West Yorkshire Combined Authority - Thursday 3 April 2025, 11:00am - West Yorkshire Combined Authority Webcasting

West Yorkshire Combined Authority
Thursday, 3rd April 2025 at 11:00am 

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  1. Cllr Claire Douglas (York Council)
  2. Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
  3. Seat 27
  4. Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
  5. Seat 27
  6. Cllr Claire Douglas (York Council)
  7. Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
  8. Seat 27
  9. Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe (Bradford Council)
  10. Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
  11. Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe (Bradford Council)
  12. Seat 27
  13. Simon Warburton, Executive Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority)
  14. Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
  15. Cllr Alan Lamb Leeds City Council
  16. Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
  17. Seat 27
  18. Cllr Claire Douglas (York Council)
  19. Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
  20. Seat 27
  21. Caroline Norreys, Assistant Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority)
  22. Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe (Bradford Council)
  23. Tim Taylor Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority)
  24. Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
  25. Seat 27
  26. Cllr Alan Lamb Leeds City Council
  27. Tim Taylor Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority)
  28. Seat 27
  29. Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
  30. Cllr Denise Jeffery (Wakefield Council)
  31. Liz Hunter, Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority)
  32. Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
  33. Seat 27
  34. Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe (Bradford Council)
  35. Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
  36. Seat 27
  37. Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe (Bradford Council)
  38. Seat 27
  39. Cllr Alan Lamb Leeds City Council
  40. Seat 27
  41. Ben Still, Chief Executive (West Yorkshire Combined Authority)
  42. Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
  43. Seat 27
  44. Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe (Bradford Council)
  45. Seat 27
  46. Mandy Ridyard (West Yorkshire Business Board)
  47. Cllr Denise Jeffery (Wakefield Council)
  48. Seat 27
  49. Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
  50. Seat 27
  51. Liz Hunter, Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority)
  52. Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
  53. Seat 27
  54. Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
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  1. Seat 27
  2. Cllr Scott Patient Calderdale Council
  3. Liz Hunter, Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority)
  4. Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
  5. Liz Hunter, Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority)
  6. Seat 27
  7. Cllr Scott Patient Calderdale Council
  8. Seat 27
  9. Cllr Barry Anderson (WYCA Scrutiny Chair)
  10. Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
  11. Cllr Martin Love Bradford Council
  12. Liz Hunter, Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority)
  13. Seat 27
  14. Cllr Martin Love Bradford Council
  15. Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
  16. Seat 27
  17. Ben Still, Chief Executive (West Yorkshire Combined Authority)
  18. Seat 27
  19. Mandy Ridyard (West Yorkshire Business Board)
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  1. Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
  2. Seat 27
  3. Cllr Scott Patient Calderdale Council
  4. Seat 27
  5. Cllr Alan Lamb Leeds City Council
  6. Liz Hunter, Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority)
  7. Cllr Scott Patient Calderdale Council
  8. Seat 27
  9. Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
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  1. Cllr Scott Patient Calderdale Council
  2. Seat 27
  3. Liz Hunter, Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority)
  4. Seat 27
  5. Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
  6. Cllr Scott Patient Calderdale Council
  7. Seat 27
  8. Seat 27
  9. Cllr Barry Anderson (WYCA Scrutiny Chair)
  10. Seat 27
  11. Liz Hunter, Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority)
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  1. Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
  2. Seat 27
  3. Felix Kumi-Ampofo, Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority)
  4. Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
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  1. Felix Kumi-Ampofo, Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority)
  2. Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
  3. Simon Pope, Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority)
  4. Seat 27
  5. Cllr Alan Lamb Leeds City Council
  6. Simon Pope, Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority)
  7. Seat 27
  8. Simon Pope, Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority)
  9. Seat 27
  10. Simon Pope, Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority)
  11. Seat 27
  12. Simon Pope, Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority)
  13. Seat 27
  14. Felix Kumi-Ampofo, Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority)
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  1. Seat 27
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  1. Caroline Norreys, Assistant Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority)
  2. Ben Still, Chief Executive (West Yorkshire Combined Authority)
  3. Seat 27
  4. Caroline Norreys, Assistant Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority)
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  1. Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
  2. Webcast Finished

