Agenda, decisions and minutes

The Chair reported that she had attended the Global Investment Summit 2021 earlier in the week, and highlighted that many investors, including large global companies, were interested in investing in the region. The Chair noted her thanks to the Combined Authority Trade and Investment team who had supported herself and Sir Roger Marsh during this trip.

Apologies for absence were received from Cllr Jeffery and Sir Roger Marsh, as well as both their substitutes.

There were no pecuniary interests declared by Members during the meeting

1.       To highlight Agenda Item 10 Appendix 1 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 Agenda Item 10 Appendix 1.

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 Agenda Item 10 Appendix 1 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.

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 1 to Agenda Item 10 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.

Resolved: That the minutes of the meeting of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority held on 9 September 2021 be approved.

(Lead Member: Cllr S. Pandor, Director: Liz Hunter)

The Combined Authority received an update on developments around the COVID-19 pandemic and work to support economic recovery in West Yorkshire.

The number of Covid-19 cases in the region had increased by 15% and was approaching the November 2020 peak, particularly in the 10-14 years age group. Calderdale was particularly affected, with the 9^th highest rate of infections in England.

Retail spending in the region had fallen since the previous meeting – feedback had been received that rising energy prices were disproportionately affecting retail businesses, the Bank of England had forecast that inflation may rise up to 5%, and it was expected there would be pressure to increase interest rates. To address this the Combined Authority had made attempts to address skill shortages across all sectors, and part of the adult education budget would be repurposed to help with the national driver shortage. An increase in referrals to the Combined Authority’s employment hubs from Jobcentre Plus had been received since the furlough scheme had ended, and the Combined Authority was working with Local Authorities to match these referrals with employment opportunities. A new business start-up offer was also due to be launched to support those considering self-employment as well as existing business.

The support offered to businesses in the region was welcomed by Members, and targets aiming to ensure fair access to support for groups such as BAME residents, women, and those with disabilities were praised, but it was also noted that place-based inequalities existed, with some areas of the region having been hit harder by the pandemic than others, and it would be important to consider this to achieve fully inclusive growth. Members also questioned how this support was tracked in relation to the Help to Grow grant scheme, to ensure that funding was being used to the best effect in regards to the resilience of the economy and particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs); officers advised that any businesses engaged would always be directed to appropriate resources such as Help to Grow as part of a wider portfolio of linking businesses with available support. It was also requested that details on any council tax support be included in future reports on this topic.

Members cautioned that the recovery would be a challenging time for many in local communities, with the end of the furlough scheme, cuts to universal credit, rising energy costs and high property prices all contributing to this, and that it may be some time before the situation stabilised into a ‘new normal’. To avoid adding a further burden for families already being stretched by these factors, the Mayor would not be introducing a mayoral precept for the current year.

The link between the health of the region’s residents and the health of the economy was discussed, with it being noted that children from low-income families were more likely to suffer from poor nutrition, leaving them more susceptible to other conditions. With over a third of West Yorkshire children living in poverty, addressing these inequalities  ...  view the full minutes text for item 48.

(Lead Member: Cllr T. Swift, Director: Liz Hunter)

Resolved: That the Combined Authority:

a)    Approves the West Yorkshire Climate and Environment Plan and agrees to delegate, if required, any final changes to the Managing Director in consultation with the Mayor.

b)    Endorse the Mayor to bring forward a Climate and Environment Fund and to secure the £85m funding needed for the actions for the Combined Authority. The Combined Authority would work with partner local authorities to design the delivery mechanisms for this fund.

c)     Endorse the Mayor to identify potential funding sources for the Fund, including the Single Investment Fund. Decisions would be taken after the Comprehensive Spending Review, which would indicate whether and when there would likely be further national funding available to support this work.

The Combined Authority considered a report on the climate emergency. It asked them to approve the West Yorkshire Climate and Environment Plan, which would be the Mayor and Combined Authority’s response to address the climate emergency, to protect the environment, and to achieve net zero carbon emissions in West Yorkshire. The Combined Authority was also asked to endorse plans for the Mayor to bring forward a Climate and Environment Fund and to secure £85 million in funding for carbon reduction projects, with sources for this funding to be identified after the publication of Comprehensive Spending Review.

The importance of the plan was noted, with increasing occurrence of flooding events such as that of Boxing Day 2015 highlighted as examples of the significant impact of climate change in the region, and the approval of this plan would be particularly timely due to the upcoming attendance of the Mayor and the Managing Director at the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP-26). As part of efforts to raise awareness of these climate issues and the important role of the bus service in combatting them, Sunday 31 October had been announced as ‘Free Bus Sunday’, where travel on buses throughout the region would be free. Encouragement toward greater use of public travel would be vital in combatting the climate emergency, and it was hoped that the event would support this.

