Agenda item

(Lead Member: Councillor Jeffery, Director: Melanie Corcoran)

Resolved:

With respect to the West Yorkshire Zero Emission Bus Programme The Combined Authority approved that:

(i) The West Yorkshire Zero Emission Bus (ZEB) programme proceeds through decision point 2 (strategic outline case) and work commences on activity 4 (full business case).

(ii) An indicative approval to the Combined Authority’s contribution of £49,565,171 is given. The total programme cost is £81,161,738.

(iii) Future approvals are made in accordance with the assurance pathway and approval route outlined in this report. This will be subject to the scheme remaining within the tolerances outlined in this report.

With respect to the Kirklees Year of Music The Combined Authority approved that:

(i) The Year of Music 2023 scheme proceeds through decision point 2 to 4 (business justification) and work commences on activity 5 (Delivery).

(ii) Approval to the Combined Authority’s contribution of £850,000 is given. The total scheme value is £5,485,757.

(iii) The Combined Authority enters into a funding agreement with Kirklees Council for expenditure of up to £850,000. (iv) Future approvals are made in accordance with the assurance pathway and approval route outlined in this report and where required, any change requests are delegated to the Culture, Sports, Arts and Creative Industries Committee. This will be subject to the scheme remaining within the tolerances outlined in this report.

With respect to the A641 Bradford to Huddersfield Corridor The Combined Authority approved that:

(i) The A641 Bradford to Huddersfield Corridor scheme proceeds through decision point 3 (outline business case) and work commences on activity 4 (full business case).

(ii) Indicative approval to the Combined Authority’s contribution of £75,540,000 is given. The total scheme value is £109,138,000.

(iii) Additional development costs of £8,072,441 are approved in order to progress the scheme to decision point 4 (full business case), taking the total scheme approval to £10,857,441

(iv) The Combined Authority enters into an addendum to the existing Funding Agreement with Calderdale Council for expenditure of up to £10,857,441 (v) Future approvals are made in accordance with the assurance pathway and approval route outlined in this report. This will be subject to the scheme remaining within the tolerances outlined in this report.

With respect to Skills Connect The Combined Authority approved:

(i) The change request to the Skills Connect scheme to broaden the group of people that adult retraining is delivered to, and the sectors it supports, and to extend the delivery timeframe to March 2025.

(ii) Future approvals are made in accordance with the assurance pathway and approval route outlined in this report and where required, any change requests are delegated to the Employment and Skills Committee. 211 This will be subject to the scheme remaining within the tolerances outlined in this report.

The Combined Authority considered a report of the Director of Delivery on the progression of, and funding for a number of schemes.

Officers summarised four key schemes for progression through the assurance progress and approval of funding.

West Yorkshire zero emission bus programme

This scheme sets out to introduce between 179 and 245 zero-emission buses across West Yorkshire, increasing the percentage of zero emission vehicles from 2% to 19%. The project will be undertaken in stages for the different West Yorkshire regions, and will include the associated infrastructure for zero emission vehicles.

Members welcomed the addition of zero-emission vehicles, but questioned the vision for beyond 2025 for the remainder of the current fleet. Questions were also raised regarding the use of buses cross-boundary, and how it will be assured that buses are utilised on routes and would not be sitting idle for extended periods. Officers responded that further Government funding would be sought before 2025 and beyond which would allow for further development of the fleet. Agreements have been made with operators to ensure continuous use of the buses in the case of disruption to regular routes or future strike action. Agreements have also been made with neighbouring authorities that buses can be utilised across boundaries wherever necessary to minimise disruption.

It was questioned how the bus funding will be managed, and what the overall benefit will be for the passengers and also the Combined Authority. Officers explained that the funding scheme is operated by the Government, and will make up the difference between the cost of a diesel bus and a zero-emission bus. Operators will buy the buses and there are conditions attached to determine how the buses are used. There are still some issues to resolve to identify outcomes, though the initial benefit will be the reduction of carbon emissions across the network.

Members commented on the wide gap in support for London compared to other authority areas, and the need to continue to lobby for more equitable transport policies. Particular issues included the suitability of the geography outside of London to support electric vehicles, and he relative lack of existing infrastructure to meet the growing demand for electric vehicles.

Members requested further information regarding the Carbon Impact Assessment Tool Kit referenced in the report. Officers noted that the Tool Kit has been published and considered by the members of the Climate, Energy and Environment Committee, and will be brought to the next meeting of the Combined Authority. Workshops will be held with members and officers regarding how the Tool Kit will be implemented within the decision-making process.

