Agenda, decisions and draft minutes

The Chair welcomed attendees to the meeting and introduced the members of the committees.

The Chair advised that Professor Steve West was unable to attend the full meeting but would join the meeting at 11.15 am to present comments on behalf of the Local Enterprise Partnership.

Members who consider that they have an interest to declare are asked to: a) State the item number in which they have an interest, b) The nature of the interest, c) Whether the interest is a disclosable pecuniary interest, non-disclosable pecuniary interest or nonpecuniary interest. Any Member who is unsure about the above should seek advice from the Monitoring Officer prior to the meeting in order to expedite matters at the meeting itself.

There were no declarations of interest.

To confirm the minutes of the previous joint meeting held on 4 December 2020 as a correct record.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the joint meeting of the West of England Combined Authority Committee and the West of England Joint Committee held on 4 December 2020 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

Noting that this was the last planned meeting before his retirement from politics, the Chair commented and reflected on the work and difference made by the Combined Authority since its inception in 2017:

* The Combined Authority had brought about the opportunity to bring in very significant government investment and to attract other investment to build on the region’s strengths and improve the region’s transport, other infrastructure and skills provision to meet the needs of businesses.  He was very proud of the collaborative, partnership work that had taken place over the last 4 years with the full involvement of unitary authorities and the Local Enterprise Partnership.  This was unlocking huge potential and investment and having a real impact on people’s lives.  For examples, thousands of new jobs have been created through this investment.

* Key plans and strategies have been developed collaboratively, ranging from the Local Industrial Strategy and Employment and Skills Plan to the Joint Local Transport Plan to drive this activity forward in a structured way and maximise benefits for the region.

* Important decisions would be considered at this meeting and in the coming weeks, including approving a regional housing delivery strategy, backing a first-stage Freeport bid and overseeing actions to lead the region’s economic recovery from the pandemic.

He concluded his comments by thanking committee members and all partners for their work and engagement in taking all this work forwards.

Committee members responded to the above comments and thanked Mayor Bowles for his work and commitment to the development of the region during his time in office as the first elected West of England Mayor.

Note: WECA virtual public committee meetings are currently being arranged as ‘Zoom’ video conferencing meetings, broadcast on the WECA YouTube channel. Please note: the 29 January Joint Meeting of the WECA Committee and the West of England Joint Committee will be broadcast at this link:

https://youtu.be/rQj7D24ToMg

WRITTEN PUBLIC QUESTIONS

1. Any member of the public can submit a maximum of two written questions to this meeting.

2. The deadline for the submission of questions is 5.00 pm, at least 3 clear working days ahead of a meeting. For this meeting, the deadline for questions is 5.00 pm on Monday 25 January.

3. Questions should be addressed to the Chair of the meeting and e-mailed to democratic.services@westofengland-ca.gov.uk

4. Under the direction of the Chair, wherever possible, written replies to questions will be sent to questioners by the end of the working day prior to the meeting.

5. Please note - under WECA committee procedures, there is no opportunity for oral supplementary questions to be asked at committee meetings.

6. Questions and replies will be circulated to committee members in advance of the meeting and published on the WECA website.

PUBLIC STATEMENTS

1. Any member of the public may submit a written statement (or petition) to this meeting.

2. Please note that one statement per individual is permitted.

3. Statements must be submitted in writing and received by the deadline of 12 noon on the working day before the meeting. For this meeting, the deadline for statements is 12 noon on Thursday 28 January. Statements should be emailed to democratic.services@westofengland-ca.gov.uk

4. Statements will be listed for the meeting in the order of receipt. All statements will be sent to committee members in advance of the meeting and published on the WECA website.

5. Please note – if any member of the public wishes to ‘attend’ the virtual meeting to orally present their statement, they are asked please to notify the WECA Democratic Services team of this by 12 noon on the working day before the meeting at latest.

6. In presenting a statement at the meeting, members of the public are generally permitted to speak for up to 3 minutes each if they so wish. The total time available for the public session at this meeting is 60 minutes. Within the time available, every effort will be made to enable individuals to verbally present their statements; at the discretion of the Chair, speaking time may sometimes be reduced depending on how many public items are received.

The Chair drew attention to the fact that a number of questions and statements had been submitted to this meeting on the issue of the Bristol airport expansion.  He clarified that this was not a matter on today’s committee agenda but Mayors and Leaders would be meeting separately to discuss the points that people were making on this issue.