The Government’s Net Zero Carbon Strategy had been launched earlier in the week, and Members welcomed announced initiatives such as greater support for electric vehicles and grants to replace gas boilers with zero-emission heat pumps, but it was felt that the ambition of the Strategy was not sufficient to achieve a full, inclusive and just recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic, with it being noted that any incentives to support reducing emissions had to be accessible to all, rather than only those who were already wealthy. It would be important to support Government in tackling the crisis, but it was noted that MCAs and Local Authorities could use their knowledge and experience in local communities to be a leading voice in encouraging a change in priorities and behaviour.

The Plan had been developed with the support of the Climate, Energy and Environment Committee. Three potential pathways toward net zero emissions had been explored in the Plan; it was noted that the early actions set out within the Plan were consistent with all three pathways, and did not preclude any future decisions regarding this. The Committee would be happy to take a further role in the monitoring of the progress of the Plan and in discussions regarding which pathway would be taken, as well as timescales surrounding this.

The Committee had also raised the importance of ensuring that the carbon impact of existing road schemes was being robustly measured within the Plan; a piece of work was currently underway to improve technical guidance for developing schemes and improve analysis for investors and stakeholders, as well as to assess the impact of schemes currently in  ...  view the full minutes text for item 49.

(Lead Member: The Mayor, Director: Melanie Corcoran)

Resolved:

a)    That in respect of the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund, and in order to ensure that schemes can be delivered within the tight timescales, the Combined Authority approves the delegation of authority to the Climate, Energy and Environment Committee to accept the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund and approve the scheme in accordance with the Assurance Framework (decision point 4 (Final Business Case)), so that delivery can commence in line with government’s delivery timeframes.

b)    That in respect of the Green Jobs Taskforce and Gateway, the Combined Authority approves that:

i)       The Green Jobs Taskforce and Gateway scheme proceeds through decision point 2 (Strategic Outline Case) and decision point 4 (Full Business Case) with Approval to Proceed to activity 5 (Delivery).

ii)     Approval to the Combined Authority’s contribution of £500,000 (which will be funded from the Single Investment Fund to progress the mayor’s pledges) be granted. The total scheme value is £500,000.

iii)    Future approvals are made in accordance with the assurance pathway and approval route outlined in the submitted report and any change requests are delegated to the Employment and Skills Committee. This will be subject to the scheme remaining within the tolerances outlined in the submitted report.

c)     That in respect of the Creative New Deal, the Combined Authority approves that:

i)       The Creative New Deal project proceeds through decision point 2 (strategic outline case) and decision point 4 (full business case) and work commences on activity 5 (delivery).

ii)     Approval to the Combined Authority’s contribution of £500,000, funded from the Combined Authority’s Single Investment Fund is given. The total scheme value is £500,000.

iii)    Future approvals are made in accordance with the assurance pathway and approval route outlined in the submitted report and any change requests are delegated to the Culture, Arts and Creative Industries Committee. This will be subject to the scheme remaining within the tolerances outlined in the submitted report.

d)    That in respect of Local Authority Capital Funding 2021/2022, the Combined Authority approves that, subject to a successful bid to DfT:

i)       The allocation to the Combined Authority of the Active Travel Fund: Local Authority Capital Funding for 2021/22, subject to a successful bid, for expenditure of up to £12,361,310 and that the programme proceeds through decision point 4 (full business case) and work commences on activity 5 (delivery) for all schemes except the Leeds A660 Otley Road scheme which commences work on activity 4 (full business case)

ii)     Delegation to the Managing Director to approve the Leeds A660 Otley Road full business case.

iii)    The allocation of the Active Travel Fund: Local Authority Capital Funding for 2021/22 funding, should it be secured, between the Combined Authority and the five West Yorkshire partners as set out below:

·       Bradford - £3,056,300

·       Calderdale - £475,000

·       Kirklees - £2,260,000

·       Leeds - £4,785,000 including development costs of £470,000

·       Wakefield - £585,000

·       Combined Authority - £850,000 (for Cycle Parking and School Streets Programmes across all five districts with a further £350,010 for programme costs

iv)   Development  ...  view the full decision text for item 50.

The Combined Authority considered a report on proposals for the progression of, and funding for, a number of Combined Authority supported projects that had been considered at stages 1, 2 or 3 of the Combined Authority’s assurance process. The report also listed approvals that had been made by the Managing Director in delegation.

Three projects had been submitted for approval at the meeting:

·       The Green Jobs Taskforce and Gateway scheme requested £500k from the Single Investment Fund (SIF) to research the future demand of green skills, investigate availability, and develop an action plan.

