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Agenda, decisions and draft minutes

Venue: Council Chamber, Council House, Birmingham City Council, Victoria Square, Birmingham, B1 1BB

Contact: Dan Essex, Governance Services Manager 

Items
No. Item

72.

Apologies for Absence

Presented By: Chair

Decision:

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor George Adamson, Jonathan Browning, Councillor George Duggins, Councillor Steve Eling, Councillor Dennis Harvey, Steve Hollis, David Jamieson, Councillor Tony Johnson, Councillor Izzi Seccombe, Councillor Bob Sleigh, Councillor Michael Stokes and Stewart Towe.

Minutes:

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors George Adamson, Jonathan Browning, Councillor George Duggins, Councillor Steve Eling, Councillor Dennis Harvey, Steve Hollis, David Jamieson, Councillor Tony Johnson, Councillor Izzi Seccombe, Councillor Bob Sleigh, Councillor Michael Stokes and Stewart Towe.

73.

Chair's Remarks

Presented By: Chair

Decision:

(1)       The Mayor congratulated Transport for West Midlands for being awarded City Region Transport Authority of the Year at the National Transport Awards.

 

(2)       The Mayor thanked Mark Taylor for all of his efforts in supporting the WMCA as interim Director of Finance prior to Sean Pearce taking up his position on 16 October.

 

(3)       The Mayor thanked Keith Ireland, who was stepping down from the roles of Clerk and Monitoring Officer on 16 October, for the oversight and guidance he had provided supporting the governance of the WMCA from its inception.

Minutes:

(1)       The Mayor congratulated Transport for West Midlands for being awarded City Region Transport Authority of the Year at the National Transport Awards.

 

(2)       The Mayor thanked Mark Taylor for all of his efforts in supporting the West Midlands Combined Authority as interim Director of Finance prior to Sean Pearce taking up his position on 16 October.

 

(3)       The Mayor thanked Keith Ireland, who was stepping down from the roles of Clerk and Monitoring Officer on 16 October, for the oversight and guidance he had provided supporting the governance of the West Midlands Combined Authority from its inception.

74.

Minutes - 8 September 2017 pdf icon PDF 204 KB

Presented By: Chair

Decision:

The minutes were agreed as a correct record, subject to an amendment to minute no. 51 (‘WMCA Environmental Portfolio Priorities’) to reflect the comments made by Councillor Ian Courts to include buildings within the ‘environment’ thematic priority area.

Minutes:

The minutes were agreed as a correct record, subject to an amendment to minute no. 51 (‘WMCA Environmental Portfolio Priorities’) to reflect the comments made by Councillor Ian Courts to include reference to spatial strategy and place-making within the ‘buildings’ thematic priority area.

75.

The Mayor and WMCA Structures

Presented By: Chair

Decision:

(1)       The appointment of Julie Nugent as Director of Productivity & Skills and Gareth Bradford as Director of Housing & Regeneration be noted.

 

(2)       The election of Tim Pile as chair of the Greater Birmingham & Solihull LEP be noted.

Minutes:

The Mayor updated the board on a number of recent appointments made by the West Midlands Combined Authority. Julie Nugent, currently Chief Executive of the Design & Technology Association, had been appointed Director of Productivity & Skills and Gareth Bradford, currently Deputy Director for Cities & Local Growth with the Department for Communities & Local Government had been appointed Director of Housing & Regeneration.

 

In addition, it was reported that Tim Pile had been appointed chair of the Greater Birmingham & Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership, and that Councillor Ian Ward was expected to be formally appointed Leader of Birmingham City Council on 7 November. The Mayor congratulated all of these individuals on their appointments.

 

Resolved:

 

(1)       The appointment of Julie Nugent as Director of Productivity & Skills and Gareth Bradford as Director of Housing & Regeneration be noted.

 

(2)       The appointment of Tim Pile as chair of the Greater Birmingham & Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership be noted.

76.