Cllr Claire Douglas (York Council) - 0:00:04
I've got no apologies.
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 0:00:12
Welcome everybody.
Thank you so much for coming today on this beautiful sunny Yorkshire day.
Two brief things to mention before we start the meeting.
Two weeks ago, sadly, Miles Larington, who you'll know is the clerk of this committee,
was involved in a traffic accident on his way home from work and some of the broken arm.
So whilst he's at home recovering, I hope that people around this table would want to wish him all the best.
And Miles, if you're watching, get well soon.
Please don't do this. Sit in the garden and recover.
Can I also pay tribute, please, to Andrew Coley, stepping down as chair of the Combined
Authorities Unison Branch after 12 years in the role you know.
I am a trade unionist, and I really value the contribution of our unions.
So I'd like to thank Andrew for his time and dedication to the organization while serving
as chair.
And he worked really closely with us through a huge amount of change, growth, and development,
whilst also relentlessly representing employees across the organisation.
We are such a different organisation to the organisation 12 years ago
and he's been with us in that dedicated role.
So thank you, Andrew, for your service.
Now let's crack on with the rest of the meeting.
Sarah, can I ask any apologies?
Thank you, Chair. We have no apologies.
Thank you. Any declarations of interest?
Seat 27 - 0:01:44
Do any members of any interest they wish to declare on any item on the agenda?
No, thank you so much. Okay. Item three.
And now officers have advised that information contained in appendices one and two to agenda.
Item eight. Bradford City Village is treated as exempt under paragraph three of part one of schedule 12.
of the Local Government Act 1972, as they contain information relating to the financial
or business affairs of a particular person, including the combined authority, and further
it is considered 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.
Can we agree the press and public will be excluded should members wish to discuss the content of the appendices when we consider item 8?
Thank you, thank you so much. Very good. Moving on, item 4 minutes of
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 0:02:50
the last meeting of 27th February. Any comments or questions?
No? Are we content to confirm them as an accurate record? We are, thank you.
Okeydoke, moving on to the Mayor's update. I had the huge privilege of welcoming the Prime Minister to the region last week.
He was confirming further funding for the Trans -Pennine route upgrade and visited Kamira,
Some of you may know an incredible textile manufacturer in Honsfield who are specialists in making seat covers for buses and trains.
They made the seat covers for the London Underground.
They're doing some seat covers for the TRU trains, the new trains, and perhaps one day they'll also do the seat covers for our tram across West Yorkshire.
and the tram was backed by the Prime Minister during his media rounds as well as in the spring statement in the
document that backed the Chancellor's comments in the House of Commons
only a few weeks ago.
Mass transit, our tram network, is a central plank of our integrated transport plan and on today's agenda
we have details of the consultation on our local transport plan.
Our ambitions for Boss Rail Tram and Active Travel are clear and they impact not only on West Yorkshire but the whole of Yorkshire and of course the wider north, which is why it was so important I stood alongside the mayors of South Yorkshire and York and North Yorkshire in the historic Selby Abbey last month to sign the historic White Rose Agreement, setting out how we'll work together to progress the interests of our great county.
I also look forward to welcoming the new mayor of Hull and he's riding into that agreement
After their election in May that will mean that the whole of Yorkshire has a mayor by May
And Yorkshire is the size of Scotland and I really do believe the power of that
Collaboration is going to deliver at speed for all of our regions
Now one of the first actions of the white rose agreement was to commission Lord David Blunkett to work with the three mayors on
on a rail review for the region with the intention of informing the government's proposed
10 -year infrastructure plan. In addition to tram, we're continuing to push on the need for a new
through station in Bradford, additional capacity at Leeds City Station, and further electrification
of routes across the Pennines and into South Yorkshire. I'm hugely delighted that Lord Blunkett
is such a dynamic, strong advocate for this work and it's incredibly helpful to have someone with
his experience championing the needs of the region.
Also, finally, if I may, I want just
to touch on the announcement government made about the future
of the NHS, of NHS England.
While I'm supportive of the government's plan
to improve health services across the county
and the changes they're making have
greater ministerial oversight and direction for the health
service, our region has benefited greatly
from the presence of NHS England and its subsidiary
organizations such as Health Education England, NHS Digital,
and NHSX.
We have many skilled and talented staff
within those organizations and a flourishing health and life
sciences and health tech sector that's developed around it.
Over 300 health tech and life sciences businesses
clustering in our region.
Our region's reputation as the home of the NHS
is one of the key planks of our success,
both in nurturing homegrown innovation companies
and attracting much needed inward investment, and it's a key plank of our local growth plan.
The Secretary of State and his team have acknowledged the importance of the sector to our region
and the impact of this decision on top of the delay to the development of the new teaching
hospital in Leeds.
And they understand the impact that has had on the confidence on the sector in the city.
We remain committed to backing businesses to grow and develop in the region and will
launch details of our business support program for the health
tech sector as part of our investment zone
later this month.
I wonder if colleagues have comments
on those opening remarks.
Is there anything?
Claire, please.
Seat 27 - 0:07:12
Cllr Claire Douglas (York Council) - 0:07:17
you
And so thank you for your role in that and I'd like to thank Mayor Oliver Coppard and
David Scaife for coming together and I hope that it will be productive for us all.
Thank you.
Thank you so much.
I'm really looking forward to working across border.
I know that there are a lot of residents in West Yorkshire that would love to get
over to Harrogate and to York and to have that connectivity. I think Councillor
Lamb has raised this on a number of occasions and this is going to help us
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 0:08:31
to get to that place. Councillor Hinchliffe.
Yeah I'd just like to reinforce those comments about the Wise Rose Agreement
Seat 27 - 0:08:39
that you're forging ahead with Mayor. I think it's a really important piece of
Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe (Bradford Council) - 0:08:41
work and obviously with the North West doing their plans, yourself and the other Mayors
leading on this side of the Pennines, those two plans coming together gives the Government
a really great footprint for how we see transport go forward in the North of England and a joint
investment plan there for EMUR even. So I'd just really welcome this work and look forward
to seeing it develop further.
Thank you so much. Any further comments? No, thank you. Okie doke. So let's move on to
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 0:09:13
item six. Um it's uh the mayor's where she looks a
local transport plan statutory consultation. Um
the next item um is about ambitions that I have for
the fully integrated public transport network in our
region. Boss tram train and active travel all part of
that single offer now we've taken significant decisions
on transport of the last year, including the decision
to franchise the bus network progressing our ambitious
tram program these and other priorities and programs are being brought together
in an updated statutory local transport plan which we're seeking approval to
consult on so can I first come to councillor Hinchcliffe chair of the
Transport Committee to say a few words and then go over to Simon Warburton our
Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe (Bradford Council) - 0:10:00
executive director of transport and I'll pass straight on Simon if that's okay I
think obviously we've talked about it's a lot of Transport Committee have had a
look at it on several occasions it is a really important piece of work going
forward again talking to government and giving us a tool to have those
conversations but also I'll let Simon present. Thank you Simon. Thank you Mayor and thank you
Seat 27 - 0:10:23
Councillor Hinchliffe. So as members are aware that the local
Simon Warburton, Executive Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority) - 0:10:24
transport plan is
an important document for a number of reasons. First and foremost it is a
statutory plan for the combined authority so it does give us real teeth
in our ability to set out our transport agenda for West Yorkshire.
And in the current climate in particular, it allows us to establish a statutory policy framework
for a number of our critical programmes, not least making very clear the integration priorities
that we are seeking to achieve particularly through the bus franchising program as we
roll that forward, setting out very clearly a contemporary policy case for the mass transit
program, which will be enormously important in the specific statutory processes that lie
ahead for that program.
enabling us to be very clear on our evidence base for that those critical
aspects of rail investment and rail service improvement that you've just
touched on now under the White Rose Agreement but also in preparation for
the statutory role that you will have in due course in Great British Railways and
allowing us collectively as the partners across West Yorkshire to have a very clear investment framework for our transport spending priorities,
looking forwards to both the integrated settlement for West Yorkshire and also the second round of City Region Sustainable Transport funding that will sit within that programme.
It is also being prepared very clearly to meet the objectives that we've agreed through the West Yorkshire Plan
to ensure that those investment priorities support the spatial and sectoral priorities that you have identified through the local growth plan
and also to ensure that we are continuing to challenge all of our
transport policies in the context of the climate and environment plan which we'll
be discussing later on the agenda today. We had a successful consultation in 2024
around the objectives for our local transport plan and since then there's
a large body of work which is continuing both internally inside the organisation but most
importantly in partnership with the five local authorities and there's a very strong body
of ongoing work overseen by the Chief Highways Officer's group and also the Directors of
development so we're now in a position where we want to propose today and seek
endorsement to us making preparations for a summer consultation on the draft
plan my intention would be that we would look to bring forwards to the June
meeting of the combined Authority having worked under the delegated authority
that was seeking with yourself mayor to start to bring that draft plan forward
for members and that consultation this summer will then be very timely in the context of
the other work and that wider context across the transport picture that I talked about
and will allow us to get to a position where we can bring forward a final plan for your
consideration and adoption in early 26.
Thank you so much and I'm incredibly excited about this plan and that potential for integration. We've spoken a lot about it, the tap in,
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 0:14:35
tap out, that London style offer, bus, tram, EV bike, rail, overground, all and have that cohesive narrative across our region.
So I think also aligning with our growth plan corridors