33 questions had been submitted in advance of this meeting on the following subjects:

1. Mary Collett - Bristol airport expansion

2. James Collett - Bristol airport expansion

3. Jude Connor - Bristol airport expansion

4. Laurence and Joanne Copleston - Bristol airport expansion

5. Matt Gitsham - Bristol airport expansion

6. Bob Bater - Bristol airport expansion

7. Rosemary Collins - Bristol airport expansion

8. Helen Struthers - Bristol airport expansion

9. Jackie Head - Bristol airport expansion

10. Viv Perry - Bristol airport expansion

11. David Redgewell - WECA & North Somerset

12. David Redgewell - Portway station

13. Gordon Richardson - Portway station

14. Gordon Richardson - Weston-Super-Mare bus & coach station

15. Haydn Gill - Road building (with reference to the Investment Fund report)

16. Haydn Gill - Funding of cycling and walking schemes (with reference to the Investment Fund report)

17. Amy Fletcher - Bristol airport expansion

18. Kevin Flanagan - Bristol airport expansion

19. Richard Baxter - Bristol airport expansion

20. Ruth Jones - Bristol airport expansion

21. Dawn McGhee - Bristol airport expansion

22. Lisa Hardless - Bristol airport expansion

23. James Ward - Bristol airport expansion

24. Cllr Jerome Thomas (Bristol City Council) - Unspent WECA money

25. Sarah Cemlyn - Bristol airport expansion

26. Kim Hicks - Spatial Development Strategy

27. Sally Lawson - Bristol airport expansion

28. Johnny Devas - Bristol airport expansion

29. Ben Moss - Bristol airport expansion

30. Sarah Poppy Jackson - Bristol airport expansion

31. Duncan Still - Bristol airport expansion

32. Cllr Martin Fodor (Bristol City Council) - E-scooter trial in the West of England

33. Question from: Nicola Bindon - Bristol airport expansion

The Chair advised that written replies had been sent to all questioners in advance of the meeting. The questions and replies had been circulated to committee members in advance of the meeting and were available to view on the Combined Authority web site.

The Chair then advised that 154 statements had been received in advance of the meeting.  The statements had been circulated to committee members in advance of the meeting and were available to view on the Combined Authority web site. The statements received were on the following subjects (statements were presented by those in attendance):

1. Dominic Winter - Bristol airport expansion

2. James Collett - Bristol airport expansion

3. Matt Gisham - Bristol airport expansion 

4. David Clegg - Bristol airport expansion

5. Wendy Clegg - Bristol airport expansion

6. Jill Coleman - Bristol airport expansion

7. Bob Langton - Bristol airport expansion

8. Mary Wood - Bristol airport expansion

9. Johanna Spiers - Bristol airport expansion

10. Helen Struthers -  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

None for this meeting.

To receive any comments from the Chair of the Local Enterprise Partnership.

Professor Steve West, Chair of the Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) Board commented as follows:

1. Impact of Local Growth Fund 

The LEP has overseen the management of the Local Growth Fund which supports co-ordinated activity across the region to support businesses, develop skills for the future and ensure the appropriate infrastructure is in place.  The fund totals £202.1m in the West of England, with a further £13.7m secured through the Getting Building Fund which provides funding in this financial year to support capital projects which could help to accelerate national recovery. These spend requirements are on track and the region was starting to see some of the real benefits as projects come to fruition. These include:

* Projects to support Research & Development, including:

- the opening of Foodworks South West.

- the Virtual Reality Lab in Bristol.

- Future Space, supporting the National Composites Centre.

- Significant investment into the soon-to-be completed Grow On 2 and Institute of Advanced Automotive Propulsion Systems at the Bristol and Bath Science Park.

* Enabling works to support major regeneration opportunities including Bath Quays North and South and Temple Quarter Enterprise Campus.

* Significant new Further Education provision including:

- the Future Technology Centre at Weston super Mare.

- the Construction Skills Centre at Radstock.

- SGS Brunel Centre in North Bristol, to deliver STEAM subjects.

- City of Bristol South Bristol Construction Centre

In addition, projects were in place to support walking, cycling and public transport including significant investment in the Cribbs Patchway MetroBus Extension and the MetroWest rail programme.

2. Supporting regional recovery

At its recent meeting, the LEP Board discussed the ongoing challenges the pandemic and current lockdown were presenting to our businesses and residents. LEP Board members were playing a leading role in the Regional Recovery Taskforce’s recovery plan.  Some of the actions prioritised in this plan were due to launch soon including:

* Small Business Grant funds, offering support grants ranging from £1500 - £6000 due to launch in March.

* The Talent Retention Platform to advertise employment opportunities to those businesses facing the prospect of making their staff redundant, due for launch in April.

This will take the total investment in the region’s businesses and skills to over £100m over the next four years.

Innovation was one of the key pillars of the Local Industrial Strategy, and the LEP Board welcomed the Full Business Case for the Innovation for Renewal and Opportunity project and award of £5.716m from the WECA Investment Fund to support businesses across the region through an extension of the highly successful Business Innovation Fund and package of support for the manufacturing and supply chain. This intervention would provide a key foundation for the West of England Freeport bid.

