Agenda and minutes

Members’ apologies were noted as above.

The Mayor invited the Monitoring Officer to inform the meeting of the appropriate legalities and practicalities associate with the convening of a remote Authority meeting (as made permissible by the Coronavirus Act 2020).

The Mayor informed the meeting that this continues to be a challenging time for our local communities, people and businesses.

It was reported that since the previous meeting, the SCR has received additional money from Government to keep public transport services running in South Yorkshire and that this relates to the opportunities afforded our active travel ambitions.

It was noted the Mayor has established an Economic Recovery Group which has brought together a wide-ranging set of institutions and stakeholders, the expertise of whom will help guide the development of strategies to help the region to recover from the pandemic.

The Mayor noted he has engaged with the Government on particular issues facing our businesses and communities, including the issue of protecting workers’ rights and ensuring that social distancing guidelines are in place for warehouse and distribution staff in South Yorkshire. This has involved strong and close working with the Trades Unions.

The Mayor thanked businesses from across the region for the efforts they have made to respond to our call for help making and supplying PPE and medical supplies that are so vital for our local health and care services.

Finally, the Mayor thanked all public servants for the way they have responded to this crisis including front line staff and those who are leading the Local Resilience Forum work.

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.)

RESOLVED, that item 20 (Submission of the Mass Transit Business Case to DfT) be considered in the absence of the public and press).

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.

It was agreed that voting rights may not be conferred on the non-Constituent Members in respect of items 16 and 20 as these concern the Constituent area only.

Declarations of Interest by individual Members in relation to any item of business on the agenda.

Mayor Jarvis, Cllr Houghton and Mayor Jones declared non-pecuniary interests in the matters to be considered at item 16 by virtue of being representative of / Leaders of the respective sponsoring Authorities for the schemes seeking LGF funding.

None.

None.

None.

A report was received to provide confirmation of the decisions taken by urgency provision as defined within the Combined Authority Constitution (Part 5A, Paragraph 16).

It was reported that further to the cancellation of the Combined Authority meeting 23rd March and the offer of a grant from the DfT for Supertram support, this provision was invoked due to the need to take urgent decisions. The following urgent decisions were taken:

Group Finance Director: Following a full recruitment process an urgent decision was required regarding the appointment of Gareth Sutton as Group Finance Director as it was not feasible to wait until the next MCA meeting to make the job offer.

Transforming Cities Fund Grant: An urgent decision was required regarding the acceptance of the Transforming Cities Fund grant. The grant needed to be accepted prior to the date of the next MCA meeting as not accepting the grant could have resulted in losing the funding.

Supertram: Acceptance of operational revenue support grant for Supertram for a 12 week period from 17th March arising as a result of the impacts of Covid 19. An urgent decision was required as the grant needed to be accepted prior to the date of the next MCA meeting. Not accepting the grant could have resulted in losing the funding.

RESOLVED, that the decisions taken under the urgency provisions within the Combined Authority Constitution (Part 5A, Paragraph 16) due to the cancellation of the Combined Authority meeting 23rd March 2020 and the Grant offer to support Supertram operations made by the Department of Transport (DfT) 7th May 2020 are noted

RESOLVED, that the minutes of the previous meeting held on 15^th April are agreed to be an accurate record.

A report was received to set out the proposed 2020/21 MCA/LEP Revenue Budget, noting this has been finalised following consultation with key stakeholders and LEP Board on 5th March 2020.

It was noted the proposed budget has been developed in line with the Medium-Term Financial Strategy agreed by the MCA in November 2019 and is based upon the going concern principle and the known funding sources for 2020/21.

Members were asked to recall the context of developing the strategy was a £1m reduction in Enterprise Zone receipts because of the LEP Review, and for which it was noted that early consideration at MCA Board and management review of operational structures has helped address this gap.

The report explained how that, and other matters, have been incorporated into 2020/21 Budget proposal.

It was noted the budget does not include any allowance for monies which may be devolved to the SCRMCA in 2020/21 and that should this process be completed by summer 2020 and monies devolved, a revised 2020/21 budget report will be produced and brought back to the LEP and the MCA

in Autumn 2020 for approval as part of developing a new robust 5-year financial strategy.