Performance Reporting pdf icon PDF 2 MB

Presented By: Chair

Additional documents:

Decision:

The proposed approach to performance reporting incorporating a layered approach be agreed, to include:

 

           Monthly reports on the headline indicators from the WMCA Performance Monitoring Framework, incorporating any updates in the data including any updates on supporting indicators.

 

           A rotating programme of reporting on the different dashboards for each of the portfolio area, reporting on the relevant headline Performance Monitoring Framework indicators, detailed supplementary indicators and information on programme activity in that area.

Minutes:

The board considered a report that provided an update on the evolving approach being developed for performance reporting and management for the West Midlands Combined Authority.

 

The board had previously received a report that outlined the vision, strategic objectives and ‘balance’ outcomes to improve the quality of life of everyone who lived and worked in the West Midlands. This report provided further details on the performance reporting that would be submitted to future meetings, including strategic headline reporting, portfolio reporting, and the integration of the reporting of individual project dashboards. The Mayor welcomed the inclusion within the report of trend data on apprenticeship starts by Local Enterprise Partnership area and employment sector.

 

Tom McNeil, Strategic Advisor to the Police & Crime Commissioner, indicated that the Commissioner was looking forward to opportunities to working with the Mayor’s Office and Transport for West Midlands on transport accident mitigation measures that would benefit the region.

 

Resolved:

 

The proposed approach to performance reporting incorporating a layered approach be agreed, to include:

 

           Monthly reports on the headline indicators from the West Midlands Combined Authority Performance Monitoring Framework, incorporating any updates in the data including any updates on supporting indicators.

 

           A rotating programme of reporting on the different dashboards for each of the portfolio area, reporting on the relevant headline Performance Monitoring Framework indicators, detailed supplementary indicators and information on programme activity in that area.

77.

West Midlands Competitive Positioning Paper pdf icon PDF 349 KB

Presented By: Martin Reeves

Decision:

(1)       The proposed West Midlands Brand Framework (identity system), which was based on a ‘family of brands’ with common features - for example, the hexagon shape - to deliver a unified brand identity for the region be approved.

 

(2)       A robust programme of market testing and equality impact assessments be agreed to be undertaken as part of the final propositions.

 

(3)       The approach that each corporate entity - West Midlands Combined Authority, West Midlands Growth Company, Transport for West Midlands and the Mayor’s Office - develop and finalise individual organisational brands against the principles of the above framework be approved.

 

(4)       The further consumer testing and consultation work to be undertaken by Transport for West Midlands on the non-rail elements of the transport family be supported.

 

(5)       It be agreed that the West Midlands Growth Company work with Local Enterprise Partnerships to finalise brand assets to enable profile at a sub-regional level.

 

(6)       The adoption of the 'Make Your Mark' ident as a key component in providing alignment and demonstrating regional unity, both within the identity framework and beyond via associated partners organisations, be agreed.

 

(7)       The establishment of a Regional Identity & Branding Steering Group, composed of the Mayor (or his nominee), the Chair of the Strategic Economic Plan Board, the Chief Executive of the West Midlands Combined Authority (or her nominee), the Managing Director of Transport for West Midlands and the Chief Executive of the West Midlands Growth Company, to oversee consistency of brand treatment and the effective implementation across ‘the family’, be agreed.

Minutes:

The board considered a report outlining a new regional brand identity framework. It also received a presentation from Roger Pride from Heavenly on the process that was undertaken to identify a brand ‘family’ proposition.

 

The benefits of establishing a brand framework included bringing a clear alignment to the different strands of activity of the combined authority, enabling the promotion of the region and sub-region in a joined-up approach. It was proposed that each organisation within the ‘family’ would take full responsibility for its own branding implementation, although it was expected that full brand alignment would be delivered within a 24-month period.

 

Councillor Ian Ward indicated that Birmingham City Council was starting to look at its brand and image, and the opportunities provided to promote the city and the region to the world if the bid to host the Commonwealth Games in 2022 was successful were considerable and should be fully exploited. He suggested that the new regional brand framework would help with this.

