Agenda item

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

The Combined Authority considered a report of the Director of Economic Services on COVID-19, economic response and recovery.

Members joined together in expressing their condolences to all who have lost family and friends and are grieving at this difficult time.

The report provided an update on progress on the latest response to the COVID-19 outbreak from the Combined Authority and Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership.  Members discussed the work of the Economic Recovery Board and thanked officers for the response and recovery planning being undertaken. Work had commenced with partners to create a regional economic recovery plan which will be kept under review as further information, intelligence and decision making occurs. This would also need to complement the plans developed by local authorities.The Combined Authority would lead on the economic recovery planning for West Yorkshire and this had been recognised in a letter to Councillor Hinchcliffe from the Minister for Housing Communities and Local Government which was attached at Appendix 1.

Members discussed the challenges being faced in relaunching the economy in the region including the PPE/health supply chain, funding gaps and the discretionary grants schemes which have been launched by the Local Authorities.  It was considered that the guidance received from Government regarding the discretionary grants was prescriptive and it was agreed that a letter be sent to the Minister for Housing Communities and Local Government seeking clarity on the criteria for the funding.  Further information regarding the supply of PPE products would be circulated to Members.

In noting the transport update, it was noted that the Government’s emergency funding for bus services is due to expire in August and Members discussed the serious financial impacts maintaining the current bus network was having on the Authority’s budget.  Without a long-term funding solution from Government, some services will be under threat.  Councillors Blake and Groves have written to the Secretary of State seeking a more accountable approach to bus funding during the recovery period and discussions are being held with the Department for Transport.  It was reported that following the Government’s announcement in respect of £250m additional funding to promote walking and cycling, the Combined Authority would receive £2.513m as part of the first tranche of £45m.  Proposals have been submitted to the Department of Transport in consultation with the Chair and members of the Transport Committee.

The Authority noted the update in respect of the impact of COVID-19 on the organisation and the detailed work being undertaken to consider the financial impacts of the pandemic on the Combined Authority.  The need to lobby Government for additional monies to cover the funding gap was stressed.  Forecasts and options are to be considered by a meeting of the Budget Working Group and a report will be brought to the next meeting.

Resolved: 

(a)       That the progress on the delivery and development of the response to

the COVID-19 crisis be noted.

(b)       That a letter be sent to the Minister for Housing, Communities and Local Government in respect of the additional funding provided to Local Authorities for discretionary grants.