the private session,
but from the point of view of our residents and passengers,
the thing they want to know is what's the practical effects
that they're going to see in their lives. When can they see, expect to see better buses?
When can they be more confident the bus will turn up? I have the same experience in my
ward where regularly we're on an hourly frequency and it frequently doesn't turn up and I'd
love to spend two hours in Wetherby. You find plenty to do but if you're trying to get into
Leeds it doesn't help you. So I really hope this does work but from, I think it's important
in this public session that we're here for the benefit of residents when can
they expect to see better buses how many more services to expect to see when will
the reliability improve because in essence all this technical detail is
great but that's what they want to know is my bus going to turn up and
Cllr Alan Lamb Leeds City Council - 0:21:42
is it
going to get me where I want to go and will it be affordable. Thank you so much
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 0:21:47
a number of questions there Simon. Thank you very much so firstly to to reassure
Simon Warburton, Executive Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority) - 0:21:57
members as we've noted in paragraph 3 .15 it is our intention that we would apply
membership of the shadow boards across the mayor and representation of the
political leadership of the five West Yorkshire authorities as is common with
our general approach to arrangements around the command authority so yes we
We are expecting that there would be
multi -party representation on the shadow board.
With regard to funding, so the critical aspect is
to disaggregate two elements.
So as we have given assurance consistently
through the case for franchising,
We are able to manage across to a franchised regime at a balance cost and we set out and the combined authority agreed at the time that the one funding decision within that would be an additional 2 % within the transport levy
going forwards as part of that funding strategy recognizing a set of costs that
we predict will present themselves agnostic of regime. Clearly there is
an ambition for the combined authority both in meeting climate change objectives
but also in meeting wider growth and social inclusion benefits for us to
extend the reach of the bus network through through the franchising scheme.
That will ultimately be subject to a series of commercial matters that will
play themselves out as we take ourselves through the franchising process over the
next two to three years. So what I can't say at this stage is what will be all of
the commercial implications associated with that.
But what we will continue to do is we bring
ever greater detailed decisions forward
based around the plan that was agreed
is to reassure you that any decisions that are required
will be taken here.
And you will have full sight of all of the information
that drives the cost, which is a difference to the position
that you have found yourselves in historically
where we have not been able to furnish you
with all of the costs through a deregulated environment.
Within our plan there is already a commitment
that we will have a fleet investment approach
and I'm looking to bring as part of that forward plan
a fleet strategy forward to the combined authority
in the next few months again in a timely fashion
to inform the invitation to tender.
So we will be able to set out more clearly for you
at that stage our advice in terms of expectations
of scale and pace.
But the intention is that that moves forward
from the first tranche.
With regard to performance again,
what we are able to guarantee from day one of a franchise
is we will then have access to all of the data
associated with performance.
And there is work that's underway at the moment
within the network management workstream
that we talk about within the report
to ensure that we are ready to be able to use the data
to drive improved performance.
And with regard to how many additional services, again, as we move into a process of contract
development and then contract negotiation with private sector bidders, we will be able
to bring forward further advice in terms of what is the market telling us as to where
we may be able to deliver service development.
but clearly until we've gone into that process I can't give you that advice at this stage.
Thank you so much. Councillor Morley.
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 0:26:42
I was going to suggest, Councillor Lamid, you as a skeptic come to the Wakefield District and
Cllr Matthew Morley Wakefield Council - 0:26:44
try and get around the district by bus, but listen to your own theories in what's happening in your
own ward, you're already there so I'm surprised you're not more, you know, supporting what we're
doing with franchising. We've seen our bus companies in the Wakefield District and South
Leeds and North Kirk Leeds reduce their services, reduce hours and doing
everything we can do to make their buses more sustainable but we're not seeing
actually any proof and statistics that these are working yet. It'd be interesting to
know if that's coming forward about how the functionality of these services are. It is
mentioned in the report though something that we've seen in the Wakefield District
is they've amalgamated some of the school services. We've now got children
out to go out which could be a 20 minute journey over an hour
over an hour to get to school, going out just past seven o 'clock on a morning, that's not acceptable.
And then the same on the way back, that's unacceptable.
We need to prioritise to make sure kids are getting to school in a reasonable time,
not taking a tour of the districts to get there.
Franchise just cannot come quick enough there.
You know why it will have to be grumpy when it comes to buses, your burgers before,
but the Wakefield District, it just cannot come quick enough. Thank you.
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 0:27:55
Thank You councillor you've been a real advocate for franchising Thank You councillor Anderson just briefly
Cllr Barry Anderson (Chair) - 0:28:01
You don't you just set out a communication strategy in here for keeping the public
Informed and advised because if we take we need to take the public with us
Doesn't matter whether we're for or against it whatever do we need to take the public we need to take business with us
So we need to be sure if you could set out a communication strategy and the other thing in terms of challenge
I've not yet had the final discussions with the chair of the transport committee and the deputy chair
But we're looking scrutiny is looking to work together to agreeing what we'll each look into
So that we're challenging the process all the time and trying to work together
Trying not to step with each other's toes, which is a possibility if the truth be told
Because that would also give additional challenge and reassurance to the public
And so what I'd say to the leaders of the councils and you make sure that your people attend
Scrutiny in large numbers on these working groups so that they can feed in their challenges as well. Thank you
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 0:29:00
Thank you, council Anderson and just to support what you're saying. This is a really important time for our region
Councillors are very busy, but it's very important that councilors get on top of this detail
Otherwise, there will be no transparency and no scrutiny. So we've been
We are offering training and support and early papers and talk -throughs and sharing our knowledge
so that people can get up -skilled.
And you can join me doing a Ph .D. in boss franchising.
And hopefully the counselors will also see this as an opportunity to add to their skill
set that then if they choose to do something else in the future, they could work in the
boss industry potentially.
Thank you.
Would you like to pick anything up, Simon, particularly about communications, public
Simon Warburton, Executive Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority) - 0:29:51
communication so I think council on some races a really important point and it's
it's actually an early priority example of work that we would like to take
through that the shadow board to make sure that members are comfortable with
the way in which we are communicating you make you you're absolutely right
council Anderson we need to be able to ensure that the public understand the
work that is underway because inevitably there are quite lengthy periods of time
where we need to carry out commercial negotiations in private on your behalf
and we don't want to create a vacuum in the public domain. Thank you. Councillor Hinchliffe.
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 0:30:29
Yeah I just, going on Councillor Anderson's point and we've talked about this, I just think it's
Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe (Bradford Council) - 0:30:33
probably worth both committees sort of doing a bit of forward planning on this, about what
we're going to look at. Obviously we have a deadline don't we, we know when it is, so
working back from there what we need to look at when and probably just worth
doing that and it's bureaucratic but then it makes sure we're over in all
points so I think that's worth doing we'll take that away thank you good a
Cllr Cllr. Martin Love Bradford Council - 0:30:57
good suggestion councilor love thank you very just briefly how soon are you
looking at having the shadow board set up very quickly I need to work with our
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 0:31:07
Simon Warburton, Executive Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority) - 0:31:07
colleagues in committee services now for us to establish the membership of the
board and move forward as quickly as possible but yeah we've got a pressing
time scale so within a matter of weeks I would like to be able to compete. Thank
you okay so let's go into private session and then we can discuss other
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 0:31:30
sections of this item so Miles if you would for now end the broadcast and

6 Bus Franchising

Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 0:31:36
and then we can approve as we go, if that's okay.
All right, Miles, can we go back onto live streaming?
Thank you.
Thank you.
Welcome back.
We are now, after that private session, back to open discussion, and we're going to take
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 0:31:54
a view on the recommendations in the paper.
So firstly, are members happy to note the updates in the report?
Happy. Thank you so much. Item 2, are we happy to approve the bus franchising
lotting strategy appendix 1 and delegate authority to the chief executive in consultation with
the mayor to progress? Great stuff. Thank you.
Item 3, are we happy to approve the bus franchising depo strategy appendix 2 to proceed through
decision point to strategic outline case and delegate authority to implement it, including
depot acquisition.
Happy to approve.
Thank you.