That we've identified as well those transport corridors really important any comments. Thank you councillor lamb
Yeah, thank you, mayor. Yes
hopefully constructive suggestion
Cllr Alan Lamb Leeds City Council - 0:15:03
Just from previous experience of consultations not only from the combined authority, but from our constituent councils
can I ask that the
consultation documents are shared with members before they
are published just so we don't have things like missing weatherby off the map.
Also to make sure the language is not officer speak and it's actually in a language that makes
sense to everybody and is relevant to them. Thank you, I couldn't agree more.
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 0:15:38
Vibrant nods from Simon there so we'll take that away.
Councillor Douglas
Thank you. And yeah, it's really good to see this coming forward and
Seat 27 - 0:15:46
as an associate member of the the combined authority
Cllr Claire Douglas (York Council) - 0:15:50
but an important part of the economic
Reach of Leeds and of York. I'd like to ask if it's possible that York is consulted and
Because that is really important. We get that corridor right for both of our
benefit and also the
the cross -border work. It's really something I know Councillor Lamb and from Wetherby and I
are very interested in so my officers would appreciate being able to respond if that's
deemed appropriate. Thank you. I think that's a jolly good idea and I also think we should maybe
widen that out to South Yorkshire as well given that we've got the white rose agreement let's start
Um uh work as we mean to go on okay. Thank you. So um we're all happy to uh approve the statutory 12 week public and stakeholder consultation starting in June and that they combined authority
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 0:16:45
delegates finalization of the consultation documents to the chief executive in consultation with myself.
All happy to approve? Great, thank you all so much. Moving on, item seven, school bus
consultation. This is another transport consultation and I'm sure people will
recognize getting children to and from their place of education is central to
giving them access to opportunity and improving their life chances. As we've
just discussed, we're fully committed to creating that integrated, affordable,
sustainable, reliable and resilient transport system that connects all parts
of our region so everyone can access the places they need to live fulfilled lives.
And of course this includes young people. Consulting on how we deliver on this
commitment is an essential component of our future transport plans which is why
I'd urge parents and children across the region please to respond. Can I ask
Councillor Hinchliffe to make some initial comments and Tim Taylor, our
Thank you very much, Mayor. Yes, these are services that a lot of
Seat 27 - 0:17:53
families across West Yorkshire rely on, and I know the Combined
Caroline Norreys, Assistant Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority) - 0:17:56
Authority put a lot of thought into the consultation, really getting views for a wide range of parents, schools and children as we go forward.
Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe (Bradford Council) - 0:18:05
That is going to be out on the 23rd of April, so I'll also just remind everybody to look out for that and participate, as you say, as fully as possible.
Thank you, Tim.
Tim Taylor Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority) - 0:18:14
Thank you Mayor. So yes, as the paper sets out, this is a request to proceed with a really important public consultation
on allowing the command authority to develop an updated school transport policy.
As you say, counselling is closed starting on the 23rd of April after schools return from the Easter break.
So the command authority has statutory responsibility for the provision of school buses, but it also has a number of discretionary services
that it provides across the region, which enable pupils to get to their place of education
and around 20 ,000 pupils in total, allowing these services on a daily basis.
The policy itself, which covers this aspect of transport, was last reviewed by the Transport
Committee in 2019 and I'm sure everyone will recognise that since then there's been significant
changes both regionally and nationally to the way that the bus network operates.
The existing school arrangements that exist as we speak have built up over time as a number
of historic changes and developments in the region.
And as a result, we have a really varied range
of services across the region in terms of application and use.
And as such, also the way in which they are funded
is also varied as well.
You've heard from the previous paper about our ambitions
to create a local transport plan, in particular,
its focus on inclusive growth and ensuring people
have access to opportunity.
It's really important, therefore, that we
allow this consultation to take place and that we've received with that seven week consultation.
And as Councillor Ingek -Clyde rightly points out, we encourage as best as possible participation
from parents, carers and pupils, not just for those that have access to a school bus
now but for any school in the region and as pointed out by Councillor Douglas, the cross
board services as well, so we make sure we have real reach in terms of provision of services
that we provide.
So I would request that members support recommendations
out in the paper that we proceed with this consultation
and we will then bring back to the July combined authority
the results of that process.
Thank you, Mayor, happy to take questions.
Thank you so much.
And it was very interesting at the mayor's question time
in Leeds last night.
The young people there whilst at college, not at school,
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 0:20:19
were speaking very articulately
about their challenges around bus.
So we are now a child first organization
and the voice of children, hopefully will be amplified over the next few years.
So I would encourage all leaders and parents and carers to get their youngsters to also
feed into this.
It's not just about parents.
It's about young people telling us what they want to do as well.
Because where possible, youngsters should, if they can, wheel or walk or cycle to school,
and we'll try and support them to do that.
But we also need to know what the current landscape is, because the last consultation
was 2015 which seems 2019 which is definitely a whole world away to the
world that we are in now so thank you for that any comments yes council and
yeah thank you mayor yeah quite right that we're doing the consultation I
Seat 27 - 0:21:10
probably made the same observations as the previous one making sure the
Cllr Alan Lamb Leeds City Council - 0:21:14
language is particularly that this is aimed at young people we need to be
talking a language that makes sense to them.
Can you just clarify, is there an objective to save money
not implicit in the paper, talk about the funding
and then my other question is just around some reassurance
for our sort of more rural communities
and also about cross -border issues that you talked about
that we are reaching as with the previous consultation
into North Yorkshire, South Yorkshire, et cetera,
because there are lots of our residents and children
who go to school outside of the district, and vice versa.
People come in to make sure we've captured their settings
as well, so it's not just the parents.
So just some reassurance about that, please.
Tim Taylor Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority) - 0:22:05
Yeah, so to take the first point,
so there isn't any predetermined objective
to save money for this process.
The paper sets out the budget implications
as we see them today.
But to my earlier point, the way in which services are funded in terms of mixture of funding from the command authority,
districts and indeed school contributions too is quite varied at this point in time.
We want to take holistic view as to the way that funding is both provided but is also then sustainable in the future,
particularly as part of that transition into bus franchising as well.
So that's a really important component of this exercise.
In terms of reaching engagement, absolutely we're preparing the brochure and that brochure is going to be written in such a way that it is written for both parents and for pupils.
We want to do direct engagement with schools and head teachers to make sure they encourage
their pupils and parents to participate as well.
And we want to do that as well across all parts of the region, almost irrespective of
geography and place because again, the very needs of parents and pupils and schools vary
by their very nature, don't they, from location to location.
So we want to make sure that there is genuine far -reaching engagement in this, including
those cross -border movements that you described too.
Seat 27 - 0:23:12
Thank you. Any further comments? Super. Thank you. So are we happy to approve the
commencement of the consultation and which concludes on the 11th of June 2025 and that
members note that their responses and recommendation of the consultation will be brought back
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 0:23:31
to us here at the combat authority July 2025. Happy to approve. Super. Thank you all so much.
Okay, moving on to item eight, Bradford City Village.
Can I remind members that Appendices one and two are exempt?
We're going to private session after the paper's
been introduced to discuss their contents.
I'm delighted, absolutely delighted to see the progress
of this major housing initiative
within Bradford City Centre.
If you haven't been to Bradford City Centre recently,
I urge you to go, it looks amazing.
The combined authority has supported Bradford Council's ambitious regeneration plans
over a number of years through investment in major projects such as One City Park,
Darley Street Market and through the Transforming Cities Fund.
If this strategic investment is approved in principle today, this will be an important step
in the creation of a green, healthy and community -friendly city centre neighbourhood.
This supports our place -making agenda as well as providing much -needed new homes for our communities
May I also mention that there's an error in the agenda which is councillor Hinchcliffe named as the lead member
But that's incorrect. This item will be led by councillor Jeffrey as chair of the committee
So if I could turn first to council Jeffrey and then to Liz hunt to take us through councillor
Cllr Denise Jeffery (Wakefield Council) - 0:24:54
Thank you, Mayor. Yes, you're right. This is what this is all about. It's absolutely brilliant news for Bradford.
Take a bow, Susan. This is a proposed project approval under investment priority three.
The Bradford City Village project is transformational and housing -led regeneration program within central Bradford
and a named priority with the local growth plan as well as our strategic place partnership in Homes England.
For consideration today is the approval at outline business case for both phases 1 & 2 on land currently owned by
Bradford Council and these phases will deliver the first
270 homes of the 900 housing scheme
Phase 1 will include 96 townhouses to be owned by a registered provider
And made available for affordable rent and shared ownership
Phase 2 will include
174 market rent apartments.
These projects are at an early stage of design
and are subject to planning consent.
Approval today will support the recently announced
at 29 .3 million from Homes England
for an upfront infrastructure delivery
ahead of the housing development.
Approval of a future full business case for phase one
is requested to be delegated to the chief executive
with an indicative funding of up to 13 .1 million from the Brownfield Housing Fund
details in relation to phase two are contained within the exempt appendices
I'll hand over to Liz. Thank you you both articulated really well
what the scheme is trying to do and just to add it is one of our spatial
Liz Hunter, Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority) - 0:26:40
priority areas it's in our growth plan we recognize it as one of our key
priorities and as you rightly said this is about housing but it's housing in the
context of a new improved and Bradford City Centre very much linked to the