 

Councillor Chris Saint requested that Non-Constituent authorities be included in the development of the branding work. Martin Reeves, Chief Executive of Coventry City Council, explained that all of the Local Enterprise Partnerships had been involved in the development work undertaken to date, and this engagement would now be expanded to specifically include Non-Constituent authorities going forward.

 

Resolved:

 

(1)       The proposed West Midlands Brand Framework (identity system), which was based on a ‘family of brands’ with common features - for example, the hexagon shape - to deliver a unified brand identity for the region be approved.

 

(2)       A robust programme of market testing and equality impact assessments be agreed to be undertaken as part of the final propositions.

 

(3)       The approach that each corporate entity - West Midlands Combined Authority, West Midlands Growth Company, Transport for West Midlands and the Mayor’s Office - develop and finalise individual organisational brands against the principles of the above framework be approved.

 

(4)       The further consumer testing and consultation work to be undertaken by Transport for West Midlands on the non-rail elements of the transport family be supported.

 

(5)       It be agreed that the West Midlands Growth Company work with Local Enterprise Partnerships to finalise brand assets to enable profile at a sub-regional level.

 

(6)       The adoption of the 'Make Your Mark' ident as a key component in providing alignment and demonstrating regional unity, both within the identity framework and beyond via associated partners organisations, be agreed.

 

(7)       The establishment of a Regional Identity & Branding Steering Group, composed of the Mayor (or his nominee), the Chair of the Strategic Economic Plan Board, the Chief Executive of the West Midlands Combined Authority (or her nominee), the Managing Director of Transport for West Midlands and the Chief Executive of the West Midlands Growth Company, to oversee consistency of brand treatment and the effective implementation across ‘the family’, be agreed.

78.

Appointment of WMCA Statutory Officers pdf icon PDF 103 KB

Presented By: Chair

Decision:

The appointment of the statutory officer posts as set out below be confirmed:

 

           Head of Paid Service - Deborah Cadman

           s.151 Officer - Sean Pearce

           Clerk - Tim Martin

           Monitoring Officer - Tim Martin

Minutes:

The board considered a report regarding the appointment of staff to a number of key statutory posts within the West Midlands Combined Authority. The WMCA Board had previously made appointments to these posts whilst it was undertaking recruitment for a permanent Chief Executive and other Director-level positions. It was therefore recognised that these interim appointments would likely be reviewed and re-assigned in due course.

 

Resolved:

 

The appointment of the statutory officer posts as set out below, and effective from 16 October 2017, be confirmed:

 

           Head of Paid Service - Deborah Cadman

           s.151 Officer - Sean Pearce

           Clerk - Tim Martin

           Monitoring Officer - Tim Martin

79.

Forward Plan pdf icon PDF 87 KB

Presented By: Chair

Decision:

The plan of items to be reported to future meetings of the WMCA Board was noted.

Minutes:

The plan of items to be reported to future meetings of the WMCA Board was noted.

80.

Financial Monitoring 2017/18 pdf icon PDF 1 MB

Presented By: Councillor Izzi Seccombe

Decision:

The financial position for August 2017 was noted.

Minutes:

The board considered a report providing an update on the West Midlands Combined Authority finances as at the end of August 2017. The report summarised the revenue and capital financial positions against the approved budget, along with full-year forecasts for the transport, West Midlands Combined Authority operational, Mayoral office, transport delivery capital programme and Investment Programme budgets.

 

Resolved:

 

The financial position for August 2017 be noted.

81.

Independent Evaluation of Local Growth Interventions pdf icon PDF 111 KB

Presented By: Councillor Izzi Seccombe

Decision:

(1)       The work of the National Evaluation Panel and the National Evaluation framework which has been developed for the 11 devolved areas in England be noted.

 

(2)       The interventions proposed for evaluation as detailed in paragraph 2.7, including Coventry City South, Friargate, HS2 Connectivity package, UK Central (local infrastructure) and Land and Property Investment Fund, be approved.

