Agenda, decisions and minutes

The Chair welcomed Leaders and apologies were noted as above.

The Mayor announced that he had hosted the Deputy Prime Minister and UK Mayors at the Mayoral Council meeting at the University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre. A meeting had also held with the Orgreave Truth and Justice Campaign where campaigners were able discuss their fight for justice.

Meetings had been held with the Minister for Public Health and Prevention and the Minister of State for Local Transport. Discussions had identified how South Yorkshire could be at the forefront of delivering the Darzi health reforms, and the importance of certainty around transport funding.

The Mayor, alongside Sheffield Hallam University and PwC, had hosted the first Mayor’s Innovation Exchange in South Yorkshire. The inaugural event was held at the University’s Advanced Wellbeing Research Centre and provided a forum for Mayors to discuss issues and future strategies. 

The MCAs bus franchising consultation closed on 15^th January, with a total of 7,600 responses, making it one of the biggest franchising consultation exercises ever undertaken. The next step following the consultation was the analysis of the results to inform a final decision. 

The Mayor identified two further public consultations which were still open regarding: the Mayor’s Police and Crime Plan, and on the proposed Policing Precept.

Finally, the Mayor announced that last week, a £50,000 Grant Fund had begun helping more people plant trees in South Yorkshire. Alongside this, work was underway with the South Yorkshire Community Foundation to award grants between £250 and £2,500 to community groups and others.

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.

None.

None.

None.

N Slack presented the following question in relation to Government’s proposed reforms to planning:

• How will the Mayor's Office approach these proposals?
• Will they protect the powers/rights of their constituent Councils to make the decisions through committee, rather than delegated, decision making?
• How will the current Strategic Planning meetings within the Mayors Office impact on these proposals?
• How will the Mayor ensure that protections for heritage assets remain strong in the face of statutory targets and regional strategic planning?

The Mayor thanked the member of the public for their question. It was explained that through the English Devolution White Paper, the Government had set out how it aimed to give Mayors and local Leaders a greater ability to make decisions and to deliver better outcomes for communities. This included a proposal to put in place new regional planning documents called Spatial Development Strategies. New spatial planning powers and responsibilities for Mayors were also proposed to help deliver on key strategic and local issues.

The Mayor also explained that further guidance would follow from the Government. He highlighted the importance of transparency and engagement, with both Local Authority Leaders and local communities, throughout the process.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on the 10^th December 2024 be agreed as a true and accurate record.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on the 10^th December be agreed as a true and accurate record.

That the Board:

1. Note the publication of the English Devolution White Paper, the implications for the MCA and the opportunities this presents South Yorkshire.

A report on the English Devolution White Paper was presented which noted that:

• Not all proposals in the White Paper would require legislation.
• There was a proposed deepening of the current powers and responsibilities of an MCA, as well as the addition of new powers and responsibilities.
• New ways of MCAs working with national Government were identified, such as The Mayoral Council and Committee of Nations and Regions.
• The MCA was recognised in the White Paper as a strategic authority from the outset, resulting in eligibility for an Integrated Settlement from 2026/27 onwards.

The Mayor commented on the very significant implications the White Paper had on the MCAs work, and identified how increased capacity would be needed to achieve these ambitions.

RESOLVED That the Board:

1. Note the publication of the English Devolution White Paper, the implications for the MCA and the opportunities this presents South Yorkshire.

That the Board note the update in this report.

The Bi-Annual Education, Skills and Employability update was presented, which noted that:

• The MCA was one year into the Skills Strategy.
• The MCA had gone beyond targets for various programmes, and a consistent upwards trajectory on all programmes had been identified.
• A number of examples of strong programme performance were noted, which included:
  • A full delivery of the 23/24 Adult Skill Fund grant allocation.
  • 2,170 people being supported through the People and Skills UK Shared Prosperity Funding, which was 450 ahead of the current target.
  • A 10% increase on the previous year in learner numbers.
• The next steps focused on ensuring funding was being allocated at the right time, and programmes were being simplified where possible.

