Agenda, decisions and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Keith Aspden.

Councillor Golton advised that he would not take part in any discussion in respect of Agenda Item 8, MCA Governance Arrangements, as he was the Liberal Democrat candidate for the role of West Yorkshire Mayor.  

There were no items on the agenda that required the exclusion of the press and public.

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

(Lead Member: Cllr S Hinchcliffe, Director: Brian Archer)

The Combined Authority considered a report of the Director of Economic Services which provided an update on developments concerning the COVID-19 crisis, including business support and skills programme delivery.

The report outlined a number of issues in respect of the roadmap out of lockdown restrictions and the next steps on the implementation of elements of the West Yorkshire Economic Recovery Plan. The support being provided at a West Yorkshire level, including the local authority grant distributions from the Government funding was noted and further information on the payments made to businesses would be provided.

In noting the updates on employment and skills support, Members discussed funding for further education colleges and the recent Government announcement regarding the clawback threshold if colleges did not achieve the required level of success.  The Authority would work with the further education sector and private providers to ensure they have sufficient financial resilience.

In respect of public transport, it was noted that because of the reduced capacity on buses, arrangements are in place for operators to provide additional vehicles at busy times such as for school services.  Further details of future bus funding arrangements linked to the National Bus Strategy are awaited and a report will be brought to a future meeting.

Resolved: That the report be noted.

(Lead Member: Cllr S Hinchcliffe, Director: Alan Reiss)

Resolved:

(a)      That the purpose and scope of the UK Community Renewal Fund and the responsibilities of the Combined Authority as the designated Lead Authority, as defined by Government, be noted.

(b)      That the Managing Director be authorised to finalise and submit the shortlists to Government on behalf of the Combined Authority.

The Combined Authority considered a report of the Director, Policy, Strategy and Communications on the UK Community Renewal Fund (UKCRF).

The UKCRF 2021-22 had been announced in the recent Budget and aims to support people and communities most in need, creating opportunities to trial new approaches and innovative ideas ahead of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund in 2022. The fund will be administered by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) and the Combined Authority has been designated as the Lead Authority for West Yorkshire.

The report summarised the purpose and scope of the UKCRF and the Combined Authority’s responsibilities as the designated Lead Authority, as defined by Government.

An invitation to bid was now live and a panel of Combined Authority and Local Authority officers will assess and prioritise all bids and details of the process were outlined in the submitted report. It was noted that the Combined Authority will need to submit shortlists up to a maximum of £3 million per place to Government by 18 June 2021.  As there would not be a meeting of the Combined Authority before that date, it was agreed that the Managing Director be authorised to finalise and submit them to Government on behalf of the Combined Authority.  It was also agreed that shortlists will be shared with Members.  It was expected that the Government will announce the outcome of the assessment process from late July 2021.

Resolved:

(a)      That the purpose and scope of the UK Community Renewal Fund and the responsibilities of the Combined Authority as the designated Lead Authority, as defined by Government, be noted.

(b)      That the Managing Director be authorised to finalise and submit the shortlists to Government on behalf of the Combined Authority.

(Lead Member: Cllr D Jeffery, Director: Melanie Corcoran)

The Combined Authority considered a report of the Director of Delivery on capital spending and project approvals.

Members noted the progress and funding for a number of schemes through the Combined Authority’s assurance process which were outlined in the submitted report.  These had been approved by the Investment Committee on 4 March 2021 and 7 April 2021 and included:

·       TF: Mirfield to Dewsbury to Leeds

·       GBF: Dewsbury Arcade

·       GBF: Brighouse A6025 Reconstruction

·       George Hotel, Huddersfield

·       CIP: Fink Hill, Leeds

·       York Central Access & York Station Frontage

·       Points Cross, Hunslet Road

·       Temple Green Park & Ride Extension

·       Digital Skills Programme – Adult Digital & Technical Skills Project

·       Door to Door Digital Community Transport Service

·       Parry Lane Enterprise Zone

·       Leeds Public Transport Investment Programme (LPTIP) Review 2020

·       UTMC Element C

·       CityConnect Phase 1 and 2

·       Business Growth programme

Details of all the schemes were provided in the submitted report.

Resolved:  That the projects that have been approved by the Investment Committee be noted.

(Lead Member: Cllr S Hinchcliffe, Director: Angela Taylor)

The Combined Authority considered a report of the Director, Corporate Services on governance arrangements.

Governance Documents

The report provided an update on the work that has been completed to date on the Combined Authority’s Constitution as part of the phased approach introduced and approved at the last meeting.  A summary of the timescales for approving the remaining documents was attached at Appendix 1.

As part of this phased approach, the Combined Authority approved further draft constitutional documents at Appendices 2-9 which addressed Mayoral functions, including PCC functions, most of which are to be in effect from 10 May 2021 when the Mayor is in office. Appendix 2 provided an introduction to the Combined Authority’s Constitution and the Protocol for the exercise of Concurrent Functions and Statutory Consents which would be introduced with immediate effect was attached at Appendix 4. This would be subject to review before the end of the calendar year.