3. Business planning for the future

The LEP Board welcomed the WECA Business Plan for 2021-22 which demonstrated how WECA was continuing to work in partnership to drive recovery across the region. The LEP Board and the Regional Recovery Taskforce will continue to work with WECA  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

To receive any comments from the Chair of the Combined Authority’s Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

The Chair advised that the Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee had submitted comments for consideration at this meeting, following on from their meeting held on 27 January. The comments had been circulated in advance of the meeting and were available to view on the Combined Authority web site.

Cllr Stephen Clarke, the Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee then presented the written comments, which had highlighted the following points:

1. North Somerset Council joining WECA

Mayors and Leaders were already aware of Scrutiny members’ concern that it had not been possible to take forward the proposition of North Somerset joining WECA in advance of the next WECA Mayoral election scheduled for May.  Scrutiny members had agreed that to hold an additional meeting(s) specifically to discuss how North Somerset Council joining WECA could potentially be taken forward as soon as practically possible after the Mayoral election.  Scrutiny members noted that all authorities concerned would need to agree to take this forward.  

The specific questions and issues that Scrutiny members wished to understand and explore, were likely to include:

- how we can seek clarification from / lobby the government about the extent of additional resources and devolved powers that could be secured for the region through North Somerset joining WECA; and compare this with what each authority is seeking through further devolution.

- how to take forward discussions with government about this happening outside of the WECA Mayoral electoral cycle.

- in the meantime, how can we ensure the maximum degree of involvement of North Somerset in WECA arrangements.

2. West of England Housing Delivery Strategy (agenda item 12)

Scrutiny members recognised that the housing delivery strategy was essentially about how to accelerate the delivery of housing utilising the available tools, mechanisms and funding available to WECA and delivery partners. 

They emphasised though the critical importance of accelerating affordable housing across the region.  This needs to be seen in the context that individual unitary authorities have more ambitious affordable housing definitions than that defined through national planning policy.  The local authorities need an agreed definition of affordable housing and this should be included as a definition in the housing delivery strategy to make clear what is meant by these words. Implementing the strategy must help deliver these local ambitions by accelerating delivery and maximising new affordable housing. 

Scrutiny members also noted that the strategy does not have formal, fixed targets but has been constructed to support existing Local Plans and the draft Spatial Development Strategy and updated/new Local Plans as they are developed.

3. Bus network recovery (agenda item 19) and Transport Decarbonisation study (agenda item 20)

The Scrutiny Transport sub-group had fed back comments following a detailed briefing given to them by officers on 21 January.

Scrutiny members had highlighted the following points:

* They would like to be kept informed of the position once a clearer view emerges from government about the National Bus Recovery Strategy and any proposed transitional arrangement e.g. a Bus Recovery  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9.

To receive comments from the Combined Authority’s boards.

Specific comments from the four Combined Authority Boards about items included on this meeting agenda were noted as per the report included in the committee agenda pack.

The meeting was then adjourned at 11.55 am and reconvened at 12.05 pm.

Report for consideration by the Combined Authority Committee and the Joint Committee.

The West of England Combined Authority Committee RESOLVED:

- To approve the West of England Combined Authority Business Plan for 2021-22.

The West of England Joint Committee RESOLVED:

- To approve the West of England Combined Authority Business Plan for 2021-22.

The Combined Authority Committee and the Joint Committee considered a report seeking approval of the WECA Annual Business Plan 2021-22 (agenda item 11).

The Chair highlighted that the Business Plan presents the Combined Authority’s planned strategic activities over the coming year and sets out how the authority will work with partners to achieve these. It brings together the overarching objectives of inclusive growth and addressing the climate emergency and aligns with the published Recovery Plan and the Local Industrial Strategy.

The recommendations for both the Combined Authority Committee and the Joint Committee as set out in the published report were then moved by the Chair and seconded by Cllr Savage.

Cllr Savage welcomed the report and commented that it was important to acknowledge the importance of the Business Plan for the Combined Authority as national bodies and regional and local authorities collectively work together to rebuild the economy and steadily recover from the events of the past year.  The breadth of funding opportunities, for example, as set out in the agenda papers for today’s meeting, demonstrated the value of local authorities working together and having a strong devolved remit.

Cllr Romero commented that it was difficult to plan during a pandemic for what life might be like after the pandemic; for example, there was uncertainty about the degree to which working behaviour patterns may permanently change in the longer term.  She welcomed the fact that the Business Plan reflects this and the need for the region to adapt as the pandemic eases. 

Mayor Rees generally welcomed the Business Plan, noting that the plan recognises that the world is changing because of the pandemic and there will be an ongoing need to adapt and ensure ‘in-built’ flexibility as authorities face the challenges ahead.

Cllr Davies echoed the above comments and stressed the need to move at pace in delivering key projects and boosting job creation. As part of the economic recovery, it will be essential to maximise the use of local firms.

The Chair then moved to the voting on the recommendations. Voting took place as per constitutional requirements.

The West of England Combined Authority Committee RESOLVED:

- To approve the West of England Combined Authority Business Plan for 2021-22.

