Decisions

The Committee considered a report and verbal update on the Housing Revenue Pipeline Fund programme.

 

The Combined Authority secured £3.2 million of revenue funding through the

West Yorkshire Devolution Deal. The funding is to develop projects on the

strategic housing pipeline from concept to feasibility, creating delivery ready

schemes.

 

Since the announcement of the devolved funding the programme has been taken through the Combined Authority Assurance Process. This involved a

review to ensure it aligned to the Combined Authority’s strategic objectives

and subsequently with the mayor’s pledge to deliver 5000 affordable and

sustainable homes.

 

Resolved:  That the contents of the report and verbal update be noted.

 

Resolved:

 

(i)             That proposals to commence project development work on a new digital infrastructure project utilising Broadband Gainshare be endorsed.

 

(ii)            That proposals to support delivery of Project Gigabit by creating a new officer role (Grade L) utilising Broadband Gainshare be endorsed.

Resolved:  Thar the work undertaken so far on the Brownfield Housing Fund programme and the updated pipeline of projects.be endorsed.

Resolved:

 

(i)             That four of the proposed planned flexibilities in line with the published West Yorkshire AEB strategy be approved.

Resolved:

 

That the forward plan for the Skills Advisory Panel be approved.

Resolved:

 

(i)             That the Employment West Yorkshire outline business case for development be endorsed

 

(ii)            That the overall approach for developing the investment plan for skills and employment be endorsed

Resolved:

 

(i)             That the Digital Skills Plan be agreed

 

(ii)            That any further changes to the plan be delegated to the MD in consultation with the Chair be agreed.

Resolved: That the Transport Committee noted the Introduction to the Assurance Framework presentation.

Resolved: That the Transport Committee:

 

Noted the terms of reference for Transport Committee attached as Appendix 1 to this report, and the role profiles for committee members set out at Appendix 2. 8

 

Noted the appointments made by the Combined Authority, as set out at paragraphs 2.2 and 2.3.

 

Established an Active Travel Working Group for the municipal year 2022/23, with the terms of reference and arrangements as set out in Appendix 3 to this report.

 

Established a Climate, Energy and Environment Working Group for the municipal year 2022/23, with the terms of reference and arrangements as set out in Appendix 4 to this report.

Resolved: That the Transport Committee:

 

Noted the current position with the Bus Network Sustainability Review and endorses the submission of an update to the Department for Transport on the Bus Network Sustainability Review.

 

Endorsed the approach to develop a Bus Network Development Plan.

Resolved: That the Transport Committee:

 

Noted the update on the Bus Service Improvement Plan.

 

Endorsed a recommendation to the Combined Authority making of an Enhanced Partnership Scheme to enable delivery of the Bus Service Improvement Plan

Resolved: That the Committee reviewed the proposed indicators with a view to approving them and / or amending them or suggesting additional indicators.

Resolved:

 

With respect to the Corridor Improvement Programme – Wakefield A638 Doncaster Road, the Transport Committee approved that:

 

(i) The A638 Doncaster Road Wakefield scheme proceeds through decision

point 3 (outline business case) and work commences on activity 4 (full

business case)

 

(ii) An indicative approval to the Combined Authority’s contribution of

£6,300,000. The total scheme value is £6,794,000.

 

(iii) Development costs of £1,090,000 are approved in order to progress the

scheme to decision point 4 (full business case), taking the total scheme

approval to £1,650,000.

 

(iv) The Combined Authority enters into an addendum to the existing funding

agreement with Wakefield Council for expenditure of up to £1,650,000.

 

(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 the Leeds City Centre Cycle Connectivity, the Transport Committee approved that:

 

(i) The Leeds City Centre Cycle Connectivity Scheme (phase one)

progresses through decision point 5 (full business case) and work

commences on activity 5 (delivery)

 

(ii) An indicative approval to the Combined Authority’s contribution of

£7,262,173. The total scheme value (Phase 1 and 2) is £7,262,173.

 

(iii) Approval to the Combined Authority’s contribution of £3,769,199 is given,

taking the total scheme approval to £5,004,199.

