Decisions

On 29 November 2024, SYFTL board members approved the advertising asset renewal project, and put in a formal request to SYMCA for funding to undertake a capital project to commission their advertising agent Global to replace all outdated advertising hoardings across the tram stop estate, starting with those with the highest footfall.

Phase 1 is 50% complete, so it’s too early to comment on the impact on advertising revenues. However, on a pilot tram stop pre-dating Phase 1, advertising revenues increased by 75% whilst the advertising revenues from the rest of the estate which had not been renewed were down 6%.

Approve the contribution of up to £60k to SYFTL to pay for Phase 2

(decision previously published on 25/02/25. New version based on re-quote)

SYMCA’s existing contract for the Mod.Gov service is due to expire 31 March 2025.

Civica is the standard provider of Committee and decision-making management software for Local Government organisations. There are no competitors offering the same level of service for the particular context of public meetings and decision making in Local Government. The software is designed specifically for information management surrounding local government, and has specific features which allow us to meet our statutory obligations for publications around the MCA’s decision making.

Civica are the principal technical experts in how we currently manage our committee and decision-making publications, and have detailed knowledge of our current practices, the history of upgrades and our use of the system. The Mod.gov software interfaces with SYMCA’s public facing website, meeting live broadcast software, and holds the full archive of meeting papers and minutes for the MCA’s lifespan.

Therefore, moving supplier would involve a significant change to how we deliver committee and decision-making, and a full overhaul of our information management practices with regard to the MCA’s committees and decisions made by the MCA.

It is therefore recommended to allow for a direct award to Civica for a further contract for a period of 3 years, to March 2028.

Approve direct award to Civica at a total cost of £80,169

This report seeks approval to enter a five-year agreement with Insight UK through the Health Trust Europe Framework for Microsoft licences required for the CRM project. The CRM project has already been approved, and this agreement is essential to securing the necessary licences to support its implementation.

Microsoft has proposed a five-year contract with a 1:1 cost match for the first year, enabling the CRM project to deliver benefits more quickly for the people of South Yorkshire. This agreement is a new contractual arrangement specifically for the Microsoft licences needed to operate the CRM system, ensuring compliance, security, and full functionality.

Procuring these licences would be required regardless as part of the CRM project. However, we are seeking to accelerate the decision to take advantage of Microsoft’s time-sensitive offer, which must be finalised by the end of March 2025. To meet this deadline, SYMCA proposes using the general exception provision in the constitution, allowing a five-day notice period instead of the usual 28 days.

The total contract value is £1.6 million, including VAT, over five years.

Approval to enter into a 5 year contract with Insight UK for the Microsoft CRM and associated licences at a value of £1.6m

The UKSPF is the Government’s major economic development fund to replace EU Structural and Investment Funds. It is a largely revenue fund aiming to boost productivity. The MCA submitted its Investment Plan to Government in August 2022 following approval by the Board in July 2022.

In November 2022 the MCA board gave delegated authority to the MCA Chief Executive and s73 officer to enter into funding agreements in accordance with the UKSPF submitted Investment Plan, local delivery plans and any conditions agreed with Government.

Option 1 – Approve the recommendations

At the 10th September 2024 MCA Board, SYMCA secured OBC in principle approval for up to £4.4 grant.

At the 6th March 2025 SYMCA Programme Board, full approval was agreed.

In accordance with the SYMCA Assurance Framework, the SYMCA Programme Board have delegated authority to approve the FBC in line with the MCA conditions of approval.

Option 1 – Approve the recommendation

In March 2023 the MCA Board approved the revised Assurance Framework. The revised Assurance Framework provides for a one-stop governance process. This change was designed to improve the pace at which schemes can be developed and delivered. Strategic Business Cases are undertaken within authorities with Outline Business Cases undertaken at MCA Board level.

In September 2023 the MCA Board agreed Outline Business Case in principle approval. In December 2023 the SYMCA Programme Board approved the Stage 1 Acquisition Full Business Case and release of up to £5m grant. A total of three staged approvals are forecast, this approval being for stage 2.

Option 1 – Approve the recommendation

On 12th March 2024 MCA Board, the scheme secured OBC in principle approval for up to £2m grant.

On 10th April 2024 SYMCA Programme Board, the release of £0.28m development grant was approved.

On 6th March 2025 SYMCA Programme Board, the release of an additional £0.5m development grant was approved.

In accordance with the SYMCA Assurance Framework, the SYMCA Programme Board have delegated authority to approve development grant to support progression of the business case/scheme.

Option 1 – Approve the recommendation

To pay the annual charges of £74,008.32 to ensure continuation of service.

To direct award under HealthTrust Europe framework to Insight.

To approve the appointment of a supplier (Volker Rail) to undertake rail replacement works on the Sheffield Supertram Network in between March and September 2025

Approve Call Off Three from the TIF for Volker Rail to undertake rail replacement works on the Supertram Network at a value of £4.75M

As part of the Supertram Network renewals program, six phases of embedded rail replacement works will require a partial closure of the tram network. To continue delivering a service to customers at stops temporarily not served by the tram, replacement bus services will run on these routes. Tram services will terminate at the nearest available tram stop and interchange with bus services.

Award contract to First South Yorkshire to run two routes:
. Halfway – Birley Lane from 29/03/25 to 13/04/25 at a cost of £53,820.00.
. Halfway – Fitzalan Square from 03/05/25 – 05/05/25 at a cost of £16,740.00.

At a total of £70,560.

The Barnsley Hotspots 24/25 project aims to implement small-scale interventions within the bus network to eliminate delay points and enhance passenger satisfaction.

By collaborating with stakeholders such as South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA), Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council (BMBC), and local bus operators, the project seeks to identify problematic areas on the bus routes and develop effective, targeted solutions.
The goal is to improve the reliability and efficiency of bus services, ensuring a better travel experience for passengers.

By addressing delay points and enhancing the efficiency of the bus network, the Barnsley Hotspots 24/25 project will contribute to a better travel experience for passengers and support the overall improvement of public transport in the region.

TROs are legal documents that restrict or prohibit the use of the highway network, in line with The Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984.

They help to manage the highway network for all road users, including pedestrians and they aim to improve road safety and access to facilities.
The current estimate for the works is therefore £75,000 and this is currently within the LNCT allowance for this year.

A typical TRO process includes the following:
• Feasibility and priority assessment consideration
• Proposed scheme design
• Informal consultation (21 days minimum for comments to be received)
• Consideration of all comments received
• Amendments and preparation for statutory processes
• Statutory consultation (21 days minimum for comments to be received)
• Consideration of all comments received
• Amendments and preparation for public consultation
• Draft all relevant legal documentation ready for formal advertising of the scheme in the media and on the GCC website.
• Formal consultation (21 days minimum for comments to be received)
• Consideration of objections (and attempts to resolve them)
• Detailed report or TRO Committed (if unresolved objections)
• Making of the TRO including sealing
• Implementation of the TRO (making physical changes on site)

This year’s Hotspot programme comprises the following interventions, all progressed by BMBC under a TRO.

Please see full table in full delegated report.

BMBC’s standard charge for producing a TRO is £7,500. It covers all costs associated with the preparation and delivery of the TRO except for dealing with objections. The current estimate for the works is therefore £75,000 and this is currently within the LNCT allowance for this year.

To approve of the appointment of BMBC for implementation of 10 nr. TRO schemes in Barnsley and the surrounding area, forming this year’s Hotspots programme.