·       The Creative New Deal project also requested £500k from the SIF to support two strands of delivery for support to creative industries across West Yorkshire. One strand focused on boosting capacity for the Mayor’s Creative New Deal pledge (including the continuation of the Beyond Brontës programme) and another would progress the concept of a ‘Town of Culture’ award for West Yorkshire. The use of Langthwaite Enterprise Zone for creative industry purposes would also be explored.

·       A bid had been submitted for £12.36 million from the third tranche of funding from the Emergency Active Travel Fund. This would be used to provide delivery of permanent schemes building off of the temporary schemes funded by the earlier two tranches of funding. It was requested that approval for this spending, as well as approval for the Leeds A660 Otley Road full business case, be delegated to the Managing Director of the Combined Authority in order to allow flexibility, particularly if the awarded funding differed from the expected amount.

Members discussed the ‘night-time Czar’ role proposed under the Creative New Deal and questioned whether its focus would be on supporting the economic recovery of businesses operating at night or on the safety of women and girls. Officers advised that funding was often aimed to link between multiple pledges; the primary focus of the role would be the safety of women and girls, but it was hoped that both aspects could be fulfilled as the role was developed. These issues and others, such as how the ‘Town of Culture’ award would link to the ‘UK City of Culture’, would be further discussed as part of the work of the Culture, Arts and Creative Industries Committee.

It was highlighted that a large proportion of the Green Jobs Task Force and Gateway funding was proposed to be spent on three roles within the Combined Authority, rather than on delivering skills training. Officers advised that this was necessary to increase capacity within the team for the next stage of work, particularly for strengthening links between businesses and those exiting the education system. It was requested that future reporting be made more clear in tracking where Combined Authority funding was being used to create new jobs, rather than only supporting the business in what it had already been doing.

Approval was also sought for the delegation to the Climate, Energy and Environment Committee to approve the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund scheme, in order for  ...  view the full minutes text for item 50.

(Lead Member: The Mayor, Director: Angela Taylor)

Resolved: That the Combined Authority:

a)    Appoints private sector members to the Culture, Arts and Creative Industries Committee as set out in Appendix 1 attached to the submitted report.

b)    Appoints Sam Keighley as a private sector member of the Place, Regeneration and Housing Committee.

c)     Appoints Karl Oxford as a private sector member of the Business, Economy and Innovation Committee.

d)    Accepts the debt cap of £248.326 million for 2021/22 as offered by HM Treasury.

e)    Notes the work underway on the 2022/23 budget.

The Combined Authority considered a report from the Director of Corporate and Commercial Services seeking approval of outstanding appointments of private sector members to several committees, noting work done toward of the 2022/2023 budget, and seeking acceptance of the proposed debt cap for 2021/2022 of £248 million offered by Her Majesty’s Treasury.

Members questioned how the proposed debt cap compared to that of other Combined Authorities across the UK. It was advised that there was significant variation regarding debt caps, ranging from under £100 million to nearly £1 billion in some cases for longer-established Combined Authorities. It was noted that the cap request was above the amount that had been set out in the budget for the current year for borrowing, so should not impact on any decision-making regarding borrowing before its expiration in March 2022.

Resolved: That the Combined Authority:

a)    Appoints private sector members to the Culture, Arts and Creative Industries Committee as set out in Appendix 1 attached to the submitted report.

b)    Appoints Sam Keighley as a private sector member of the Place, Regeneration and Housing Committee.

c)     Appoints Karl Oxford as a private sector member of the Business, Economy and Innovation Committee.

d)    Accepts the debt cap of £248.326 million for 2021/22 as offered by HM Treasury.

e)    Notes the work underway on the 2022/23 budget.

(Lead Member: Cllr S. Hinchcliffe, Director: Dave Pearson)

Resolved: That the Combined Authority:

a)    Delegates to the Managing Director, authority to enter into a binding legal agreement which safeguards the Authority’s interests in and around Huddersfield Bus station and provides appropriate measures to manage travel disruption during the construction phase of the Trans Pennine Route Upgrade.

b)    Approves that, in the event that a binding legal agreement cannot be made with Network Rail, the Combined Authority shall participate in the Public Inquiry regarding the Transport and Works Act Order (TWAO) application to the Secretary of State for Transport for the proposed improvements to the railway between Huddersfield to Westtown (Dewsbury) to present the specific matters relating to impacts in and around Huddersfield Bus Station.

c)     Approves that, in the event that a binding legal agreement can be made with Network Rail, the Managing Director submits a letter to the Public Inquiry reaffirming the Combined Authority’s support for the Trans Pennine Route Upgrade and advises that the matters relating to Huddersfield Bus Station have now been resolved.

