Decisions

Resolved: That the Climate, Energy and Environment Committee noted the update.

 

Resolved: To have sought a steer from the Climate, Energy and Environment Committee on the identified principles for developing a policy position on hydrogen for West Yorkshire.

 

Resolved:

 

(i)             The Committee noted progress with both the Natural and Capital Flood Management programmes and the delays to some projects.

 

(ii)            The Committee noted the progress of the West Yorkshire Property Flood Resilience programme for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

 

(iii)          The Committee endorsed the revised approach for flood projects, the proposal to prioritise those projects that could commence delivery first, and the entry of two new projects onto the Capital Flood Risk Management programme pipeline set out in Appendix 2.

 

(iv)          The Committee delegated approval to the Director of Policing, Environment and Place, in consultation with the Chair of the Climate, Energy and Environment Committee, to conduct any future review and reprioritisation of projects on the Natural and Capital Flood Management pipelines, to accept new projects onto either programme, and to transfer projects that posed greater risks to either programme lower down the flood pipeline for consideration as part of any future investment programmes.

 

Resolved:

 

(i)             The Climate Committee noted progress in the delivery of the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund (SHDF) programme and the Combined Authority's intention to submit a bid for Warm Homes (WH) Wave 3.

 

(ii)            The Climate Committee also noted the delay in delivering the West Yorkshire Housing Partnership (WYHP) solar scheme, while recognising that the outputs remained unchanged.

 

Resolved: That the Committee noted the messages from the monitoring indicators.

 

Resolved:

 

(i)             That the Committee noted the progress made so far on the delivery of schemes.

 

(ii)            That the Committee shared their views on ambitions to develop new schemes and endorsed the next steps required to do so.

 

(a)  Project Approvals - Investment Priority 2 – Skills and Training for People

 

Skills Bootcamp – Wave 6

 

Resolved: The Combined Authority, subject to confirmation of additional funding from the Department for Education:

 

(i)              Approved the change request to the Skills Bootcamp programme, and:

 

·                 Accepted £7,667,357 additional funding from Wave 6 of the Department for Education’s Skills Bootcamp programme, increasing the total programme funding to £20,005,909 from £12,338,552.

 

·                 Extended the programme delivery (decision point 5) timeframes from April 2025 to March 2026.

 

·                 Increased the number of potential individuals who were given opportunities to retrain and improve their skills by 1,450, from 3,000 to 4,450.

 

(i)              Approved that future approvals were made in accordance with the assurance pathway and approval route outlined in this report. This was subject to the scheme remaining within the tolerances outlined in this report.

 

(b)      Project Approvals - Investment Priority 3 – Creating Great           Places and Accelerated Infrastructure

 

Brownfield Housing Programme delegation of approval of schemes to the Combined Authority’s Chief Executive

 

Resolved: The Combined Authority approved that:

 

(i)              The Brownfield Housing Fund, Wellington Square scheme was delegated for approval to the Combined Authority’s Chief Executive.

 

Brownfield Housing Fund Mabgate Yard

 

Resolved: The Combined Authority, subject to conditions:

 

(i)              Approved that the Brownfield Housing Fund Mabgate Yard scheme proceeded through decision point 4 (full business case) and work commenced on activity 5 (delivery).

 

(ii)             Approved the Combined Authority’s contribution of £4,000,000. The total scheme cost was £92,460,597.

 

(iii)           Approved that the Combined Authority entered into a funding agreement with My Devco Limited for expenditure of up to £4,000,000.

 

(iv)           Approved that future approvals were made in accordance with the assurance pathway, approval route, and tolerances outlined in this report. This was subject to the scheme remaining within the tolerances outlined in this report.

 

Delegated Decisions

 

Resolved: The Combined Authority, noted the following delegated decisions:

 

(i)              That the following six Brownfield Housing Fund (BHF) projects were assessed in line with the Combined Authority’s assurance process and approved through the agreed delegation to the Combined Authority’s Chief Executive / Director of Policing, Environment and Place: BHF High Street Hebden Bridge, BHF Armley Tower Works, BHF Newsome Mill (South Huddersfield), BHF Copperfields (Leeds East), BHF Mabgate (Burmantofts), and BHF Parkwood Mills.