 

(3)       The requirement for further work to be done on identifying the key details of the interventions that are within the scope of the evaluation and that further information will be reported in due course be noted.

Minutes:

The board considered a report on the process and timetable for the evaluation of interventions supported through the Devolution Deal, and on the specific interventions for evaluation.

 

The West Midlands devolution deal provided £36.5m per year in revenue to support an £8bn capital investment programme. The Government established a National Growth Panel to work with all the areas of the country that received a devolution deal to evaluate the impact on local growth of specific interventions that the funding had enabled. This would provide evidence which would help inform the first ‘gateway review’ due for the West Midlands in 2020.

 

The report identified the proposed interventions for evaluation within the West Midlands, being those ones where delivery was anticipated to have led to measurable impacts by 2020. Projects that were scheduled to spend further into the future and which would have only incurred minimal expenditure within the gateway review period would be considered as part of the progress elements of the evaluation.

 

Resolved:

 

(1)       The work of the National Evaluation Panel and the National Evaluation framework which has been developed for the 11 devolved areas in England be noted.

 

(2)       The interventions proposed for evaluation as detailed within the report, including Coventry City South, Friargate, HS2 Connectivity package, UK Central (local infrastructure) and Land and Property Investment Fund, be approved.

 

(3)       The requirement for further work to be done on identifying the key details of the interventions that were within the scope of the evaluation, and that further information would be reported in due course, be noted.

82.

Housing Infrastructure Fund Application

Presented By: Councillor Sean Coughlan

Decision:

The update on the latest position with the Housing Infrastructure Fund application be noted.

Minutes:

The board received an update from Councillor Sean Coughlan on the latest developments regarding the submission of bids for the Housing Infrastructure Fund. The fund totalled £2.3bn and combined authorities were invited to submit bids of up to £250m in value. The West Midlands Combined Authority had submitted four separate bids that, if approved, would deliver a total of 66,000 new housing units. Councillor Sean Coughlan considered this process to have illustrated how partners could work together for the wider benefit of the region, and the Mayor thanked everyone who had been involved in putting the bids together.

 

Resolved:

 

The update on the latest position with the Housing Infrastructure Fund applications be noted.

83.

Skills Progress Update

Presented By: Nick Page

Decision:

The update on the latest developments within the Skills & Productivity workstream be noted.

Minutes:

The board received an update from Nick Page, Chief Executive of Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council, on the latest developments in the work of the Skills & Productivity Commission. Work was being undertaken to develop a more focused plan to bring forward the work of the commission. In addition to this, work was progressing on seeking to gain greater influence over 16-18 funding, and on an automotive skills strategy that would build on the work previously undertaken by the Automotive Skills Council.

 

Councillor Roger Lawrence noted that at a recent meeting of the Local Government Association’s City Regions Board, concern was expressed at the speed of Government decision making within the skills area. The Mayor confirmed that this concern was shared by many and was something he was discussing with mayoral colleagues across the country.

 

Resolved:

 

The update on the latest developments within the Skills & Productivity workstream be noted.

84.

West Midlands Common Approach to Cycling: Bikeshare pdf icon PDF 143 KB

Presented By: Councillor Roger Lawrence

Decision:

(1)       The adoption of a single bikeshare scheme across the WMCA constituent area be approved.

 

(2)       Transport for West Midlands be the lead organisation for a West Midlands Bikeshare scheme.

 

(3)       Any sponsorship for a bikeshare scheme be sourced by the supplier as long as the sponsor qualified as appropriate under WMCA policy.

 

(4)       A single bikeshare scheme that was zero cost to the WMCA be approved and the ability for the WMCA and the supplier to profit share, if the scheme made a profit, be approved.

 

(5)       The integration of the West Midlands Bikeshare scheme with Swift be approved.

 

(6)       The route to procurement recommended by the WMCA Procurement Team be approved.

