Agenda and minutes

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

The Mayor also welcomed Tom Bousfield, Corporate Director of Growth, Business & Skills to the MCA.

The Mayor acknowledged that this was the final MCA Board meeting before May local elections.

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.)

None.

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 their interest in any item relating to their individual Authorities.

None.

None.

None.

RESOLVED: that the minutes of the meeting held on 16 January 2023 be agreed as a true and accurate record.

The Annual Budget & Treasury Management Strategy was presented, which included:

• The recent increase in the Transport Levy,
• Multi-year forecasts, and capital, treasury and reserve strategies,
• Over 120 capital projects, and over 10 revenue programmes,
• Funding support for the bus network until July.

It was noted that investment income was offsetting inflationary pressures, but that consideration for future years would be needed, as well as continued levy increases.

A discussion was held on mitigating the cost exposure resulting from ownership of the tram network, and it was noted that a team had been created to manage the transfer of tram services to MCA ownership. This team would also develop a strategy for minimising cost exposure, in particular electricity costs. An action programme for management of costs would be prepared by the end of summer 2023.

The MCA was also beginning to undertake a long-term planning approach for public transport, looking towards 2030.

RESOLVED:

1.    To approve the adoption of the revenue and capital budget estimates for the year.

2.    To approve the Reserve Strategy.

3.    To approve the Treasury Management Strategy.

Constitutional Changes resulting from the Dissolution of South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive (SYPTE) were presented.

The statutory order for the dissolution of SYPTE had now been signed into law, and therefore the South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive would be legally dissolved with effect from 31st March 2023, and the powers, functions and liabilities would from then be vested in the MCA.

RESOLVED: To approve the amendments to the Constitution with effect from 1st April 2023 to reflect the dissolution of SYPTE.

A summary report of amendments proposed to the 2023 Assurance Framework was presented, noting that the Framework had been reviewed in year to address the speed and rigour of the MCA appraisal processes, and opportunities to increase efficiency had been identified.

RESOLVED:

1. To note at section 2.1 the proposed amendments to the Assurance Framework to ensure compliance with the Government’s requirements and most recent issued guidance.
2. To agree the draft Assurance Framework in Appendix A for onward publication and submission to the relevant government departments.

A Programme Approvals report was presented, which included approval of:

·         12 capital programme schemes,

·         Delegation of a number of decisions to the Thematic Boards to ensure decisions could be taken on other schemes before the end of the financial year,

·         Distribution of transport maintenance monies,

·         Allocation of Multiply monies.

The Mayor welcomed the positive impact these schemes would have in communities in South Yorkshire.

RESOLVED:

1. Approve the following schemes and grant delegated authority to the Head of Paid Service in consultation with the Section 73 and Monitoring Officer to enter into legal agreements for:

a. Progression of “Rotherham Town Centre Active Travel Package – Sheffield Road Phases 1-3” Full Business Case (FBC) to full approval and award of £8.6m grant to Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council subject to the conditions set out in Appendix A

b. Progression of “Kelham - Active Travel and Public Transport” from FBC to full approval and award of up-to £16.05m to Sheffield City Council (SCC) subject to the conditions set out in the Assurance Summary attached at Appendix B.

c. Progression of “A.631 Rotherham to Maltby Bus Corridor” from FBC to full approval and award of £2.55m to Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council (RMBC) subject to the conditions set out in Assurance Summary attached at Appendix C.

d. Progression of “Electric Community Transport Minibus Project” from FBC to full approval and award of £1.4m to South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority subject to the conditions set out in Assurance Summary attached at Appendix D.

e. Progression of “Market Gate Bridge” from FBC to full approval and award of £2.5m to Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council subject to the conditions set out in Assurance Summary attached at Appendix E f. Progression of “AMRC-HiComms” from SBC to OBC subject to the conditions set out in Assurance Summary attached at Appendix F

2. Delegate authority for the approval of the proposals for the following schemes to the Head of Paid Services in consultation with either the relevant Thematic Board, or, in the absence of a Thematic Board due to timing, the Co-Chairs of such Board:

a. Progression of “Rotherham Markets and Libraries” from FBC to full approval and award of £3.4m to Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council

b. Progression of “West Bar” from FBC to full approval and award of £3m to Sheffield City Council

c. Progression of “Doncaster Waterfront” from FBC to full approval and award of £6.5m to Doncaster City Council

d. Progression of “D0049” from FBC to full approval and award of £7m loan

e. Progression of “D0060” from FBC to full approval and award of £1.5m equity funding

3. Approve the allocation of “Transport Network Asset Maintenance” and “Local and Neighbourhood Transport Complementary Programme” funding as detailed in para 2.

4. Approve the allocation of Multiply funding as detailed in para 3.

A Transport Update was presented, noting cost inflation faced by the Department for Transport due to increased costs in construction and the absorption of HS2. This had resulted in delays to high-speed rail and rail investment in the region.

It was noted that the MCA was continuing to lobby government on the key needs of South Yorkshire. Mayor Ros Jones also stressed the importance of the East Coast Mainline to the whole region.

RESOLVED: to note the impact of DfT funding decisions once known and take into account in progressing our transport ambitions, priorities and national engagement for a fair transport deal for South Yorkshire

RESOLVED: to note the appointment of Ed Clancy as Active Travel Commissioner.

The Mayor presented a summary report of his first year in Office.

The Mayor noted several significant changes which had taken place in Government and the Cabinet, alongside the cost-of-living crisis and the closure of Doncaster Sheffield Airport. A discussion was held around the ‘Levelling Up’ agenda failing to make a material difference in South Yorkshire’s communities

It was also acknowledged that South Yorkshire had not been successful in a number of government funding bids. South Yorkshire was the most populous region in the country to be denied Bus Service Improvement Plan monies, and Yorkshire received the lowest share of Levelling Up Funding per capita outside of London.

The Mayor noted some key successes during the year as:

• Bringing the tram system back into public ownership,
• Moving at pace to take a decision on a bus franchising assessment,
• Working towards greater business investment in the region,
• Successfully lobbying the Government to continue the Working Win programme,
• Beginning to address the disproportionate health inequalities in the region,
• The appointment of Ed Clancy as Active Travel Commissioner
• Delivering a just climate transition,
• Doing politics differently through public engagement events and undertaking a review of the MCA.

The Executive Director of Policy & Strategic Development added:

• The investment of over £50m in skills training,
• Investment of over £50m in town centre regeneration and flood mitigation measures,
• Holding of the first South Yorkshire Tech Summit.

RESOLVED: to note the report.

A report on the formation of a Health Action Advisory Panel was presented. It noted lower life expectancy and high health inequalities in the region, and the Mayor’s manifesto commitment to making South Yorkshire the healthiest region in the country.

The report proposed the formation of a Health Action Advisory Panel, comprising Directors of Public Health, academic partners, and partners from across the business and voluntary sectors.

A Task and Finish Group had been established to deliver this work, Chaired by Professor Alan Walker from the University of Sheffield, and recommendations would be brought back to the MCA Board to consider.

The Mayor noted the scale of the ambition to make South Yorkshire the healthiest region, but expressed an ambition to be able to address the worst effects of health inequalities in the region during his term in office.

RESOLVED:

1. To support the creation of the expert panel.
2. Agree to receive and engage with findings and recommendations of the panel.

A report seeking approval of the appointment of an independent member to the Audit, Standards and Risk Committee was presented.

RESOLVED: To approve the appointment of Paul Schofield as an independent member of the Audit, Standards and Risk Committee.

RESOLVED: to note the decisions and delegations made under delegated authority up to February 2023.