The West of England Joint Committee RESOLVED:

- To approve the West of England Combined Authority Business Plan for 2021-22.

Report for consideration by the Joint Committee.

The West of England Joint Committee RESOLVED:

- To approve the draft West of England Housing Delivery Strategy.

The Joint Committee considered a report seeking approval of the West of England Housing Delivery Strategy (agenda item 12). 

The Chair welcomed the report, highlighting that it was the result of extensive collaboration with the unitary authorities.  He further commented that:

* The shared ambition is to increase and accelerate delivery of new homes of all tenures, particularly affordable housing, to support priority locations where market failure either prevents housing coming forward quickly enough, or at all.

* Through intervening at a strategic, regional level, the intention is to maximise the impact of aligning focus and resources and deliver better outcomes for communities.

* The strategy is based on an initial funding package to 2023 of approximately £40m from the WECA Investment Fund and a bid for £500k One Public Estate 8 funding.

The recommendations as set out in the published report were then moved by the Chair and seconded by Cllr Romero.

Cllr Savage welcomed the strategy.  He added that the West of England has always been an attractive and relatively prosperous place to live and that the demand this brings for new housing cannot be underestimated.  He also welcomed the investment coming through that will support authorities in delivering housing; a really good example was featured in a later agenda item, namely the use of housing and regeneration enabling funding. From South Gloucestershire’s perspective, this enabling funding gives the authority the ability to invest in capacity to pro-actively develop housing and land acquisition propositions, to bring forward strategic schemes and meet the aims and aspirations that the authority has to ‘raise the bar’ in standards of new development and truly serve the needs of communities.

Cllr Romero welcomed the strategy. She commented that affordable housing, in a variety of guises, was a top priority for Bath & North East Somerset.  The strategy will help the authority to deliver this priority.

Mayor Rees welcomed the strategy and the formalising of the strategic partnership with Homes England.  The region has developed a reputation for its focus on delivery and for being prepared to consider taking forward new models of delivery; this is crucial in attracting developers and inward investment.  He added that the city region is an attractive place, as is shown by the number of people moving to Bristol and surrounding areas from London.  Analysis shows that Bristol itself will grow by approximately 96,000 people in the next 25 years; currently, there is a housing crisis in Bristol, not just in term of housing supply but also in terms of affordability and social segregation, ‘gentrification’ and other dynamics; on top of this, the housing crisis must be tackled in the context of the climate and ecological emergency.  It will be imperative to recognise that the kind of homes we build, and where we build them will among the most significant determinants of our planetary impact over the coming decades.  It will be essential to create the framework by which we will meet this regional challenge which is part of our  ...  view the full minutes text for item 12.

Report for consideration by the Joint Committee.

The West of England Joint Committee RESOLVED:

1. To approve the LEP Budget for 2021/22 as set out in Appendix 1.

2. To approve a 2021-22 contribution of £110k per each West of England Unitary Authority (to be reviewed for 2022-23 onwards) as match funding to attract the government’s LEP capacity funding.

3. To approve a £160k drawdown from the LEP general reserve to fund the shortfall in 2021-22 LEP operating costs.

4. To note the forecasted LEP revenue outturn for 2020-21 as set out in Appendix 2.

The Joint Committee considered a report seeking approval of the Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) revenue budget 2021-22 (agenda item 13). 

The recommendations as set out in the published report were moved by the Chair and seconded by Cllr Davies.

Cllr Davies noted the comments made earlier at the meeting by the Chair of the LEP and referred to the challenges faced in securing future funding to support the economic recovery and support businesses as they seek to recover from the pandemic.  He was supportive of the report but it was important to recognise that there is a degree of uncertainty moving forwards.

Mayor Rees was supportive of the report. He also welcomed the LEP’s support for good social policy as an integral part of their work, e.g. in terms of the importance of investing around mental health, educational ‘catch-up’, recovery and providing quality housing.  The pandemic has reinforced the fact that is not possible to neatly separate the economy from the social conditions in which it has to operate.

Cllr Romero commented on the need to recognise the degree of uncertainty faced by all authorities at this time.  This has the potential to impact on revenue budgets as activity is prioritised to try and stimulate economic activity. It will accordingly be important to keep budgets under review.

Cllr Savage indicated his support for the report.

The Chair then moved to the voting on the recommendations. Voting took place as per constitutional requirements.

The West of England Joint Committee RESOLVED:

1. To approve the LEP Budget for 2021/22 as set out in Appendix 1.

2. To approve a 2021-22 contribution of £110k per each West of England Unitary Authority (to be reviewed for 2022-23 onwards) as match funding to attract the government’s LEP capacity funding.

3. To approve a £160k drawdown from the LEP general reserve to fund the shortfall in 2021-22 LEP operating costs.

4. To note the forecasted LEP revenue outturn for 2020-21 as set out in Appendix 2.

Report for consideration by the Joint Committee.

