Agenda and minutes

The Mayor welcomed attendees to the meeting and apologies were noted as above.

Since the previous meeting a campaign on buses had been launched in order to ask Government to recognise the scale of the challenges facing South Yorkshire’s bus network. The region had previously been overlooked for Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP) funding which was now causing seriously debilitating problems. The Mayor had written to the Transport Secretary setting out the challenges and requested a meeting to discuss further. A response was yet to be received. In the meantime, the Mayor was holding a series of public events across South Yorkshire to hear about how the bus cuts had impacted South Yorkshire residents first hand.

The Mayor also acknowledged the work being done in coordination with Mayor Jones and Doncaster MPs, to find investment for Doncaster Royal Infirmary which had been classified as facing “extremely significant” structural risks by the NHS.

To determine whether there are any additional items of business which by reason of special circumstances the Chair is of the opinion should be considered at the meeting; the reason(s) for such urgency to be stated.

None.

To identify where resolutions may be moved to exclude the public and press.  (For items marked * the public and press may be excluded from the meeting.)

It was noted that there was a restricted appendix to the final agenda item, on Institutional Investment. The public meeting would end at this point.

To identify whether there are any items of business that apply only to the South Yorkshire Members of the Mayoral Combined Authority, ie, where it would not be appropriate for non-SY Members to have voting rights.

None.

Members declared interests in items relevant to their own Authority areas.

None.

A petition had been received regarding the 76A bus service in Chancet Wood, Sheffield and a number of the members of the public were in attendance in support.  

G Walker presented the petition, which had been organised as a response to the reduced frequency of the 76A service. The service was now only running 5 times a day which had negatively affected people who were restricted as to when they could travel. Service reliability had also declined since TM Travel took over from Stagecoach. There had been occasions when no services had run at all, which had left residents stranded. Petitioners suggested several solutions which would improve connectivity for Chancet Wood residents.

The Mayor thanked the members of the public for organising the petition on behalf of their community and attending the meeting to raise the issue. He expressed the view that public transport had been getting steadily worse over the last 40 years and the challenge to resolve these problems was only growing. The MCA was doing everything it could to protect as much of the network as possible with the limited resources available. This was why the campaign for a fair bus deal South Yorkshire had been launched, to demonstrate the severity of the problem to Government. 

Specifically regarding the 76A, the contract had been transferred to TM Travel in July 2023. Since then, service cancellations had become increasingly common. The operator had attributed this to a driver shortage and issues with their fleet. Officers had written to TM Travel to highlight these concerns and request a rectification plan. The operator had committed to improve the service by dedicating more drivers and buses to the 76A, as other routes are wound down. As a result of the petition, the MCA was now closely monitoring the service and would not pay for any cancelled services. Options to apply financial penalties in these instances were also being explored. The Mayor added that he was happy to discuss alterations to existing bus routes with petitioners to improve connectivity to Chancet Wood.

None.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 31 July 2023 be agreed as a true and accurate record.

The Board was presented with a progress report on the work to embed the MCA’s new governance model.

The new governance arrangements included a ‘cabinet style’ leadership model. The portfolio areas would be allocated as follows:

·       Economic Growth – Mayor Coppard

·       Education, Training and Skills – Sir Steve Houghton CBE

·       Travel and Transport – Mayor Coppard

·       Net Zero and Environment – Mayor Coppard

·       Infrastructure and Housing – Mayor Ros Jones CBE

·       Creative, Culture and Digital – Cllr Tom Hunt

·       Policy, Engagement and Impact – Cllr Chris Read

·       Health Inequalities – Mayor Coppard

The Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) had held its final meeting in July. The Board formally noted its thanks to LEP members for their commitment and contributions to South Yorkshire. 

Recruitment to the Business Advisory Board was currently being undertaken, with the first group of recommended appointments to be considered later in the meeting. The first meeting of the Business Advisory Board would take place in November.

