This week in West of England Combined Authority:

Future Places Fund Sparks Debate: £130 Million for Homes, But Who Benefits?

The West of England Combined Authority Overview & Scrutiny Committee met on Monday 19 October 2026, with the ambitious Future Places Fund taking centre stage. This £130 million initiative, designed to unlock stalled housing and commercial projects, has drawn both praise for its potential to boost housing supply and scrutiny over its governance and the ultimate beneficiaries of public investment.

Unlocking Stalled Sites: A £130 Million Investment

The Future Places Fund is a significant intervention aimed at tackling the housing crisis by addressing market failures that prevent new developments from proceeding. Comprising £45 million from the government's Brownfield Housing Fund, £20 million from the Transforming City Regions (TCR) budget, and £65 million in borrowing, the fund is intended to grow to around £1 billion through further investment discussions.

The core principle is to use public money to de-risk projects that would otherwise not get off the ground. This could mean new homes, including much-needed affordable housing, and commercial spaces that create jobs. However, the scale of the investment and the focus on projects with market failure have raised questions about how the fund will be managed and whether it will truly serve the public interest.

Councillor Toby Wells raised concerns about the potential for high levels of borrowing, asking for reassurance that the fund would not simply become a subsidy for private developers. In response, officers emphasised the revolving nature of the fund, meaning public money will be reinvested, and stressed that interventions would only occur where there is a clear demonstration of market failure. The process for investment will be robust, involving an appointed investment advisor and an investment board, with unitary authorities participating.

Local Transport: Potholes and Pavements Get a Boost, But Is It Enough?

The committee also addressed the Local Transport Delivery Plan, with a particular focus on highway maintenance. An investment of £215 million through the TCR programme has been allocated to the Pothole and Pavement Fund, representing a £40 million uplift from previous funding. This is a welcome increase, especially given the widespread concern about the state of our roads and pavements.

However, concerns were voiced that this funding might still be insufficient to address the full extent of the maintenance backlog. Analysis from local authorities suggests that the allocation may not be enough to keep highways in their current state, let alone address structural issues and damage caused by climate change. While individual councils can explore additional funding through borrowing or capital reserves, the scale of the problem means that this increased allocation, while positive, may not be a silver bullet. The Authority is also supporting unitary authorities in applying for the Department for Transport's structures fund for bridges and overpasses.

Climate and Ecology: Embedding Green Ambitions

Progress on the West of England Climate and Ecological Strategy and Action Plan was reviewed. The current approach is to embed climate resilience and nature recovery across all combined authority activities, rather than through a siloed department. A climate resilience action plan is being developed, with the Environment Advisory Board tasked with monitoring progress. Nature recovery is being integrated into the Strategic Development Strategy (SDS), and efforts are underway to make the transport network more sustainable. The £5 million Nature Recovery Fund and the £500,000 Green Energy Fund are also contributing to these efforts.

Councillor Jerome Thomas highlighted the importance of this work, particularly in light of recent extreme weather events, and questioned how progress would be reported and the strategy updated to reflect the changing environment. The approach of embedding climate action across all directorates was explained, with the Environment Advisory Board acting as a central point for monitoring.

Data Lab Fund: Investing in Evidence for Better Decisions

The Data Lab Fund was discussed, with proposed expenditure of £700,000 this year and a further £1.5 million planned. While acknowledging that the benefits might appear vague at this stage, it was explained that the fund aims to improve the quality of data available to the combined authority. This enhanced data is crucial for understanding the region's strengths and challenges, supporting evidence-based decision-making, and ensuring the effective spending of public money. This is seen as a significant investment at the heart of the organisation's future operations, particularly as the Authority prepares for greater fiscal devolution.

Organisational Improvement: Building Capacity for the Future

An update was provided on the Organisational Improvement Programme (OIP) and the implementation of the authority's new target operating model (TOM). The programme has moved into its delivery and embedding phase, playing a key role in the authority achieving established mayoral strategic authority status. The OIP aims to strengthen governance, performance management, and organisational effectiveness. The TOM's phase three will focus on organisational culture, workforce capability, and preparation for further devolution. The OIP is evolving into a permanent continuous improvement programme and transformation function, ensuring the authority is ready for increased responsibilities.

Other Matters

The committee also reviewed its work plan, noting upcoming briefings on Transforming City Regions (TCR) funding, bus reform, and the Skills Strategy. Discussions also touched upon the implementation of the Devolution and Community Empowerment Act 2026, which will establish Local Scrutiny Committees.

