Agenda for Mayoral Combined Authority Board on Monday, 5th June, 2023, 10.00 am

Agenda and minutes

Venue: South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority, 11 Broad Street West, Sheffield S1 2BQ

Media

Items
No. Item

99.

Welcome and Apologies

Additional documents:

Minutes:

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

100.

Announcements

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Mayor welcomed a new member of the MCA Board, Cllr Tom Hunt, Leader of Sheffield City Council.

101.

Urgent Items

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.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

None.

102.

Items to be Considered in the Absence of Public and Press

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.)

Additional documents:

Minutes:

None.

103.

Voting Rights for Non-constituent Members

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.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

None.

104.

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

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Members declared interests in items relevant to their own Authority areas, which included an interest from Mayor Ros Jones in Doncaster Sheffield Airport.

105.

Reports from and questions by members

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Minutes:

None.

106.

Receipt of Petitions

Additional documents:

Minutes:

None.

107.

Public Questions

Additional documents:

Minutes:

3 questions from members of the public were submitted to this meeting:

 

1.    “The Mayor has made it clear that he wants SYMCA to operate in an open and democratic way. Why is the SYMCA Transport and Environment Board not open to the public to attend?"

 

A response was given that the Board would consider at this meeting the outcomes of the MCA Review, which included a proposal that all thematic boards, including the Transport and Environment, would cease operating. This was due in part to a perception that Thematic Boards lacked openness and transparency.

 

He stated his commitment to embedding further accountability and transparency into the MCA’s work.

 

  1. [with regard to item 11. MCA Review…] “The governance model proposals buy-in to “strong leader” thinking including individual (“Cabinet-type”) decision-making roles and powers.  (At the same time more powers are gradually being accrued and sought by the Mayor and MCA.)  This direction of travel should normally be accompanied - as long established in both related statute and all good practice guidance - by, at the very least, a strong and renewed commitment with practical actions on strengthening scrutiny arrangements, practices and impact.  What can be done to rectify this shortcoming in the proposals on the table?

 

Beyond this minimal democratic requirement to strengthen scrutiny arrangements, what of the more extensive democratic governance agendas and concerns that mobilised large numbers of citizens and communities in Sheffield (the biggest of their kind in the country)?  It appears none of the small, rather 'elite' group selected for Review participation championed these issues, or saw their relevance and important contribution, for Review purposes? 

 

From my involvement in the Sheffield citizen-led actions on improving governance (and also beyond this in the region and nationally), will the Mayor find an hour before the August break to meet with me to discuss why integrating and deepening democratic governance arrangements in the MCA is so important for enhancing its work and purposes”

 

A response was given that the proposed new governance model differs from a typical Local Government Cabinet model in that, while portfolio leads would be allocated to MCA Board members, decision-making would remain with the MCA Board. 

 

The Mayor noted that the MCA was working to strengthen scrutiny in line with the new Devolved Bodies Accountability Framework. 

 

The Mayor also noted efforts to widen citizen participation through initiatives like a Citizens Assembly on the Climate at a South Yorkshire-wide level.

 

3.    The Equality Act 2010 says that companies that provide public transport services, such as buses, trains, the underground and taxis cannot discriminate against Disabled people and requires them to take steps to make their services accessible for Disabled people.

 

In transport planning, accessibility refers to a measure of the ease of reaching (and interacting with) destinations or activities distributed in space, e.g. around a city

 

As an able bodied person I have difficulty reaching my destination as there is no information on the bus, neither visual nor auditory to enable me to know if  ...  view the full minutes text for item 107.

108.

Minutes of the meeting held on 6th March pdf icon PDF 243 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

RESOLVED: that the minutes of the meeting held on 6 March 2023 be agreed as a true and accurate record.

109.

The MCA Review and New Governance Model pdf icon PDF 290 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

A report on The MCA Review and New Governance Model was presented, following the review of LEP’s triggered by Government, and the request of the Mayor and Leaders to undertake a review of the organisation.

 

Following a period of extensive engagement and feedback, the report presented final proposals, including:

  • A new governance model, based on a Cabinet leadership style, led by the Mayor and with Leaders holding portfolio responsibilities,
  • Proposals to streamline decision making, such as the cessation of all Thematic Boards,
  • That the final meeting of the LEP Board would take place in July, with a new Business Advisory Board and a Mayors Economic Advisory Council beginning to meet from September.