Are we happy to approve 67 million pounds worth of development funding to acquire and
refurbish depots, progress zero emission infrastructure, and move to the next business case stages?
We are marvelous.
Are we happy to prove future depot related decisions by the assurance process outlined in appendix 3?
We are and finally can we endorse the retiring Metro identity and adopt a new transport network?
brand for West Yorkshire to be
decided
We can thank you all so much. This is quite a moment for our region. It's
ambitious plans for franchising across the region and as we've heard today just
hearing from councillors how they are desperate for a better service and
hopefully we know that this is heading us in the right direction for a better
service for the people of West Yorkshire. So thank you all so much for your
commitment and thank you to the team for working so hard to get us to this point.
Okay moving on
item 7 business planning and budget 25 26

7 Business Planning and Budget 2025/26

This next item is our budget for 25 26 we're taking a slightly different approach this year
By also seeking approval of multi -year outcomes and the 25 26 business plan
Alongside the budget the reason for this is as you know deliver deliver deliver
We have to find ways where we can get things done
more efficiently at speed.
As the report highlights, despite a challenging financial landscape,
our achievements this year underscore our commitment to delivering on our priorities,
including skills, housing and sustainable transport.
Included in the budget is details of the proposed transport levy,
which we've kept flat for 10 years now because of the strain on council budgets.
This does create pressures on the transport budget,
which means there are difficult decisions to make over the course of next year.
The solution to this is to franchise the bus network, ensuring we have full control of how the buses are run,
which is, as we've just discussed, we're well on the way to deliver.
In addition to this, we'll continue to progress, getting spades in the ground on our mass transit system in 2028,
and it was hugely welcome to hear the Chancellor reinstate the government's commitment to mass transit
in her growth speech yesterday and will continue to work alongside government to deliver on
the promise of bringing trams back to our streets and opening up growth and regeneration
opportunities. Over the course of the next year we will see the outcome of our initial
route consultation and further details of the preferred routes that flow from that.
When I was re -elected last year I also committed to making West Yorkshire a region of learning
And the budget proposals contain our intention to introduce a universal skills system, which
will enable everyone, whatever their age in the region, to fulfill their potential.
We'll also continue to deliver on our flagship Home Energy West Yorkshire Scheme, which helps
households invest in insulation and renewable energy in their homes to help save on energy
bills and reduce carbon emissions.
Just a couple of examples of the things we're doing over the next year.
As I've said deliver deliver deliver and that is what I am going to continue to pursue through this budget
This will be the last budget we set as a combined authority ahead of the single settlement, which as you know, I've been
Battling for since I became mayor and we're going to receive that next year. We are approaching a new era for devolution
There's so much work
We need to do alongside government and partners between now and then and we'll be committing the resources
we need to make sure we maximize the benefit of a single settlement.
We want to use these powers to grow our economy and ensure that people have more money in
their pockets.
We have ambitious plans for our region and this budget will help us deliver that throughout
the next year and beyond.
So can I now invite Damon Lawrence, our interim director of finance, to provide further detail
on the paper.
Thank you, Damon.
Thank you, Mayor.
The recommendations are as outlined in previous years.
Damon Lawrenson (West Yorkshire Combined Authority) - 0:37:02
There's no real difference apart from the point
that you're drawing out of.
It's an integrated approach to business planning.
So we've tried to look at the medium term financial plan.
I'll just make reference to a couple of points in the report
in terms of 24, 25, we're looking to out -term within budget.
We've still got a small gap that we need to close,
but with our forecasting and efficiency drive,
we're looking to bring that budget home.
The 25 -6 budget is as outlined. It shows and demonstrates that we are managing some pressures that we've got in this year that will have rolled over into the following year.
We've got some growth items that we're going to implement on the drawdown basis.
And we've got some additional funding and some efficiencies that have balanced that budget.
So once we're delivering a 25 -26 balance budget, we do know that there's a knock -on effect for 26, 27 and 27 -28.
And those growth items that have been featured in the business planning materialise at a circle of about 20 million in those years.
So by implementing a drawdown process we'll be challenging efficiencies, ways of working to mitigate those risks and carrying into 26, 27 and 27, 28.
You mentioned the transport levy and that's detailed.
On the capital programme we've illustrated the carrying position and also some significant investment programmes.
the investment fund that has been detailed in the report that we're still working through,
and also the impact on bus franchising.
And with that we need to really be looking at our treasury management, our cash flow forecasting,
making sure that when we move from an internal borrowing position to an external borrowing requirement,
that we've got the right timing to execute that.
In the report you'll see the reserves position.
we carry a general reserves balance of about 14 million and that's based on risk and we'll be reviewing that to make sure that's adequate over
this medium term.
There's E -Mart reserves and all the types of provisions are all detailed in the report some of which are
unusable, some of which you will see that are actually being used in in the coming years.
But we wanted to present a full picture on our reserves position, our revenue position, our capital position and our Treasury management position.
In my statutory role, I've outlined the budget risks and the uncertainty, and I think over the coming years what we will be doing as a team is looking at that medium term financial plan and regularly reporting any updates on what is materialising as a result of that challenge.
And I think finally, I would say that the work doesn't stop with this report.
It commences because we will be zero basing and doing line by line budget reviews to ensure
that the base budget for 25, 26 is in the right place and the impact is for 26, 27 and
27A.
And with that, I'll take any questions.
Thank you.
Thank you.
If I could take this opportunity as well, DMC, you're brand new to the
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 0:40:04
organization
and you've definitely delivered a really robust paper on the budget and
lots of reassurance
That you're here to keep us safe and I feel that you've done a great job so far. So thank you and any questions
Yes, councilor Lam
Yeah, thank you. I would echo your comments and so I think Damon's really hit the ground running
Very impressed with the work that's been done so far
I'm particularly pleased to see the commitment to zero based budgeting which is something I've been advocating
Bagging my head against a brick wall for in our council for some time
I hope council Lewis might take notes that that's something we should be doing in in Leeds as well
a
few issues to flag up at the last governance and audit committee
We couldn't sign the accounts off because we had the discrepancy of just just over 850 million pounds
which is quite a mistake to make. I think one would be remiss not to mention it
here and just get an update about it. I'm assured and reassured that it's an
accounting fix that's needed. I don't want to alarm anybody that we're
missing money. I'm absolutely assured about that it will be rectified and move
forward. The wider point is it highlights for me, it was missed by internal
audit, it was missed by external audits, and only flagged up very late in the day.
And one of the concerns I have is that as we grow at pace as a combined authority, do
we have solid foundations and the real capacity to be able to do all of the things that we're
doing and how big of a risk is that?
And I won't jump the gun on anything that's going to be announced later, but staffing
Cllr Alan Lamb Leeds City Council - 0:41:56
is a concern and we are looking to recruit in a very small pool of people with an expanding
number of combined authorities and being able to get the right people with the right ability
to do the things that we need to do is going to be a challenge as well. We've seen it repeatedly
with recruitment and so just getting that reassurance about what level of risk is there
that capacity might be an issue in delivering some of these projects and plans and also having the capacity to oversee what we're doing.
Because my understanding is resourcing is one of the reasons why that 850 million pound accounting error was made.
Because we simply didn't have the capacity to oversee everything.
So a few things in there.
but impressive work, welcome Damon.
But I just think we need to be alive to those risks
and make sure we've got plans for them.
Thank you, and as you say, a large amount of money,
but a small area in the scheme of things.
And my understanding is double counting,
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 0:42:57
but over to you, Damon.
So in May, June, 2024,
Damon Lawrenson (West Yorkshire Combined Authority) - 0:43:04
that's when the consolidation of the accounts takes place
for the 23 -24 year.
The accounts for the combined authority are fine, the accounts for the police authority are fine.
In fact it doesn't reflect any issue with the accounting procedures or reporting of the West Yorkshire Police finances.
It's when you bring those two entities together on a group consolidation basis and then you report the consolidated picture.
There were some errors, there were some double counted that needed to be removed.
And rest assured we're strengthening and reviewing the processes, the systems functionality.
Since last May, June, we've recruited and strengthened the team and will continue to
do so.
And finally, there'll be an update at the governance and audit committee in a couple
of weeks time where, if you like, the ins and outs should be adjusted and then we're
in a position to publish the statement of accounts.