transport projects which are already in play but also very much linked to what's
going to come forward with with future transport development and we also see
this as a catalyst for the future generation regeneration of the city
centre and linking into future plans for the Southern Gateway so hopefully this
this is the first step towards further conversations about this project.
And you've already mentioned in terms of the ask for today, in terms of the recommendations.
And so just to be also clear that we're not seeking any further asks about phases beyond one and two at this stage.
I just wanted to be clear on that and then happy to go into the private session to answer any of the detailed questions on the annexes.
Thank you so much.
and if the Bradford 2025 messaging be bold be Bradford I think this is also an example
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 0:27:46
of our belief in Bradford and hopefully these homes will also be really lovely and we'll build
that neighbourhood in the heart of the city centre for the community to live in next to the tram and
the brand new station so we have big ambitions. Susan would you like to comment? Yes thank you
very much, Mayor, and thank you, Councillor Jeffries, for that. We're
Seat 27 - 0:28:09
really pleased to see
this investment coming in. This is, with everything going on in
Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe (Bradford Council) - 0:28:13
Bradford, there's
more investment going in Bradford now than there has been for decades, and you
can really see the difference it's making. And obviously what plans have got
in place now are over years and decades into the future, but you can see all the
housing that's going to be built here, and the artistic images are fantastic,
people really start to see how that works and then with the new through
station mass transit leads Bradford and across the west of West Yorkshire you
can really see that in the future Bradford's gonna be a great place to
live work and invest and it's this level of regeneration that you know Mayoral
devolution and a good relationship with government gives us and it's great to
see it coming together so thank you Mayor, thank you Councillor Jeffries for all the work
you're doing to make sure that Bradford thrives thank you.
Terrific. Thank you. Okie doke. Would anybody like to discuss the exempt appendices?
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 0:29:11
Super. Thank you. So there is no... I'm so sorry. Councillor Lamb, you would. Okay.
Oh, a question, but not on the appendices. Very well. Thank you. Councillor Lamb.
Yes. So my comments are broad, so I'm not straying into the details in
Seat 27 - 0:29:25
the appendix.
So whether the answers need that I don't know but the aim and objective here is laudable
and absolutely something that I'm sure everybody can support.
My concerns are twofold I guess.
One to be frank the record of Bradford of delivering big projects like this is not very
good.
There's been a lot of holes in the ground in Bradford for a long time and balanced against
that is that there's an awful lot of unanswered questions in the paper and the briefings I've
had and the level of risk within this and the amount of money.
I don't think it would be responsible today to make the decision and commit the level
of funding that we are without actually answering those questions of detail and how we mitigate
the risk.
I think there should be a full master plan for the project and I just feel there needs to be more.
I want to support it, absolutely.
I absolutely want to support it but I think there is too much risk that hasn't been set out how that's going to be addressed.
Thank you, Councillor Lai.
I would say, regarding delivery and holes in the ground, that's the past.
There's a new sheriff in town, Councillor Lamb, and there are no holes in the ground that are not going to be filled in Bradford.
So let's go to a private session and we can...
I'm so sorry. Oh yes, please, Councillor Hinchliffe.
Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe (Bradford Council) - 0:30:59
I have to say, you know, this is why it's so important to get Conservatives out of government nationally,
because they just talk down the nation and our cities and our towns and villages.
This is private sector investment that's coming in and you're talking us out of private sector investment.
Why would you want to do that? So we have to, as leaders, we have to believe in our places.
We have to invest alongside the private sector who want to invest in our places.
So I find to go into private session, but I just felt it was important to say that as a Labour
leader at Bradford, with a Labour government and a Labour mayor, we are making a difference in this
country. We are going to grow the economy for the many and not for the few and not talk ourselves
into decline. So I just thought it was important to come back on that point. Thank you.
Seat 27 - 0:31:44
Thank you so much Councillor Lamb. Yes thank you Mayor. I'll resist the urge to go into a political debate because generally speaking we don't do that. I hope you'll perhaps call out your colleague for doing that Mayor because it's not the place for it.
We're all sat here.
We're all sat here to...
I think, Councillor Lamb, the issue is we were celebrating something that is amazing for Bradford
and the positivity that was surrounding it
and it did feel that it was undermining the opportunity.
So I do see how the leader of Bradford might feel exercised to express her opinion.
But please continue.
Thank you, Mayor, and I hope you'd agree. It's our role here to speak on behalf of all taxpayers, all residents,
and the reason, I believe, the way I set out the point was I want to support this scheme, I want it to be delivered.
Cllr Alan Lamb Leeds City Council - 0:32:43
I certainly wasn't talking Bradford or anybody down in that way.
What I'm concerned about is that if we don't have a robust scheme and a robust plan and robust figures and numbers,
it won't be delivered.
And that's the concern. I haven't once said this is a bad thing or we shouldn't do it.
What I've said is we should take our time and make sure it's done right because you said the past is behind us
but we should learn from it.
Thank you. Ben can answer some to your question without going into private session.
So I'm hoping that this will reassure you. Thank you, Ben.
Seat 27 - 0:33:19
Yeah, that's on the basis, members, that nobody else has got other questions that might take
us into private session.
Ben Still, Chief Executive (West Yorkshire Combined Authority) - 0:33:26
But my response, Councillor Lamb, to your comment about further and detailed consideration
is that the project is still to go through that stage.
So what's in front of you today is, as the paper sets out pretty clearly, an in -principle
decision that is still subject to further CA consultation, sorry, confirmation
later in the year. So the full business case work will proceed and
we'll obviously have to answer all of the questions and assess the risks in
the way that in the way that you've set out. So I think it is about this is an
early stage approval. What this approval does is it unlocks investment from
Homes England so that the work on that business case could continue as well. So it keeps the
it keeps the progress being made on the overall project. And the last thing we want is the momentum
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 0:34:23
to be stalled by process because the last thing we want is holes in the ground. Councillor Hinchliffe.
Just for everyone on the committee this is private sector money that's coming in that the public is
investing alongside it.
Seat 27 - 0:34:35
Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe (Bradford Council) - 0:34:37
This is a private sector believing in the regeneration
story that Bradford's actually applying for itself
at the moment.
And this is a private sector delivering.
We should never say no to private sector investment
in a place.
Seat 27 - 0:34:46
Thank you.
Mandy.
Mandy Ridyard (West Yorkshire Business Board) - 0:34:51
Hi, I'm a resident of Bradford and also
have a business in Bradford.
And I think it's fantastic to see the change in Bradford
that's happened recently.
I don't know if anyone has been there,
as Tracy said, the mayor said earlier.
It's well worth going to Bradford to see the regeneration that's there whilst we're talking about the opportunity
I think the opportunity for our West Yorkshire businesses to get involved in this development down
The line is something that we should dial into that thinking because not only does this give the opportunity to provide homes
It also provides jobs and it provides work for our businesses
Which I think we need to note into the work that we do if this goes through
Thank you so much any further comments
Yes, Councillor Jeffery.
Cllr Denise Jeffery (Wakefield Council) - 0:35:36
This has been discussed fully at my committee and officers have worked hard on this project.
And this is what we're all about, is getting investment into our towns and cities.
And private sector wouldn't be coming forward with this funding if they haven't got confidence in what we were doing and moving forward.
So I really feel that this is a great step forward for Bradford, but from the committee that I chair, there was great support of it for Homes England.
Everybody wants this to work and succeed, and I really urge everyone to support this.
Seat 27 - 0:36:17
Thank you so much. And of course, every project has our rigorous assurance process that goes through.
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 0:36:27
That maybe I wonder Liz if you could talk us through maybe next steps to give the council some reassurance
Sure, thank you and some really
Seat 27 - 0:36:37
Good questions and ones that we are asking ourselves and are working with Bradford to work through
Liz Hunter, Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority) - 0:36:41
So and there's a difference between the kind of phase one and phase two
So phase one and I set out in the paper and we will if you're comfortable today
we will proceed to full business case. So again, this is the full business case will be subject to further assurance
and scrutiny
in internally phase one is
in a more usual approach that we've had with brownfield housing funding and and plugs the viability gap
And so yes outline business case today, but then we will do further work on the full business case
I think rightly there's a number of questions still about phase two and we're clear and without going into too much detail about the exempt
Annexes we're clear there are a set of choices still about phase two
And so again very very much. This is in principle to allow us to continue to work on phase two
to develop
You know answers to a lot of the questions and particularly on the on the finances and we'll bring that back for a CA
decision. So hopefully that helps reassure that at the moment we don't have all the
answers because we're at this stage of the work but we recognize the need to
carry on to do that work if you're comfortable approving what we have in
front of you today. Thank you so much. Any further comments? Thank you. I think it's
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 0:38:09
an incredibly exciting opportunity and as Councillor Hainscliffe said we strive
to be in a more sufficient world where we can work public and private in
collaboration to get these really ambitious fabulous projects up and away
and whilst it's coming up on the agenda later UK Reef you know thousands of
people come into our region seeing our brilliant region and wanting to invest
in our communities is only a good thing. So are we happy to approve and agree the
recommendations set out in the paper. Thank you. Uh Councilor Lam. Yeah. If I
can just recall an abstention for the research that I absolutely hope it's
Seat 27 - 0:38:52
delivered and is successful, but I just have some reservations at this point.
Thank you. Well, hopefully your reservations at the next phase will um
you will be reassured. Okay. Thank you. So moving on and that was a good day for
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 0:39:08
Bradford um and uh lots to celebrate their to moving to the next step. Okay.
Moving on to item nine, the draft climate and environment plan 2025 to 38.