 

It was noted that significant operational changes had also already been undertaken and were set out in the report.

 

The Board gave their thanks to all who had played a part in the MCA’s previous governance structures and also those who had given feedback during the review process. The contribution of LEP Board members in particular was praised, noting that they had contributed so much time to the LEP and MCA’s work.

 

RESOLVED: That the Board:

1.    Note the summary of feedback from stakeholder engagement set out in Section 2, together with the full list of consultees and contributors in Appendix A.

2.    Support the overall progress set out in the report, to drive change as summarised in Sections 5 and 6.

3.    Agree the following work to be taken forward following completion of the Review, specifically

o   The implementation of a new model of governance and decision making that strengthens openness and transparency and is fit for the future, based upon the principles set out in Section 3. It is intended that the new arrangements will become fully operational in the September cycle, with the Thematic Boards ceasing from now (given the timing in the Municipal Calendar) and a final meeting of the LEP Board in July. Transitional arrangements will be worked up during June and July. If these proposals are agreed a further report detailing the revised constitutional changes will be presented to the next meeting of the MCA Board.

o   Implementation of the new proposals for meaningful engagement of businesses within the MCA structures through the Mayor’s Economic Advisory Council and the new Business Advisory Board (as set out in Section 3 and Appendix B). This will ensure a strong, independent, and local business voice.

o   Development of the Prospectus for Growth (set out in Section 4) as an underpinning investment prospectus of the SEP that will proactively promote South Yorkshire to Government and private investors to bring greater investment into the region. It will act as a key positioning document to influence government policy, investment and devolved funding and powers, sitting alongside the emerging Place Plans

o   Taking forward a programme of organisational development that supports the ongoing improvements within the MCA and helps sustain progress improvements in performance and delivery.

Note that a Revised Constitution will be brought to the next meeting  ...  view the full minutes text for item 109.

110.

Future Police and Crime Commissioner Functions pdf icon PDF 186 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

A report on Future Police and Crime Commissioner Functions was presented which reflected early discussions between the MCA, the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC), and Government officials regarding a future transfer of PCC functions to the Mayor in South Yorkshire.

 

The paper sought approval of the continuation of negotiations with Home Office and Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) officials, as well as engagement with:

  • Police, crime and criminal justice system partners,
  • Local authority members,
  • Victims and their representatives and partners.

 

RESOLVED: That the Board:

1.    Note that a joint letter from the Mayor, MCA Leaders and PCC will be submitted to the Secretaries of State for the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities and the Home Office to request that Government officials work with South Yorkshire officers to draft legislation to allow decisions to be made in the Autumn.

2.    Agree that the Mayor and the MCA Chief Executive will continue negotiations with Home Office and DLUHC officials through the summer.

3.    Agree to a period of engagement with police, crime and criminal justice system partners to scope in detail a project plan.

4.    Agree to a period of engagement with local authority members, victims and their representatives and VCSE partners.

5.    Agree that the MCA Board receives an update on progress during the summer.

Note the timetable included and that decisions to consent to Orders will be sought from the MCA and Local Authorities in the Autumn.

111.

Corporate Governance Update pdf icon PDF 214 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

A Corporate Governance Update was presented, which was made up of 4 parts:

  • The MCA’s Code of Corporate Governance,
  • Annual Governance Review, Annual Governance Statement & Governance Improvement Plan,
  • A Risk Management Dashboard,
  • Audit, Standards and Risk Committee Chair’s Annual Report 2023, which noted that significant improvements had been made to the Authority’s governance arrangements, risk management arrangements and control environment.

 

RESOLVED: That the Board:

1.    Considered and approved the Code of Corporate Governance (appendix A) as recommended by the Audit, Standards and Risk Committee,

2.    Considered and approved the draft Annual Governance Statement and Governance Improvement Plan (appendix B) as recommended by the Audit, Standards and Risk Committee,

3.    Note the progress made in strengthening the approach to risk management and to consider and comment on the Risk Management Dashboard (appendix C),

Considered the Audit, Standards and Risk Chair’s Annual Report (appendix D) and the action plan at section 6 to address the findings of the Audit, Standards and Risk Committee Effectiveness Survey.

112.