The West of England Joint Committee RESOLVED:

1. To approve the Outline Business Case for the Weston General Stores and, should there be urgency, delegate the approval of the Full Business Case to the WECA Chief Executive in consultation with the West of England Chief Executives.

2. To delegate the approval of an Outline Business Case for works in the vicinity of the M49 Junction to the WECA Chief Executive in consultation with the West of England Chief Executives.

3. To approve the change requests for schemes within the Local Growth Fund programme as set out in Appendix 1.

4. In advance of the next meeting of the Joint Committee, to delegate the following to the WECA Chief Executive in consultation with the West of England Chief Executives:

a) Approval of changes to funding profile and programme for schemes within the current Local Growth Fund, Getting Building Fund, Economic Development Fund and Revolving Infrastructure Fund programmes.

b) Approval of the reallocation of funding for schemes in the approved Local Growth Fund/Getting Building Fund programme including swaps with the Economic Development Fund, and exceptionally, the Investment Fund.

5. To approve the change requests for schemes within the Economic Development Fund and Revolving Infrastructure Fund programme set out in Appendix 2.

The Joint Committee considered a report setting out the latest Local Enterprise Partnership One Front Door funding programme report (agenda item 14).

The Chair highlighted the following aspects of the report and commented as follows:

* Appendix 1 set out requested scheme changes in respect of the Local Growth Fund.

* Appendix 2 set out requested scheme changes in respect of the Economic Development Fund (EDF) and Revolving Infrastructure Fund (RIF).

* Appendix 3 set out the business case assessment summary table for the Weston General Stores project. Weston General Stores was allocated £1.7m of Getting Building Fund through the application process to government in Summer 2020. An Outline Business Case for this project had now been submitted by North Somerset Council seeking this funding towards the £1.765m project cost.

* The report also included an allocation of funding to enable work to be progressed on an Outline Business Case for works in the vicinity of the M49 Junction.

The recommendations as set out in the published report were then moved by the Chair and seconded by Cllr Davies.

Cllr Davies welcomed the report, particularly in relation to the proposals to take forward work on the Weston General Stores project and the M49 junction.

Mayor Rees also welcomed the report, including the change request which would see funding re-allocated to Bristol Beacon.

Cllr Romero indicated she was supportive of the report.

Cllr Savage was also supportive of the report; with reference to the points raised in the public forum statement from South Gloucestershire Councillor Robert Griffin, he also particularly welcomed the proposed allocation of funding to enable work to be progressed on the Outline Business Case for works relating to the M49 junction, which will help to maximise the potential for this designated enterprise area.

The Chair then moved to the voting on the recommendations. Voting took place as per constitutional requirements.

The West of England Joint Committee RESOLVED:

1. To approve the Outline Business Case for the Weston General Stores and, should there be urgency, delegate the approval of the Full Business Case to the WECA Chief Executive in consultation with the West of England Chief Executives.

2. To delegate the approval of an Outline Business Case for works in the vicinity of the M49 Junction to the WECA Chief Executive in consultation with the West of England Chief Executives.

3. To approve the change requests for schemes within the Local Growth Fund programme as set out in Appendix 1.

4. In advance of the next meeting of the Joint Committee, to delegate the following to the WECA Chief Executive in consultation with the West of England Chief Executives:

a) Approval of changes to funding profile and programme for schemes within the current Local Growth Fund, Getting Building Fund, Economic Development Fund and Revolving Infrastructure Fund programmes.

b) Approval of the reallocation of funding for schemes in the approved Local Growth Fund/Getting Building Fund programme including swaps with the Economic Development Fund, and exceptionally, the Investment Fund.

5. To  ...  view the full minutes text for item 14.

Report for consideration by the Combined Authority Committee.

The West of England Combined Authority Committee RESOLVED:

1. To approve the Mayoral Budget for 2021-22 together with the funding

contribution from the WECA Budget of £0.645m as set out in Appendix 1.

2. To agree the specific Highways and Transport Capital Grant allocations totalling

£17.572m to the constituent councils for 2021-22 as set out in Appendix 1.

3. To note the Mayoral Fund 2020-21 forecasted revenue outturn as detailed in

Appendix 2.

The WECA Committee considered the Mayoral budget setting report for 2021-22 (agenda item 15).

The Chair highlighted the following aspects of the report and commented as follows:

* The proposed Mayoral budget for 2021-22 was set out at Appendix 1.  The Mayoral Budget covered those functions that fall under the specific responsibility of the Mayor in accordance with the West of England Combined Authority Order 2017. For 2021-22, these functions primarily relate to the payment of highways and transport capital grants to the constituent councils.

* Monitoring against the Mayoral budget is reported to each meeting of the WECA Committee. The current forecasted outturn position for the 2020-21 financial year was set out in Appendix 2.

The recommendations as set out in the published report were then moved by the Chair and seconded by Cllr Romero.