RESOLVED, that the MCA approves the revenue budget for 2020/21 as set out in Appendix 1 to the report.

A report was received to set out the proposed Annual Treasury Management Strategy and Investment Strategy for the financial year 2020/21.

It was noted the intention is that the SCR Audit and Standards Committee will be used as a forum explore strategic options, prior to these options being presented to the MCA for ratification.

RESOLVED, that the MCA:

1. Approves the annual Treasury Management Strategy
2. Approves the annual investment strategy set out in Appendix 1 of the annual treasury management strategy and grants delegated authority to the Group Director of Finance to develop it further by investigating options for diversification in consultation with the MCA’s external advisors and Audit and Standards Committee
3. Approves the capital expenditure estimates and associated prudential indicators set out in Appendix 2 of the annual treasury management strategy
4. Approves the borrowing strategy set out in Appendix 3 of the annual Treasury Management Strategy
5. Approves the minimum revenue provision policy set out in Appendix 4 of the annual Treasury Management Strategy

Grants delegated authority to the Group Director of Finance in consultation with Chief Executive to provide a financial guarantee in favour of the SCR Financial Interventions Holding Company.

A report was received to provide the final revenue and capital outturn position before audit for the Sheffield City Region Group for 2019/20.

The report considered each element of the Group’s outturn position and highlighted key issues in respect of the MCA / LEP revenue position, revenue programme activity, South Yorkshire transport revenue position and capital programme expenditure 2019/20.

Cllr Dore sought additional clarity regarding the Health Led Employment Trial which was referenced as ‘overspent’. It was confirmed this is just a presentational issue and that as all funding for the initiative comes from central government it is an no cost to the SCR.

RESOLVED, that the MCA:

1. Notes the revenue outturn positions of SCR and SYPTE
2. Notes the outturn of Capital programme and approve the carry forwards identified in paragraph 2.5 of the report

Notes the risks addressed by the creation of provisions and earmarked reserves and approves the actions taken.

A report was received to request approval to accept the LGF Grant and DIT KAM programme grant for 2020/21 and HMG Emergency Active Travel Funding and seeks delegated authority be given to the S73 Officer

in conjunction with the Head of Paid Service and Monitoring Officer to enter into legal agreements for the schemes.

The meeting was also asked to consider a late request to approve acceptance of the second tramway revenue support grant to support an extended period of operation through to 3rd August 2020.

This report set out the 2020/21 LGF programme activity, noting this is the final year of the current six-year LGF programme.

It was noted a letter has been received from government stating only two thirds of the annual grant will be received up front, the remainder to be payable following a review of every LEP area in respect of their plans for the remaining programme.

RESOLVED, that the MCA:

1. Approves acceptance of the Local Growth Fund grant allocation for 2020/21, to deliver the programme outlined in Appendix A to this report.
2. Approves acceptance of the Department of International Trade (DIT) continuation funding for Key Account Management (KAM) revenue programme for 2020/21.
3. Approves acceptance of HMG Emergency Active Travel Funding
4. Delegates authority to the S73 Officer in conjunction with the Head of Paid Service and Monitoring Officer to accept the grants of £43.37m plus the allocation for Active Travel, subject to their acceptance of the terms of the agreements when these are received.

Approves acceptance of the second tramway revenue support grant to support an extended period of operation through to 3rd August 2020.

In line with the agreed Assurance Framework, a report was presented to seek the approval of change requests for six projects and to seek delegated authority to the Head of Paid Service in consultation with the S73 and

Monitoring Officer to enter into legal agreements for the schemes.