The MCA Executive had also supported the Overview and Scrutiny Committee to develop a robust and effective programme of work, further strengthening the Overview and Scrutiny function of the MCA.

RESOLVED that the Board:

1. Note the contents of this report.

Agree the proposals as set out.

The Board was updated on the proposed appointments to the South Yorkshire Business Advisory Board.

Following a recruitment process and nominations from business groups, approval was sought to appoint the first 6 members to the Board, drawn from business representative organisations. These appointments were:

·       Louisa Harrison Walker representing the three South Yorkshire Chambers (Barnsley & Rotherham, Doncaster and Sheffield).

·       Rachel Abbott representing the Cutlers, South Yorkshire International Trade Forum, Manufacturers Forum and Made In Sheffield.

·       Dawn Huntrod representing MakeUK.

·       Paula Gouldthorpe representing the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB).

·       Angela Foulkes representing the South Yorkshire Skills Advisory Board (SYSAB).

·       Liz Blackshaw representing the Northern Trade Union Congress.

It was noted that 35 applications were submitted in addition to the nominations put forward by business groups which were still being worked though. Once shortlisting and interview process had been completed, the remaining appointments would be brought to the MCA Board for approval.

The Mayor advised that he had been kept informed throughout the process and he was confident that membership of the Board would be representative of the diversity and strengths of South Yorkshire’s economy.

RESOLVED that the Board:

1. Approve the appointment of members to the South Yorkshire Business Advisory Board as set out in section 2 of this report.
2. Note that the Trades Union Congress will also be represented on the Business Advisory Board.

Note that the MCA Board will agree recommendations to appoint the final members at its November meeting.

The Executive Director of Policy & Strategic Development advised Members that the South Yorkshire Local Visitor Economy Partnership (LVEP) had been formally accredited by Visit England in July 2023.

A timetable of next steps for the LVEP implementation process included:

·       31 October 2023: Establishing a Partnership Agreement.

·       30 November 2023: Agree Year 1 of a Growth Action Plan and VE/VB support package.

·       30 December 2023: Completion of the Destination Management Plan.

·       30 December 2023: Development of joint staffing structure.

It was noted that LVEP work would be included in the Creative, Culture & Digital Portfolio going forward.

It was also proposed that the MCA delegate authority for submission of the Partnership Agreement (to be developed by the constituent councils comprising the LVEP and submitted by Sheffield City Council) in full consultation with the Creative, Culture & Digital Portfolio Lead Member and Lead Chief Executive.

The Creative, Culture & Digital Portfolio Lead Member welcomed the opportunity to take this work forward.

RESOLVED that:

1. The Board agree the next steps to develop the South Yorkshire Local Visitor Economy Partnership.

The MCA delegate authority for submission of the Partnership Agreement (to be developed by the constituent councils comprising the LVEP and submitted by Sheffield City Council) in full consultation with the Creative, Culture & Digital Portfolio Lead Member and Lead Chief Executive.

Approval was sought to take forward an application to Arts Council England for a South Yorkshire Music Hub.

It was proposed that the four South Yorkshire Music Hubs and the MCA develop a submission in line with the Arts Council England guidance to bring together the capabilities of the four Music Hubs at a South Yorkshire level as a new Hub Lead Organisation.

RESOLVED that the Board:

1. Support taking forward a South Yorkshire Music Hubs proposal – with the MCA as accountable body.
2. Note the timeline as set out in the report.

Note the intention for this work to be ‘owned’ through the work of the Creative, Culture and Digital portfolio.

The Executive Director of Policy & Strategic Development outlined the report on the Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS).

In June, the Mayor had been appointed to act as the ‘Responsible Authority’ for preparing a LNRS for South Yorkshire by March 2025. The main purpose of the LNRS was to identify locations to create or improve habitats most likely to provide the greatest benefit for nature and the wider environment.

It was noted that the Peak District National Park Authority and Natural England had been designated as ‘Supporting Authorities’ in addition to the 4 local authorities.