Nominations and Appointments pdf icon PDF 269 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Nominations and Appointments from Constituent and Non-Constituent members to the MCAs Boards were presented, and it was noted that the MCA would continue to work with Local Authorities to secure nominations to all vacant positions.

 

RESOLVED: That the Board:

1.    Note the appointment of second rotational Member appointments, required to ensure the Authority has a majority of constituent Members.

2.    Approve the elected member nominations for the Audit and Standards Committee.

3.    Approve the continuing appointment of the existing two independent members.

4.    Approve the elected member nominations to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

5.    Approve the appointment of Mayor Oliver Coppard to the Transport for the North Board and subsequently the Rail North Committee and Transport for the North General Purposes Committee.

6.    Approve the appointment of Cllr Chris Read as substitute member for the Transport for the North Board and subsequently General Purposes Committee.

7.    Endorse seeking two Transport for the North Scrutiny Committee members

Endorse seeking nomination of one member to the Transport for the North Audit and Governance Committee.

113.

Development of a Northern Pan-Regional-Partnership pdf icon PDF 178 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

A report on the Development of a Northern Pan-Regional-Partnership (PRP) was presented, noting the Government’s intention to establish a Northern Pan Regional Partnership, which would include formal national government status, national capacity funding and an agreement on how the PRP would work with Ministers and Government departments.

 

The Board was asked to agree a set of principles on which the development of a PRP should be established, including that South Yorkshire political, business and academia input be clearly represented and reflected in any new governance model.

 

The Board welcomed this work, but noted that distinct regions exist across the North of England, and that specific representation was needed in new arrangements of all regions.

 

RESOLVED: That the Board:

1.    Note the Government’s intention to establish a formal Northern Pan Regional Partnership (PRP).

2.    Endorse the South Yorkshire governing principles on which engagement on the development of a PRP will be based.

Note the work being led by the NP11 to determine future PRP arrangements and the intention of the MCA Executive Team to engage in its development.  

114.

Bus Services Update pdf icon PDF 113 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

A Bus Services Update was presented, which noted that bus services in South Yorkshire had faced a turbulent three years since the onset of Covid-19, with short-term funding settlements, significant fluctuations in patronage and increasing pressures on the MCA revenue budget in order to protect at-risk services.

 

It was noted that in May 2023 the Department for Transport (DfT) had announced the continuation of bus support funding until 2025.

 

However, significant pressures remain on the system, and it was recommended that the MCA review options for ensuring network stability and recognise that this introduces a short delay to any required changes to networks, fares, and concessions initiatives.

 

Board members stressed the importance of public transport to South Yorkshire’s communities, noting that struggling bus services impact upon the most vulnerable in South Yorkshire’s communities.

 

It was asserted that without greater Government funding, a closer interrogation would be needed into the root causes of the problems in the public transport system in the region.

 

RESOLVED: That the Board:

1.    Confirm their support to defer any significant detrimental amendments to the bus network, fares and concessions initiatives to allow more considered decision making on the use of available funding.

2.    Note that a temporary deferral of any changes will incur some costs but that these should be managed within the constraints of available funding

3.    Note the award of temporary contracts through to September to maintain the network as is, pending the review of services required.

4.    Note that MCA officers will engage as a matter of priority with Local Authority transport colleagues to ensure that final decisions on bus network changes and/or amendments to fares and concessions take account of local circumstances.

5.    Support a proposed further bus network service change at the start of September to implement decisions made as a result of this process.

 

115.

Statement of Accounts Update pdf icon PDF 146 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

An update was presented on the Statement of the 2021/22 Accounts, which noted that the Audit of the 21/22 Accounts would be approximately 6 months late.

 

An unqualified opinion, with no concerns on value for money, was expected to be submitted to the July Board meeting.

 

RESOLVED: That the Board note the update provided.

 

116.

Financial Year 2022/23 Outturn pdf icon PDF 160 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

A report was presented on Financial Year 2022/23 Outturn. It noted that:

·         The MCA had achieved the highest levels of annual capital investment since its inception in 2014,

·         There had been significant capital slippage due to labour market pressures impacted on capacity and inflationary pressures,

·         This capital slippage led to higher levels of cash being held on deposit which attracted higher interest-rates.