 

(iv) The Combined Authority enters a variation to the existing funding

agreement with Leeds City Council for expenditure of up to £4,862,819.

 

(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 the TCF – Leeds Station Sustainable Travel Gateway,

The Transport Committee, subject to the conditions set by the Programme

Appraisal Team, approved:

 

(i) The TCF Leeds Station Sustainable Travel Gateway scheme proceeds

through decision point 4 (FBC) and work commences on activity 5

(Delivery).

(ii) Approval to the Combined Authority contribution of £25,673,833 is given,

taking the total scheme approval to £36,009,872. The total scheme value

is £36,009,872.

 

(iii) The Combined Authority enters into a variation to the existing funding

agreement with Leeds City Council for expenditure of up to £36,009,872.

 

(iv) 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.

 

Conditions

That Leeds City Council provides an Approval to Proceed report to the

Combined Authority’s Programme Appraisal Team (PAT) to include discharge

of the conditions outlined in the PAT Appraisal Report.

 

With respect to Zero Emissions Bus Regional Area (Phase 1), the Transport Committee approved that, subject to the conditions set by PAT:

 

(i) The Zero Emission Bus Regional Area (Phase 1) project proceeds

through decision point 4 (full business case) and work commences on

Activity 5 (delivery).

 

(ii) Approval to the Combined Authority’s contribution of £24,565,171. The

total scheme value is £56,161,738.

 

(iii) The Combined Authority enters into funding agreements with the three

bus operators for the sums included in exempt Appendix 6 for

expenditure of up to of £24,565,171.

 

(iv) That 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.

 

Conditions

The following conditions have been set by PAT to gain Approval to Proceed to

Delivery:

 

(i)             The Combined Authority’s Project Manager will have been appointed.

 

(ii)            A Benefits Realisation Plan is produced.

 

 (iii)     The ZEB Programme Board is formed including the Project Managers from each Bus Operating Company.

 

With respect to the Active Travel Fund: Local Authority Capital Funding, the Transport Committee approved that:

 

(i) The change request to extend the scheme delivery timescales from

March 2023 to March 2024 and to change the scope of the programme

from 13 schemes to five due to a reduction in funding available from the

Department for Transport to £6,931,250.

 

(ii) An indicative approval to the Combined Authority’s contribution of

£6,931,250. The total scheme value is £6,931,250.

 

(iii) Approval to the Combined Authority’s contribution of £2,146,250,

allocated between the Combined Authority and the West Yorkshire

partners as set out below. The total scheme value is £6,931,250:

o Bradford – Active Travel Neighbourhoods £525,000

o Calderdale – Active Travel Neighbourhoods £475,000

o West Yorkshire – School Streets Programme £350,000

o Bradford – Darley Street (Bradford City Centre) £600,000

o Combined Authority programme costs £196,250

 

(iv) The Combined Authority enters into funding agreements with the Local

Authority partners for the four schemes as set out above for current

expenditure of up to £1,950,000 in total.

 

(v) Future approvals are made in accordance with the assurance pathway

and approval routes outlined in this report. This will be subject to the

schemes remaining within the tolerances outlined in this report.

Resolved: That the Committee noted the updates provided in this report.

Resolved: That the Committee noted the updates provided on the Passenger Experience in West Yorkshire provided in this report.

Resolved: That the Combined Authority:

 

Noted progress made so far in Year 1 with AEB delivery and plans to improve the efficacy of the funds in year 2.

 

Approved the two Funding rule amendments proposed at 2.17.

Resolved: That the Combined Authority:

 

Endorsed the proposal to move from a ‘process’ to an ‘outcome/mission’ based operating model.

 

Approved the change of role title from the current ‘Managing Director’ to ‘Chief Executive’.

 

Approved in principle the revised Director roles and new posts of Executive Director Transport and Chief Operating Officer (working title) set out in Appendix Two, noting that the specific areas of responsibility for each role, particularly within the functions reporting to the proposed Chief Operating Officer, may be subject to change.

