Agenda item

(Led by: Mark Roberts, Author: Myles Larrington)

That the LEP Board notes the updates from the Thematic Committees

The Board considered a report providing an update on the work of the six Thematic Committees as follows:

The Interim Director of Inclusive Economy, Skills and Culture, presented an update on the proceedings of the Business, Economy and Innovation Committee which met on 29 March 2023. The Committee considered a range of reports on innovation finance policy alongside an overview of the Combined Authority’s decision to invest in Northern Gritstone Ltd. Members also discussed two reports on EDI Strategy and the “principles” for Business Support. A further update on inward investment was also provided to committee members.

The Chair, Mark Roberts, presented an update on the proceedings of the Climate, Energy and Environment Committee, which met on 21 March 2023. The Committee considered a paper on the monitoring and evaluation arrangements for the Climate and Environment Plan (CEP), approved £2,060,000 of funding for the Better Neighbourhoods programme, along with £366,310 of funding for the Combined Authority Assets Solar Project. Committee members were also updated on the Local Nature Recovery Strategy.

The Mayor, Tracy Brabin, presented an update on the proceedings of the Culture, Heritage and Sport Committee which had met for a private workshop on 28 March 2023. Committee members received an update on progress against the Culture, Heritage and Sport Framework. Members also shared their successes and discussed how this could be mapped against the Framework. They were also asked for feedback on what a West Yorkshire Trailblazer deal should include from a culture, heritage and sport perspective.

The Chair, Mark Roberts, presented an update on the proceedings of the Employment and Skills Committee, which met on 23 March 2023. The Committee discussed reports on Adult Skills, Green Jobs Taskforce and Future Funding Priorities. Members received a verbal update on the Spring Budget Statement and from the Chambers of Commerce on the Local Skills Improvement Plans work.

Cllr Jane Scullion presented an update on the proceedings of the Place, Regeneration and Housing Committee, which met on 2 March 2023. Committee members considered reports on Strategic Place Partnership, Creating Places and Accelerating Infrastructure Programme Development, the Dementia Task Force and the West Yorkshire Digital Blueprint and Local Digital Partnership.

Members also received an update on relevant monitoring indicators from the State of the Region report and endorsed the Strategic Place Partnership Business Plan. There was also an update on the ongoing work of the Dementia Ready Task Force and proposals to refresh the 2019 Digital Framework and creation of a Local Digital Partnership. Several delivery schemes were also given additional approvals.

The Place, Regeneration and Housing Committee had also met on 1 June 2023 and considered a number of reports. Members were presented with a report which provided an update on the relevant monitoring indicators and set out their performance to support the work of the Committee. The Committee received an update on the workstreams relating to the Combined Authority’s activity to support the housing growth activity across the region, including an update on the Mayoral pledge to deliver 5000 affordable and sustainable homes and a summary of West Yorkshire’s revenue and capital programmes supporting delivery of housing in the region. Members received an update on activity related to Strategic Sites. The projects and programmes referenced in the report were being managed concurrently by the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, ensuring that links were drawn between them, to add value and to make sure that they collectively supported the organisational objectives and those of the CA’s partners.

Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe, Chair of the Transport Committee, presented an update on the proceedings of the committee which met on 10 March. Members considered reports on the Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP), passenger experience and a project approval for a scheme at Bradford Interchange.

Members also discussed a draft Passenger Charter, an update on bus infrastructure funding, a quarterly report on the performance of the transport network in West Yorkshire and a report on the progression of several investment initiatives.

The Transport Committee also met on 26 May 2023 and  considered a number of reports. Approval from members was sought to commence the public consultation of the emerging Rail Strategy in summer 2023. Members discussed the establishment of arrangements for the Local Transport Forums in 2023/24. Members received a quarterly update on relevant transport developments within West Yorkshire.

The Committee received an update on the state of the local bus network and the ongoing delivery of the Bus Service Improvement Plan revenue programme. Members were also provided with an update on the performance of the transport network in West Yorkshire, including an update on the Combined Authority’s passenger facing activity. Members received a report outlining the actions taken following a review of the operation of school bus services provided to primary schools ahead of the 2023/24 academic year. The Committee also considered several project approvals.

Resolved:

      i.         That the LEP Board noted the contents of the report.

     ii.         That the updates from the Thematic Committees were noted.