Kirklees year of music 2023

Officers outlined the project, which aims to deliver a one-year programme of musical events, and a further three-year programme of community projects. The events will promote regional music and artists to a wider audience, aiming for the widest possible community participation. The aim is to engage 400,000 individuals across all events, and a further 40,000 online. The Chair noted the project will help to develop the skills pipeline leading towards Bradford City of Culture 2025.

A641 Bradford to Huddersfield

Officers summarised the outline of the scheme to improve bus and active travel provisions for an eight-mile stretch between Huddersfield and Bradford. Travel times for bus users will be reduced, and access to Brighouse rail station will be improved.

Members noted that national policies often favour motorists over buses and other greener methods of travel, which highlights the need for co-operative work to achieve positive outcomes. Members asked how the scheme would affect the levels of carbon emission compared to the present. Officers confirmed that with schemes such as this, the disruption to traffic can cause more congestion and slightly increase carbon emissions, however over the longer term the emissions are lowered through greater use of active travel and fewer vehicles on the road. Cheaper bus fares and greener buses will play a large role in reducing the carbon emissions.

Members suggested the need to use some of the gainshare funds to ensure previous schemes are completed fully, instead of being scaled back in favour of new schemes that may also not see full completion.

Skills connect

Officers summarised the aim of the scheme to deliver training courses for adults in employment to further their skills. The scheme supports businesses by allowing staff to meet their current and future needs. Courses are developed in partnership with businesses, and though they are unaccredited will be at level 3 and above standard. The subject matter of courses can be flexible and quickly implemented to respond to market needs. Training will be available for 4,500 learners, and by engaging with local authority partners to target under-represented groups the widest possible number and diversity of participants can be reached. The age of eligible learners will be extended to capture those who are returning to work after a career break or parental leave, and those who are earning the real living wage will also be eligible.

Members noted the positive aspects of improving workers’ skillsets, and raised the need for employers to also invest in their staff to encourage their development. Members questioned the fields for which training would be delivered and requested that data is made available to show what training is being delivered and to how many people. Officers responded that there will be training programmes for green jobs, as well as jobs in new and developing technological fields that can provide long-term positive impacts to the workplace. The list of training is not prescriptive so it can meet the needs of employers whenever they arise.

Resolved:

(a) In respect of the West Yorkshire Zero Emission Bus Programme, the Combined Authority approves that:

(i) The West Yorkshire Zero Emission Bus (ZEB) programme proceeds through decision point 2 (strategic outline case) and work commences on activity 4 (full business case).

(ii) An indicative approval to the Combined Authority’s contribution of £49,565,171 is given. The total programme cost is £81,161,738.

(iii) Future approvals are made in accordance with the assurance pathway and approval route outlined in the submitted report. This will be subject to the scheme remaining within the tolerances outlined in the report.

(b) In respect of the Kirklees Year of Music, the Combined Authority approves that:

(i) The Year of Music 2023 scheme proceeds through decision point 2 to 4 (business justification) and work commences on activity 5 (Delivery).

(ii) Approval to the Combined Authority’s contribution of £850,000 is given. The total scheme value is £5,485,757.

(iii) The Combined Authority enters into a funding agreement with Kirklees Council for expenditure of up to £850,000.

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

(c) In respect of the A641 Bradford to Huddersfield Corridor, the Combined Authority approves that:

(i) The A641 Bradford to Huddersfield Corridor scheme proceeds through decision point 3 (outline business case) and work commences on activity 4 (full business case).

(ii) Indicative approval to the Combined Authority’s contribution of £75,540,000 is given. The total scheme value is £109,138,000.

(iii) Additional development costs of £8,072,441 are approved in order to progress the scheme to decision point 4 (full business case), taking the total scheme approval to £10,857,441

(iv) The Combined Authority enters into an addendum to the existing Funding Agreement with Calderdale Council for expenditure of up to £10,857,441 (v) Future approvals are made in accordance with the assurance pathway and approval route outlined in this report. This will be subject to the scheme remaining within the tolerances outlined in this report.

(d) In respect of Skills Connect, the Combined Authority approves:

(i) The change request to the Skills Connect scheme to broaden the group of people that adult retraining is delivered to, and the sectors it supports, and to extend the delivery timeframe to March 2025.

(ii) Future approvals are made in accordance with the assurance pathway and approval route outlined in this report and where required, any change requests are delegated to the Employment and Skills Committee. 211 This will be subject to the scheme remaining within the tolerances outlined in this report.