9 Draft Climate and Environment Plan 2025 - 2038

We are being asked to approve this new plan.
Before I start this discussion, can I emphasize that the benefits
of acting on the climate emergency and delivering this new plan
will go far beyond reducing carbon emissions?
Reaching net zero by 2038 will unlock opportunities
to create those well -paid jobs and improve energy efficiency
of homes and businesses, bring down bills, tackle health inequality, improve public transport,
and reverse the decline of nature and biodiversity.
We've got 13 years to get our net zero carbon target, and only by working in close partnership
with our regions, businesses, institutions, and communities can we deliver it.
Now I really acknowledge it is a challenging and stretching target.
I'm in no doubt about the task we face to meet our ambitions
But I know the work we're doing on transport and housing retrofit in particular
We are rising to that challenge
And if I may ask council patient to introduce the plan before passing on to Liz Hunter to talk us through the recommendations
Thank you, council patient
Thank you, mayor and so
Seat 27 - 0:40:31
everyone in the room this new plan outlines the approach took for
Cllr Scott Patient Calderdale Council - 0:40:33
acting on the climate emergency that the
Combined Authority will take for our ambitious IPCC approved 2038 target,
as well as setting out some of the activity that's going to be prioritized over the next four years.
So the plan's been developed following consistent engagement with West Yorkshire's local authorities, as well as the Climate Energy Environment Committee.
I know too having chaired a number of the climate conversations that young people, the voluntary sector and
voices all across West Yorkshire have been have helped inform this plan as well.
The plan does seek to establish a compelling case for action delivered through a long -term structure
which is aligned with the West Yorkshire plan and other key strategies and just reading from the local growth plan as well that has been
praised especially in ecology and nature
areas, so just a quote from there saying we must drive a just transition to net zero by 2038 access to services warm homes
and sustainable transport and our local growth plan has already been praised as
I said for its focus on nature restoration and climate. So the plan and
it sets objectives and actions in energy, transport, housing, climate resilience and
in nature recovery as well as business decarbonisation and green skills and as
the mayor said it's focused on the co -benefits of taking action as well as
the emission reductions themselves. So the climate environment and energy
Committee recently reviewed the draft plan which back in March and agreed it
is a strong and well -rounded document which responds to the challenges and
opportunities in tackling the climate emergency across the whole of West
Yorkshire. A special final thanks to our combined authority scrutiny members who
also fed into the development of the plan and have been supportive as well as
making some helpful comments there that help inform that work. Thank you Mayor and hand over to Liz.
Liz Hunter, Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority) - 0:42:19
Thank you Liz. Thank you very much and if I may add my thanks to everybody involved in the
creation of the plan. It has been a joint effort and as you say both the
committee and the members have been involved in the workshops that we ran
earlier this year and so hopefully it does address the challenge as you say
Mayor, it's a significant challenge that we have in front of us but with
significant benefits as you rightly say beyond just our approach to carbon
reduction and our wider environmental aspects but also for health, for jobs, for
skills etc. I think there's a real exciting opportunity for us to be at the
of that and hopefully that does this. You'll notice that alongside the plan
there's a raft of supporting documents so we also included in that is our new
carbon pathways work which sets now a single trajectory to get us to 2038 and
our plan is based on that but that pathway work is very much about then how
we how other partners need to need to play into getting us there. So just to be
clear our plan is based on that pathway but the pathway is wider than what we
can do ourselves.
Also, to add that if you're comfortable with adopting this
today, there's a lot of work to go to do next.
We'll be embedding this in our business plans.
It will be the same evidence base for the local transport
plan.
So great to see that being talked about today.
So we very much see the work of the plan and the evidence base
being part, then, of the strategies
that will come forward.
And also, we will be developing the business cases
that are required to bring forward individual aspects of the plan and
you'll see that Hominigy West Yorkshire is on the agenda for later as one of
our key areas of focus. So there's a lot there so happy to take
any questions and may I say that the recommendation talks about the adoption
of the plan. Obviously if any members have any comments today that if
depending on the substance of those that we may be able to delegate that to the
chief exec in conversation with yourself now if there are changes to the
document following today's discussion.
Thank you so much and like you say, it's ambitious. I recently had a truncated
version of the carbon literacy training. It was really, really good
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 0:44:33
and I would
recommend it to members. Liz, is it available to people outside of our
organisation? Is it available to members?
Seat 27 - 0:44:48
Liz Hunter, Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority) - 0:44:48
Thank you. So good question. So just for members' benefit, there is a carbon literacy training
program that the local government association have been running, which many of actually
of other colleagues may already have been on. We have, with colleagues internally, taken
that and adapted it for our own internal use. So we've had colleagues who've developed the
training and we've rolled it out to a number of colleagues within the
organization and as you say we then did a shortened version for you Mayor. So I'm
happy to if members all want to have that shortened version we can put
something in to enable that to happen. It might be that you've already had things
actually through the mechanisms and then in terms of external training we haven't
rolled that out externally at the moment because it was very much focused
internally, but I think as part of the next stages of the plan, how we
communicate, engage with, work with other organizations, communities, etc.
to try and get the message out there is something that we will be looking at.
Whether that's training or something else we've yet to work through.
Cllr Scott Patient Calderdale Council - 0:45:53
Thank you so much. Councillor Pachin. Thank you and just to echo Lizzie's
comments and yours as well about the benefits of carbon literacy training.
It's probably something that everyone should do.
And actually a lot of these organizations
do do a train the trainer kind of progress
so then it can cascade out.
I've got to say from a personal point of view
for decades banging on about climate and environment
from a personal capacity,
it's really cheering to be on the inside
and seeing how these things develop
and how you can do it,
whilst bearing in mind a just transition
that benefits everyone.
That's the key part in this,
the element of climate justice
and something we should absolutely never forget about.
So I do think making sure some of these trainings are in place, making sure the understanding is there.
The mantra from the Climate Environment Lobby is always tell us about it.
So the key thing throughout all of this journey is going to be our
messaging, how we cascade that out, how we use our key partners in all of this to tell the story of climate in West Yorkshire.
Thank you.
Seat 27 - 0:46:48
Thank you. Any comments?
Yes, Councillor Anderson.
Cllr Barry Anderson (WYCA Scrutiny Chair) - 0:46:56
I think what this proved, this exercise is all parts of why can't work together in lockstep.
Yes there were challenges along the way and yes there were degrees and raises but what
I would say just is the difficult work is just about to begin. How you're going to prioritize
what you start with. You start off with transport, you start off with the housing
side of things, you know that's gonna be difficult and there will undoubtedly be
despite assurances from NOL, I think there will be some conflicts in some of
the policies if we move some of them too quickly, will another part of the policy
be able to bring these people up at the same speed because there are at the
moment we're going to concentrate on franchising and mass transit but there
are other issues on the transport thing that could even hold us back. And the
other thing that I have concerns about is that most local authorities have got a
target of 2030 and it's how they are going to use this plan as a way of
achieving their 2030 targets because investments are obviously going to happen
post 2030 so it would be interesting to see how that works but it's been a great exercise
everybody's worked well together and as council patient said you know it shows
the benefit of people working together but those are the two concerns scrutiny
still has. Thank You councillor Anderson and of course there's no perfect world
where we know exactly what we're going to be doing I mean who knew COVID was
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 0:48:38
going to happen and so on so I think we will potentially make some mistakes
let's be kind to ourselves but rest assured our commitment to net zero by
2038 is clear and we'll do everything within our gift to try and get to that
get to that point. Councillor Love. Thank you just quick question
Cllr Martin Love Bradford Council - 0:48:58
please for
Liz. In figure 7 which the plan of the pathway is aviation included within the
the transport or have we just cut aviation out completely from the process?
Thank you Liz. Thank you, it's a good question. So we haven't included in the pathway because of
Seat 27 - 0:49:21
Liz Hunter, Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority) - 0:49:21
our ability to influence that but we still recognize aviation so we do talk about it in
the plan and obviously there's a role that the Mayor can play in terms of working with government
to think about what the pathway needs to be for aviation nationally so that's the position we're
moment so it's not included in the numbers but it is certainly something
that we recognize there's a influencing role that we can try and play. So we're
Cllr Martin Love Bradford Council - 0:49:47
looking at being net zero by 2038 except for aviation we're not including that at
all. Councillor Love, we understand the challenge around aviation and working
with Leeds Bradford Airport on their ambitions,
and they share some of our ambitions
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 0:50:09
to reduce their own emissions going forward,
particularly around their terminal, which is net zero.
They are investing $200 million and also
working with government on greater sustainability
around fuel.
I'm looking forward to investment potentially
around the airport where we can be you know one of the first adopters in that
space but of course it's always complex isn't it isn't it we are in we are a
region that has international students we want to bring in international
investment we are ambitious for our positioning across the world and also
what we don't want is people to feel that it's great for West Yorkshire that
everybody travels to Manchester to fly
rather than flying in West Yorkshire.
So it is a balancing act and I appreciate the focus
that you've always had on the airport.
I think my position has been clear.
We've had a number of conversations, haven't we?
But within this plan, it is what is in my control,
what can we actually deliver,
and the government have a strategic plan for aviation
that is outside of our gift. Thank you. Ben. Thank you, Mayor. I just wanted to make a
Seat 27 - 0:51:35
further comment on Councillor Anderson's question, although in so doing I'm nervous
Ben Still, Chief Executive (West Yorkshire Combined Authority) - 0:51:42
about giving an answer that sounds like officer speak in relation to Councillor
Lamb's earlier comment. But I think you raise a very pertinent point and
it's something that we are considering as we work towards the integrated
settlement decision -making framework that we're hoping to secure with the
government over the coming year. What that will do is include an outcome
framework, officer speak apologies, that kind of sets out those carbon objectives
versus economic growth and inclusivity objectives so that members can make
those trade -offs in decisions in relation to the in relation to the single
settlement and the single funding pot. So you'll see that come forward in future
proposals and to the combined authority. Thank you so much. Yes, Mandy.
Seat 27 - 0:52:34
Thanks and I think it would be remiss of me not to comment on aviation and
Mandy Ridyard (West Yorkshire Business Board) - 0:52:37
aerospace as I work in that industry. I think there is a number of things, the
actual flights and the airport itself, the airport has got, itself has got a
strategy to be net zero in line with our plans and has reduced its carbon
and footprint by I think almost 50 % in the last six years and the future development is is is working with that if we look at
Jet 2 who are an operator in our region. They have a plan to net zero by 2050
As KLM are there as our Ryanair who are all working on the same thing
And space is a global industry and the solution will be a global solution
But but it is a solution that's being worked at at pace. So I hope that gives you some comfort
Thank you, super. Thank you for that. I didn't know those numbers, so thank you, that's interesting.
So are we happy to adopt the plan? We are? Good, thank you so much.
Moving on to item 10, biodiversity net gain responsible body service.

10 Biodiversity Net Gain Responsible Body Service

The proposed responsible body service will assist Bradford, Colterdale, Kirklees and Wakefield districts
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 0:53:46
in delivering biodiversity improvements on land within their ownership. We are about
to become the responsible body. Can I ask Councillor Paterson to introduce the report
please and then pass over to Liz. Thank you, Mayor. Yeah, so we all know that
wildlife in England is absolutely under threat and national surveys
Seat 27 - 0:54:07
continue to show biodiversity
Cllr Scott Patient Calderdale Council - 0:54:08
declines and we've heard about that with bees and butterflies and various things. As my
wife was saying the other week around the idea that you don't see any bugs
splattered on the on the windscreen but that's perhaps a bit more of a visceral
image than we want. The headline of the most recent National State of
Nature report back in 23 was that one in six UK species are threatened with
extinction and according to the State of Nature report from last year nearly 2 ,000
species may have disappeared over the last 200 years with nearly one in five
declining to 25 % in the last 20 to 30 years. So this proposed biodiversity
net gain responsible body service outlined in this report aligns with
national and regional policy priorities including the West Yorkshire Climate and
Environment Plan that we've just discussed and emerging local nature
recovery strategy that's a brilliant piece of work as well. Both strategies
aim to support the restoration of habitats and support the transition to a
climate resilient region and the service will support districts in accelerating
and delivery of nature enhancement in their local areas be that wetlands, be that spaces
through SSIs or existing areas that are under local government control.
So I'll hand over to Liz to talk about the rest of it.
Thank you and yes a prompt for the local nature recovery strategy there which will be coming
the CA's way later in the year which again is another one of those documents which will
support the climate and environment plan that you've just adopted so thank you for that.
As the paper talks through, this is quite a technical role that we are taking on if
it's subject to your views and subject to death for granting us the status as a responsible
body.
It tries to remove the conflict where a planning authority is also the authority that owns
the land on which a developer is going to spend their biodiversity credits.
So hopefully making it a more attractive place to come is one of our goals and objectives
for creating this.
So ideally, developers should be putting back biodiversity
on their own development land.
But if they're not, and they go through planning,
and they have to, they're given credits to spend elsewhere,
then ideally, we want them to spend those credits
in West Yorkshire.
So this is an attempt to try and make that as easy as possible.
We are still waiting to hear from Defra as to whether we'll
be granted this status as a responsible body.
But hopefully, if you're happy to adopt this today,
and then once that comes through we can be able to relate. Thank you.
Thank you. Any comments? Yes, Councillor Lamb.
Seat 27 - 0:56:40
Cllr Alan Lamb Leeds City Council - 0:56:44
Yeah, thank you. It's a sensible approach and hopefully I'll explain myself in a way that doesn't lead to me getting shot down.
It just seems to me it's a shame if we can't find a way that it's the whole of West Yorkshire working together
and I fully understand where Leeds is at and why it's there,
but I just wonder if there's a way we can bring
the whole five authorities together on this one.
And the other point, it's the last point Liz made,
which is a real concern about this,
that the absolute default hardwired into this
is that the BNG should be delivered on site
wherever possible, and then it should be delivered
as close to the site as possible,
and only as an absolute last resort if it means you can't deliver is it somewhere else entirely.
And it's just really getting those principles in and making sure we don't create something that isn't almost competitive
to try and get people to put the contributions in if you understand what I'm trying to say.
that it's the key thing is it should be on site first and almost always and then
as close as possible if not thank you Liz thank you and yes obviously fully to
Liz Hunter, Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority) - 0:58:04
support your second point just on your first point about about Leeds and so
Leeds have as the paper says and set up a special purpose vehicle to be able to
do this which is the their way of reducing the conflict that I mentioned
between being the planning authority and the owner of the land.
They did that at speed because they have a number of developments coming forward and
kind of carried on.
It was the other local authorities who then approached us to say, can you help us with
this for a number of reasons.
So we are doing it on behalf of the other four.
Just to reassure you, we are working with Leeds colleagues and trying as far as possible
to kind of think about our approach to developers so that it's as easy as possible in terms
of navigation.
but that's that's kind of where we are. Thank you. Councillor Pachin.
Cllr Scott Patient Calderdale Council - 0:58:50
Thank you
and just to add to Liz's reassurance it might seem disjointed at first
thing but actually our BNG offices in our locales are supportive of the
approach. I do think you're right in terms of obviously the best will in the
world will be to deliver BNG on site but what we need to make sure in that
instance is that it's not tokenistic and that it's done properly so actually the
amount of monitoring and engagement that's going to be done which this
actual paper allows us to think a little bit more is people with the best
willing work put a wildflower meadow or some trees there but if they're not
there in five years time then it's easy to do the work that's needed to be done.
So actually this paper does just try and solve some of those issues and as I said
our locality BNG offices are supportive and how that works within planning
Seat 27 - 0:59:35
enforcement in our own spaces too. Thank you so much.
Okie doke, we are happy to approve the Authority Acting as Biodiversity Net Gain Responsible Body for Bradford, Colerd, Kirklees and Wakefield
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 0:59:49
and that we will have a temporary use of 125 ,000 gain share funding which will be repayable from admin fees collected as set out in section 8.
Happy to approve? Lovely. Thank you so much. Ok, moving on. Item 11, Warm Homes.