 

(ii)             That the schemes will proceed through decision points 5 and 6 (delivery and financial closure) of the Combined Authority’s assurance process.

 

(iii)           That the total grant allocation was £6,554,775 for the 6 BHF projects to be returned to the BHF Programme.

 

(c)      Project Approvals - Investment Priority 4 – Tackling the Climate           Emergency and Environmental Sustainability

 

Home Energy West Yorkshire

 

Resolved: The Combined Authority:

 

(i)              Approved the change request to the Home Energy West Yorkshire Programme for development funding of £1,260,000 to cover the next phase of programme development, to progress with shaping and scoping new, innovative, and ambitious projects to deliver domestic net zero, taking the total programme-related costs approval to £6,888,585.

 

(ii)             Approved that future approvals were made in accordance with the assurance pathway and approval route outlined in this report. This was subject to the scheme remaining within the tolerances outlined in this report.

 

(iii)           Noted the Combined Authority’s potential contribution of £30,300,281. The total programme cost was £30,300,281.

 

(d)      Project Approvals - Investment Priority 5 – Delivering           Sustainable, Integrated, Inclusive and Affordable Transport

 

Bus Service Improvement Plan - Mobility Credits - delegation of approval of schemes to the Combined Authority’s Chief Executive

 

Resolved: The Combined Authority:

 

(i)              Approved the delegation of authority to the Combined Authority’s Chief Executive to approve, in accordance with the Assurance Framework, the Bus Service Improvement Plan Mobility Credits scheme.

 

Steeton and Silsden Cycling and Walking Improvements

 

Resolved: The Combined Authority:

 

(i)              Approved that the Steeton and Silsden Cycling and Walking Improvements scheme proceeded through decision point 3 (outline business case) and work commenced on activity 4 (full business case).

 

(ii)             Approved further development funding of £2,737,792, in order to progress Phase 1 only of the scheme to decision point 4 (full business case), taking the total scheme approval from £700,000 to £3,437,792.

 

(iii)           Approved that the Combined Authority entered into an addendum to the existing funding agreement with City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council for funding of up to £3,437,792.

 

(iv)           Approved that future approvals were made in accordance with the assurance pathway and approval route outlined in the report, subject to the scheme remaining within the tolerances outlined in the report.

 

(v)             Noted the Combined Authority’s potential funding of £12,820,060 for Phase 1. The total scheme cost was £12,920,060 for Phase 1 and £11,129,875 for Phase 2. £3,670,237 of the Phase 1 total scheme cost was for risk and contingency allowances.

 

Corridor Improvement Programme A629 North - Orange Street

 

Resolved: The Combined Authority, subject to the Levelling Up Fund Phase 2 programme business case from the Department for Transport and the conditions set:

 

(i)              Approved that the Corridor Improvement Programme A629 North - Orange Street scheme proceeded through decision point 4 (full business case) and work commenced on activity 5 (delivery).

 

(ii)             Approved the Combined Authority’s funding of £3,578,149. The total scheme cost was £3,578,149.

 

(iii)           Approved that the Combined Authority entered into an addendum to the existing funding agreement with Calderdale Council for funding of up to £3,578,149.

 

(iv)           Approved that future approvals were made in accordance with the assurance pathway and approval route outlined in the report, subject to the scheme remaining within the tolerances outlined in the report.

 

(v)             Noted that £536,249 of the total scheme cost was for risk and contingency allowances.

 

Part 1 Claims

 

Resolved: The Combined Authority noted the following regarding Part 1 claims:

 

(i)              The Combined Authority acknowledged the need for additional funding for Part 1 claims related to the Wakefield Eastern Relief Road and Glasshoughton Southern Link Road, exceeding previously approved amounts.

 

(ii)             The Combined Authority confirmed that Part 1 claims can be submitted for up to six years following the opening of a new road, with eligibility requiring homeowners to have lived in their properties for at least twelve months prior to the road's opening.

 

(iii)           The Combined Authority noted that claims include compensation for property devaluation caused by noise, vibration, light pollution, and associated legal costs for both homeowners and partner councils.