• West of England Combined Authority Overview & Scrutiny Committee meeting on Monday 19 October 2026

This week in West of England Combined Authority:

Council Overhauls Constitution Amidst Calls for Greater Transparency and Public Input

The West of England Combined Authority Audit Committee met on Monday 28 September 2026, grappling with significant proposed changes to the Authority's Constitution. The discussions, which included robust public input, centred on how decisions are made, who holds power, and how accessible local government is to its residents. A key point of contention was the proposed change to the Audit Committee's chair, moving from an elected member to an independent appointee, a move many felt would undermine democratic accountability.

Overhauling Governance: A Constitution in Flux

The committee spent considerable time reviewing proposed amendments to the West of England Combined Authority Constitution. This comprehensive review, led by Steve Hellard, Deputy Monitoring Officer, aims to update governance arrangements to reflect the Authority's evolving role and the wider devolution agenda. The proposed changes touch upon everything from the Authority's functions and committee terms of reference to standing orders and financial regulations.

For residents, these changes are crucial as they shape how decisions are made, how public money is spent, and how accessible local government is. The proposed amendments aim to improve transparency and understanding of the Authority's governance, but concerns were raised that some changes could inadvertently reduce public scrutiny and participation.

Public Voice Amplified: Supplementary Questions and Openness

A significant debate erupted over the proposed changes to public participation rules. Members of the public who spoke during the meeting strongly advocated for the right to ask supplementary questions during public forums, a practice currently not allowed. One speaker argued, The public needs to be able to scrutinize decisions being made and they also need to have trust in the senior officers. The current proposal to maintain the ban on supplementary questions was met with strong opposition, with many councillors echoing the sentiment that it hinders genuine public engagement and accountability.

The committee ultimately voted to maintain its previous stance that an elected member should chair the Audit Committee, rejecting the proposal for an independent chair. This decision underscores a commitment to democratic accountability, ensuring that those overseeing the Authority's finances and governance are directly accountable to the electorate.

Financial Health and Future Planning: A Mixed Picture

Grant Thornton UK LLP presented their interim auditor's annual report for the year ending 31 March 2026. The report indicated tangible improvements in the Authority's value for money arrangements, moving from significant weaknesses to effective arrangements in governance and efficiency. However, it also highlighted areas for improvement.

• Financial Sustainability: While the Authority achieved a surplus, forecasts suggest reserves could fall below the recommended minimum by 2030/31. This is partly due to a reliance on investment income, and the report recommends strengthening medium-term financial planning by identifying sustainable income sources. For residents, this could mean future pressure on services if financial resilience is not adequately addressed.
• Governance: Improvements were noted, but the report still identified areas for enhancement, particularly in the inclusiveness of reporting to and engagement with the Audit Committee. This directly impacts how effectively the committee can scrutinise decisions and how well residents' concerns are heard.
• Economy, Efficiency and Effectiveness: This area received a positive green rating, indicating effective arrangements.

The report made six improvement recommendations, including strengthening financial planning, using cost monitoring for major projects, embedding new governance arrangements, developing strong relationships with stakeholders, completing the outcomes framework, and introducing regular reporting of procurement waivers.

Appointing New Talent to Strengthen Oversight

The committee endorsed the recommendation to appoint John Cappock as a new independent member of the Audit Committee. This appointment aims to bring additional expertise to the committee's oversight functions, which is crucial for ensuring robust governance and financial stewardship.

• West of England Combined Authority Audit Committee meeting on Monday 28 September 2026

Other matters

The committee also discussed the recruitment of a new independent member for the Audit Committee, ultimately recommending John Cappock for the role.

This week in West of England Combined Authority:

Council Navigates Global Uncertainty and Seeks New Opportunities

The West of England Combined Authority Audit Committee met on Monday 14 September 2026, tackling critical issues from global economic uncertainty to the identification of new strategic opportunities. The committee reviewed the authority's risk and opportunity registers, internal audit progress, and the ongoing Organisational Improvement Programme, all of which have direct implications for the services residents receive and the future direction of the region.

Managing Global Economic Uncertainty: A Top Corporate Risk

The authority's Corporate Risk Register currently lists seven principal corporate risks, with Global Economic Uncertainty (CRR6) remaining the only risk above the authority's approved risk appetite. This risk is driven by external geopolitical and economic factors, including inflationary pressures and potential impacts on funding. While mitigations are in place, such as robust financial governance and ongoing monitoring, the fact that this risk remains elevated means that the authority must remain vigilant. For residents, this could translate into potential pressures on council budgets, which in turn could affect the delivery of services or the scale of future projects. The committee noted that while the risk is being managed, its residual level is considered appropriate given the circumstances, but the authority hopes to see its likelihood reduced in the coming quarters.