 

RESOLVED: That the Board:

1.    Note the financial position at the outturn of financial year 2022/23.

2.    Approve the use of the revenue Capacity & Development Reserve, as detailed in paragraph 1.16

 

117.

Programme Approvals pdf icon PDF 284 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

A report on Programme approvals was presented.

 

RESOLVED: That the Board approve:

Adult Education Budget activity:

a.    Allocation of £40.61m Adult Education Budget (AEB) devolved funding and £2.85m Free Courses for Jobs (FCFJ) funding for academic year 2023/24 as detailed in 1.12:

b.    Flexibilities for in year changes to AEB and FCFJs contract and grant values as detailed in 1.13

c.    Progression of “Welding and Rail Academy” BJC to full approval and award of £0.50m Adult Education Budget (AEB) Innovation Fund grant to Barnsley College subject to the conditions set out in Appendix A1

d.    Progression of “Aspire to Be” Business Justification Case (BJC) to full approval and award of £0.47m AEB Innovation Fund grant to Doncaster Deaf Trust subject to the conditions set out in Appendix A2

Skills Renewal Action Plan scheme:

e.    Progression of “Apprenticeship Hub” BJC to full approval and award of £0.35m Gainshare grant to The Sheffield College subject to the conditions set out in Appendix A3

Brownfield Housing Programme schemes:

f.     Progression of “Sheffield Community Land Trust (SCLT), City Centre Scheme” from Mandate to Strategic Business Case (SBC) and release of Brownfield development funding of £0.09m to SCLT

g.    Progression of “Waverley Net Zero Carbon Pilot (Parcel 4C)” from SBC to Outline Business Case (OBC) subject to the conditions set out in Assurance Summary attached at Appendix A4

h.    Progression of “Sky-House – Waverley Central” from SBC to OBC subject to the conditions set out in Assurance Summary attached at Appendix A5

i.      Progression of “Waverley Affordable Housing Led Scheme (Parcel 4D)” from SBC to OBC subject to the conditions set out in Assurance Summary attached at Appendix A6

j.      Progression of “Canon Brewery” from SBC to OBC subject to the conditions set out in Assurance Summary attached at Appendix A7

Gainshare Investment

k.    Delegate authority for the approval of the proposal for the following scheme to the Head of Paid Service in consultation with the Mayor and the Leader of Sheffield City Council:

a.    Subject to the conclusion of assurance and match-funding requirements, the progression of scheme ‘D0034’ to post-OBC in-principle approval for up-to £14m grant support

Delegations:

l.      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

Grant Acceptance:

m.  Acceptance of £0.41m grant from Careers & Enterprise Company (CEC) for Careers Hub Network

Shared Prosperity Fund:

n.    Approve the underwriting of Shared Prosperity Fund capital activity up to a value of £3m from the Gainshare capital risk reserve

Development Activity:

o.    Note the current assurance status of 106 schemes in development

 

118.

Doncaster Sheffield Airport pdf icon PDF 168 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

A report on Doncaster Sheffield Airport was presented, which sought approval of a grant award of 3.1m to the City of Doncaster Council to explore the process of a Compulsory Purchase Order on the Airport.

 

It was noted that pursuing a Compulsory Purchase Order was a last resort for seeking to keep the airport open.

 

A discussion was had by members on the importance of the airport to the region, and the opportunities for investment it could create if in operation. The Board congratulated the Mayor, the MCA and the Local Authorities for their work in seeking to keep the airport operating.

 

RESOLVED: That the Board:

1.    Consider the proposal to approve the award of up-to £3.1m to the City of Doncaster Council to support initial DSA CPO activity;

2.    Subject to Recommendation 1: Delegate authority to the Section 73 Officer to enter into appropriate funding and assurance arrangements to support the transaction;

Subject to Recommendation 1: Delegate authority to the Head of Paid Service in consultation with the Section 73 Officer and the Monitoring Officer to enter into appropriate contractual arrangements

119.

The South Yorkshire Economy pdf icon PDF 191 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

A presentation on the South Yorkshire Economy was given which highlighted the following national trends:

  • Inflation in the UK had stabilised at 8.7%, but was high in comparison to the Eurozone, US and Japan,
  • The cost of housing, energy and transport were falling, but the cost of food and drink continued to rise,
  • It was expected that interest rates would fall to around 3% over the next 12 months, which would impact savings and borrowing rates,
  • No recession was now expected in the UK, but there were also no indicators that strong growth was to be expected this year,
  • Unemployment and economic inactivity were continuing to fall,
  • The number of job vacancies was also beginning to fall.