 

(7)       It be agreed that the WMCA or associated local authorities would not enter into any agreement with a dockless bikeshare supplier.

Minutes:

Councillor Roger Lawrence presented a report advising on the work being undertaken to develop a single approach to cycle hire across the West Midlands.

 

A West Midlands Bikeshare Feasibility Study was commissioned in June tasked with creating recommendations for the operation and demand for a cycle hire scheme in the region. The study recommended that a singular West Midlands approach was taken to deliver a bikeshare scheme, being easier to manage, benefiting from economies of scale and recognising that a significant number of journeys were cross border. The study also concluded that a high quality docked system was more suitable due to operating the scheme in urban centres. Dockless bikeshare systems were still in very early development stages and had implications for streetscape, cycle crime and cluttering.

 

Councillor Roger Lawrence indicated that the bikeshare scheme was likely to start rolling out across the region in April/May 2018. Councillor Ian Ward welcomed this proposal and its opportunity to reduce inactivity. He stressed the importance of ensuring that the cost of hiring the bicycles was not set at a level that would be a barrier to participation for lower income groups. Councillor Peter Butlin looked forward to a successful scheme being rolled out into Non-Constituent authority areas.

 

Resolved:

 

(1)       The adoption of a single bikeshare scheme across the West Midlands Combined Authority constituent area be approved.

 

(2)       Transport for West Midlands be the lead organisation for a West Midlands Bikeshare scheme.

 

(3)       Any sponsorship for a bikeshare scheme be sourced by the supplier as long as the sponsor qualified as appropriate under West Midlands Combined Authority policy.

 

(4)       A single bikeshare scheme that was zero cost to the West Midlands Combined Authority be approved and the ability for it and the supplier to profit share, if the scheme made a profit, be approved.

 

(5)       The integration of the West Midlands Bikeshare scheme with Swift be approved.

 

(6)       The route to procurement recommended by the West Midlands Combined Authority Procurement Team be approved.

 

(7)       It be agreed that the West Midlands Combined Authority or associated local authorities would not enter into any agreement with a dockless bikeshare supplier.

85.

'West Midlands on the Move' Strategic Framework pdf icon PDF 116 KB

Presented By: Councillor Bob Sleigh

Additional documents:

Decision:

(1)       The ‘West Midlands on the Move Strategic Framework 2017-30’ be approved.

 

(2)       The appointment of a Political Physical Activity Champion be approved.

 

(3)       The 2017-19 Delivery Plan and progress made in agreeing the contributions from Constituent Authorities, WMCA and stakeholders be noted.

 

(4)       The proposals for the Strategic Framework’s launch on 16 November 2017 in Coventry be approved.

Minutes:

The board considered a report seeking approval of the ‘West Midlands on the Move’ Physical Activity Strategy Framework 2017-30. The strategy had been developed following extensive consultation with over 35 stakeholders to ensure connectivity, relevance and consistency.

 

The three-Local Enterprise Partnership geography of the combined authority currently had the highest levels of physical inactivity in England, with approximately a third of adults inactive. Achieving the English average levels of activity would lead to an approximate boost to the regional economy of £147m. There were no dedicated resources for the strategic framework and delivery plan’s implementation, and therefore the delivery plan set out proposals for local authorities and stakeholders to work collaboratively on actions and identifying resources. Discussions had also started with funding agencies to explore the potential for additional funding for targeted work.

 

Sarah Norman, Chief Executive of Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council, indicated that the strategy would be launched by the Mayor and Deputy Mayor in Coventry, along with a councillor who would undertake the role of physical activity champion. Councillor Bill Hartnett enquired about the role that Non-Constituent authorities could play in this initiative. Simon Hall, Physical Activity Strategy Lead, indicated that he was meeting with Non-Constituents to establish what work could be undertaken within the framework of the strategy that would add value to that already in progress.

 

Resolved:

 

(1)       The ‘West Midlands on the Move Strategic Framework 2017-30’ be approved.