So it's not a material issue for combined authority business.
It's not a material issue for the police.
It was on the consolidated group position.
So we want to make sure that we're reporting the correct position.
It is obviously an issue that is raised but it's given us an opportunity to review our internal processes.
Making sure that we got the right culture.
Make sure that we're proactive.
and as you've pointed out, Councillor, making sure we've got the right resources at the
table. Thank you.
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 0:44:38
Thank you so much. Any further comments on the budget? No? Thank you.
Then if we are happy, the report seeks approval of the draft 2526 business plans in principle,
the proposed 2526 revenue budget, the indicative capital programme to 2829, the transport levy
24 25 26 and the Treasury Management Statement
members
Are we have to approve?
Lovely, thank you members are also asked to note the revised 24 25 revenue position and plans to revise the authorities
approach to capitalization of costs super
Moving on to the English devolution white paper
This was published on the 16th of December,
marking a significant step forward
in the government's approach to devolution across England.
As I said earlier, it was an absolute privilege
to host the launch here in West Yorkshire.
Can I just take a moment to also acknowledge
the hard work that's been put into this process?
It's really clear that this is a transformative moment
for West Yorkshire and for the country.
And if you think to where we started,
to where we are in such a short amount of time,
is pretty phenomenal, and I'm grateful for the ongoing
collaboration with government to bring these
proposals to life.
As set out in the report, the White Paper outlines a
new direction for devolution, moving towards
a devolution by default model.
Massive opportunity for our region, allowing us to take
greater control of transport skills, housing,
and really driving that economic growth.
However, while the proposals are promising,
there's still much work to be done to ensure that our
priorities are fully reflected in the upcoming English devolution bill.
Now, while we've made significant strides, it's important to recognize this is just the
beginning.
It's the floor, not the ceiling.
And I'm confident that with continued collaboration and the right engagement, we can secure a devolution
framework that will benefit West Yorkshire for decades to come.

8 English Devolution White Paper

Can I now invite Sarah Eaton, our Director of Strategy, Communications and Intelligence,
to talk us through the key points in the paper?
Sarah Eaton, Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority) - 0:46:44
Thank you, Sarah. Thank you, Mayor.
So as you outlined, the report provides an overview of the English evolution white paper,
which was published in December and kind of progress towards securing deep evolution.
The colleagues will be aware of previous reports that we've kind of brought,
outlining our ambitions in this in this particular area.
The report also kind of sets out kind of our anticipated next steps for planning and implementation.
That also will need to progress throughout 2025.
And as you said, the White Paper looks to move to a position of devolution by default and that is looking to both kind of deepen
Devolution but also widen deep pollution. So there's been a lot of reports
Nationally about what that might mean moving forward where more areas are able to kind of secure kind of a devolution deal
So I don't intend to go through the whole of the report in any detail
But I'm just gonna pick out a few highlights really if I may
so
So in terms of an overview, what the white paper does
is it creates a kind of a new devolution architecture.
And that's the creation of strategic authorities.
And they'll have certain responsibilities now
which are enshrined in law.
I think that's really linked to that kind of ambition
to kind of widen devolution.
So what this is doing is kind of standardizing
kind of the approach across the country
rather than having specific devolution deals that
might have been agreed in specific places, which
is obviously good news in terms of expanding this
across the country.
But what that does is make sure that,
depending upon the maturity of a particular organization,
it confirms that there'll be different kind of status given
to emerging new and existing mayoral strategic authorities.
But just to confirm where Yorkshire will receive
that established mayoral strategic authority status,
and that's the deepest level of devolution available,
that means we can unlock more powers and levers than perhaps
areas that are starting to think about doing this
in that particular patch.
There's also a real link in the white paper and intention to use new powers and levers to kind of drive growth
and that is linked to our ambitions that have been set out in our growth plan.
And as part of that there'll be such a requirement
for all mayoral strategic authorities to produce a local growth plan and we're one of the first areas to kind of do that
which puts us in a kind of a fantastic position to kind of really look at the white paper through that lens.
and obviously what's really important around that is kind of the link into the
local integrated settlement outcomes framework and I'll come on to that in a
little while but what that means is that that kind of ambition to kind of create
an integrated settlements will need to link very strongly to kind of their
the ambitions and priorities that we've got within the GRAS plan and there's
also in there a revised devolution framework and this might be familiar to
colleagues who when we were looking at level 4 devolution we were looking at
kind of the powers and levers and responsibilities
that we might be able to unlock through this process.
And that has been refreshed and updated.
There's more in there now, covering
a wide range of kind of planning skills, transport, employment
support activity.
There's details out in the paper about those particular areas.
And the framework is attached to the back of the report.
What I would say is that, as you said, this is just the start.
So it includes a kind of a mechanism
for establishment or authorities to propose additions
to that devolution framework on an annual basis.
So that means that we can keep coming back and saying,
actually, as we work through this process,
these are the things that we need to push forward and drive
the growth that I just mentioned.
There's specific details on funding leave
as an integrated settlement.
And obviously, we were pleased in terms of announcements
to find out that we're in that next wave, that we'll
be receiving an integrated settlement from 2026.
But also in there, there's other detail, for example,
around the use of mayoral precepts
that could be used to fund all combined authority functions.
and also governance implications.
So I think it's really important to note
that when that devolution framework becomes law,
it will override any existing governance arrangements
that are already in place.
And in mayoral strategic authorities, for example,
it looks at voting procedures, which will include,
further detail around that as that kind of comes forward.
There's also commitment to strengthening,
kind of scrutiny and kind of accountability in there,
which obviously links against that kind of widening out
of this across many more areas.
And I think we've done quite a lot of work in that area
in terms of bi -scrutiny arrangements.
We've moved, and we were looking at implementing the scrutiny
protocol, which was a previous link to the level 4
devolution.
So we've got some really good foundations there,
but that is going to be something
that is really pushed forward.
And also this proposal's in there
for the reform of local government.
And I think what's been quite, there's
been a lot in the press about local government
reorganisation but the white paper is also talking about that public service reform element
and aligning public service boundaries which has been a barrier in areas to delivering
on some of this activity. It positions strategic authorities as conveners of public service
reform working in partnership with our local authority colleagues. So I'll stop there on
some of the key highlights that are in there. I think as you said, this is the start and
I think there's some great stuff in there, but there's more that we potentially wanted
to do in terms of accelerating devolution by default.
So I think in terms of our response, we're looking for greater flexibility within the
integrated settlement to create the step change that we'll need, and we'll be feeding that
back to government.
We're using all opportunities to make that point and that opportunity to have increased
flexibility to move resources within the integrated settlement.
that's going to be really important for us in delivering
some of our growth ambitions.
We've also got greater ambition around fiscal devolution.
I know you've been really heavily involved in that.
We've been making the case around those revenue -raising
powers for mayoral combined authorities,
again, that will help us to deliver really important
projects and programs.
We're also seeking further information on capacity funding
and the local government finance settlement.
And that's really important in terms
of being able to deliver what's set out
in the white paper, both the combined authority
and the local authorities need that kind of long term funding
sustainability.
That's really, really important in terms
of actually turning this into practice and delivering.
So kind of making that point.
And I think also there's some areas where the framework
doesn't go as far as we would like.
And I think they're quite well rehearsed.
We keep making those points, particularly
around innovation, 16 to 19 skills provision.
So we'll be looking at kind of pushing on that
and seeing if we can move that even further.
I think also kind of clarity over time
is that we're seeking a little bit more
in terms of the implementation of the bill
and what that means, because obviously we'll
need to respond to this quite quickly
in terms of moving forward.
Just in terms of implementation, there's
a lot of work that we're already doing.
I think that colleagues have been talking about already
in terms of things around the local growth plan and health
and work, which colleagues will be speaking about.
I think there's also activity there
that we need to do around that further engagement
with government over the coming period.
So there's a small window of opportunity
between publications, the bill, and the passage.
What we're doing is using that time to make the case
and influence the content through the various networks
and mechanisms that we've got in place.