 

Specifically, regarding the local region it was noted that:

  • Workforce growth had fallen, and businesses were beginning to slow down recruitment,
  • Businesses’ cash flow had also fallen to its lowest since the height of the pandemic,
  • Surveying of businesses showed that most were confident they would remain profitable if economic conditions did not worsen,
  • Trends showed that more businesses had been opened than had closed in the region this year,
  • The Sheffield Central Electoral Constituency ranked 3rd in the country for the positive economic impact made by international students.

 

The Mayor thanked the Director of Corporate Policy for this update, noted that this was his final MCA board meeting, thanking him for all of his work at the MCA.

 

RESOLVED: That the Board:

1.    Note the current state of the South Yorkshire economy,

Considered the implications of the issues highlighted in the associated presentation.

120.

Place Based Investment Plans pdf icon PDF 154 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

3 Place Based Investment Plans were presented, which provided a framework for prioritising investments across South Yorkshire to meet collective aspirations to grow the economy and increase the number of jobs.

 

It was noted that Sheffield City Council continued to develop its Place Based Investment Plan, and this would be approved by the MCA Board indue course.

 

RESOLVED: That the Board:

1.    Note progress in preparing the Place Based Investment Plans.

2.    Endorse the Barnsley, Doncaster and Rotherham Place Based Investment Plans.

Note the significant ongoing work towards the Sheffield Place Plan in section 2.3.

121.

Investment Zone pdf icon PDF 147 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

An Investment Zone report was presented, which noted that at the Spring Budget 2023, the Chancellor had announced that 8 MCAs in England, including South Yorkshire, had been invited to co-design Investment Zone (IZ) proposals with Government.

 

The selected MCA areas could receive £80m of funding over five years beginning in 2024/25, to be used flexibly between spending and tax incentives.

 

DLUHC had confirmed 5 thematic gateways to be completed before the Parliament summer recess in July:

  • Vision statement
  • Lead sector and geography
  • Governance and partnerships
  • Intervention design
  • Delivery approaches

 

RESOLVED: That the Board:

1.    Notes the tight timescales for developing the Investment Zone proposal. 

Agrees to delegate decisions to MCA statutory officers to progress through the outlined development stages in consultation with the Mayor and Local Authority Leaders.

122.

South Yorkshire Local Visitor Economy Partnership pdf icon PDF 164 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

A report on the South Yorkshire Local Visitor Economy Partnership was presented.

 

It noted that in July 2022 the Government commissioned a review of Destination Management marketing, which concluded that the approach nationally and locally was complex and fragmented. It recommended that Local Visitor Economy Partnerships should be established regionally to create greater coordination of all elements of destination management, such as marketing and major event planning.

 

RESOLVED: That the Board:

1.    Signal their support for the development of a South Yorkshire LVEP, with Sheffield City Council acting as a lead applicant for the submission.

2.    Note the intention to commission a Destination Management Plan for South Yorkshire to ensure that form follows function as the Local Visitor Economy Partnership develops.

3.    Note that, as further work is completed additional decisions relating to formal governance arrangements, funding and delivery plans will need to be considered and approved by the MCA Board.

Note that the MCA has made provision in its 2023/24 budget to contribute to the development of a South Yorkshire LVEP and Destination Management Plan.

123.

Pathways to Work Commission pdf icon PDF 203 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

A report on the Pathways to Work Commission was presented. It proposed that the Mayor become formal a commissioner on the group, which would seek to investigate the issue of economic inactivity in the region alongside the MCA and Department for Work and Pensions.

 

The Board acknowledged the labour challenges facing the region and welcomed the progression of this work.

 

RESOLVED: That the Board:

1.    Notes the purpose and makeup of the Commission,

2.    Notes the Mayor sitting as a full member of the Commission, providing a wider South Yorkshire perspective and championing the Commission’s finding with Central Government.

Note the opportunity to apply the learning from Barnsley to South Yorkshire as a whole and scaling up potential solutions which emerge through innovative pathways to work programmes

124.

Delegated Authority Report pdf icon PDF 158 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

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