Decisions

The date of the next meeting was noted.

The minutes were noted.

The minutes were noted.

The minutes were approved.

The minutes were noted.

The minutes were noted.

The minutes were noted.

(1)       The approach to investing in cycling and walking in the West Midlands and for raising the profile of cycling and walking through effective leadership was endorsed.

(2)       Capital investment was to be focused on the corridors and zones identified by local authorities, as set out in the West Midlands Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan.

(3)       The transition to a West Midlands cycle brand for future cycling initiatives in the West Midlands was endorsed.

(1)       The establishment of a Youth Combined Authority, as recommended by the WMCA Leadership Commission, was approved.

(2)       Investment of £50,000 to support the establishment of a Youth Combined Authority was approved.

(3)       It was agreed that the Youth Combined Authority would have Observer status on WMCA Board.

(4)       It was noted that this investment contributed to meeting recommendation 5a of the WMCA’s Leadership Commission report.

(1)       The consolidated revenue budget monitoring position as at 31 December 2018 was noted;

(2)       The West Midlands Combined Authority consolidated revenue budget was approved, including:

(a)       the budget requirement for transport delivery 2019/20 comprising two elements:

(i)         £114.7m a year to be funded from the existing transport levy mechanism; and

(ii)        a transfer from earmarked reserves of £1.0m.

(b)       the West Midlands Combined Authority operational budget requirement for 2019/20 of £103.1m comprising of six elements:

(i)         £84.2m Adult Education spending to be funded for the first time from Adult Education Budget funding devolved by the Department for Education;

(ii)        £10.6m to be funded from other devolution deal grants;

(iii)       £4.6m to be funded from Constituent Authority fees (fees to remain at the same level as 2018/19);

(iv)       £0.4m to be funded from Non-Constituent Authority and Observer fees (fees to remain at the same level as 2018/19);

(v)        £2.2m to be funded from other income; and

(vi)       a transfer from reserves of £1.1m.

(3)       The Mayoral Office budget for 2019/20 of £0.8m, to be funded from existing Mayoral capacity funding of £0.8m, was approved.

(4)       It was noted that the Mayor had indicated that there would be no mayoral precept during the remainder of his current term of office.

(5)       The Summary Capital Programme was approved.

(6)       The planned spend on the Investment Programme over the 5 year period was noted.

(7)       The West Midlands Combined Authority indicative 5 year Medium Term Financial Plan was noted.

(8)       Surplus cash balances generated from the Collective Investment Fund were approved to be used to support the West Midlands Combined Authority operational budget, thus minimising Constituent and Non-Constituent Authority contributions.

(9)       Authority was delegated to the Interim Director of Finance in consultation with the Portfolio Lead for Finance & Investments to make any final changes that may result from the final Local Government Finance Settlement;

(10)     The following policies and strategies were approved, as required by statute:

(a)       the West Midlands Combined Authority Pay Policy Statement;

(b)       the West Midlands Combined Authority Treasury Management Strategy; and

(c)        the West Midlands Combined Authority Prudential Indicators, Minimum Revenue Provision Strategy and Capital Strategy.

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

The minutes of the meeting were agreed.

(a)       Councillor Steven Claymore (Tamworth)

Members observed a minute’s silence following the recent death of WMCA Board and Housing & Land Delivery Board member Councillor Steven Claymore.

(b)       Mayoral Statement

The Mayor made a personal statement regarding social media comments published in his name during the previous day.

(c)        Future Governance of the West Midlands Fire Service

The Mayor referred members to a briefing note circulated earlier in the week setting out the latest position regarding the proposed governance changes for the West Midlands Fire Service. A full report would be submitted to the next meeting of the WMCA Board on 22 March.

Apologies for absence were received from Jonathan Browning (Coventry & Warwickshire LEP), Councillor Steve Eling (Sandwell), Councillor David Humphreys (North Warwickshire), Councillor Julie Jackson (Nuneaton & Bedworth), Councillor Peter Nutting (Shropshire), Councillor Michael Stokes (Rugby), Stewart Towe (Black Country LEP) and Councillor Ian Ward (Birmingham).