Agenda and minutes

Venue: Committee Room A, Wellington House, Leeds. View directions

Contact: Ruth Chaplin  Email: ruth.chaplin@westyorks-ca.gov.uk

Items
No. Item

31.

Apologies for Absence

Minutes:

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors P Box, I Gillies and R Lewis.

32.

Declarations of Disclosable Pecuniary Interests

Minutes:

In  respect of agenda item 9, Growth Deal: Call for Projects – Next Steps (Institute for High Speed Railways and System Integration, University of Leeds), Roger Marsh declared an interest as a member of the University of Leeds Council.

33.

Exempt Information - Possible Exclusion of the Press and Public

1.         To highlight Appendix 11 of Agenda Item 8 which officers have identified as containing exempt information within the meaning of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972, and where officers consider that the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information, for the reasons outlined in the report.

 

2.         To consider whether or not to accept the officers’ recommendation in respect of the above information as set out on paragraph 5.2 of Agenda Item 8.

 

3.         If the recommendation is accepted, to formally pass the following resolution:-

 

RESOLVED – That in accordance with paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of Appendix 11 of Agenda Item 8 on the grounds that it is likely, in view of the nature of the business to be transacted or the nature of the proceedings, that if members of the press and public were present there would be disclosure to them of exempt information and for the reasons set out in the report that in all the circumstances of the case, the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.

Minutes:

Resolved – That in accordance with paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of Appendix 11 of Agenda Item 8 on the grounds that it is likely, in

view of the nature of the business to be transacted or the nature of the proceedings, that if members of the press and public were present there would be disclosure to them of exempt information and for the reasons set out in the report that in all the circumstances of the case, the public interest in maintaining the exemption

outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.

 

34.

Minutes of the Meeting of the West Yorkshire and York Investment Committee held on 9 November 2017 pdf icon PDF 322 KB

Copy attached.

Minutes:

Resolved:  That the minutes of the West Yorkshire & York Investment Committee held on 9 November 2017 be approved and signed by the Chair.

35.

Governance Arrangements - Appointment of Business Investment Panel Members pdf icon PDF 246 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Committee considered a report of the Director of Resources which sought approval for the appointment of private sector co-optees onto the Business Investment Panel.

 

In approving the proposals it was noted that membership of the Business Investment Panel would now comprise a total of 5 WYCA/local authority members and 5 private sector members.  Details of the members retiring from office and the new appointments were set out in Appendix 1 of the submitted report. 

 

Resolved:  That the West Yorkshire & York Investment Committee co-opts members to the Business Investment Panel as set out in Appendix 1 to the submitted report.

36.

Leeds City Region Growth Deal Delivery pdf icon PDF 315 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Committee considered a report of the Director of Delivery which provided:

 

·         An update on progress made on the implementation of the Growth Deal Programme.

·         The criteria to be considered in relation to the de-commitment of Growth Deal projects.

·         An update on current activity relating to the forthcoming 2019/20 Growth Deal Review and to seek approval for an allocation of £400,000 to undertake the work required in preparation for the Gateway Review.

The dashboards for the Growth Deal and West Yorkshire plus Transport Fund (WY+TF) were attached at Appendices 1 and 2 of the submitted report.  Members noted the projects that continued to be rated as Red, escalated to Red and de-escalated from Red which were listed in the report. 

 

Members discussed the Growth Deal programme and WY+TF and the proposed criteria for the de-commitment of schemes which were set out in Appendix 3.  In recommending their adoption to WYCA, it was considered that de-commitment should be a last resort and WYCA would work with project sponsors to support the successful delivery of their programmes and projects.   It was noted that before projects are formally recommended for de-commitment, this would be agreed with the relevant local authority.  In respect of WY+TF projects, it was proposed that the fund be re-profiled with projects phased over a longer timescale rather than de-commit projects.  This would allow for projects with the potential for early delivery to be included within the programme.  It was noted that an Investment Committee members/officer workshop would be held in March 2018 and the local authority Leaders would be welcome to attend to discuss scheme performance and proposed re-profiling.

 

It was noted that there was a need to identify projects which are currently not progressing or making sufficient progress.  It was suggested that projects which have not been spending allocations must be able to demonstrate progress has been made against key milestones by 28 February 2018,  to allow discussion of returns at the March workshop, which will inform recommendations to be made to the Investment Committee at their meeting to be held on 5 June 2018.