 

(iv)           The Combined Authority reaffirmed the obligation of partner councils to promptly pay valid claims to avoid accruing daily interest from the date a claim is deemed valid until payment is made.

 

(v)             The Combined Authority resolved to manage future funding for Part 1 claims centrally, allocating £10,000,000 from the West Yorkshire Plus Transport Fund, with a structured claims process through PIMS, clear approval channels for fund release, and the necessity for change requests if claims exceed the allocated amount.

 

Wakefield Eastern Relief Road

 

Resolved: The Combined Authority:

 

(i)              Approved the change request to the Wakefield Eastern Relief Road scheme to increase the Combined Authority’s funding by £3,400,000, raising it to £40,993,000 from £37,593,000. The total scheme cost was £40,993,000.

 

(ii)             Approved that the Combined Authority entered into a funding agreement with Wakefield Council for funding of up to £3,400,000.

 

Glasshoughton Southern Link Road

 

Resolved: The Combined Authority:

 

(i)              Approved the change request to the Glasshoughton Southern Link Road scheme to increase the Combined Authority’s funding by £900,000, raising it to £6,650,797 from £5,750,797. The total scheme cost was £6,650,797.

 

(ii)             Approved that the Combined Authority entered into a Funding Agreement with Wakefield Council for funding of up to £900,000.

 

(iii)           Approved that £471,600 of funding was paid to Wakefield Council and that the balance of £428,400 was to be paid upon receipt of supporting evidence of part 1 claims.

 

(iv)           Approved the delegation of authority to the Combined Authority’s Executive Director for Transport to approve future payments of part 1 claims within the approved funding.

 

Delegated Decisions:

 

Decisions Delegated to the Transport Committee:

 

A660 Lawnswood Roundabout

 

Resolved: The Combined Authority noted the following delegated decisions:

 

(i)              That the A660 Lawnswood Roundabout project was assessed in line with the Combined Authority’s assurance process and approved through the agreed delegation to the Combined Authority’s Transport Committee.

 

(ii)             That the project received approval to proceed, subject to conditions, through decision point 4 (full business case), and that work commenced on activity 5 (delivery) on 14 October 2024.

 

(iii)           That the funding approved for the project was £12,373,478, with total scheme costs amounting to £12,949,080.

 

(iv)           That the total value of Combined Authority funding for the project was £12,373,478.

 

Decisions Delegated to the Chief Executive:

 

Transforming Cities Fund – Bradford City Centre Cycling & Walking Improvements

 

Resolved: The Combined Authority noted the following delegated decisions:

 

(i)              That the Transforming Cities Fund – Bradford City Centre Cycling and Walking Improvements scheme was assessed in line with the Combined Authority’s assurance process and approved through the agreed delegation.

 

(ii)             That the change request to increase the Combined Authority’s funding to the scheme was approved on 1 October 2024 to fund additional bus and public space improvements and to discharge conditions set at decision point 4 (full business case).

 

(iii)           That the funding approved for the scheme was £1,922,069, with total scheme costs amounting to £45,188,069.

 

(iv)           That the total value of Combined Authority funding for the scheme was £45,088,069.

 

ATF4: Ackworth to Fitzwilliam Station

 

Resolved: The Combined Authority noted the following delegated decisions:

 

(i)              That the ATF4: Ackworth to Fitzwilliam Station scheme was assessed in line with the Combined Authority’s assurance process and approved, subject to conditions, on 15 October 2024, for the business justification case (BJC) to commence delivery.

 

(ii)             That the scheme will provide a high-quality, LTN 1/20 compliant, largely traffic-free cycle and walking route between Ackworth and Fitzwilliam Station.

 

(iii)           That the funding approved for the scheme was £2,555,735, which is also the total value of the scheme and the total value of Combined Authority funding.

 

ATF4: Grandstand Road, Wakefield

 

Resolved: The Combined Authority noted the following delegated decisions:

 

(i)              That the ATF4: Grandstand Road, Wakefield scheme was assessed in line with the Combined Authority’s assurance process and approved on 15 October 2024 for the business justification case (BJC) to commence delivery.

 

(ii)             That the scheme will provide improved walking and cycling facilities between key employment sites in the Grandstand Road area to the north of Wakefield and Outwood Station.