Cllr Romero was supportive of the report.  She commented that in moving forward, she was working on the assumption that there will be the opportunity to consider how the authorities work together and the financial implications around this through some form of governance review.

Cllr Savage welcomed the report and expressed the hope that the new Mayor, when elected, will continue to be lean and efficient in the funding and running of the Mayor’s office.

Mayor Rees supported the report.  He added though that there is likely to be a need to review matters as necessary given the current uncertainties faced due to the pandemic.

The Chair then moved to the voting on the recommendations. Voting took place as per constitutional requirements.

The West of England Combined Authority Committee RESOLVED:

1. To approve the Mayoral Budget for 2021-22 together with the funding

contribution from the WECA Budget of £0.645m as set out in Appendix 1.

2. To agree the specific Highways and Transport Capital Grant allocations totalling

£17.572m to the constituent councils for 2021-22 as set out in Appendix 1.

3. To note the Mayoral Fund 2020-21 forecasted revenue outturn as detailed in

Appendix 2.

Report for consideration by the Combined Authority Committee.

The West of England Combined Authority Committee RESOLVED:

1. To approve a Transport Levy to the constituent councils of £19.5m for 2021/22, with a recharge of £2m applied to North Somerset Council, as detailed in Figure 6.

2. To approve the allocation of £200k from the 2020-21 surplus Treasury Management income to the delivery of the ICT programme of works.

3. To approve the surplus above 2021-22 base budget on Treasury Management income to be transferred to a treasury management reserve to cover the risk of capital losses, volatility of future income returns and lower interest rates payable in future years.

4. To approve the detailed WECA budget for 2021-22 as detailed in Appendix 1.

5. To note the WECA revenue outturn position for 2020-21 as detailed in Appendix 2.

The WECA Committee considered a report seeking approval of the Combined Authority budget 2021-22 (agenda item 16).

The Chair highlighted the following aspects of the report and commented as follows:

* The proposed WECA budget for 2021/22 was set out at Appendix 1.

* Monitoring against the WECA budget was reported to each meeting of the WECA committee. The current forecasted outturn position for the current financial year was set out at Appendix 2.

The recommendations as set out in the published report were then moved by the Chair and seconded by Cllr Savage.

Cllr Romero commented that there was some concern about some contracts, particularly the Park and Ride contract but she was aware also that this matter was being examined currently and could be discussed further as necessary by Mayors and Leaders.

The Chair then moved to the voting on the recommendations. Voting took place as per constitutional requirements.

The West of England Combined Authority Committee RESOLVED:

1. To approve a Transport Levy to the constituent councils of £19.5m for 2021/22, with a recharge of £2m applied to North Somerset Council, as detailed in Figure 6.

2. To approve the allocation of £200k from the 2020-21 surplus Treasury Management income to the delivery of the ICT programme of works.

3. To approve the surplus above 2021-22 base budget on Treasury Management income to be transferred to a treasury management reserve to cover the risk of capital losses, volatility of future income returns and lower interest rates payable in future years.

4. To approve the detailed WECA budget for 2021-22 as detailed in Appendix 1.

5. To note the WECA revenue outturn position for 2020-21 as detailed in Appendix 2.

Report for consideration by the Combined Authority Committee.

The West of England Combined Authority Committee RESOLVED:

1. To approve the Capital Budget as shown in Appendix 1.

2. To approve the Treasury Management Strategy for 2021-22 detailed in Appendix 3.

3. To note the WECA Investment Strategy as shown in Appendix 2.

The WECA Committee considered a report seeking approval of the capital strategy 2021-22 (agenda item 17).

The Chair highlighted the following aspects of the report and commented as follows:

* This report set out the detailed capital budget for 2021/22 and the indicative budget up to 2024/25.

* The WECA Investment Strategy 2019 to 2023 was set out at Appendix 2. This was the approved Investment Strategy detailing the prioritisation, governance and allocation of Investment Funding and Transforming Cities Funding. The current investment programme, which runs up to March 2023, has an overall funding allocation of £350m.

*The full detail of the Treasury Management Strategy for 2021-22 was set out at Appendix 3, setting out the proposals and guidance that the authority will use to manage its daily cash-flow activities during the financial year ahead. 

The recommendations as set out in the published report were then moved by the Chair and seconded by Cllr Romero.

The Chair then moved to the voting on the recommendations. Voting took place as per constitutional requirements.

The West of England Combined Authority Committee RESOLVED:

1. To approve the Capital Budget as shown in Appendix 1.

2. To approve the Treasury Management Strategy for 2021-22 detailed in Appendix 3.

3. To note the WECA Investment Strategy as shown in Appendix 2.

Report for consideration by the Combined Authority Committee.

The West of England Combined Authority Committee RESOLVED:

1. To approve the Feasibility and Development Funding Application for the 10 Year Rail Delivery Plan and award of £470k.

2. To approve the Strategic Outline Business Case for the Winterbourne & Frampton Cotterell and Coalpit Heath & Westerleigh Bypasses.