I think also the spending review is anticipated
to take place in June 2025. That's really important, particularly as it'll set budgets
and spending priorities for a minimum of three years, running from 2026. And we need to develop
our response to that, and we're doing that now, so we will be formulating a response
to the spending review. But that's an opportunity to make the case for all the activity that
we feel we need to kind of unlock growth. And it will also link into the kind of funding
that we get through the integrated settlement. So there's a lot to do over this coming period,
just preparing obviously for implementing the bill and more detail
will come forward over the coming weeks and months which we'll be responding to.
But yeah I think I'll start speaking now there's a lot to do I think we're well
underway we've got lots of kind of discussions taking place with our
partners about how we're going to implement this moving forward.
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 0:55:06
Thank you so much it's once in a generational opportunity isn't it to be
able to really take power from the center
and get it right in the regions to drive growth.
Because you can't get growth across the whole country
without getting growth in the regions led by mayors.
So Councillor Scullion.
Thank you.
Sarah's introduction could have been summarized in some ways,
but blimey, there's a lot in here.
Cllr Jane Scullion (Calderdale Council) - 0:55:28
I actually think on closer reading
that we're actually very well placed as West Yorkshire.
and I think that's because of our partnership principles. The fact that
there's the six of us and we travel together and we have our disagreements
of course from time to time but actually we work together for the good of West Yorkshire
really and I think the experience we've had just over the last few years will
stand us in good stead. And I have to, along with Councillor Lewis, I have to
echo Councillor Lamb here because actually we're really in for intensive
period. You know, there's real pace got to be put into this. There's a lot of detail
to be sorted. I think we're well placed. I think we will have to recruit and grow and
do that together, actually. But in some ways it's very exciting, really. And I think, as
I say, Mayor, we're really well placed to take the opportunity. If there was a bit more
money attached to it, that would be good as well.
I think one of the strengths as well is our co -terminosity of so many of our moving parts,
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 0:56:36
whether that's police or health and so on. And also our combined desire to really drive
change I think is really shared amongst partners, but also at every opportunity I make the case
that you can't succeed with devolution if you have local authorities that are hanging
by a thread so we need that sustained long -term funding streams for local
authorities as well. Anybody like to come in councillor Lamb and then councillor Anderson.
Yes thank you Mayor and I'm really feeling the love this morning around the table.
Don't get used to it. Don't worry I won't I'm a realist. So there's lots of good things in here and I
actually echo councillor Scullion as well to reciprocate that it kind of feels
like natural next steps for us it's going to be a much bigger disruption in
some parts of the country but because of where we are it sort of feels building
on where we've got to one of the areas that we need more detail but is a bit
concerning is around housing and strategic planning and so it's really
Cllr Alan Lamb Leeds City Council - 0:57:44
what your thoughts are around that mayor and how you see using the opportunities
it's got the potential if it's done right and in the spirit of working that
Councillor Scullion's outlined of everybody working together in the same
direction it's also got the potential to be a huge conflict and duplication with
local authorities. Hope it's the the former and not the latter but detail to
come but I just welcome your thoughts on how you see that as an opportunity and
how it would work in practice?
I think, as you say, it's in development,
but absolutely about additionality,
that local authorities have their local plan,
they know their patch.
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 0:58:32
It's where I can unlock the opportunities
with a strategic view across the whole of the region.
So for example, mass transit will give us an opportunity
to unlock housing.
We are talking in partnership with Leeds City Council
around the library and working with MHCLG on how we frame that collectively
but with that vision of economic growth and how that impacts across the whole
region. So be reassured that any opportunities that we have through
devolution to build more homes that will be my priority and it isn't about
stepping on anybody's toes. Local authorities know how to do this. They
need planning to work for them so that they can get more
affordable homes in particular built.
But I can also make the case, for example, to Homes England,
that we need to have a deeper relationship with arms length
bodies to get things done.
And also, I can be an advocate for developers,
as you've seen at UKReef over a number of years,
being able to say West Yorkshire is the place where
you should come because we have the vision.
So it's a combined task, but we're all in lockstep about the size of the prize,
which is to reduce those housing waiting lists, to get more people out of temporary housing,
all those families growing up in temporary housing, and to get them into affordable homes.
So we are definitely on a mission to deliver more affordable homes across West Yorkshire.
I don't know if Sarah wants to say anything about housing. No? Okie -doke. So who was next?
Councillor Anderson, sorry, and then Ben. I need a pen. So I'm having
Cllr Barry Anderson (Chair) - 1:00:19
to remember.
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 1:00:20
Cllr Barry Anderson (Chair) - 1:00:25
So Councillor Anderson. Just as the Street Leader, I think this is such an exciting time to be the Street Leader because there's so much happening.
But, but, what my concern is, have we got the capacity to scrutinize it all effectively
without needing to meet almost every single month to run street name meetings to deal
with things.
Because at the moment we've got devolution, we've got transport, we've got mass transport,
we've got bus franchising, we've got the exciting things that are going to be happening with
the local growth plan.
I know that you, when you were down at Parliament or the House of Lords or something like that
last week, you were going to try and argue for increased resourcing in terms of street
and a because we do need to look at it without taking money away from. It's all right saying
you've got an overall budget, but if you spend more on the back office overheads, there's
less going in the front line. And I'm concerned that by paying commissioners, not that I like
the name commissioners by the way because I think that's got connotations for local
government they aren't necessarily always positive but we can debate that another day.
But I think with that and how we are going to scrutinise and hold democratically into
crime because I'm not advocating we should have a London type elected people coming along
but it's how do we do that effectively, give you the reassurance but don't tie your officers
up in bureaucracy of having to report the same thing to about four or five different
groups or committees. So welcome it. It's an exciting time. I want to be part of it
and moving it forward. However I am concerned whether or not we're going to
have enough resource to be able to deliver it effectively without affecting
frontline which I don't think we should do under any circumstances. Thank you
Councillor and certainly in front of the Select Committee it did it was very
evident the support that that committee gets and how many people do we have
miles to
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 1:02:25
Two people I think we have supporting their or thereabouts, but we are very aware of the challenge. I definitely want to give
Scrutiny the resources that are needed, but I would just to reiterate
I also need members of that committee to also
Help me by by putting in the time putting in the hours reading the papers being across the detail. It's it's it's a team sport
So I do hear your point as you've mentioned to me before and we will be raising it in
every opportunity with government.
Ben.
Thank you, Mayor.
I just wanted to pick up the themes actually from the finance papers as well as the resourcing
and finance matters that have just been raised in relation to this paper.
Ben Still, Chief Executive (West Yorkshire Combined Authority) - 1:03:09
I think it is worth noting that there isn't currently any kind of mainstream funding settlement
from central government to combined authorities and that is something that as a combined authority
network we are lobbying the government hard to achieve because the lack of that kind of
flexible revenue funding is what is the very area that we would need to use to resource
the areas that have been discussed around the table today. So we will continue to press
it. In the meantime, some of that funding is in very scarce supply and that's why we're
again a capitalization as you just approved through the through the finance
paper. The other point I'd make is on resourcing and if you look at our corporate
risk registers you'll see that resourcing appears repeatedly as
absolutely one of the key risks to to delivery across a number of our areas. We
are getting though more sophisticated in terms of how we approach the market to
find the right people, ensuring diversity in those recruitment campaigns as
well, and also more efficient in terms of our internal processes, which is a challenge,
but we have reduced down the average time for a recruitment process to take from about
12 months ago, it was about, I'm looking at Alan because he's got his fingers on the numbers,
but something like 170 days to around 100 days now. So there's something we can do to
make these processes as efficient as possible. We're also looking at more sophisticated mechanisms
to use private sector and other partners through those kinds of consultancy arrangements, and
we're discussing that internally as well. But I'd also add as a final comment that actually
the labour market is more complex and people have, particularly post -pandemic and particularly
in the context of flexible working becoming the norm, much higher expectations about how
they would work and we as the employer need to understand the fit between how
people would like to work and what our business need is and that is an ongoing
piece of work that we're we along with just about every other service sector
employers needs looking at at the moment. Thank you. Thank you so much. Any further
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 1:05:23
comments on devolution? I just think it's an exciting time to be a politician in
in local government because we have the opportunity
to really turn around our regions in a way
that we've never had.