 

(2)       The appointment of a Political Physical Activity Champion be approved.

 

(3)       The 2017-19 Delivery Plan and progress made in agreeing the contributions from Constituent Authorities, the West Midlands Combined Authority and stakeholders be noted.

 

(4)       The proposals for the Strategic Framework’s launch on 16 November 2017 in Coventry be approved.

86.

West Midlands Mental Health Commission Update pdf icon PDF 142 KB

Presented By: Councillor Bob Sleigh

Decision:

The progress and update on the current position of the West Midlands Mental Health Commission Action Plan and the work undertaken since the launch of the programme on 31 January 2017 be noted.

Minutes:

The board considered a report setting out the first six months of activity undertaken delivering the West Midlands Mental Health Commission Action Plan.

 

The report provided progress updates in respect of each of the thematic programmes contained in the action plan, including the Employment and Employer, Housing First, Criminal Justice Improving Care and Community Engagement work streams. It was proposed that a number of the programmes would be developed with partners across the region.

 

Resolved:

 

The progress and update on the current position of the West Midlands Mental Health Commission Action Plan and the work undertaken since the launch of the programme on 31 January 2017 be noted.

87.

Minutes of the Investment Board - 4 August 2017 pdf icon PDF 126 KB

Presented By: Councillor Izzi Seccombe

Decision:

The minutes were noted.

Minutes:

The board received the minutes of the Investment Board held on 4 August 2017.

 

Resolved:

 

The minutes of the meeting held on 4 August 2017 be noted.

88.

Minutes of the Transport Delivery Committee - 4 September 2017 pdf icon PDF 131 KB

Presented By: Councillor Richard Worrall

Decision:

The minutes were noted.

Minutes:

The board received the minutes of the Transport Delivery Committee held on 4 September 2017. In respect of minute no. 29 (‘Busting Delay on the Bus Network - Bus Stop Rationalisation’), Councillor Richard Worrall noted that the rationalisation of bus stops in the south Birmingham was for a trial period and he hoped that a pragmatic approach would be taken if the trial was seen to be significantly impact that accessibility of the bus network to passengers.

 

Resolved:

 

The minutes of the meeting held on 4 September 2017 be noted.

89.

Minutes of the Overview & Scrutiny Committee - 12 September 2017 pdf icon PDF 160 KB

Presented By: Councillor Peter Hughes

Decision:

The minutes were noted.

Minutes:

The board received the minutes of the Overview & Scrutiny Committee held on 12 September 2017.

 

Councillor Peter Hughes reported that the committee had now appointed two vice-chairs: Councillor Ian Shires (Walsall) and Councillor Claire Spencer (Birmingham). He also noted that a Mental Health Task & Finish Group had been established to look at the work being undertaken to implement the findings of the Mental Health Commission.

 

Tom McNeil, Strategic Advisor to the Police & Crime Commissioner, reported that the Police & Crime Commissioner had noted the discussions of the committee regarding unauthorised encampments, and wished to share with the board that the matter had also been debated in Parliament during the last week. He was currently in discussions with officials to see if stronger powers could be granted which would enable instances of unauthorised encampments to be resolved more quickly in future. Councillor Peter Hughes indicated that the matter would be discussed further at the next meeting of the committee and he would invite the Police & Crime Commissioner to attend.

 

In respect of minute no. 8(iii) (‘Land Commission Task & Finish Group’), Councillor Sean Coughlan reported that he had held a productive meeting with the group and he was looking forward to seeing how it could support the work being done to take the Land Commission’s recommendations forward.

 

Resolved:

 

The minutes of the meeting held on 12 September 2017 be noted.

90.

Minutes of the Audit, Risk & Governance Committee - 15 September 2017 pdf icon PDF 141 KB

Presented By: David Lane

Decision:

The minutes were noted.

Minutes:

The board received the minutes of the Audit, Risk & Assurance Committee held on 15 September 2017.