Independent Remuneration Panel (IRP) Reports

Members considered the IRP’s reports and recommendations for both the Overview & Scrutiny Committee and Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime which were attached at Appendices 10 and 11.  Councillor Golton took no part in the discussion as he was the Liberal Democrat candidate for the role of West Yorkshire Mayor.

It was noted that following the changes to the scrutiny structure that were approved on 9 March 2021, an IRP was convened to reassess the level of allowances paid to the members, Chairs and Deputy Chairs (if appointed). Members were advised that there is no statutory provision to consult an IRP and their recommendations are intended to assist the Combined Authority in determining an appropriate level of remuneration.  It was noted that there is also no statutory requirement for the allowance of the Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime to be considered by an IRP as the power to determine their allowance rests with the Mayor.  However it was considered that in order to promote transparency and consistency the IRP be asked to also make recommendations for this role.

Resolved:

(a)      That the Combined Authority approves the Protocol for the exercise of Concurrent Functions and Statutory Consents attached at Appendix 4, to be of immediate effect and subject to review before the end of the calendar year.

(b)      That the Combined Authority approves the following documents to be of effect from 10 May 2021:

·       Articles 5-14 attached at Appendix 3

·       Part 4: Budget and Policy Procedure Rules attached at Appendix 5

·       Part 5: Revised members’ Code of Conduct and new Protocol for Member/officer relations attached at Appendices 7 and 8

(c)      That the Combined Authority approves the Petitions Scheme attached at Appendix 6, to be of effect from the Annual Meeting.

(d)      That the report and recommendations of the Independent Remuneration Panel in relation to remuneration for members of the Overview & Scrutiny Committees attached at Appendix 10 be approved, to be of effect from the appointment of the committees.

(e)      That the report and advice of the IRP in relation to remuneration for  ...  view the full minutes text for item 116.

(Lead Member: Cllr S Hinchcliffe, Director: Angela Taylor)

Resolved:

(a)      That the Combined Authority approves the proposals outlined in the submitted report for changes to be made to the Combined Authority’s decision-making arrangements, including in relation to structures and membership, following the election of a Mayor for West Yorkshire.

(b)      That officers be asked to work up the detail of the governance arrangements including terms of reference for the committees, the scope of delegated authority to be exercised by each of the decision-making committees and frequency of meetings to enable this to be approved and implemented at the Annual Meeting of the Combined Authority on 24 June 2021.

(c)      That the Combined Authority notes that to enable the Authority to make the necessary appointments to the new committee arrangements at the Annual Meeting, officers will be required to liaise with Constituent Councils following the local elections to seek nominations based on the proposed committee structure and membership in anticipation of the formal appointment of the same on 24 June 2021.

The Combined Authority considered a report of the Director, Corporate Services on MCA committee arrangements.

Members discussed the proposals for changes to be made to the Combined Authority’s current decision-making arrangements.  An overview of the principles and options highlighting the key elements was provided in the submitted report and the current and proposed structures were attached at Appendices 1 and 2. It was reported that the proposals and alternative options had been considered by the West Yorkshire Leaders in the context of the new functions and funding arising from the West Yorkshire devolution deal.  It was considered that the proposed new arrangements would better reflect the changed role and responsibilities of the Authority following the appointment of a Mayor for West Yorkshire. 

The proposal to establish formal Combined Authority member portfolio leads was discussed together with the suggested membership across the new committee arrangements which was set out in Appendix 4.  Concern was raised regarding the lack of political balance on some committees and Members were reminded that West Yorkshire was the only Combined Authority that includes opposition members and that the new scrutiny committees would be chaired by opposition members to the Mayor.

Members considered the proposals in respect of the Transport Committee outlined in the submitted report.  It was noted that because of the current complex and demanding transport agenda, significant input was needed from the Chair of the Committee outside the committee cycle.  It was therefore agreed that the Transport Committee be retained in its current form at the present time and reviewed following the annual meeting.  It was noted that the Authority had previously agreed to establish a Transport Scrutiny Committee which would be appointed at the annual meeting. It was however possible that this Scrutiny Committee would have a wider remit than just transport and it was therefore proposed that the extent of its work programme be phased in during the course of the municipal year. Councillor Harrand, Chair of the Overview & Scrutiny Committee expressed his concern regarding the proposal and asked for clarification on when the review of Transport Committee was expected to be undertaken and the timescales for the phased approach to moving to an enhanced scrutiny arrangement.  Members were advised that the review would be undertaken at the earliest opportunity although any changes would not be made until the annual meeting in 2022.

Councillor Pandor was thanked for his work with the Inclusive Growth and Public Policy Panel.  While it was proposed that panel would not continue under the new arrangements, the importance of ensuring inclusive growth was embedded in all the committees was acknowledged and this would be reflected in their terms of reference and metrics.

The Authority approved the proposals for changes to be made to the decision-making arrangements. Local authorities will be asked to nominate representatives following the local elections and details of the governance arrangements would be worked up to enable the revised committee arrangements to be put in place at the Combined Authority’s Annual Meeting.

Resolved:

(a)  ...  view the full minutes text for item 117.

The Combined Authority noted the minutes of the committees and panels that have been published on the West Yorkshire Combined Authority’s website since the last meeting.

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