RESOLVED that the Board:

1. Note the policy development on Local Nature Recovery Strategy.
2. Agree the LNRS governance proposal.

Consider any additional governance procedures each Local Authority will require for timely LNRS development.

The Board received a report seeking approval to progress business cases and enter into contract for a number of investment proposals.

Members were asked to consider:

• The progression of 7 investment schemes and associated business cases which covered a range of portfolios across all 4 districts.
• The acceptance of 2 grants, for local electric vehicle infrastructure and another for the LNRS. 
• The submission of a funding bid to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport for the Creative Growth Programme.

RESOLVED that the Board approve:

Brownfield Housing Programme and Infrastructure schemes:

1. Progression of “Cannon Brewery (B46)” from Outline Business Case (OBC) to Full Business Case (FBC) and in-principle approval to award of £11.7m grant to Capital & Centric (505) Limited subject to the conditions set out in Assurance Summary A.
2. Progression of “Plot 2 Olive Lane, Waverley” from Business Justification Case (BJC) to full approval and award of £0.89m to Forge New Homes LLP subject to the conditions set out in Assurance Summary B.
3. Progression of “Gigabit Broadband Voucher Scheme (GBVS) Local Top-up” from Business Justification Case (BJC) to full approval and award of £0.51m to South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) subject to the conditions set out in Assurance Summary C.

Gainshare Programme Approvals:

4. Progression of “Housing Retrofit (D22)” from FBC to full approval and award of £2.7m grant to City of Doncaster Council (CDC) subject to the conditions set out in Assurance Summary D.
5. Progression of “Business Growth Advisors Service 23-25” from FBC to full approval and investment of up-to £1.6m by South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) subject to the conditions set out in Assurance Summary E.

Gainshare Programme Delegations:

6. Delegate authority to the Head of Paid Service in consultation with Mayor Coppard - in his position as the Portfolio Lead for the Economy and Portfolio Lead for Health - for consideration of the following:

A.    The progression of scheme ‘D0063’ to post-OBC in-principle approval for up to £36m capital and £27m revenue grant support and progression to a two stage FBC process

Transport Programme Scheme

7. Progression of “Magna-Tinsley Phase 1 (T8/2-1)” from FBC to full approval and award of £0.76m grant to Sheffield City Council (SCC) subject to the conditions set out in Assurance Summary F Grant Acceptance
8. Acceptance of £0.67m “Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) Capability Fund” grant from the Department of Transport (DfT) and onward award.
9. Acceptance of £0.24m “Local Nature Reserve Strategy (LNRS)” grant from Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).
10. Delegate authority to the Head of Paid Service in consultation with the Section 73 and Monitoring Officer to enter into legal agreements for the schemes above.

Funding Application

Endorse submission of a full application for the Creative Growth Programme (CGP) to the Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS).

Members who were in attendance at the meeting of the LEP on 13 July 2023 were presented with the meeting minutes for approval.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the LEP Board meeting held on 13 July 2023 be agreed as a true and accurate record.

Members considered the remaining actions and associated updates from the final meetings of the Thematic Boards.

RESOLVED that the Board note the Action Logs for each Thematic Board.

The Board was provided with details of:

• Decisions and delegations made by the MCA;
• Decisions and delegations made under the Officer Scheme of Delegation.

RESOLVED that the decisions and delegations made under delegated authority up to September 2023, be noted.

(The public element of the meeting ended.)

The Board received an update on the work being undertaken to attract further investment into South Yorkshire from public and private sources.

It was proposed that the MCA enter into an Memorandum of Understanding with Aviva Capital Partners, Ltd, who were an existing major employer in South Yorkshire, as part of a broader approach to attracting greater institutional investment.

It was anticipated that this would be the first of potentially several such partnerships that the MCA enter into over-time, to attract greater new private sector investment in support of economic growth and business development.

RESOLVED that the Board:

1. Note the progress made in the access-to-finance workstream; and,

Agree the proposal to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with Aviva Capital Partners Ltd.