So I'm so delighted that we're all on this journey together.
And it's going to be quite a roller coaster, I've no doubt.
But I really do feel the outcomes
are going to be worth the effort.
So thank you all so much.
So are we happy to note the update provided
on the implications of the English devolution white paper
for where Shortshore endorse the ongoing work
to implement the measures outlined in the white paper.
We are.
Thank you all so much.
Now, as we've always discussed between us here,
that to grow the economy, you need transport and skills.
And that's why I am delighted that we've got to this point
with the All -Age Careers Blueprint.
Improving skills and supporting good careers education

9 All-Age Careers Blueprint

is essential if we're going to grow our economy
and ensure that people from all parts of our region
are able to access the opportunities we're creating,
an exciting step forward in ensuring everyone has access
to the right support to succeed.
The blueprint sets out a clear vision for a more integrated
and personalized career service tailored to the needs
of our local economy, and I'm really pleased
with the collaboration between the combined authority,
our local authority partners, employers, and residents
in helping us frame and shape this framework.
And it's clear this approach will help connect education,
training and employment opportunities for everyone, especially those who need it the
most. And in fact, only last week I had dinner with the principals of all the FE colleges
in West Yorkshire, signing a compact to work more closely together to identify opportunities
where we can drive growth through additional skills. And they were very up for the challenge,
and I'm delighted that we can get to this all -age careers point. Whatever your age,
on the escalator of opportunity, you'll need access to skills. So if I could come to
Councillor Lewis just to comment on the paper and then invite Felix Kumi and Pofar, our
Director of Inclusive Economy, Skills and Culture to provide further details. Thank
you. Councillor Lewis. Thanks, Mayor and I'm as excited as you about
Cllr James Lewis (Leeds City Council) - 1:07:45
this paper and bringing forward the services. Something we've all recognised we need is
the clear careers and guidance service for everybody in West Yorkshire.
We know that pay and productivity are lower in West Yorkshire and other parts of the country and this is an important part
alongside many of the other
pieces of work we do here to increase that. So it is a
it is a really important step forward. We know as well that the new government will be looking at reviewing the role of
job centres as well and it fits alongside that in giving people that real
Support before it comes in again. It's something that's coming through the business and economy
Committee we've had a good going over from the different Councillors and everybody else from the private sector and providers sat around the table to get
us
To this point. Thank you
Thank You councillor Lewis Felix
Thank you very much mayor and
Felix Kumi-Ampofo, Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority) - 1:08:40
Much more to say to be honest
this paper
The blueprint has been to the economic committee,
as Councilor Lewis just said.
It was a mural commitment.
Earlier in the year, we started working on this a little bit
before then.
What we've got right now in front of you with the appendices
sets up what the framework is for understanding
for what an all -age career service would look like.
We're not starting from zero, obviously.
The combined authority already has a career services school.
Our schools partnership team has relationships with 181
of our schools already here.
The framework here, this blueprint,
allows the work has given us a deeper understanding of how
to work with partners, the key points
on which careers advice really makes a difference.
And you'll see in the paper in section 3 .4,
there's a diagram in there that shows particularly
the transition shows the importance of evidence,
with the importance of having quality service for people,
but also shows how important it is to link this
to the local economy, its needs, the opportunities in it,
and how we can support people to actually debunk
some myths about what opportunities there are.
The team, if this board is minded to approve and adopt
this blueprint, will move on to developing
and implementation plan.
But that will link into other pieces of work
that are already underway, some of which you know about
and some of which the mayor has mentioned
around technical education and the West Yorkshire Promise
and employability skills.
The work that we're doing on economic inactivity
across the work, health and skills space.
All of these matter and they fit together
to support people into employment
wherever they might be on the spectrum,
as the mayor suggested.
So I will stop there and take any comments or questions if there are any.
Thank you.
Thank you so much.
Councillor Holdsworth.
Thank you.
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 1:10:50
I really welcome this report and I think one of the most striking things in it for me is
Cllr Sue Holdsworth Calderdale Council - 1:10:52
the suggestion of intervention at primary school age because children are very aspirational
and by the time they get to secondary school, those aspirations have quite often been kicked
out of them, not intentionally, but by social expectations, parental expectations, you know,
oh well, you know, why don't you go into construction, your dad's always enjoyed it, those sorts
of things. And to try and encourage younger people to think in a more broader sense is
really, really to be welcomed. I have raised this question with Felix earlier, but I just
I just wanted to reiterate that having worked,
God, for about 40 years in careers across the sector,
from secondary schools up to universities,
one of the key problems in finding work experience
placements outside large organizations
is the reluctance of small and medium sized employers
to take people on on the basis that in order to give them
a relevant experience, they would need to deploy staff away from their normal jobs to
help and supervise the work experience person, irrespective of their age.
And I wondered if there was any funding that's been considered to encourage the small and
medium -sized employer to offer appropriate work experience to make this blueprint really
work for all ages and all demographics of people across
West Yorkshire. Thank you.
Council Holsworth, I could not agree more with you that for so
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 1:12:33
many kids, it's who you know. And if you've got work
experience on your CV, you're more likely to get an interview.
It's something that the mayor's raised with the minister,
Jackie Smith on a call, I think it was yesterday, and she took
it away as an action for government to look at how we can
Encourage businesses to offer work experience but your point is well made that majority of our businesses are SMEs
And it may be something that we could work with those members of the Fair Work Charter
to support them as a maybe a localized pilot to
offer work experience but over to you Felix because it is
Absolutely a game -changer for so many youngsters particularly working -class kids who don't have access
whose parents may not even be working
and they can't use friends and family.
Felix.
Thank you, Mayor.
And as you said, really, really valid points,
very strong points.
I think there's something for us to learn
Felix Kumi-Ampofo, Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority) - 1:13:29
in some of the work that we already have kicked off.
There are many partners doing really good work here
and we need to work with them
and not to disrupt what they already are putting in place,
but to work and realize what we can scale.
And if there are any new ideas we bring on board,
the head partnership and some of the other partners out there
are doing some amazing, amazing work.
You are right that too many times when
it comes to work experience, the home you know
gets in the way a lot.
And there are challenges there for many people who are not
that well connected.
That is partly why we feel it's important for us
to start engagement early.
It's where the primary school thing comes in,
to make sure that aspirations remain as high as possible
for as long as possible, and that we are there to support,
or we work with partners to support everybody,
whether they are the beginning, middle,
towards the end of their careers,
to make the right decisions.
The blueprint in front of you focuses
on the importance of transitions,
when people are moving from primary to secondary,
or GCSE to college or A -level.
At those transition points, people are making decisions.
With what information are they making that decision?
Who is the main influence?
And how can we support that?
There are lessons for us to learn from some
of the programs we've done before.
If you look at Multiply, for example,
which was about numeracy, we did not simply
go in to teach people maths.
We actually worked with their parents.
we work with parents to even look at how they do their household budgets and subtly bring
in the numeracy bit on the back of that. There are different ways of doing some of these
things and we are definitely looking at that. Final point I'll make is in the local growth
plan we did make a commitment that we will support everybody, particularly young people,
to have the employer encounters that they need by the time they leave their youth so
they are ready for employment and the team is already working on this so we'll come back to you with more detail.
Thank you so much and also to reassure you that particularly on our green skills
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 1:15:50
task force recommendations that we go to primary schools to
talk to youngsters about what a green job is, what their future plans are,
so to go to primary rather than just secondary because often those decisions are made already.