RESOLVED that the Board:

1. Notes the update in the report.

That the Board:

1. Approve a 2% increase on the transport levy;

2. Approve the maintenance of local authority subscriptions at current levels; 3. Note the proposal to not set a Mayoral Precept for the coming year;

4. Note the consultation around the Policing Precept; and,

5. Approve the acceptance of £16.56m in BSIP+ Phase 3 funding for 2025/26.

A report on the Budget and Business Plan was presented, which noted that:

·   There was a proposed Transport Levy of £57.69m, which represented a third increase in consecutive years.

·   Local Authority subscriptions were to be held at their current levels.

·   A proposed Police Precept, capped at £14, was currently under public consultation. 

The Mayor highlighted that increased transport spending had seen improvements in the current transport challenges. A positive response from the Home Office and Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government concerning the police budget issue was also noted.

RESOLVED That the Board:

1.    Approve a 2% increase on the transport levy; 

2.   Approve the maintenance of local authority subscriptions at current levels;

3.   Note the proposal to not set a Mayoral Precept for the coming year; 

4.   Note the consultation around the Policing Precept; and, 

5.   Approve the acceptance of £16.56m in BSIP+ Phase 3 funding for 2025/26.

That the Board approves the final version of the MCA’s audited 2023/24 Annual statement of Accounts.

A report on the Audited Statement of Accounts was presented, which noted that:

·   The External Auditor had issued a disclaimed opinion.

·   A disclaimed opinion was not an issue specific to the MCA, rather, it was a national issue.

·   A positive value for money judgement had been given, and the MCA was working with the Auditor to build on assurances.

·   The Audit Standards and Risk Committee had reviewed the accounts and endorsed them to the MCA Board.

RESOLVED That the Board:

1. Approves the final version of the MCA’s audited 2023/24 Annual statement of Accounts.

That the Board approves:

1.    Progression of Jossey Lane to Highfields Connectivity to full approval and award of £1.2m grant to City of Doncaster Council, subject to the conditions set out in Assurance Summary A.

2.    Progression of Harrop Mews, Phase 2 – Charnwood Street to full approval and award of £0.36m grant to Ben Bailey Homes Ltd, subject to the conditions set out in Assurance Summary B.

3.    Progression of Rockingham Fold – Symonds Avenue to full approval and an award of £0.42m grant to Ben Bailey Homes Ltd, subject to the conditions set out in Assurance Summary C.

4.    Progression of S1 Artspace Capital Project to full approval and an award of £1m grant to S1 Artspace/Projects (T/A ‘S1 Artspace’), subject to the conditions set out in Assurance Summary D.

5. Progression of Heart of The City Block Leahs Yard to full approval and an award of £3m grant to Sheffield City Council, subject to the conditions set out in Assurance Summary E.

6. Delegate authority to the Head of Paid Service in consultation with Mayor Ros Jones - in her position as the Portfolio Lead for Housing & Infrastructure - for consideration of the following:

a. Progression of Waverley Parcel 4C to OBC in-principle approval for £1.55m grant to Harworth Estates (Waverley Prince) Ltd as detailed in section 2.6.

7. Delegate authority to the Head of Paid Service in consultation with Mayor Oliver Coppard - in his position as the Portfolio Lead for Economic Growth for consideration of the following:

a. Progression of SY JESSICA – Investment Zone to OBC in-principle approval for £3m grant to Sheffield City Region Urban Development Fund (Limited Partnership) as detailed in section 2.7.

8. Delegate authority to the Executive Director for Growth Business and Skills, in consultation with the Portfolio Leads for Skills and Employment and Economic Growth, Section 73 and Monitoring Officer for:

a. Acceptance of £7.7m grant from The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government for the “UK Shared Prosperity Fund” programme extension across financial year 2025/26 and approve the distribution of the grant to the South Yorkshire Local Authorities, to enter into legal agreements for the schemes. This is in addition to the £14.8m already approved at MCA Board on the 10th December 2024, bringing the total value of delegated authority for UKSPF 25/26 to £22.5m. and,

b. to develop and submit applications to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) for up to £2m to deliver the extended Rural England Prosperity Fund programme across financial year 2025/26.