 

Approved the creation of one additional Director post, bringing the total number of senior management roles from eight to nine and that two of these roles occupy an additional tier between the current director roles and the Chief Executive.

 

Approved the deletion of the current director posts in line with the Management of Change process and timeline, pending revision of the Role Profiles and key accountabilities to align to the new structure.

 

Endorsed the next steps set out in paragraph 2.44 and delegates the approval of final director Role Profiles and gradings to the Finance, Resources and Corporate Committee.

Resolved: That the Combined Authority:

 

Noted the progress made to embed EDI through the work of the Combined Authority.

 

Approved the adoption of the definitions of Islamophobia and Antisemitism provided above.

Resolved:

 

That members noted the content of the paper and the proposed future arrangements for the LEP.

 

That members considered and provided comment on the draft Integration Plan.

 

That authority is delegated to the Managing Director of the Combined Authority to finalise the Integration Plan in line with comments received and submit to government ahead of the deadline in July.

Resolved: That the Combined Authority:

 

Noted the purpose and scope of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, and the responsibilities of the Combined Authority as the designated Lead Authority as defined by Government.

 

Noted the creation of the advisory West Yorkshire UKSPF Local Partnership Group.

 

Authorised the Managing Director to finalise and submit the Local Investment Plan to Government for Multiply, part of the UKSPF, on behalf of the Combined Authority, in consultation with the Mayor and partner authority Leaders.

 

Authorised the Managing Director to finalise and submit the Levelling Up Fund Round 2 bid as set out in paragraphs 2.24-2.29, on behalf of the Combined Authority, in consultation with the Mayor and partner authority Leaders, and to approve the use of up to £4m of gainshare to support the bid.

Resolved: That the Combined Authority approved the revisions to the West Yorkshire Investment Strategy.

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.

Resolved: That the Combined Authority noted the appended annual report summarising the work undertaken by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee in 2021/22

Resolved: That the Combined Authority:

 

Noted the dates of meetings for the LEP Board as agreed by the LEP Board at its annual meeting, and

 

Approved the calendar of meetings of the Combined Authority and its committees for 2022-23 as detailed in Appendix 1.

Resolved: That the Combined Authority adopted the Members’ Allowances Scheme attached as Appendix 1 to this report, for the municipal year 2022 – 2023 as amended including the revisions highlighted in yellow at paragraphs 3 and 4 of the Scheme.

Resolved: That the Corporate Governance Code and Framework was approved

Resolved: That the Combined Authority approved the appointments to the outside bodies for the municipal year 2022/23 as detailed in Appendix 1.

Resolved: That the Combined Authority approved the Officer Delegation Scheme in relation to Non-Mayoral Functions attached as Appendix 1 to this report.

Resolved: That the Combined Authority approved:

 

The minor amendments to Constitution documents as set out at Appendix 1,

 

The amendments to the Contracts Standing Orders, as attached at Appendix 2,

 

The amendments to the Conflicts of Interest Policy, as attached at Appendix 3, and,

 

The amended Conflicts of Interest Protocol – loans or grants to businesses, as attached as Appendix 4.

 

The remaining, unamended Constitution documents for the next municipal year

Resolved:

 

(a) That, in relation to appointment of committees –

 

(i)  That the following statutory committees were appointed on the terms of reference set out in the relevant Appendix attached to the submitted report:

 

•           Governance and Audit Committee (Appendix 1)

•           Corporate Scrutiny Committee (Appendix 2)

•           Economy Scrutiny Committee (Appendix 3)

•           Transport/Infrastructure Scrutiny Committee (Appendix 4)

 

(ii)  That the following decision-making committees were appointed, on the terms of reference set out in the relevant Appendix attached to the submitted report:

 

•           Business, Economy and Innovation Committee (Appendix 5)

•           Climate, Energy and Environment Committee (Appendix 6)

•           Culture, Heritage, and Sport Committee (Appendix 7)

•           Employment and Skills Committee (Appendix 8)

•           Finance, Resources and Corporate Committee (Appendix 9)

•           Place, Regeneration and Housing Committee (Appendix 10)

•           Transport Committee (Appendix 11)

 

(b) That in relation to the appointment of committee members the Combined Authority -

 

(i) appointed its members to the Governance and Audit Committee, as set out in Appendix 12 to the submitted report, together with Joanna Wardman and Debbie Simpson as independent members of the Governance and Audit Committee for this municipal year.