Um council them
Thank you, man
Felix Kumi-Ampofo, Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority) - 1:16:10
Just a follow -up from what cancer holds with was saying and actually put a small business perspective
On to it and the barrier actually is system is geared up to
Engage with big business. It is not in any way geared up to engage with small business and I
Cllr Alan Lamb Leeds City Council - 1:16:24
Lived experience of it know many others where desperately want to give opportunities to young people
for work placements or things you provide,
actually getting someone to answer the phone
or reply to an email, it feels frequently that
it's much easier than to meet their KPIs
by dealing with a small number of large companies
who have an HR department and people that can deal
with all the paperwork and everything where
when it's a small business, it's one person
who's also doing their day job and is the HR department
and everything else and the bureaucracy
is often what gets in the way.
and I think that's something we have to factor into these things of really actually understanding
what small business needs to be able to provide these opportunities and making it as easy
as possible to provide the opportunities, not having huge forms to fill in and lots
of bureaucracy to engage with because that's the bit that's off putting and also just I
personally have found the colleges don't engage well with small business because it seems
like I've said there are a lot of us and it's a lot of phone calls and conversations to
have and they just don't have the time and capacity so they tend to focus on one big
company with an HR department because they can provide a lot of opportunities rather
than thousands and thousands of small businesses who might be able to provide one each if that
makes sense. So I totally agree with what you say but I think there's a job of work
to do to make it work with small business.
Thank you, Felix.
Thank you, Mayor.
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 1:17:56
Felix Kumi-Ampofo, Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority) - 1:17:57
And again, really strong points there.
Just a couple of comments, if I may.
One is with the final points you made around colleges.
The compact that the mayor referred to earlier on specifically refers to how colleges engage with employers
and how we can work together to make that better.
How we can ensure that that is woven into all their provision as much as possible.
It's something that we are fully aware of,
and we'll keep working on that, but we recognize the point
that you're making.
The second point I wanted to make
was that it's probably something for us
to learn from the ongoing SME graduates scheme that we have.
This is focused entirely, excuse as the name
says, on SMEs and supporting small and medium -sized
businesses to recruit graduates.
And we realized in designing this
that some of the key points that you made
kept coming through the results required for SMEs
to engage, how much time they need to dedicate
to bring a new recruit up to the right level.
And so the program that we've set up
is to provide that support to businesses,
but also to the graduates, to make sure
that they feel part of a network, part of a movement.
They're not left on their own once they've got a job,
and they get all the support they need
to remain in work, to enjoy,
and when the time comes for them to move on,
they have the right information to do that.
We'll see how that project goes.
It's only a few months old,
but there are lessons there for us to learn
about what we can transfer from that
into a knowledge career service.
Thank you so much.
Any further comments?
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 1:19:41
No, thank you.
Well, thank you so much for the work on this piece
Of work because it's going to be a game changer
So our members happy to approve the adoption of the West Yorkshire all -age careers blueprint
We will find another snappier title for it at appendix one
Which will guide the design and implementation of integrated careers and employment system for all residents in the region
We are happy to do that. Are we good stuff? Thank you all moving on item 10 project approvals
This first approval report relates to the West Yorkshire and New York broadband gain share

10 Project Approvals

Alastair Felix takes us through the recommendations on that item first.
Could you speak into your mic, please?
Sorry.
It is bound to catch me out at some point.
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 1:20:37
Felix Kumi-Ampofo, Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority) - 1:20:37
A few years ago, local authorities and the command authority contributed to set up a
came to support the rollout of fast broadband connection
across West Yorkshire.
Part of this was a clawback.
The terms in it included a clawback mechanism
where if take -up reached a certain level,
funding then returned to the public sector.
Up till this point, just over 6 million pounds
has come back in.
And the paper you have in front of you
is seeking your approval to delegate to the chief exec
for 2 .7 million of the 6 .3 million pounds
to be returned to all the partners,
all the local authorities, the six partners that contributed
to this at the beginning so everybody gets their money
back.
The remainder of the paper is seeking propagation
to the director of Inclusive Economy Skills and Culture,
which happens to be me, to work with partners
to disperse that in accordance with the digital blueprint
that you have already approved here.
So we have some digital projects that are already underway,
and there are other proposals to be considered.
And this allows us to make those decisions quickly.
The final point to make is that there
is more funding coming in slowly as take -up increases.
So, we'll come back to report to you on how that is going and how that money should be
spent.
Thank you very much.
Thank you.
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 1:22:19
And it's a good news story because it's money for local authorities, which is always welcome,
isn't it?
Are we happy to approve or do we have any comments?
Any comments?
No.
So, are we happy to approve the delegation authority recommended for progression through
the assurance process and approval of the funding.
We are very enthusiastic from local authority partners there.
Moving on, the project approval report provides details of four schemes recommended to progress
through the assurance process together with the delegation approval of one scheme to the
CA's chief executive.
Can I invite Simon Pope, our new director of transport capital programs, your first
meeting and I know that you joined us earlier this month and have definitely hit the ground
running.
Thank you so much. There are definitely too many Simons in this organisation.
But Simon P, please take it away. Thank you.
Thank you, Mayor, and apologies for the name confusion.
Mr Simon Pope (Director- WYCA) - 1:23:17
As you say, there are four schemes within the Transport Capital Programme
that we're looking for recommendations, or providing recommendations
for the Command Authority to approve this month.
There's obviously more details set out in the paper,
but I'll talk you briefly through the key points in relation to those four schemes now.
The first scheme is the Rail Accessibility Package,
where we are recommending the command authority approves the scheme proceeds through decision point two which is strategic outline case and work commences on
Activity four which is for business case
We're also recommending the release of 1 .7 million pounds in development funding to progress the next stages of work and that future approvals are made
In accordance with the assurance pathway and approval route that are outlined in the papers
briefly the scheme seeks to deliver step free access at guys Lee railway station to make it safer more attractive and easier for all rail users
particularly those with mobility impairments and those with caring responsibilities.
Scapes that involve delivery of a large -scale intervention comprising a new footbridge and
associated lift access to both platforms. The Command Authority previously submitted a bid
to fund, for funding rather, to the DFT's Access for All Program, where we're seeking to provide
step -free access at seven locations across West Yorkshire, with CRSTS funding being used as our
And thus it's proposed that the CRSTS match component is redirected toward to fund the single large -scale intervention in isolation
Guising has been selected as the most suitable location for that investment
And because it's the location where delivery can be achieved within the March 20 27 CRSTS funding window
The indicative cost of the scheme is circa 10 million pounds and
FBC for the scheme is programmed for May 20 26 at which point further decision will be requested from the command authority to proceed into delivery
with construction completion envisaged for February 20 27
I'll take the next two schemes together as both
Active travel schemes seeking funding through trench for the active travel fund
The first is upgrades to the Huddersfield broad canal towpath between Cooper bridge and Huddersfield
The second is upgrade to the Huddersfield narrow canal towpath between the Standish tunnel, Marston and slough it
Here we're recommending the command authority approves both schemes proceed through decision points 2 to 4 business
justification case and work commences on activity five delivery. We're also
recommending that the combined authority approves release of funding to the total
of 1 .8 million pounds for the broad canal and 1 .5 million pounds for the
narrow canal and that future approvals are made in accordance with the
assurance pathway and the payable room set out in the papers. Both schemes seek to
increase active travel trips and abstract commuter journeys from parallel
highway routes. The total cost of both schemes has increased from previous
estimates that were set out in the program level strategic outline case
for Active Travel Fund Trancheport by 458 ,000
and 539 ,000 respectively, due to an identification
of unforeseen issues on site that's
an increase in the scope of works that's going to be required.
However, Active Travel England have provided written
confirmation to us that they will provide
the additional funding to cover this increase in full.
And therefore, subject to approval by the command authority,
both schemes would start on site in April,
with completion due for September of this year.
Fourthly, we have the Calderdale Bus Hotspots Enforcement Scheme.
This forms part of our COSDS programme where we're recommending the combined authority
approves the scheme proceeds through decision plates 2 to 4 business justification case
and work commences on activity 5 delivery.
We're also recommending the combined authority approves release of funding to the total of
£1 .3 million for the scheme and that future approvals are made in accordance with the
insurance pathway and approval route outlined in the papers.
The scheme will enable Calderdale Council to enforce against violations of bus lane
and bus gate restrictions that are currently causing bus delays and safety issues for other
permitted users including cyclists.
A total of seven enforcement sites have been identified, five at existing bus lane and
bus gate locations and two that are in development of part of separate capital schemes.
Enforcement is currently undertaken by the police but due to resource constraints this
is shown to be invaluable in the longer term.
So the scheme will introduce automatic number plate recognition cameras in seven locations
and introduce the associated back office system to issue penalty charge notices to drivers
caught in infringing restrictions.