 

The last meeting had been attended by Network Rail where concerns had been raised in respect of the delays to schemes which were important in delivery economic growth in the North and the Government’s Industrial Strategy. Whilst welcoming the progress in some areas members reiterated their concerns regarding delays to schemes due to Network Rail and asked that they be invited to attend the next meeting. 

 

The Committee was provided with an overview and update in respect of the Growth Deal Gateway Review.  It was reported that four local Evaluation Plans and costed resource plans have been developed by SQW consultants, WYCA and scheme promoters and details were outlined in the submitted report.   A project ceiling budget of £400,000 has been identified by Government to undertake the Gateway Review exercise in the Leeds City Region, including all lead-in activity and reporting to Central Government.  Members were advised that this figure had been challenged  ...  view the full minutes text for item 36.

37.

WY+TF Transformational Programme Update pdf icon PDF 390 KB

Minutes:

The Committee considered a report of the Interim Director of Policy & Strategy which brought forward proposals and capital funding approvals for the West Yorkshire plus Transport Fund (WY+TF) and Growth Deal Transformational Fund.

 

Members noted the 3 schemes which had been approved by WYCA for development through the WY+TF Transformational Fund:

 

·         South Featherstone Link Road

·         York Outer Ring Road Dualling

·         North Kirklees Orbital Route

 

It was reported that Bradford Council had submitted Bradford Interchange Redevelopment as their priority scheme for development and Calderdale, Leeds and WYCA were considering options for their priority schemes.  It was noted that Calderdale had not yet been able to submit a bid due to resourcing issues and options to help them achieve this were being considered. It was expected that once schemes have been submitted by all the authorities between £2m - £2.5m of the total £12.5 m WY+TF Transformational Project Fund will be allocated. 

 

The Committee noted the proposals to build on the schemes already in development and also to develop the broader strategic pipeline, based on the emerging conclusions of the LCR HS2 Connectivity Strategy.  It was reported that WYCA had approved the next stage of work development of the ‘Inclusive Growth Corridor Plans’ and the corridors which needed the greatest intervention had been defined. 

 

It was proposed that up to £7m be made available from the Transformational Fund to develop the LCR Connectivity Strategy priority pipeline subject to approvals through the WYCA Assurance Process.  Proposals to allocate the remaining £3m would be considered at a future meeting of the Committee.

 

Resolved: 

 

(i)         That the Investment Committee recommends to WYCA the revised approach

for the WY+TF Transformational Fund as set out in the submitted report.

 

(ii)        That the Investment Committee recommends to WYCA that capital

expenditure of £7.00m is allocated for the WY+TF to develop the LCR Connectivity Strategy Priority pipeline taking into account the recent call for projects and Inclusive Growth Corridor Plans and that Expressions of Interest (Activity 1) be invited for consideration through the WYCA Assurance Process.

38.

Capital Spend and Project Approvals pdf icon PDF 699 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Committee considered a report of the Director of Delivery on proposals for the progression of, and funding for, a number of West Yorkshire plus Transport Fund (WY+TF) and Growth Deal projects at Stages 1, 2 and 3 of WYCA’s Assurance Process.

 

Members considered the following 6 schemes which were detailed in the submitted report:

 

Bradford Interchange Phase 1

Decision Point 2 (Case Paper)

Bradford Interchange Phase 2

Decision Point 2 (Case Paper)

Project Beta

Decision Point 2 (Case Paper)

Natural Flood Management Programme

Decision Point 3 (Outline Business Case)

Wyke Beck Valley Flood Alleviation

Decision Point 4 (Full Business Case)

York Outer Ring Road Junction

Decision Point 4 (Full Business Case)

 

Members welcomed the flood alleviation schemes which would help reduce the risk of flooding for many homes and businesses and protect land for new development.

 

It was noted that the York Outer Ring Road (YORR) Upgrade project included improvements to several roundabouts to improve and reduce journey times which would be delivered in a number of phases.  Councillor Waller, City of York Council, attended the meeting and advised members of the benefits the York Outer Ring Road Junction proposal would bring to the economy as part of their comprehensive and long term strategy for York. 