3. To note the submission of the DfT E-Cycles Extension Fund Bid.

4. To approve the Feasibility and Development Funding Application for the North Fringe Public Infrastructure Package and award of £350k.

5. To delegate the approval of Outline Business Cases through the Development Infrastructure Fund that come forward in advance of the next meeting of the WECA Committee to the WECA Chief Executive in consultation with the Chief Executives of the constituent Councils, subject to fit with the agreed criteria and headroom being available.

6. To approve the Outline Business Case for Bottle Yard Studios – Hawkfield Business Park subject to the completion of a Monitoring and Evaluation Plan with the award of £135k to develop the Full Business Case and an allocation of a further £11.73m

7. To allocate up to £7.56m to Kingswood High Street subject to the award of funding through the Future High Streets programme with the approval of funding delegated to the WECA Chief Executive in consultation with the Chief Executives of the constituent Councils.

8. To approve the Full Business Case for the Innovation for Renewal and Opportunity project and award of £5.716m and to delegate grant giving to the WECA Chief Executive in consultation with the Chief Executives of the constituent Councils.

9. To delegate the approval of the use of the £1m Innovation for Renewal and Opportunity influence fund, to support specific innovation projects which align with the project objectives and outcomes, to the WECA Chief Executive in consultation with the Chief Executives of the constituent Councils.

10. To approve the change requests for schemes within the current programme as set out in Appendix 2.

11. In advance of the next meeting of the WECA Committee, to delegate the approval of changes to funding profile and programme for approved schemes to the WECA Chief Executive in consultation with the Chief Executives of the constituent Councils.

12. To amend the approved capital programme for individual project approvals agreed at the December Committee and within this report.

The Combined Authority Committee considered a report setting out the latest proposed approvals in relation to the Investment Fund (agenda item 18).

The Chair highlighted the following aspects of the report and commented as follows:

* He reminded members that a slightly updated version of the report had been published and was available on the Combined Authority website.  This updated version contains additional explanatory wording and context at paragraph 9 of the report (the section of the report that refers to the Winterbourne & Frampton Cotterell and Coalpit Heath & Westerleigh bypasses).

* As with previous Investment Fund reports, he highlighted the wide range of significant project approvals being taken forward, all of which continue to demonstrate how the Combined Authority is driving forward at pace in delivering significant projects.

* The specific proposals in this report included:

- Development funding applications for the 10 Year Rail Delivery Plan and North Fringe Public Infrastructure projects.

- The Outline Business Case for the Bottle Yard Studios at Hawkfield Business Park in south Bristol

- A funding allocation to match fund the Kingswood Future High Streets bid to government.

* Finally, but importantly, the Investment Fund has been subject to a 5-year government Gateway review process which is now concluding. Throughout this process, the Combined Authority had to provide relevant evidence to successfully pass the Gateway in order to unlock funding for the next 5 years.  This initial Gateway process will formally conclude by March 2021 and it is strongly anticipated that this will result in the release of £150m funding for the next 5 year period. 

The recommendations as set out in the published report were then moved by the Chair and seconded by Cllr Savage.

Mayor Rees welcomed the report, and in particular the recommendation to approve the Outline Business Case for Bottle Yard Studios and the associated funding.  The Bottle Yard studios had been a key factor in encouraging Channel 4 to establish a creative hub in Bristol and will be a major contributor to the region’s economy. Encouraging responses to this investment have been received from Creative England and the British Film Commission; this further adds to the reputation of the region as an area that is a key base for the creative sector.  He also welcomed the recommendation to allocate funding to support Kingswood High Street improvements, recognising the importance of supporting high streets and local centres across the region as they adapt as the pandemic eases.

Cllr Savage welcomed the report and was very pleased to see the recommendation supporting Kingswood High Street improvements, following the Future High Streets fund announcement.  This was the culmination of a very long and competitive bidding process resulting in a government funding award of £12.5m; the further funding from WECA will enable South Gloucestershire to respond positively to the government with assurance that delivery can be maximised.  This will see transformational schemes delivered along Kingswood High Street and will be backed by a report to South Gloucestershire’s Cabinet on 1 February  ...  view the full minutes text for item 18.

Report for consideration by the Combined Authority Committee.

The West of England Combined Authority Committee RESOLVED to agree:

1. That a procurement process be initiated for new local bus service contracts to

 replace those expiring in August 2021.

2. That authority be delegated to the Head of Strategic Transport Integration, in

consultation with Members of the Transport Board, to award new local bus service

contracts to replace those expiring in August 2021.

3. That authority be delegated to the WECA Chief Executive, in consultation with

the Chief Executives of the constituent councils, to agree to take on devolved

emergency funding to support local bus services and associated powers should a

suitable offer be made by Government.