Ongoing funding of the scheme will be met through revenue generated from the penalty
charge notices within the first year, with the Calderdale Council underwriting any shortfalls
in operating costs.
The scheme is expected to reduce violations by 85 % within its first year, making bus journeys
quicker and more reliable whilst improving safety for cyclists.
As such, it is considered an important enabling component that contributes towards our bus
reform programme.
It also brings the ability to enforce restrictions in Calderdale, in line with the similar capability
that already exists in Bradford, Leeds and Wakefield.
Subject to approval by the combined authority, the scheme will commence delivery in August
of this year with completion programmed for January 2026.
Finally, I just draw members' attention to the delegated decisions taken by the Chief
executive and the executive director for transport, set out in the papers in relation to the Silsden
to Kildig Canal towpath scheme, the Leeds Bradford Airport Parkway scheme, the Bradford
Forster Square station gateway scheme and the Huddersfield station, sorry, Huddersfield
bus station canopy and public realm scheme. Happy to take any questions in relation to
those schemes or the four schemes that we're seeking CA approval for that I've briefly
summarised.
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 1:28:39
Thank you, and thank you so much for that. A couple of things I'd like to just mention.
accessibility to stations.
We are in a parlor state here in West Yorkshire.
And I think it's 72 % of our stations
don't have accessible, maybe Simon you can give me
that statistic, but don't have accessibility.
It's just not right.
We've got to make sure that all our transport offer
is accessible to every citizen.
So it was disappointing that we didn't get that bid.
But we just went ahead.
I think is really important for us to show that we find this really important and it is a big priority and I know that
We've been trying to work with northern on
train stations etc
so it's it's a matter that is a priority for us and particularly when it comes to our development of mass transit and
Bus franchising we will have that as a party as we design the network going forward. Just one thing
I love the canals and certainly as an offer for active travel
It's unique
To the north and to our region and it's great that we can make them accessible to all users
The the funding the funding ask has gone up a bit. Could you Simon just talk me through what the unexpected?
Things that you found there and they've meant that it's increased as it has
Yes, thank you that and the the original cost for the canal schemes was developed at the time of the
Mr Simon Pope (Director- WYCA) - 1:30:09
and program level strategic outline case
that we submitted to Active Travel England
to secure the Tranche 4 funding.
That was based on a high level estimate
of cost per kilometer for improvements to the Tay Path.
We've seen undertaking development works,
we found that further works were required
to the canal wall due to the quality of that wall.
So that's resulted in the increase in costs
that have been identified.
We're obviously looking to recycle some of that knowledge
from this latest Tranche 4 submission
into future potential tranches
as part of the active travel fund going forward. Do you work with Canal and River
Trust on that because obviously that's their remit as well isn't it?
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 1:30:48
It is yeah they're a key stakeholder as part of those proposals.
Mr Simon Pope (Director- WYCA) - 1:30:50
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 1:30:54
Okay thank you so can I ask a Councillor Morley. Thank you Mayor.
Tongue in cheek I think you find yourself looking that you wasn't successful for the
Cllr Matthew Morley Wakefield Council - 1:31:07
Ponderfract stations successful in the early part of 2020.
We're still waiting for that to even start,
the access for all at Ponderfract, Monquil station,
I believe, which has been crying out for accessibility
improvements for years and years and years.
So at least you've got guys who are up and running
where we're still waiting for them improvements.
And I think there's a number of stations
across the region like that.
You do make a valid point though,
and you are right about our rivers and canals
and off -road cycling.
We was very successful, and it has been successful.
the Casper Wakefield Greenway just over the the water there from council loses
Lord in Castleford people complain that the amount of families and people
cycling on there you see for getting to work also the pleasure is unbelievable
so I'm a massive advocate of the magazine should do that all our rivers
all of the country thank you here hits that council Hinchliffe yeah just again
the accessibility point this did come up a few times actually transport
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 1:32:05
Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe (Bradford Council) - 1:32:07
committee is this as well particularly council Kristi is very keen on the fact
that even when we make it access step free there's still difficult to gain on
trains and I just just made me think actually obviously there's a couple
there's northern and TP both now looking at rolling stock we should make sure
that we feed into that make sure they're looking at this seriously because all
this work that we're doing on stations needs to be reflected right through the
journey and not just at the station. So I think it's probably worth us picking up
from a transport committee's point of view that rail and stock purchase. Thank you.
Absolutely and if we're looking to also integrate rail into our integrated plan
like an overground that is also important for us going forward as well
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 1:32:51
that we make sure that it's
accessible for all. Any further comments? Ben? Just a comment on process if I may. On page 295
Ben Still, Chief Executive (West Yorkshire Combined Authority) - 1:33:00
We talk about the value for money and the benefit cost ratio for some of these schemes
and you'll see it's not just in this paper. Some of the projects do drop below a benefit
cost ratio of one and nevertheless we still recommend those schemes for approval and you
might need to ask the question why that is the case and the paper sets out why that is
the case in terms of the very narrow range of factors that are formally taken into account
through the following central government processes and enhanced by cost inflation on the cost
side without contribute changes on the benefit side.
And there's some technical reasons why that isn't fully kind of presented in a fair way.
So what we're looking to do is take a look at what does benefit cost ratio and value
from any assessments look like in a sensible way amongst the schemes, particularly because
we are increasingly taking forward the kinds of schemes that are not straight highway schemes
Which don't and therefore don't score quite a highly in benefit cost ratio terms
They just wanted to flag that unless anyone thinks we're just ignoring that some of these figures that otherwise would be questionable. Thank you
Thank you, very helpful
Council
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 1:34:12
Thank you, Matt. Um, just a question about the
bus hotspots in Calderdale
Cllr Sue Holdsworth Calderdale Council - 1:34:19
the point at four point four three on page 295
says that the bus gates and the number plate recognition scheme will enable
more journeys to be taken by bus. I've just got a question mark about that
because the bus service between Stainland and West Vale was axed and
the bus services that do exist between the rural areas of Greeton and Stainland
have been reduced. Now I accept that by the introduction of the franchising
scheme I would hope that this will definitely improve but I question the
extrapolation of more bus journeys being taken with the introduction of the
number plate recognition.
Councillor Scullion, I was going to go to Simon but please
please go for it.
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 1:35:12
Simon can probably give a more technical answer and Councillor
Cllr Jane Scullion (Calderdale Council) - 1:35:15
Holsworth is absolutely right, absolutely right you know shocking as in Wakefield
and in the other districts, cutting, actually cutting of services as well as a diminution
in services, a reduction in services.
And she's right to ask to have spelled out this particular scheme, which is actually
in the administration's forthcoming budget process as well.
I'd be very happy to go into enormous detail about each of the seven locations.
But one of the things, one of the ongoing discussions we have with the bus companies
is them saying, well, we can't afford to carry on doing this route because there are too
many delays.
We can't get the buses into the bus stations turned around or whatever destination.
And one of them is to do with the violations in terms of the bus lanes.
So as part of that ongoing dialogue, one of the things that we are looking at, as other
authorities have looked at is the question of the bus lanes
and the bus gates as a way of actually not just reducing,
but eliminating the bus companies' excuse
that they are getting delayed and therefore they
can't run those services.
So it's a correlation rather than causality,
but it's a really important part of our ongoing discussion
with bus companies in terms of reliability, speed,
and the services that people really need but happy to go into more detail so
Thank you so much did you want to add anything Simon P?
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 1:36:49
I think Councillor Scullin's explained very eloquently it's just one piece in the jigsaw and obviously we need to make sure we get everything like the service delivery
Mr Simon Pope (Director- WYCA) - 1:36:56
Thank you. Councillor Morley
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 1:37:00
Just out of sheer curiosity who has the responsibility of the AMPR cameras then?
Is it the Commonwealth Forestry Office or is it the local council?
So it would be the Colleagues Council will be taking responsibility
Cllr Matthew Morley Wakefield Council - 1:37:12
for maintenance and
upkeep of those cameras.
Mr Simon Pope (Director- WYCA) - 1:37:16
Okie doke.
Thank you so much.