11 Warm Homes - Social Housing Fund

This paper supports the continued delivery of social housing retrofit and decarbonisation across West Yorkshire through the Warm Homes Social Housing Fund and Gainshare.
And it is back to you, Councillor Paterson.
Cllr Scott Patient Calderdale Council - 1:00:20
Thank you, thank you members and everyone here.
And sorry, this is my last item I can assure you.
So the need to retrofit homes is even greater and more challenging in West
Yorkshire than nationally and given the prevalence of both fuel poverty which is
at 27 % of residents are living in fuel poverty, the second highest level in the
country and of the very old homes and estates that we have specifically those
pre 19 homes which represent 23 % of dwellings compared to 19 % nationally
which are much harder to retrofit and we're trying to square some of that
circle with some of the retrofit demonstrator work that we're doing across our locale.
So the Warm Home Social Housing Fund is a continuation of the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund to deliver retrofit measures,
provide low carbon energy efficient and warm homes for residents of West Yorkshire.
The Mayor's declared as part of her seven pledges to begin a program to insulate every social home in West Yorkshire
and this is a key strategy to reduce domestic housing carbon emissions and alleviate fuel poverty.
working hand -in -hand with obviously owner occupiers who can afford to do some of that work themselves in the private sector to
Why continues to lead a consortium of social housing registered providers?
encompassing all five district partners across West Yorkshire and why
The combined authority sorry submitted an ambitious funding bid for warm homes social housing fund wave 3 where nearly?
9 ,000 social home social homes across West Yorkshire will potentially benefit from this intervention and the ambition remains yet this
Report sets out how through a reprofiled approach they'll continue to drive delivery across the sector really welcome this page
Thank you so much
so as
Seat 27 - 1:02:07
Liz Hunter, Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority) - 1:02:08
Council patient and just ended there in terms of our bids and if I stuck and start with an update in that because this paper
is is is
Is focused on releasing hopefully the money from governments and then also what we as a combined authority can do to support
So as council patient said we put in a what we thought was a strong bid to government and for warm homes funding and
just short of nine thousand homes and we have had
Confirmation from government that will have 40 % of that funding
And over the last couple of weeks and since this paper has been written the team have been looking at how we can we profile that
And I'm pleased to say that they've managed working with our housing providers
that they're hoping to achieve just over 5 ,000 homes which is actually 57 percent
of the homes that we hope to do so we've managed to find a way of using
the money to enable us to do more homes than we might otherwise have done which
is I think is good news and that does leave us though with a gap from where we
wanted to be and subject to your agreement today we still want to
maintain that ambition because we think it's an important part of our climate
environment planners, which we've just been talking about,
but also for those wider benefits
that Councilor Paton mentioned and ensuring that people
can live in a warm home.
So what we're looking for today is to release the government
money when it arrives.
We've got a short turnaround time
to be able to enter into agreements with government
when they've given us their approval
and also to then use funding that is at your discretion
to continue to support that level of ambition
in terms of retrofitting homes.
But also, as the paper sets out, there
are a number of barriers and challenges that the housing providers are
currently facing in terms of being able to do this at a pace that we would like
to be able to do. The two main barriers are around understanding the
housing stock, so it's only when often you can go into houses that you actually
understand better what needs to happen. So one of the things that we are
proposing to do is more upfront house surveys so that we have a better
understanding of what's needed in each home and so that we can be more
efficient in terms of our use of funding,
but also put together relevant bids for the future.
And also, as the paper describes,
we have had a number of refusals from tenants.
So even though this is kind of free to them,
there's lots of reasons why they might not
want the disruption in their home.
They're nervous about it.
So one of the things that we're also looking to do
is put in more ability for there to be resident engagement
offices to enable some of that work to happen.
And so like I say that this paper is trying to maintain the level of ambition if you can give us the flexibility to do
that we'll go away and look at how we can use our funding and to do so and to
Hopefully overcome some of those barriers and just to say obviously paper is very much focused on social housing
But as council patient and mayor you've mentioned we clearly got an ambition for all and there'll be further reports coming to you
About what we're trying to do for homeowners the private renting sector
and for example, just to give you an update,
you all signed off our one -stop shop
at a previous meeting,
and we're just completing the procurement of that.
So hopefully we'll have news on that for later this year.
So just to say that this is part of the story,
it's not all of it, thank you.
Seat 27 - 1:05:18
Thank you so much.
And the scale is massive.
You know, it's hundreds of thousands of social homes,
and whilst 5 ,000 sounds like a lot,
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 1:05:29
it's the pipeline of skills that we need as well,
that sort of that persuasion with communities that this is a good thing
it's it's not going to be straightforward I don't think but our
ambition is solid so we're on a mission. Councillor Paterson. Thank you yeah and
just to add to the idea of this not happening in a vacuum and the other
Seat 27 - 1:05:49
Cllr Scott Patient Calderdale Council - 1:05:49
projects that exist alongside like the like the solar collective buy -in scheme
that we're running and a lot of the other retrofit work just a quick
reflection back from the ranch in Colerdale in terms of the demonstrated
project work that we've been doing. I think you're absolutely right it's
difficult to bring everyone on side with some of this stuff and the level of
engagement that you do with householders is absolutely key but some of the
reflections there have been some of the resident feedback from the engagement
team around how that engagement has worked that's worked really really well
so I don't know if there's lessons to be learned from the team in Colerdale and
Richard and the team that have been leading on that but absolutely right
challenges with misinformation out there about what it looks like challenges with
living in the home and doing the retrofit while you're in there but
absolutely absolutely reassured that this paper helps to alleviate some of
those issues. Thank you and basically you've got cheaper bills that's the
message that we should also be getting out there that your energy bills will be
lower. Okie doke any comments? Yes, Kelso Anderson.
Seat 27 - 1:06:53
Cllr Barry Anderson (WYCA Scrutiny Chair) - 1:06:56
properties which there are a lot
House the scheme got flexibility in it that the decisions can be made without making a bureaucratic nightmare
Do it so that someone's got the flexibility to say right, okay?
Maybe we want to spend X amount normal in a house, but this one we need to be X plus 20 % because of
Specific needs is that flexibility built into it and then on the other thing once it's been installed
Certainly in my area, which has benefited from the council investing in it,
it's following up year after year to remind people how to use their heating effectively.
We put the investment in and the next thing we know is we've got people covering the heaters, etc.
and it causes problems. So there needs to be a follow -up mechanism of keeping people informed.
Or when you get a new tenant in, does somebody sit down and explain with the new tenant how to do it?
So just observation, it's not criticism, totally behind it.
Thank you, Councillor. Liz?
Seat 27 - 1:07:57
And thank you. Yeah, really good points.
Liz Hunter, Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority) - 1:07:59
And I think the resident engagement piece, I'll feed that in actually about
it's not just the upfront conversation, but it's the continued conversation.
Because again, we've had similarly had some of that feedback given as well
about people kind of opening windows and whatnot, which again.
So learning how to use a system and then maintaining it,
particularly if tenants change is a really good point.
So thank you for that.
In terms of flexibility, there's greater flexibility.
we have with our own funding. We are still working with government to persuade them to
give us greater flexibility, let's say, on some of their warm homes funding and devolution
will hopefully enable us, if it goes into a single settlement, to have greater flex
than we've had before. But part of the challenge has been, as you say, until you go in, hence
the home surveys piece, until you go in you don't always know what's going to be needed.
And that has in the past meant that we've had to go back through kind of change control
processes with government so and that hopefully will also mitigate some of
that risk. Thanks. Thank you. Okie dokie. Are we happy to approve? We are brilliant.