9. Delegate authority to the Executive Director for Growth Business and Skills, in consultation with the Mayor, Section 73 and Monitoring Officer for: a. Acceptance of £0.6m grant from Bloomberg Philanthropies for the “Policy and Insights Innovation Fund”, if awarded.

10.Progression of change request for one project detailed in section 4 and,

11.Delegate authority to the Head of Paid Service in consultation with the Section 73 and Monitoring Officer to enter into legal agreements for the  ...  view the full decision text for item 333.

A programme approvals report was presented to Board, which highlighted a variety of programmes across the region.

The Mayor commended the work which had resulted in the progression of many impactful projects. The Mayor and Leaders also commented on the positive developments in the region which had been driven by these schemes.

RESOLVED That the Board considers and approves:

1.   Progression of Jossey Lane to Highfields Connectivity to full approval and award of £1.2m grant to City of Doncaster Council, subject to the conditions set out in Assurance Summary A.

2.   Progression of Harrop Mews, Phase 2 – Charnwood Street to full approval and award of £0.36m grant to Ben Bailey Homes Ltd, subject to the conditions set out in Assurance Summary B.

3.   Progression of Rockingham Fold – Symonds Avenue to full approval and an award of £0.42m grant to Ben Bailey Homes Ltd, subject to the conditions set out in Assurance Summary C.

4.   Progression of S1 Artspace Capital Project to full approval and an award of £1m grant to S1 Artspace/Projects (T/A ‘S1 Artspace’), subject to the conditions set out in Assurance Summary D.

5.   Progression of Heart of The City Block Leahs Yard to full approval and an award of £3m grant to Sheffield City Council, subject to the conditions set out in Assurance Summary E.

6.   Delegate authority to the Head of Paid Service in consultation with Mayor Ros Jones - in her position as the Portfolio Lead for Housing & Infrastructure - for consideration of the following:

a.    Progression of Waverley Parcel 4C to OBC in-principle approval for £1.55m grant to Harworth Estates (Waverley Prince) Ltd as detailed in section 2.6.

7. Delegate authority to the Head of Paid Service in consultation with Mayor Oliver Coppard - in his position as the Portfolio Lead for Economic Growth for consideration of the following:

a.    Progression of SY JESSICA – Investment Zone to OBC in-principle approval for £3m grant to Sheffield City Region Urban Development Fund (Limited Partnership) as detailed in section 2.7.

8.   Delegate authority to the Executive Director for Growth Business and Skills, in consultation with the Portfolio Leads for Skills and Employment and Economic Growth, Section 73 and Monitoring Officer for:

a.    Acceptance of £7.7m grant from The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government for the “UK Shared Prosperity Fund” programme extension across financial year 2025/26 and approve the distribution of the grant to the South Yorkshire Local Authorities, to enter into legal agreements for the schemes. This is in addition to the £14.8m already approved at MCA Board on the 10th December 2024, bringing the total value of delegated authority for UKSPF 25/26 to £22.5m. and,

b.    to develop and submit applications to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) for up to £2m to deliver the extended Rural England Prosperity Fund programme across financial year 2025/26.

9.   Delegate authority to the Executive Director for Growth Business and Skills, in consultation with the Mayor, Section 73 and Monitoring Officer for:

That the Board:

1. Note the outturn position of ASF and FCFJ for academic year 2023/24 and approve clawback of funds for individual learning organisations.

2. Approve the South Yorkshire ASF Residential Funding Model for adoption in academic year 2025/26.

3. Delegate authority to the Head of Paid Service in consultation with the Section 73 and Monitoring Officer to enter into legal agreements for delivering the Skills Strategy Implementation Plan.

A Skills Approvals report was presented to Leaders.

RESOLVED That the Board:

1. Note the outturn position of ASF and FCJF for academic year 2023/24 and approve clawback of funds for individual learning organisations.
2. Approve South Yorkshire ASF Residential Funding Model for adoption in academic year 2025/26.
3. Delegate authority to the Head of Paid Service in consultation with the Section 73 and Monitoring Officer to enter into legal agreements for delivering the Skills and Strategy Implementation Plan.

The Board note the decisions and delegations made.

The Decisions & Delegated Authority Report was presented.

RESOLVED That the Board note the decisions and delegations made.