Embracing New Opportunities: Devolution and New Towns

The Corporate Opportunity Register has seen the identification of two significant new opportunities: Rewiring the State / Devolution Reform (COP20) and New Town Programme Delivery (COP21). These emerging opportunities present substantial strategic potential, offering the chance for greater powers, funding, and local decision-making. However, they also require careful assessment of their implications for governance, capacity, and capability. For residents, successful devolution could mean more local control over services and investment, potentially leading to better outcomes tailored to regional needs. The New Town Programme Delivery offers the chance to shape future communities, impacting housing, infrastructure, and economic growth. The authority is actively assessing these opportunities and their associated implications.

Internal Audit Delivers Assurance on Key Programmes

Internal Audit provided a progress report on its work for the financial year 2026/27. Key areas of focus included the completion of planned work, grant certification totalling approximately £1.9 million, and follow-up on previous audit recommendations. The committee was assured that good progress is being made on the annual audit plan. A standalone audit review of the Organisational Improvement Programme (OIP) is underway, assessing its governance, oversight, and risk management. This is crucial for ensuring that the significant investment in improving the authority's operations is effective and delivering value for money. The committee also heard that only one audit, relating to the Mobility as a Service (MaaS) project management, had outstanding recommendations, which are being addressed with the new Director of Transport Programmes.

Organisational Improvement Programme: Maturing for the Future

The Organisational Improvement Programme (OIP) has been instrumental in strengthening governance structures, enhancing financial and performance management, and improving decision pathways. A significant achievement highlighted was the Combined Authority attaining Established Authority status in July 2026, ahead of schedule. This programme is now set to evolve into a permanent continuous improvement and transformation function, ensuring the authority is well-equipped to handle future devolution opportunities and deliver on its strategic priorities. For residents, this means a more agile and effective authority, better placed to respond to changing needs and deliver essential services.

Information Governance and Treasury Management Updates

The committee received an update on the Information Governance Framework, which establishes a structured approach to information management. While performance in responding to Freedom of Information (FOI) and Environmental Information Regulations (EIR) requests has seen a slight drop in timeliness, investigations are underway to identify causes and implement mitigating actions. This is important for transparency and ensuring residents can access information about their local government.

The Treasury Management Monitoring Report for Q1 2026/27 showed positive performance, with investment income exceeding the budgeted figure. The authority's responsible investment approach prioritises signatories of the United Nations Principles of Responsible Investment (PRI).

• West of England Combined Authority Audit Committee meeting on Monday 14 September 2026

Other Matters

The committee also reviewed its Forward Work Plan, noting that an update on IR35 had been rescheduled to December.

This week in West of England Combined Authority:

Council Grapples with Staffing Decisions in Private Session

The West of England Combined Authority Employment and Appointments Committee met on Thursday 27 August 2026, with a significant portion of its agenda dedicated to staffing matters that were discussed in private. This approach, while common for sensitive HR issues, means that the specific details of these discussions remain confidential, limiting public insight into decisions that could affect the people working for the Authority.

Confidential Staffing Update

A key item, labelled as an exempt item, was a Staffing update. The agenda notes that the press and public were excluded from this part of the meeting. This exclusion is typically due to the potential disclosure of sensitive information, such as details relating to specific individuals, ongoing labour relations, or financial remuneration. For residents, this means that while the committee is actively managing the Authority's workforce, the specifics of how this is being done are not publicly available. This can make it difficult for the public to understand the rationale behind staffing decisions and their potential impact on service delivery.

Reviewing Past Decisions

The committee also reviewed the minutes of its previous meeting. This is a standard procedure to ensure accuracy and to formally record the outcomes of past discussions. The Chair of the meeting, Mayor Helen Godwin, the Mayor of the West of England Combined Authority, was tasked with agreeing to the accuracy and signing these minutes.

The meeting was attended by Councillor Tony Dyer of Bristol City Council, Councillor Kevin Guy of Bath & North East Somerset Council, and Councillor Ian Boulton of South Gloucestershire Council, alongside Mayor Godwin.

• Employment and Appointments Committee meeting on Thursday 27 August 2026

Other matters

No other matters were discussed in this meeting.