 

The report also provided further details and outlined recommendations for the following schemes which have had Change Request reports assessed in line with WYCA’s Assurance Process.  :

 

ULEV Taxi Scheme

 

Activity 3 (Outline Business Case) Change Request

A62 Cooper Bridge

 

Activity 3 (Outline Business Case) Change Request

Steeton and Silsden and Shipley  Rail Station Car Parks

Activity 5 (Full Business Case with Finalised Costs) Change Request

Hebden Bridge Rail Park and Ride

Activity 6 (Delivery) Change Request

 

Members discussed the importance of the ULEV Taxi Scheme and the need to progress the project as quickly as possible.  It was noted that discussions had been held with the District Council Highways Departments and further information would be circulated to members.  An update would be provided at the next meeting.

 

With regard to the Hebden Bridge Rail Park and Ride scheme, it was noted that this requested a small total funding increase and the Investment Committee recommended that approval be sought through delegation to WYCA’s Managing Director. 

 

It was reported that since the last meeting the following Change Requests had been assessed in line with WYCA’s Assurance Process and approved through agreed delegation to WYCA’s Managing Director:

 

Corridor Improvement Programme

 

Activity 3 (Outline Business Case) Change Request

LEP Loan 201 – Glasshoughton

 

Activity 6 (Delivery) Change Request

 

The Committee was also provided with details of decisions made through

delegation to WYCA’s Managing Director since the last meeting for the following schemes:

 

Cycle City Ambition Grant Phase 2 - Individual schemes

Decision Point 5 (Full Business Case with Finalised Costs)

Access Innovation Programme

Decision Point 5 (Full Business Case with Finalised Costs

Strategic Business Growth Programme

Decision Point 5 (Full Business Case with Finalised Costs)

Rail Park and Ride Phase 1 – Mirfield (A)

Decision Point  ...  view the full minutes text for item 38.

39.

Growth Deal: Call for Projects - Next Steps pdf icon PDF 308 KB

Minutes:

The Committee considered a report of the Director of Delivery which provided an overview of the submissions received relating to potential Growth Deal funding following the recent Call for Projects, including feedback and further analysis following the Investment Committee workshop held on 31 October 2017.

 

Members noted the summary of key messages and discussed the Priority Areas detailed in the report.  In respect of Priority 4(a), Housing, Regeneration and Digital, it was noted that several projects had forecast new homes outputs and it was important that WYCA consider supporting these to ensure that the overall target of 2,000 new homes is met.  With regard to Priority 4(b), Transport Infrastructure, it was noted that further discussions were being held with the District Councils to agree wider projects which could be progressed through feasibility work to strengthen the state of readiness of the forward pipeline of schemes. 

 

It was proposed that WYCA be asked to write to the schemes listed in the submitted report, setting out the next steps and indicating the in-principle support to those schemes, subject to successful progression through the WYCA Assurance Process and the availability of funding.  It was noted that these schemes would be a ‘Reserve List’ and, should further Calls for Projects be made, submissions would be considered alongside schemes submitted in the recent call for projects.  Project sponsors would be given the opportunity to update or revise previous submissions.

 

Resolved:

 

(i)         That the Investment Committee recommends to WYCA that the following

projects identified in the submitted report are brought forward for consideration for entry into the WYCA pipeline list, pending the outcome of the programme re-profiling exercise and the future availability of funding, and subject to approval through the WYCA Assurance Process:

 

·         LCR Enterprise Zones Programme Phase 2

·         Institute for High Speed Railways and System Integration

·         York Central Phase 1 Kickstarter

·         Halifax Living

·         Wakefield City Centre South East

·         Bradford City Centre Heritage Properties

·         City Connect Cycle Programme Phase 1 and 2 Extension

·         Rail Station Car Park Extension Programme Phase 2

·         Stourton Inland Port

·         Huddersfield Station Gateway

·         Leeds City Centre Package

 

(ii)        That it be noted that further work is ongoing through discussion between

WYCA and District officers to agree wider projects under Priority 4(b): Transport Infrastructure which could be progressed through feasibility work to strengthen the state of readiness of the forward pipeline of schemes.  The conclusions from this exercise will be reported back to the Investment Committee.

40.

Minutes of the Business Investment Panel held on 14 November 2017 pdf icon PDF 260 KB

Minutes:

Resolved:  That the minutes of the meeting of the Business Investment Panel held on 14 November 2017 be noted.