Agenda and decisions

Venue: Council Chamber, Walsall Metropolitan Borough Council, Council House, Lichfield Street, Walsall, WS1 1TW

Contact: Dan Essex, Governance & Scrutiny Manager 

Media

Items
No. Item

1.

Apologies for Absence

Presented By: Chair

Decision:

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Joe Baker (Telford & Wrekin), Councillor Cathy Bayton (West Midlands Fire & Rescue Authority), Councillor John Cotton (Birmingham), Councillor Ian Davison (Warwick), Simon Foster (Police & Crime Commissioner), Councillor Peter Hughes (Sandwell), Councillor Tony Johnson (Cannock Chase), Councillor Susan Juned (Stratford-on-Avon), Councillor Abdul Khan (Coventry) and Councillor Bob Sleigh (Solihull).

3.

Chair's Remarks

Presented By: Chair

Decision:

The Chair’s comments were noted.

4.

Minutes - 15 November 2024 pdf icon PDF 181 KB

Presented By: Chair

Decision:

Agreed as a correct record, subject to an amendment to minute no. 31 to indicate that Councillor Adrian Andrew and Councillor Kerry Murphy both abstained from voting on resolution (1) of the Bus Reform (Part B) - Bus Delivery Option Assessment item, considered by the WMCA Board on 19 July 2024.

5.

Regional Activity & Delivery Update

Presented By: Chair

Decision:

The update on recent activity and delivery was noted.

6.

Bus Franchising: Audit Outcome and Decision To Consult pdf icon PDF 159 KB

[Please note that appendices 3 and 4 are exempt and have been circulated in a separate pack to the agenda.]

Presented By: Chair

Decision:

(1)      The outcome of the Full Franchising Assessment Audit undertaken by the appointed Independent Auditor was endorsed.

 

(2)      The revised Full Franchising Assessment was approved.

 

(3)      The proposed draft franchising scheme was approved.

 

(4)      The progression of the franchising scheme to consultation, in accordance with the provisions of s123E - 123G of the Transport Act 2000, was approved.

 

(5)      It was approved that the consultation would run between 6 January - 30 March 2025 and that the relevant documentation would be published to support the consultation.

 

(6)      The Executive Director for Transport for West Midlands was given delegated authority to make any necessary minor changes to the documentation needed to conduct the consultation.

7.

Extension of the West Midlands Innovation Accelerator and West Midlands Innovation Board Priorities pdf icon PDF 262 KB

Presented By: Chair

Decision:

(1)      The adapted role of the West Midlands Innovation Board and proposed steps to refresh its membership, following the call for experts for WMCA taskforces, was agreed.

 

(2)      It was agreed that the prioritisation of funding for the Innovation Accelerator Extension be considered and endorsed by the Innovation Board prior to final agreement by the Executive Director for Strategy, Economy & Net Zero, in consultation with the Section 73 Officer and the Monitoring Officer.

8.

Investment Board - 11 November 2024 pdf icon PDF 163 KB

Presented By: Councillor Peter Hughes

9.

Audit, Risk & Assurance Committee - 18 November 2024 pdf icon PDF 161 KB

Presented By: Mark Smith

Decision:

The minutes were noted.

10.

Overview & Scrutiny Committee - 25 November 2024 pdf icon PDF 186 KB

Presented By: Councillor Andrew Burrow

Decision:

The minutes were noted.

11.

Audit, Risk & Assurance Committee - 5 December 2024 pdf icon PDF 152 KB

Presented By: Mark Smith

Decision:

The minutes were noted.

12.

Forward Plan pdf icon PDF 133 KB

Presented By: Chair

Decision:

The forward plan was noted.

15.

Date of Next Meeting

Presented By: Chair

Decision:

Friday 10 January 2025 at 11.00am.