RESOLVED, that the MCA:

1. Approves a project change request from the DN7 Unity project to re-profile £751,800 of expenditure from 2019/20 into 2020/21, to agree an extension to works completion from August 2020 to December 2020 and re-profile of outputs and outcomes in accordance with the revised timescales.
2. Approves a project change request from the Digital Media Centre 2 to re-profile £106,596 of expenditure from 2019/20 into 2020/21, to agree an extension to works completion from March 2020 to June 2020 and a re-profile of outputs and outcomes in accordance with the revised timescales.
3. Approves a project change request from the Strategic Testing Tools project to re-profile £190,196 of expenditure from 2019/20 into 2020/21.
4. Approves a project change request from M1 J36 Phase 1 Hoyland to re-profile £2,621,858 of expenditure from 2019/20 into 2020/21, agree a reduction in the total grant value of £610,009 and a revision of outputs and outcomes in accordance with the revised reprofile.
5. Approves a project change request from M1 J37 Phase 2 - Claycliffe to re-profile £1,376,858 of expenditure from 2019/20 into 2020/21 and the revision of conditions to enable entry into contract.
6. Approves a project change request for the Doncaster Sheffield Airport Car Park Extension Loan to extend the works completion date from April 2020 to January 2021.

Gives delegated authority to the Head of Paid of Service, in consultation with the Section 73 Officer and Monitoring Officer, to enter into legal arrangements for the schemes covered in the above recommendations.

Members welcomed the SCR Active Travel Commissioner Dame Sarah Storey.

Dame Sarah expressed her delight at having the opportunity to introduce the draft Implementation Plan and duly provided Members with information regarding the processes used to inform the Plan’s development and how it is envisaged the Plan will now be taken forward for the betterment of the SCR’s active travel offer for residents and businesses. Dame Sarah suggested the speed at which the Plan had been developed was a direct consequence of the SCR Leaders’ ambitions for active travel.

It was noted government now consider the SCR Active Travel Implementation Plan to be the Local Cycling and Walking Implementation Plan (LCWIP).

Cllr Gilby welcomed the acknowledgement in the Plan that active travellers move in significant numbers between the SCR’s Constituent and non-Constituent areas.

Members welcomed what was described as a phenomenal amount of work achieved over such a short period of time and commented on what needs to be implemented as soon as possible to meet the active travel challenges and opportunities of the covid crisis.

It was requested mechanisms be put in place as soon as possible to ensure funding reaches the Local Authorities for on-the-ground spend as soon as possible.

RESOLVED, that the MCA endorses the Active Travel Implementation Plan.

A report was received to remind Members that each year the Sheffield City Region (LEP and MCA) is required to update and publish its Assurance Framework to ensure that robust, transparent and effective governance arrangements are in place.

It was reported the draft Assurance Framework 2020 has been further revised to incorporate the additional requirements in readiness for devolution.

It was noted the paper also seeks endorsement of the draft Assurance Framework so that it can be submitted to Government for approval as part of the devolution readiness conditions.

It was noted the Assurance Framework has been written in a manner which recognises the role of the non-Constituent Authorities where appropriate, as defined by the SCR MCA Order.

Independent review of thematic Boards part of consideration of the MCA constitution overall and in abeyance pending further discussions

Members discussed the remit of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee (OSC) in respect of LEP Board and thematic Board activities. It was affirmed the OSC does have oversight over all SCR activities and noted the OSC has access to the published agendas, reports and minutes of all Board meetings. Consideration was given to other potential actions that might be introduced to enhance OSC oversight.

RESOLVED, that the MCA:

1. Notes the key amendments to the Assurance Framework including the early release of funding to aid capital scheme development.
2. Endorses the updated Assurance Framework set out at Appendix 1, pending any amendments required by the MCA and gives consent for it to be submitted to Government for approval.

Gives delegation to the SCR Chief Executive in consultation with the Mayor, to agree any final changes required by Government for them to approve and sign-off the SCR Assurance Framework.

The decisions and delegated authority report was provided for information.

RESOLVED, that the MCA notes the decisions and delegations made.

A report was received to recommend the submission of the Mass Transit Business Case to DfT.

RESOLVED, that the MCA:

1. Approves the submission of the Mass Transit Outline Business Case to the DfT as a bid for funding for the renewal works on the basis that the previously agreed principles for progressing the scheme remain in place.

Notes that, as the principles for how the local contribution would be identified, the intention is that there will be no impact to the local tax-payer or district budgets emanating from developing the final business case, the capital build or future operating costs arising from the scheme.