12 Adult Skills Fund and Region of Learning and Creativity Update

Moving on. Thank you so much. Going on to item 12 the adult skills fund region of
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 1:09:13
learning and creativity update. This is a part of my ambition to ensure West
is a region of learning and creativity,
and there are some changes that we need to make
because of the Department of Education's decision
on the adult skills fund and other eligibility criteria
for the next academic year.
Now, creating a region of learning and creativity
is firmly anchored in my manifesto
and in our West Yorkshire Growth Plan,
and a significant amount of work is underway
to address our region's skills challenges
and unlock inclusive economic growth
by connecting all of our residents at all stages of their careers to new opportunities.
Could I ask Councillor Lewis as chair of the Economy Committee
and then Felix Camillo -Pofo, our director of Inclusive Economy Skills and Culture
to take us through the reports and recommendations.
Councillor Lewis.
Thank you. Shall we just go straight to Felix, please?
Super -duper. Felix.
Seat 27 - 1:10:12
Thank you, Mayor.
Felix Kumi-Ampofo, Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority) - 1:10:14
As you said, this paper gives the board an update on where we are in adult skills, particularly
around the region of learning and creativity, which is a key part of the local growth plan.
Members know and we set out in the local growth plan the challenge and also the opportunity
that we have when it comes to adult skills in particular, but all around education and
skills agenda and how crucial that is to us achieving and delivering the objectives and
the goals we set out in the local good plan. We have about 12 % of our Canadian population
with no or very low qualifications, not even enough for entry level jobs. At the same time,
at the higher or other end of the qualification spectrum, we do not have enough of our Canadian
population highly qualified at that level.
And in particular in Bradford and Wakefield,
this is really acute.
This affects, as I'm sure you know, participation,
especially of our young people in the labor market.
And without addressing this, we will not
be able to meet any of our goals.
So the Adult Skills Fund, previously called
the Adult Education Budget, has been
deployed with food evolution.
And this board has been responsible for that.
And we've reported some really impressive numbers
over the last few years.
In section 3 .3 of the report, we summarized a few of those
I will not go into the detail.
But in response to that challenge
that I set out earlier on, the mayor then recognized this.
And since that went in the manifesto and the work that
went into the local growth plan, a number of activities
have been kicked off.
And we summarized that in section 3 .5 of the report.
So again, I will not go into a lot of detail.
So as our remit is growing, at the same time,
we have some financial constraints.
So the paper sets out from section 3 .6
onwards that our funding, our budget,
has been cut by 3 .3 % for the next academic year.
this equates to about 2 .4 million pounds.
And if you consider the fact that prior to this,
we were already making the case to government
that we do not have enough funding,
then this presents a particular challenge for us.
So it's important to note that.
I'll come back to that point later on.
As the mayor said, at the same time as, you know,
we do have a challenge and the opportunity
we're responding to that, we have a funding cut.
But in addition to that, there are a couple of changes that the Department for Education is asking us to make.
One of which is there's a fund we have called Free Courses for Jobs.
We use it to support people to get Level 3 qualifications, mainly people who are 24 years and above.
The DFE is asking that we change that. We increase eligibility to 19 years plus.
We are fully supportive of this, but obviously that means there are more people to support with less money.
At the same time, there's some changes being brought in around eligibility, people, you know, residency eligibility, and to reduce barriers.
And again, we've already been supportive of that and we've been doing that with some of the powers we have.
This will bring us and the DFE fully in line.
So we are supportive of the changes.
There are implications to those changes though, and in particular it's around tailored learning,
which we use to refer to as community learning.
It's a lot of family learning, really important for social cohesion, usually the first step
on the ladder for people to then get into informal training qualifications that they
need.
There's a need for us now to increase their allocation by a further 10 % to be aligned
with where the DFE is saying we should be
and where the market is saying we should be
to make this viable for our providers.
And that is why we've brought,
that is the decision that we are asking you to consider
and if you are minded to make, to enable us
to provide this for our communities.
I'll stop there, there's a lot more in the papers,
in the paper, but if there are any questions or comments,
happy to take them, thank you.
Thank you so much Felix,
and these interventions are so important and chime with our ambitions to grow our economy.
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 1:14:52
The only way to grow the economy is to upskill our workforce as well and give them those opportunities.
Okie doke. Any comments on this paper?
Super. Are we happy to endorse the exceptional adult skills investment proposals for 2025 -26
and to approve the 10 % increase to tailored learning allocations proposed as part of the adult skills investment plan
plan for the academic year 25 -26. We are super.
Okay, moving on. Thank you, Felix. Moving on to item 13, West Yorkshire at UK Reef.

13 West Yorkshire at UKREiiF 2025

An update on the West Yorkshire presence at UK Reef 25, the National Real Estate Investment
and Infrastructure Conference held here in West Yorkshire in May. No better way to raise
the profile of investment and development opportunities,
then welcoming 16 ,000 people to our own backyard.
Significant partnership working is ongoing year round
to make this a productive and memorable week,
a week where our growth opportunities are in the spotlight
with investors, developers, decision makers,
and opinion formers.
It's a great week for us here in West Yorkshire.
Can I come back to you, Felix,
to take us through the recommendations, please?
Thank you, Mayor.
UK returns this May to West Yorkshire
to lead the Royal Armouries.
And this year, this paper just sets out
what we are looking to do this year.
Felix Kumi-Ampofo, Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority) - 1:16:22
We will, after this meeting, send round the latest,
where we are with the draft program for the West Yorkshire
Pavilion, so everybody has that information.
Just bear in mind, these things are changing as we go.
So it might not be the final version, but we'll share that.
We are our program this year. I put this year is firmly anchored in the local growth plan
You remember the local good plan you set out our group corridors and key investment opportunities
Our UK reef narrative and our proposition to the market this year is firmly anchored in that so we are focusing on
the key growth opportunities in on each of the three
corridors, we are focusing on our transport story,
in particular, and the investment there,
and also strong focus on our employment sites
and our housing sites.
The good news to share is that not only do we have
we had UKRI here, the world coming to us
for the last few years, we have confirmation
that it will be returning to Leeds next year as well.
So we're already starting to think about
how we want to position West Yorkshire next year,
conversations about the years after that will take place in subsequent months.
So this paper hopefully provides you reassurance on what we are doing for this year and the themes
that we'll be putting forward in the West Yorkshire Pavilion and also the role that
will be playing on the bigger platforms taking the West Yorkshire story to the rest of the world.
Thank you very much.
Thank you so much Felix.
And certainly with so many opportunities
to invest in West Yorkshire,
our pavilion will definitely be
where the movers and shakers are.
So if you haven't got your ticket,
you're gonna miss out.
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 1:18:11
So I hope you will join us to really amplify
all the great stuff that we've got
to offer the private sector as well to invest in.
And have great conversations with other leaders
and other mayors across the country are also joining us.
All good.
So happy just to acknowledge the papers so far.
Lovely, thank you.
Okay, moving on to project approvals,
and I'll come over to you, Simon,
and we'll go through them one by one.
The first project approval provides details
of three transport projects recommended to progress
through the assurance process,
including release of more than 100 million
over the next two years to fund road maintenance and tackle the blight of
potholes. As politicians we love talking about potholes so this is a good day
when we can allocate a big chunk of money to redress what is a driver's
nightmare. The second approval relates to active travel development funding but
firstly can I ask Simon to take us through the recommendations please.
Simon
Thank you that and see as you say
Simon Pope, Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority) - 1:19:19
The three projects that form part of the CRS TS highways program. It's a five -year funding program
I'll explain a little bit more about how that funding works for all three projects before we can run through each of the
requested approvals for each project in turn
So three projects funded through our city region sustainable transport settlement allocation
Funding has been released on an annual basis under those funding programs to date
So the approvals that we're recommending today relates to the release of year for funding for 2025 -26
And also delegated approval for year 5 funding for 2026 -2027
subject to conditions and
Proposed allocations for all three projects have been agreed with the district partners
And although delegated authority is requested to amend allocations in response to delivery if required
Just to ensure that we can spend within the corresponding financial year
So taking each of those three components in turn, the first is the CRSTS network management and enhancements program.
So this is seeking to address aging and obsolete traffic signal equipment across the region.
It's twenty five point five million pound program over five years for which we are recommending the release of six point two million in year four and three point seven million in year five.
And with the corresponding breakdown between the districts, I've shown in the papers, which is based on the number of signal installations per district.
We're also recommending delegated authority to the chief executive to amend allocated funding amounts as released by this decision if required
Do we want to take any questions or decision on that project first? Any questions on the
CRSTS network management and enhancements. Yes, councillor Lamb
Thank you, Mayor. It's a request to go with it
Seat 27 - 1:20:59
So a bug bear of mine is that new signal controls have the ability to have speed
Cllr Alan Lamb Leeds City Council - 1:21:03
monitoring which can be switched on or off and if someone is speeding
approaching a red light it kind of the red light can be activated there at the
moment as standard they're switched off so I wonder if we could make a request
that as part of any funding the standard would be that anything we funded will be
switched on because in terms of improving road safety it's a really
quick easy and cheap win and it's a constant frustration of mine that it's
incredibly difficult to get them to use the technology when we're replacing it anyway.
It seems to me a no brainer to help with their vision zero strategies and all of that, that
we should just insist that that happens.
That's interesting.
I hadn't come across that.
Simon, we can take that away and just look into it?
Simon Pope, Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority) - 1:21:46
Yes, indeed.
I'm picking up with the network managers at the moment.
Lovely.
Thank you for that knowledge, very detailed knowledge about traffic signals.
We're happy to approve.
Lovely.
Thank you. Thank you Simon. So the second project within the program is that the
CRSTS safe roads program so this seeks to reduce collisions through delivery of
road safety measures so things like traffic calming, pedestrian cycle
facilities, speed limit reductions and parking management. This is a 25 million
pound program over five years and we're recommending the release of 4 .3 million
in year 4 and 4 million in year 5. Again, the corresponding breakdown between the
districts is shown in the papers. This time that's based on the population
size in each district. We're also recommending delegated authorities chief
executive to amend those funding amounts if it's deep necessary in response to
delivery. Again I'll pause there to take any questions. Thank you. Any comments? No,
Seat 27 - 1:22:46
Simon Pope, Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority) - 1:22:47
happy to recommend? Great stuff, thank you. And the third in this series is the
highways asset management program which involves maintenance to bridges,
structures, drainage, servicing, street lighting and as you rightly point out
air potholes and this is a 282 million pound program over five years in addition
to the CRSDS funding the program has previously benefited from the top -up
funding from government in years two and three the government indicated the
availability of similar top -up funding for 2025 2026 in December in the form of
the local highways maintenance fund and that was formally announced last month
so this top -up funding which is worth fourteen point eight million for West
Yorkshire subject to evidencing the necessary outcomes is included within
the year for allocation that we're seeking approval for so in summary
we're therefore recommending the release of sixty five point one million in year
four and forty one point five million year five again with the corresponding
breakdown between the district shown in the papers which this time is based on
the length of asset in each district thank you and I'm so pleased really
understand the impact on communities that poor road maintenance has are we
happy to approve lovely thank you moving on Simon thank you Matt and so the next
is an additional approval which relates to the consolidated active travel fund
Seat 27 - 1:24:03
Simon Pope, Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority) - 1:24:04
pipeline development so for members benefits this is a new funding stream
that replaces the previous active travel fund and associated capability funding
under the previous active travel fund capability funding was awarded for
development of active travel schemes which were then subsequently entered
into a competitive process with that to travel England in order to secure the funding for
delivery.
So this new consolidated approach brings together both capital and revenue funding as part of
a fixed allocation that removes that competitive element.
So this really is in preparation for the approach which will be applicable to wider funding
under the integrated settlement in due course.
So our allocation for 2025 -2026 is £9 .9 million of capital and £2 .9 million of revenue, from
which schemes will need to be committed by March 2026 and delivered in full by March 2027.
Just for the avoidance of doubts is supplementary to the 2024 or 2025 active travel five,
Tranche five funding approval that was granted at February's combined authority meeting.
So funding can be spent on the construction, new walking and cycling infrastructure,
essential maintenance and the development of active travel schemes pipeline.
And our recommendation here is that the combined authority approves the release of six hundred thousand pounds
of that allocated funding for development to help shape the program in collaboration
with district partners. We're also recommending a delegated authority to the chief executive
to allocate the funding to the district partners as required.
Thank you and it's good to see we're getting additional funding because we're able to deliver
in this space. So thank you. Any comments? Happy to approve? Lovely. Thank you so much. Moving on.
Simon?
Seat 27 - 1:25:43
Simon Pope, Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority) - 1:25:44
Seat 27 - 1:25:49
Thank you very much, Mayor.
Felix Kumi-Ampofo, Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority) - 1:25:50
There are two approvals that we're seeking in this section of the papers.