 

(iii)           That the funding approved for the scheme was £264,601, with a total value of the scheme amounting to £571,601.

 

(iv)           That the total value of Combined Authority funding for the scheme was £264,601.

 

Decisions Delegated to the Executive Director for Transport:

 

A62 to Cooper Bridge Improvements

 

Resolved: The Combined Authority noted the following delegated decisions:

 

(i)              That the A62 to Cooper Bridge Improvements scheme was assessed in line with the Combined Authority’s assurance process and that approval was granted on 25 September 2024 to the change request to revise the scheme’s scope and release development costs to support the costs of resubmitting the Phase 1 outline business case.

 

(ii)             That the funding approved for the scheme was £329,845.

 

(iii)           That the total indicative scheme costs amounted to £125,030,132.

 

(iv)           That the Combined Authority’s potential funding for the scheme was £53,512,739.

 

Mirfield – Dewsbury – Leeds

 

Resolved: The Combined Authority noted the following delegated decisions:

 

(i)              That the Mirfield – Dewsbury – Leeds scheme was paused at the outline business case stage, with a change request to be submitted before any work resumed on the full business case, and that approval was granted on 26 September 2024 for the scheme to return £5,250,000 to the West Yorkshire Plus Transport Fund, resulting in a reduction of Combined Authority funding to £1,935,000.

 

(ii)             The approval for the release of £150,000 in outstanding development costs to Leeds City Council.

 

(iii)           That the funding approved for the scheme was £150,000.

 

(iv)           That the total value of the scheme was to be confirmed (TBC).

 

(v)             That the total value of Combined Authority funding was £1,935,000.

 

 

Huddersfield Station Gateway

 

Resolved: The Combined Authority noted the following delegated decisions:

 

(i)              That the change request for the Huddersfield Station Gateway scheme was approved on 8 October 2024, updating its outline business case (OBC) submission milestone date to March 2026 within the revised Grant Funding Agreement.

 

(ii)             That the funding approved for the scheme was nil.

 

(iii)           That the total value of the scheme was to be confirmed (TBC).

 

(iv)           That the total value of Combined Authority funding was £550,000.

 

TCF - Dewsbury – Batley – Chidswell Sustainable Travel Corridor

 

Resolved: The Combined Authority noted the following delegated decisions:

 

(i)              That the change request for the TCF - Dewsbury – Batley – Chidswell Sustainable Travel Corridor scheme was approved on 16 October 2024, releasing a further £434,785 in development costs, increasing the total approved funding from £1,775,000 to £2,209,785.

 

(ii)             That the total value of the scheme was £9,992,299.

 

(iii)           That the total value of Combined Authority funding was £9,992,299.

 

South East Bradford Access Road

 

Resolved: The Combined Authority noted the following delegated decisions:

 

(i)              That the project closure report for the South East Bradford Access Road was approved on 16 October 2024, with the development of the Outline Business Case (OBC) being stopped and the OBC not submitted to the Combined Authority.

 

(ii)             That the funding approved for the scheme was nil.

 

(iii)           That the total value of the scheme at the time it was stopped was £1,031,650.

 

(iv)           That the total value of Combined Authority funding was £1,031,650.

 

Resolved: That the Place, Regeneration and Housing Committee noted the governance arrangements approved by the Combined Authority at the Annual Meeting on 20 June 2024.

 

Resolved: That the Committee noted the messages from the monitoring indicators.

 

Resolved: That the Committee noted the contents of the report and provided feedback on the draft framework and action areas for the refreshed West Yorkshire Climate and Environment Plan.

 

Resolved:

 

(i)             That the Committee noted correspondence had taken place with the Deputy Prime Minister and the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.

 

(ii)            That the Committee noted the feedback received from Local Authority partners and the proposed next steps towards the preparation of a local remediation acceleration plan.

 

(iii)          That the Committee provided feedback on the barriers to progression and suggestions for any key issues to highlight in the preparation of the plan.

 

Resolved: That the committee noted the contents of the report and progress with strategic sites alongside the spatial approach outlined, which reflected thinking in the emerging Local Growth Plan.

 

Resolved: That the committee noted the contents of the report and considered the options for further work outlined from paragraph 3.27 of the report.