Agenda and minutes

The Chair welcomed the Mayor and members of the committee to the first mayoral question time of 2022/23 that would be focussing on WMCA policy-related matters.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Mike Chalk (Worcestershire Non-Constituent Local Authorities), Councillor Ellen Fenton (Association of Black Country Authorities), Councillor Paul Sweet (City of Wolverhampton Council) and Amanda Tomlinson (Black Country LEP).

The committee pursued a number of general lines of enquiry with the Mayor, including the cost of living pressures, economy, local enterprise partnerships, environment, skills and transport.

The committee questioned the Mayor on the impact of the Government’s economic policies on businesses, individuals and families within the region.  The Government’s action to help address the cost of living pressures by providing energy support to individuals and small businesses was welcomed by the Mayor, but he expressed his disappointment at the wider impacts of the uncertainty caused within financial markets.  In addition, he highlighted the WMCA’s activity to help support the region through negotiations with transport operators on the cost of fares and the decision not to impose a precept. The WMCA also continued to lobby the Government for sustainable local funding.

In terms of the WMCA’s ‘ambitions versus resource’, the impact on the capital programme due to inflationary pressures was recognised and with regards to the Trailblazer Devolution Deal, the WMCA had made it clear to Government that resources would be required in order to achieve successful outcomes. 

The committee commended the WMCA on the work undertaken to help address rough sleeping within the region. It was recognised that, as a region, further improvement needed to be made to the sufficient supply of affordable and social homes, and as part of the Trailblazer Devolution Deal the WMCA would be seeking the devolution of further funding for this.

Members explored questions regarding the economy, including the introduction of the West Midlands Investment Zones and the future of a Gigafactory facility at Coventry Airport.  The Mayor emphasised the Government’s commitment for this proposal and the search for a private operator continued.  In addition, he shared his thoughts on planning and environmental regulations and the potential funding mechanism for future Investment Zones. 

In response to a question raised regarding the Levelling Up & Regeneration Bill and future plans for the Police & Crime Commissioner and the West Midlands Fire Authority, the Mayor shared his personal view on the benefits of a combined role, although he had previously indicated to the WMCA Board that he did not consider that this issue would arise during his current term of office.

In terms of the region’s local enterprise partnerships, there were many ways in which the business community could influence and input into the WMCA’s decision making processes through its membership on the Economic Impact Group, Regional Business Council and on other WMCA boards and committees.  The committee noted the collaboration work currently ongoing to ensure that the business voice continued to be heard within the WMCA’s decision making processes.

The committee enquired about the withdrawal of bus services, in particular school services in Coventry, which was believed to be because of driver shortages.  The Mayor explained that public consultation on changes to services on 1 January 2023 was currently underway that may lead to potential changes on routes, however this was due to the financial sustainability of services and not driver shortages.  In terms of subsidised services,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 99.

Monday 7 November 2022 at 10.00am

Monday 7 November 2022 at 10.00am