The Combined Authority considered a report on the current position regarding the Transport and Works Act Order pertaining to the upgrade of the Trans Pennine rail route, and its implications for land and assets operated by the Combined Authority. The report included recommended actions to safeguard the operation and redevelopment of Huddersfield Bus Station

Although the Combined Authority was supportive of the planned Trans Pennine route upgrade there were some technical issues that remained to be resolved with Network Rail. The Combined Authority was asked to approve delegation to the Managing Director to enter into an agreement with Network Rail to obtain safeguards to ensure the proposed work did not significantly negatively impact on the operation of Huddersfield Bus Station and bus network in Huddersfield. If this agreement was reached, the Combined Authority would submit a supportive letter to the upcoming Public Inquiry for the Transport and Works Act Order noting that the issues had been resolved; otherwise, the Combined Authority would participate in the Public Inquiry. It was noted that officers felt an agreement was close and would likely be reached within the next few days.

Members requested further information on improvements on the Trans Pennine more generally, particularly in light of uncertainty surrounding previous transport commitments. However, it was noted that further useful information would likely not be available until the Integrated Rail Plan was published by Government.

Resolved: That the Combined Authority:

a)    Delegates to the Managing Director, authority to enter into a binding legal agreement which safeguards the Authority’s interests in and around Huddersfield Bus station and provides appropriate measures to manage travel disruption during the construction phase of the Trans Pennine Route Upgrade.

b)    Approves that, in the event that a binding legal agreement cannot be made with Network Rail, the Combined Authority shall participate in the Public Inquiry regarding the Transport and Works Act Order (TWAO) application to the Secretary of State for Transport for the proposed improvements to the railway between Huddersfield to Westtown (Dewsbury) to present the specific matters relating to impacts in and around Huddersfield Bus Station.

c)     Approves that, in the event that a binding legal agreement can be made with Network Rail, the Managing Director submits a letter to the Public Inquiry reaffirming the Combined Authority’s support for the Trans Pennine Route Upgrade and advises that the matters relating to Huddersfield Bus Station have now been resolved.

(Lead Member: Cllr S. Hinchcliffe, Director: Dave Pearson)

Resolved: That the Combined Authority approves the BSIP and agrees to delegate any final changes to the Managing Director in consultation with the Mayor. The BSIP will be submitted to DfT before the deadline of 30th October 2021.

The Combined Authority considered a report providing an overview of the content included in the Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP) and requesting approval for its submission to the Department for Transport.

The Mayor’s pledge to improve the bus service and bring it back under public control was noted, with the BSIP intended as a first step toward this, creating a safe, accessible and fully inclusive bus system. It presented an ambitious picture for bus travel in the region, but this would be vital for the Combined Authority’s decarbonisation and sustainable travel agenda and in achieving the net zero carbon by 2038 target, particularly with 90% of transport emissions currently coming from cars and vans.

Members welcomed the strong ambition demonstrated in the BSIP, particularly regarding the capped fare of £4.50 and the Flexibus and Demand Responsive Transport (DRT) schemes, noting it was an opportunity for the region to significantly improve bus service. However, it was cautioned that bus operators were in the process of cutting some services, and it was important that BSIP not become a means to simply fill the gap left by this.

It was noted that the BSIP funding was short-term, so the Combined Authority would need to ensure it did not find itself in the position of having to withdraw any improvements made due to being unable to find continued funding. In this vein, it would be vital to keep lobbying the Government on the importance of levelling up the region, and on providing funding for other important aspects of improving service such as new buses. Members noted their disappointment on being required to go through multiple rounds of competitive bidding to access this funding, as it took up considerable time and resources.

The free bus pass scheme for elderly and disabled passengers was discussed, with Members questioning whether the permitted hours of use could be extended to help those with early or late shifts. A possible extension was under consideration, but this would need to be funded from the budget rather than in the context of the BSIP. The need to support these passengers making journeys before the cut-off was noted, but a cost/benefit analysis would need to be undertaken to determine the best approach.

Members discussed the connection difficulties faced by more rural communities, which typically required more complex journeys, or where services ended earlier in the day. However, it was noted that urban communities also often faced similarly difficult or infrequent journeys, and that aspects such as poverty, health inequalities, and other things needed to be also considered. Further work was needed on making different modes of transport more interchangeable, and this would hopefully make a positive impact across the region.

Members also raised the following comments and questions:

·       It was questioned why Park and Ride schemes were not mentioned; officers advised that Park and Ride schemes tended to be dealt with in the context of each local council’s parking strategy.

·       The report’s description of a ‘gender-neutral’ bus system was discussed as part  ...  view the full minutes text for item 53.

Resolved: That the minutes of the Combined Authority’s committees and panels be noted.