Issue - meetings

(1)       The Mayoral Q&A event held with members of the Overview & Scrutiny Committee on 12 December 2018 was noted; and also noted was:

(a)       The committee’s views on the need for the WMCA to engage with Overview & Scrutiny Committee in the process to develop the budget, and that the consultation timescales should allow the committee to review the draft budget proposals in sufficient time to enable it to undertake its role effectively.

(b)       The committee’s comments and observations on how the WMCA measured the effectiveness and impact of how it allocated its resources.

(2)       The recommendations of Overview & Scrutiny Committee arising from the Mayoral Q&A event (section 5 of the report) were approved as set out below:

(a)       The WMCA should seek to establish a robust budget consultation process for future annual budgets, which built in and ensured adequate time for proper scrutiny. It should also consider the use of innovative ways to consult with residents and the younger generation of the West Midlands (eg. live streaming consultation events) which could help raise the general awareness and profile of the WMCA.

(b)       The current performance framework should align with the budget framework to enable the outputs and achievements to be seen, with Overview & Scrutiny Committee to be engaged in the development of future performance management frameworks, including pre-scrutiny consideration of the proposed report on performance management/delivery monitoring due to be considered by the WMCA Board on 8 February 2019.

(c)        The Transport for West Midlands’ performance data was currently reviewed by Transport Delivery Committee on a regular basis, however it was considered that the Overview & Scrutiny Committee’s Budget Working Group should review transport performance data, on an exception basis, and question how it related to budget spend.

(d)       WMCA to establish a policy document that defined its approach to the delivery of social housing and that also identified the percentage of social housing and affordable housing it wished to achieve within the West Midlands area.

(e)       In addition to social value and procurement, when making investments the WMCA should also look at a number of other measures including equality and diversity, inclusive growth and environmental improvement to achieve a carbon neutral environment. These key issues should therefore be included in any project appraisal process.

(f)        The review of the Ring and Ride service, including the integration of other forms of local transport schemes (including community/hospital transport) be prioritised for consideration during 2019/20, rather than being a ‘medium term’ aim. The Board should note that the Overview & Scrutiny Committee would be happy to support the portfolio holder and Transport Delivery Committee in trying to achieve this.

(g)       WMCA to give priority to developing an Arts & Culture Strategy and Physical Activity Strategy, to establish unique selling points for the region, which set it apart from its peers, reflected its diverse nature, achieved physical/mental health benefits and built on the success of achieving the Commonwealth Games and City of Culture to the area.

(3)       The following questions being asked of the  ...  view the full decision text for item 15.