 

Resolved:

 

The minutes of the meeting held on 15 September 2017 be noted.

91.

Friday 10 November 2017 at 11.00am

Presented By: Chair

Decision:

The date of the next meeting was noted.

Minutes:

The date of the next meeting was noted.

92.

Exclusion of the Public and Press

Presented By: Chair

Decision:

The exclusion of the public and press for the remainder of the meeting was agreed.

Minutes:

Resolved:

 

That, in accordance with s100(A) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public and press be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business as they were likely to involve the disclosure of exempt information specified in paragraph 3 of the Act.

93.

Joint Data Team Contract

Presented By: Councillor Roger Lawrence

Decision:

(1)       Authority be delegated to the Managing Director of Transport for West Midlands and Director of Finance of the West Midlands Combined Authority to appoint suppliers to the Joint Data Team framework contracts for Provisions 1 and 2 (data collection and data platform).

 

(2)       The on-going requirement for constituent WMCA member authorities to continue to allocate budget of £624,100 per annum towards the Joint Data Team Initiative (divided between authorities by mid-level population size), in line with the practice of the last 10 years and with the budget level set at that of the last two years and with further efficiencies to be sought to reduce or avoid costs, be approved.

 

(3)       Efficiencies in the delivery of the Joint Data Team Initiative be released through new ways of working and the in-housing of activity in order to provide new capabilities for improved intelligence to support management of network resilience, performance management, land Use forecasting, to include supplying the tools to enable the easier sharing of intelligence between WMCA partners in support of the Policy Research Plan (endorsed at WMCA Board 23 June 2017) and in line with the developing wider approach to data and intelligence.

 

(4)       The procurement strategy and on-going work to secure the development of a replacement transport modelling capability for the current PRISM model that would enable continued business case development, operation of the DEIM investment policy tool and support the testing of policy impacts on the transport network (such as Local Plan evidence bases) be noted.

Minutes:

Councillor Roger Lawrence presented a report providing an update on the proposed procurement of contracts to support the Joint Data Team initiative, the financial requirements and how the work would support wider activities within the West Midlands Combined Authority.

 

Resolved:

 

(1)       Authority be delegated to the Managing Director of Transport for West Midlands and Director of Finance & Investments of the West Midlands Combined Authority to appoint suppliers to the Joint Data Team framework contracts for Provisions 1 and 2 (data collection and data platform).

 

(2)       The on-going requirement for Constituent member authorities to continue to allocate budget of £624,100 per annum towards the Joint Data Team Initiative (divided between authorities by mid-level population size), in line with the practice of the last 10 years and with the budget level set at that of the last two years and with further efficiencies to be sought to reduce or avoid costs, be approved.

 

(3)       Efficiencies in the delivery of the Joint Data Team Initiative be released through new ways of working and the in-housing of activity in order to provide new capabilities for improved intelligence to support management of network resilience, performance management, land use forecasting, to include supplying the tools to enable the easier sharing of intelligence between West Midlands Combined Authority partners in support of the Policy Research Plan (endorsed at WMCA Board 23 June 2017) and in line with the developing wider approach to data and intelligence.

 

(4)       The procurement strategy and on-going work to secure the development of a replacement transport modelling capability for the current PRISM model that would enable continued business case development, operation of the DEIM investment policy tool and support the testing of policy impacts on the transport network (such as Local Plan evidence bases) be noted.

94.

Commonwealth Games 2022 Update

Presented By: Martin Reeves

Decision:

The report be noted.

Minutes:

The board received an update from Stella Manzie, interim Chief Executive of Birmingham City Council, on the latest developments regarding Birmingham’s bid to host the Commonwealth Games in 2022. Meetings were being held with organisations and stakeholders throughout the region to ensure all partners were aware how the bid was progressing. Positive discussions had also been held with the Department for Culture, Media & Sport ahead of the final decision on the host city to be made by the Commonwealth Games Federation later in the year.

 

Resolved:

 

The report be noted.