The WECA Committee considered a report providing an update on how the bus network was recovering from the coronavirus emergency, explained possible bus service funding models under consideration by the government, and sought delegated authority to enable urgent decisions to be taken, if necessary, between committee meetings (agenda item 19).

The Chair highlighted the following aspects of the report and commented as follows:

* The report set out the background to the fact that in light of the pandemic and its effects on bus services, the government was considering devolution of the emergency funding arrangements to the Combined Authority as the first step in a transition to a potential formal Enhanced Partnership with local bus operators. 

* The full details of the government’s proposals were awaited.  The report accordingly set out the process for the award of new local bus service contracts to replace those expiring in August 2021 and proposed that authority be delegated to the Combined Authority Chief Executive, in consultation with the Chief Executives of the constituent councils, to take a decision on accepting devolved emergency funding to support local bus services and associated powers should a suitable offer be made by government.

The recommendations as set out in the published report were then moved by the Chair and seconded by Cllr Savage.

Cllr Romero commented that the further detail awaited from the government will be important; whilst the opportunity for greater control over bus services will be welcome, there is also a real concern that with the bus services as they have become during the pandemic, there is a need to avoid ending up in a situation where there is a service in place which has insufficient financial support - additional resource will be essential.  If the Combined Authority does take on additional responsibilities, it will be necessary to ensure that bus service need is assessed, as for example, in rural areas, the need for rural bus services is often pitted against the economics of providing services elsewhere, across towns and cities; it will be important to be mindful of this factor as further detail emerges.

Cllr Savage welcomed the report and commented that it was clear that public transport will have a key role to play post-Covid.  It was important to be pro-active as a Combined Authority in working with the bus companies and understanding future trends, threats and opportunities.  The position will need to be monitored closely and assessed over the next 12 months and beyond.

Mayor Rees commented that whilst greater control over local transport solutions is desirable, it must be adequately resourced.  There is a concern that bus patronage will not recover for some time, which brings additional, significant risk to managing bus services.  Increasing numbers of bus service routes are being seen as unprofitable, therefore a considerable amount of additional government funding will be required to accompany additional responsibilities, so that a comprehensive bus offer can be developed locally.  Whilst supporting the report, there are a number of risks to be  ...  view the full minutes text for item 19.

Report for consideration by the Combined Authority Committee.

The West of England Combined Authority Committee RESOLVED:

1. To approve the proposal to undertake a transport decarbonisation study.

2. To delegate authority to the WECA Director of Infrastructure in conjunction with

Unitary Authority Infrastructure Directors to agree the final scope and

commissioning of the transport decarbonisation study.

The WECA Committee considered a report seeking approval to undertake a study to develop the evidence base for producing a transport decarbonisation Issues and Options paper (agenda item 20).

The Chair highlighted the following aspects of the report and commented as follows:

* The WECA Climate Emergency Action Plan sets a target for the region to be carbon neutral by 2030. For transport, the Action Plan sets out aims to reduce the number of car trips, increase the uptake of low carbon vehicles, increase active travel and the uptake of public transport. There is, however, an evidence gap as to what measures are required and when, in order to achieve carbon neutrality in the region by 2030. To resolve this, it was proposed to undertake a decarbonisation study.

* The study will generate a set of options, each with a proportionate contribution towards the overall 2030 commitment, so that packages of options and their combined impacts can be considered. This will provide the evidence base for decision making on which strategic interventions to progress and take forward to design, consultation and delivery.

The recommendations as set out in the published report were then moved by the Chair and seconded by Mayor Rees.

Mayor Rees commented that it will be important to consider how future transport solutions relate to key planning considerations, including how transport connects to new homes and employment land.

Cllr Romero welcomed the study but stressed there is a need to work at pace; this though is a step in the right direction.

Cllr Savage welcomed the study and the exploration of options to meet our climate emergency and low carbon objectives. He added that the West of England has always been a leader in innovation, including engineering, and he looked forward to the developments that may be produced through this work.  He also welcomed the fact that this work will feed into the wider Western Gateway transport study that recognises how the Combined Authority area interlinks with that wider region and the importance of that regional connectivity to meeting our social, economic and environmental objectives.

Cllr Davies echoed Cllr Savage’s point about linking this work with the wider Western Gateway transport study as it will be important to consider how the study will relate to that wider economic area.

The Chair then moved to the voting on the recommendations. Voting took place as per constitutional requirements.

The West of England Combined Authority Committee RESOLVED:

1. To approve the proposal to undertake a transport decarbonisation study.

2. To delegate authority to the WECA Director of Infrastructure in conjunction with

Unitary Authority Infrastructure Directors to agree the final scope and

commissioning of the transport decarbonisation study.

Details of the decisions taken at this meeting and the draft minutes of this meeting will be published on the West of England Combined Authority website as soon as possible after the meeting.

In closing the meeting, the Chair advised that details of the decisions taken at this meeting and the draft minutes of the meeting would be published as soon as possible on the Combined Authority website. The meeting finished at 1.04 p.m.