 

(ii) appointed its members to each of the decision-making committees, as set out in Appendix 12 to the submitted report.

 

(iii) appointed members to the overview and scrutiny committees, as set out in Appendix 12 to the submitted report subject to the following revisions:-

• Councillor Caroline Firth to replace Councillor Ruth Wood as the Bradford appointment on the Transport and Infrastructure Scrutiny Committee.

• Councillor Rachel Melly to replace Councillor Fiona Fitzpatrick as the York appointment to the Corporate Scrutiny Committee.

 

(iv) co-opted members to each of its committees, as set out in Appendix 12 to the submitted report subject to the following revisions:-

• Councillor Sinead Engel to replace Councillor Suhail Choudhry as the Bradford appointment on Transport Committee

• Professor Simon Pringle to step down from the Transport Committee

 

(c) That, in relation to voting rights for committee members, (in addition to any member of the Combined Authority on the committee exercising one vote) -

 

(i) That any Independent Member of the Governance and Audit Committee shall be a voting member of that committee.

 

(ii) It was noted that any member of a constituent council appointed to an overview and scrutiny committee has one vote and that this may be exercised in their absence by their substitute.

 

(iii) That any Co-optee from a Constituent Council on any ordinary decision-making committee shall be a voting member of that committee (and of any sub-committee to which they may be appointed by that committee).

 

(iv) That any Co-optee who is Deputy Chair of a committee shall be a voting member of that committee (and of any sub-committee to which they may be appointed by that committee)

 

(d) That, the Combined Authority:

 

(i) appointed the Chairs and Deputy Chairs to committees as set out in Appendix 12 to the submitted report.

 

(ii) asked each decision-making committee to designate an Inclusivity Lead for the municipal year.

 

(e) That Ian Brown and Carolyn Lord continue as Independent Persons in relation to complaints concerning allegations of a breach of the Combined Authority’s Members’ Code of Conduct on the existing terms for remuneration, until the Combined Authority’s annual meeting in 2023.

 

(f) That the Head of Legal and Governance Services be authorised to make any changes to committee membership required in accordance with any nominations from councils during the municipal year.

 

 

Resolved: That the Combined Authority:

 

noted:

 

• the position of Mayor as Chair of the Combined Authority by virtue of that office,

• the ongoing appointment of the Deputy Mayor by the Mayor,

• the appointment of Constituent Combined Authority Members and their Substitutes by the Constituent Councils, and

• the appointment of the Non-Constituent Council Member and Substitute by York City Council, as set out in Appendix 1 to this report.

 

appointed:

• the LEP Member of the Combined Authority, and noted the Substitute LEP Member will be appointed in due course.

 

That the Non-Constituent Council Combined Authority Member may exercise one vote as follows:

• on the Leeds City Region Partnership Committee (an advisory committee), and

• at any other Combined Authority meeting (including any decision-making committee or sub-committee to which the Non-Constituent Council Combined Authority Member is appointed) only in respect of any decision which gives rise to a direct and significant financial liability for the Non-Constituent Council.

 

That the Substitute Non-Constituent Council Combined Authority Member may exercise the voting rights granted to the Non-Constituent Council Combined Authority Member, when acting in the absence of the Non-Constituent Council Member.

 

That the LEP Member may vote at any meeting of the Combined Authority (including any committee or sub-committee to which the LEP Member is appointed) on any decision, subject to the following exceptions: • decision-making in relation to budget and levy setting; and

• the adoption of any implementation plans appended to the Local Transport Plan which relate specifically to the Combined Authority’s area (that is, West Yorkshire).

 

That the Substitute LEP Member (once appointed) may exercise the voting rights granted to the LEP Member, when acting in the absence of the LEP Member.