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 1:37:19
I'm hoping to finish this meeting at one, so thank you for your speedy approach to the
last few items.
So can we approve that the four schemes recommended for progression through the assurance process
and approve the funding?
So the rail accessibility package step free access guys a station
Approved how does feel broad back broad canal aspley base into Cooper bridge toparath?
Resurfacing. Thank you. How does feel narrow canal phase three?
super cold Adele bus hotspots
Thank you, and they sound like fun those hotspots
In Calder Dale, so thank you so much for your support

11 Governance Arrangements and Amendments to Contract Standing Orders

So moving on to item 11 governance arrangements and amendments to standing orders this relates to the CA's key governance arrangements
Proposed amendments to the CA's contract standing orders
Can I ask Carolyn Norris assistant director for legal governance and compliance to take us through the recommendations?
Caroline Norreys, Assistant Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority) - 1:38:20
Thank you chair I shall do that and I shall note your wise words of our finishing time
Caroline Norreys, Assistant Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority) - 1:38:26
So I shall be succinct and assume a lot of the report is taken as read.
This report deals with four separate matters.
There are three matters on which we are seeking the approval of the combined authority and
a fourth here is for noting.
They are unrelated matters but they are brought together in one report for conciseness.
So I shall take them separately.
The first matter here relates to our recently established employment panel and at the last
combined authority meeting we agreed sorry
You agreed the principle of having co -op tees to that panel should they be needed in addition to the frcc members
This report brings forward those nominations from each of your councils for approval as co -op teams to that
So I'm hoping that is very straightforward
And the second matter here is a substantive matter in its own right and that is
Seeking approval to a revised version to our contract standing orders
Our contract standing orders are effectively the regulatory regime that covers and all our procurement
Across the combined authority and across all projects and programs. So it's an absolutely key piece of
Its key piece of the governance jigsaw in terms of that procurement process
which as we know is fundamental to the speed and the ability at which we can deliver on your objectives.
The CSOs have been updated in two separate ways.
One is to reflect the changes coming in from the Procurement Act next month,
which in itself brings a lot of positive change nationally in terms of procurement.
And secondly, the commercial team have taken the opportunity to actually look in addition
to that some of our internal processes and to look at where we can actually streamline
those and improve those.
So there are a range of changes across the contract standing orders which are there at
appendix two to address both of those.
Just very briefly, some of the key areas of change here and some of these do stem from
the national change in legislation.
But we've looked to with the procurement act introduces policies to remove barriers for SMEs
in terms of their acts, you know access to to the market and
Those have been reflected and taken through in terms of some of the changes to our own contract standing orders
and in addition, we've put enhanced provisions in relation to
social value element of procurement in our contracts and
of over 60 ,000, so we've broadened the scope of contracts to which social value element
would be relevant.
Through the national changes introduces greater flexibility, so it moves the number of procedures
to two procedures, open and competitive.
The competitive flexible procedure allows that authorities to have some flexibility
in terms of that particular type of procurement.
If it's for something particularly innovative or different, there's an opportunity to put
stages and procedures in there to reflect that.
There is also greater transparency and openness
in terms of there will be a new National Procurement Review
Unit, but also a national platform, which
will track contract performance information.
So for the first time, local authorities
will be required to upload details onto that.
But whereas, I think, historically, there
There have been issues where you know you've had poor performance from a contract before,
but you're limited in terms of the extent to which you can have regard to that in terms
of future tendering.
This really opens up that transparency in terms of recording this nationally, which
will help hopefully incentivize suppliers in terms of their performance, but also will
give the teeth to combined authorities and local authorities in terms of future procurement.
There's also strengthening of the conflict of interest processes and so much more transparency around that and one of the changes were making in terms of our internal procedure procedures is moving the point of approval.
Which currently sits towards the end of the process. So when it comes forward to a senior officer for sign off, it's already so far down the line that is being flipped to the start of the process.
So at that formative stage in terms of okay, who do we need to engage with? Where do we need to procure?
What can we do internally that senior sign office happens at earlier stage?
So I think there's a lot of a lot of really positive changes in that in that it is
supported by training that will be rolled out internally because of course this you know
It's that officers need to know what the art of the possible is and our commercial team
are keen to sort of be on the forefront with that,
working really closely and providing that commercial advice
and input at an earlier stage in the process.
So it will be kept under review as we do with our policies.
And we have the annual meeting coming up in the summer.
If there are further changes that we need to make,
we will do that at that stage.
So I'll keep going at this point,
but very happy to take any questions on that,
if that's okay, Matt.
Yeah, I think keep going and then we can come back to each item.
The third item relates to, I suppose, our response to a change at a national level.
And it's a little bit of a sledgehammer to crack a nut, I think, in terms of the reference here to a new combined authorities adult education functions amendment order.
But what it boils down to and this is a para 314 onwards is that nationally there have been some new types of technical
qualifications approved
Which which we could fund using our adult skills fund budget
But we we are restricted from doing so having the power to do so because it's not within the current orders
So the government are having to introduce a national order and to simply give local to give combined authorities
The power to apply funding to those new technical qualifications in the same way as they do for other things
So they are seeking and the consent of the combined authority and also for each of the local authorities as well
So I'm sure your monitoring officers will be having and come
Conversations with you, but this is seeking because of the timing of it. We are asking here for your approval
In principle and that the chief executive has the authority to get the final to give the consent once we see the final version
Of that order and in consultation with the mayor, but it's an enabling power rather than a duty or
And then finally the fourth point is to highlight
That the NH CLG has put out a consultation on standards and code of conduct in terms of members complaints against members
that that is a national consultation. Unfortunately, the timing of it has meant that we haven't been able to bring a proposed draft response to this meeting and it closes before our next CA meeting.
So we are drawing it to your attention. We'll be writing out to each member to say if you want to feedback to me, I will do a response as monitoring officer for the CA, but to make you aware.
But I'm sure members are aware because obviously this affects you in terms of your own authorities as well
So thank you, may that's a slight counter through but I am very happy to go back and take questions
We're going to be needing potentially other
other
Other levers from government that might also necessitate further
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 1:46:35
standing order changes, but thank you
Okie -doke moving on to the next item. Oh, no, are we are we happy to approve the corruption?
Sorry of the nominees to the employment panel
We are thank you approve the revised contract standing orders
Thank you. Approve in principle the consent to the creation of an adult education order and delegate authority to the CS chief executive in consultation with myself, the final draft of the order.
We are note the consultation on the framework standards and code of conduct.
Super. Thank you. Obviously need my lunch fading fast in the chair item 12 minutes for information.
This provides members with details of the committees and notes informed on meetings
of members and have been published on the website since the last meeting.
But before we go, may I just say a few words to recognise Alan Rees, our Chief Operating
Officer, as he prepares to leave the CA in March after six fantastic years.
And our loss is Kim McGinnis' gain.
It's your final CA meeting, Alan.
and I want to thank you for the huge contribution you've made during your time with us.
You've helped secure the Mayoral Devolution Deal, bringing billions of pounds of funding to West Yorkshire.
You led on our response with others to the pandemic.
You've driven forward major initiatives like mass transit and bus franchising,
and your contribution has been instrumental in shaping our region's future.
You've brought in the police and crime functions, not an easy thing to do,
and to your passion and determination around equity, diversity and inclusion
have left a lasting legacy for my organisation and our organisation
and I had a genuine ally in my desire to see a more diverse combined authority.
Alan is the first permanent Chief Operating Officer.
Our Chief Executive will be reviewing the role before recruitment begins
with temporary arrangements to ensure continuity.
a real loss for us, but incredible dedication and energy,
and be felt long after you move on.
On behalf of everyone here, I want to thank you, Alan,
for everything that you've done.
Public service is not a given,
and you've really approached your job with commitment,
energy, creativity, and flair.
And I also want to applaud you
for your commitment to amateur dramatics,
because that was a real point of interest for me,
that you and your family love amateur dramatics,
and I'm sure you'll find an Amdram company
up in Durham as well.
So we all really wish you the best for the next chapter.
Thank you, Ellen.
So thank you everybody for your attendance,
and the next meeting is 27th of February,
and the meeting is now closed, thank you.
you