Agenda item

(including Transport Budget Commentary - Transport Delivery Committee - Councillor Richard Worrall)

The committee considered a report of the Scrutiny Lead Officer, West Midlands Combined Authority on the findings of the scrutiny process and recommendations for the WMCA Board to consider both in terms of this year’s budget and suggestions for ways in which the process could be improved for next financial year.  The WMCA Board considered the draft budget on 12 January 2018.  At this meeting, the Board was minded not to support the Mayor’s proposed precept.

Overview & Scrutiny Committee held the first Question Time with the Mayor on 24 January 2018 and were able to question him on the Mayoral Precept and other elements of the proposed budget.  A report on the findings of the committee would be submitted to the WMCA Board on 9 February 2018 for consideration.

Following the Mayors Question Time, the committee requested additional information in relation to the Funding for Growth Programme (full membership, the project team supporting the programme and dates of meetings together with attendance, minutes and decisions made), which would help it to form its recommendations to the WMCA Board. 

The committee noted the late submission of this information, which might otherwise have supported the justification for a Mayoral precept.  The process in which constituent authorities had been consulted and the route in which it was agreed to have a Mayoral precept was considered by the committee to be lacking the proper levels of openness and transparency.

Councillor Izzy Seccombe provided an overview of the budget and the ambitions of the West Midlands Combined Authority.  She shared the concerns of colleagues in respect of the late submission of information and noted that there were a number of lessons to be learned about the process and how it could be improved in future years. 

Councillor Izzy Seccombe explained how the Funding for Growth Panel had been established, its membership and how this had been formed.  The Panel had investigated a number of alternative funding sources, however there was an issue in respect of time constraints and the decision to have a Mayoral precept was the very last option considered.

Councillor Izzy Seccombe commented that the ability to come together as a West Midlands Combined Authority had already proved to be beneficial for the region and asked colleagues to recognise the benefits and ambitions of the WMCA Board.

As the committee considered that the budget process this year was unsatisfactory, it was proposed that Overview & Scrutiny Committee commission a lessons learnt report and establish a Task & Finish group to review the process.

The committee considered a response to transport queries that were raised at the Overview & Scrutiny Budget Task & Finish Group on 15 January.  In respect of Transport for West Midlands (TfWM) branding and the capital investment of £1.8m that had been set-aside, Councillor Steve Simkins questioned whether this expenditure was a key priority for the citizens of the West Midlands.

The Director of Finance confirmed that the purpose of the £1.8m was for the future rebranding of TfWM and the money had been placed in reserves to be drawn down as and when required.   He indicated that the amount expected to be used for the rebranding of TfWM was approx. £1m and the balance was to be used for future investment opportunities as they arise.

With regards to Brexit, it was considered that there was a need to understand the effect of Brexit on the West Midlands economy.  The committee sought assurances that sufficient work had been undertaken on the risks of Brexit, and their impact on the work and ambitions of the West Midlands Combined Authority.

The committee also expressed concern at the level of resource to support the scrutiny function within the West Midlands Authority.  A dedicated Scrutiny Officer post for the Authority had been incorporated into the draft budget for 2018/19, although it was considered that this level of resource was inadequate to undertake effective scrutiny.  Councillor Richard Worrall considered that there should be a review of members’ allowances and officer support to the Transport Delivery Committee, which included looking at member workloads, and possible re-distribution of staff support.

Resolved

(1)   The WMCA Board be recommended to commence budget discussions with Constituent Authorities much earlier in future financial years to allow sufficient time for open discussion and the development of proposals, with a suggestion, that these discussions commence in September of each year;

(2)   That the Chair and Vice-Chairs of the committee be delegated authority to review the information received from the Mayoral Office and agree the substantive report and recommendations to be submitted to WMCA Board on 9 February 2018.