Agenda and decisions

Apologies for absence were received from Anita Bhalla (Greater Birmingham & Solihull LEP), Councillor Ian Brookfield (Wolverhampton), Councillor Brigid Jones (Birmingham), Councillor Shaun Davies (Telford & Wrekin), Councillor Olivia Lyons (Cannock Chase), Councillor Izzi Seccombe (Warwickshire) and Sarah Windrum (Coventry & Warwickshire LEP).

The Chair welcomed Deborah Hindson (Walsall) and Paul Johnson (Solihull) who were attending their first board meeting following their appointments as Interim Chief Executive of their respective authorities.

The Chair noted that Councillor Ian Brookfield was currently undergoing a period of ill health and, on behalf of the board, offered his best wishes to him for a full recovery.

Agreed as a correct record.

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

The update was noted.

(1)      The WMCA consolidated revenue budget was approved, including:

(a)      the budget requirement for transport delivery in 2023/24 comprising three elements:

(i)       £119.4m to be funded from the existing transport levy mechanism;

(ii)       use of £4.7m business rates retention income;

(iii)      a transfer from earmarked reserves of £9.2m.

(b)      the budget requirement for portfolio delivery in 2023/24 of £170.4m comprising of six elements:

(i)       £140.6m adult education (including level 3) spending to be funded from adult education budget funding devolved by the Department for Education;

(ii)       £16.1m to be funded from other devolution deal grants;

(iii)      £1.3m to be funded from other income, notably investments;

(iv)      £4.6m to be funded from constituent authority fees (fees to remain at the same level as 2022/23);

(v)      £400,000 to be funded from non-constituent authority and observer fees (fees to remain at the same level as 2022/23);

(vi)      Use of £7.3m business rates retention income.

(2)      The Mayoral Office budget for 2023/24 of £900,000, to be funded from additional mayoral capacity funding, was approved.

(3)      The first year (2023/24) of the indicative WMCA capital programme, totalling £805.1m, was approved, noting the indicative onward programme thereafter.

(4)      The planned spend on the investment programme over the period was noted.

(5)      It was noted that there would be no mayoral precept during 2023/24.

(6)      The WMCA’s ongoing commitment to work with the Mayor and leaders of constituent authorities to discuss future funding for the WMCA during 2023, including the need to review local choice transport policies was noted.

(7)      Authority was delegated to the Director of Finance & Business Hub, in consultation with the Portfolio Lead for Finance, to make any final changes that may result from the final local government finance settlement.

(8)      The following policies and strategies, which contained items as required by statute, were approved:

(a)      the WMCA Treasury Management Policy Statement;

(b)      the WMCA Treasury Management Strategy, including the 2023/24 Investment Strategy and criteria for specified and non-specified investments.

(c)      the WMCA Treasury Management Practice; and

(d)      the WMCA Capital Strategy and Minimum Revenue Provision Statement.

(e)      the WMCA Pay Policy Statement.

The progress made was noted and supported.

(1)      The feedback from the public engagement on the draft Local Transport Plan Core Strategy was noted.

(2)      The new Local Transport Plan Core Strategy was agreed as the firm policy tone and direction within which the remaining Local Transport Plan components would be developed.

(3)      The Local Transport Plan ‘Big Moves’ documents, setting out key policies, principles and initiatives needed to deliver the aims of the Local Transport Plan were approved for public consultation.

(4)      The development of the Area Strategy guidance was noted, and Transport for West Midlands and local authorities committed to progressing the development of a set of four Area Strategy documents using the guidance, including the development of a Local Transport Plan Implementation Plan (in order to fulfil Government requirements for local transport plans).

The minutes were noted.

The minutes were noted.

The minutes were noted.

The minutes were noted.

The minutes were approved.

The minutes were approved.

The minutes were approved.

[In accordance with s100(A) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public and press be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business as it is likely to involve the disclosure of exempt information as specified in paragraphs 2 and 3 of the Act.]

The public and press were excluded from the remainder of the meeting.

The update was noted.

Friday 17 March 2023 at 11.00am