14 Project Approvals

As you know, earlier this year, members approved our budget.
Within that budget was an allocation that was made up of shared prosperity fund from
from central governments and the command authorities
all funded by Gainsha and others.
And within that pot, we've carved out
a fund for local authorities to work with voluntary community
sector, which we've called Community Growth and Development
Fund.
It's about 11 million pounds.
And local authorities have developed their own delivery
plans to speak into their local stakeholders.
These have been submitted to us, and the teams
are working through that.
The key criteria is for local authorities to show how the investment will help deliver the local growth plan
and the ambitions of the Sheppard Purdy Fund which are quite similar to the local growth plan.
There are no issues there.
The approval we are seeking is a delegation to our chief exec because we need to move at pace
and it's likely that the paperwork will finish in line between the meeting cycle for the board.
So if you are minded to, we will work on the paper, we will do the paperwork and if you are happy to delegate to the chief exec, then we will work that through.
In addition to that, there are a number of programs or projects that we've been funding up to this point using previous funding, which we've deemed well aligned to the local growth plan.
So we are proposing in paragraph 3 .10 a set of projects that we want to continue.
And again, if you are minded to, we will work through the change request for those to make sure we can approve those in between meeting cycles and report to you at your next meeting.
Thank you so much, Felix. Any comment on UKSBEF? Thank you. We're happy to approve. Thank you so much.
Super.
Okay, moving on.

15 Governance Arrangements

Seat 27 - 1:28:02
Our next item on the agenda, which is governance arrangements, and Caroline, you show enormous,
enormous patience because every time we have a meeting, your item is right at the end.
So if I could come to you, thank you.
Caroline Norreys, Assistant Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority) - 1:28:19
Thank you, Jack.
Checking there isn't an item, portfolio summary before that.
Yes, there is an item 14C.
Is that?
There is, it's for information.
Oh yes, it is ahead.
Apologies, my mistake.
Yes, I could just say a word on that.
Please do.
So that, truth be told I'm quite excited about this item,
even though it is just for information,
Ben Still, Chief Executive (West Yorkshire Combined Authority) - 1:28:49
because what it does is,
it's our attempt to show the programme implications
for the project's individual decisions
that are coming forward to the combined authority.
So if I'm assuming, happy to take comments after the meeting depending on
whether you like the format or not, but we'll bring papers of this, an annex of
this form that just gives you the overall programme impacts from the
individual decisions and shows you the state of the programmes overall. Thank you.
Thank you, that gives us real clarity of direction of travel doesn't it?
Seat 27 - 1:29:23
Exactly. Any comments? Thank you. Caroline back to you, thank you so much on
Caroline Norreys, Assistant Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority) - 1:29:28
governance arrangements. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you very much, Mayor. Yes, governance
arrangements this time around does three different things. The first is at the last meeting of
the CA, members agreed to appoint substitute members to thematic committees and we have
been working with our officers in your councils to get nominations for those and they're here
as appendix one to the report.
So we are seeking approval to the appointment
of those substitute members to our thematic committees
and for completeness that we grant them full voting rights
and so that when they attend, they're
able to fully participate.
So that is the first recommendation here.
The second one is a deferred one from last time,
and it is to seek your approval to appoint
our new director for bus franchising, which
is Paul Matthews, so a very key and welcome addition
to the team in terms of this very important program.
So we are seeking your approval to that.
And then thirdly, we are looking for some changes
to the current delegations to officers
that are in place, which sit with the role of chief operating
officer.
So we have a hiatus in that role at the moment,
with Alan Rees leaving earlier in the year, and to ensure good administration and good
governance, we're proposing some interim arrangements to cover those delegations.
So the first one is in terms of the role of senior information risk officer, and the proposal
there is that that is designated, that my role as monitoring officer is also designated
as a senior information risk officer, so we have that covered for the organization.
And then secondly, we have a series, well, two further delegations set out at paragraph
3 .10 there.
So one of the functions was in relation to HR, and we're proposing that that sits with
the assistant director, People and Transformation, which is Joe Dent.
And then also, authority to negotiate and settle claims on behalf of the combined authority
in terms of that limitation.
We're proposing that the chief executive and still holds that responsibility
but also
the existing
delegation to my role and director of finance the threshold for that is increased to match that of the chief executive to
Ensure that we have the resilience between us as officers and should should the chief executive and not be not to be available
I think the key thing there is that at any settlement value over 20 ,000 pounds?
whichever officer takes that is in consultation with the other statutory
officers but also in consultation with them there. So I think so no individual
can and has that authority alone. So those are the recommendations there before
you happy to take any questions as always. Thanks. Thank you. Any questions on
those governance arrangement changes? No thank you. Are we happy to approve? Happy
to approve. Thank you. Okie doke we're coming to the end of the meeting now
Thank you for your contributions and patience

16 Minutes for Information and Summaries of Committee Meetings

item 16
Is for information updates members with details of the minutes from committees as well as summaries from formal meetings that have been published
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire - 1:32:52
On the combined authorities website since the last meeting. So thank you very much for attending
Can I remind members the next meeting is the 8th of May?
2025 at the day before my birthday which will flowers and cake will be welcome
which will commence at the revised time of two o 'clock.
So thank you all for attending and for your contributions.
And I am continually optimistic and positive about the future of West Yorkshire
because of your contribution. Thank you.
Thank you so much, Sarah. If you could turn off. Thank you.