Decision Maker: Cabinet

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: Yes

Is Callable In?: No

Date of Decision: January 21, 2026

Purpose: To consolidate the Black Country Local Authority Strategic transport teams into the Black Country Transport team hosted at Wolverhampton

Content: 1.      That the implementation plan to consolidate the strategic transport teams, their funding and projects from Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council, Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council, Walsall Council and City of Wolverhampton Council into the Black Country Transport team hosted by City of Wolverhampton Council be approved.   2.      That City of Wolverhampton Council continue to act as Accountable Body for Black Country Transport and host the new staffing and project arrangements set out in the report and the Collaboration Agreement.   3.      That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for City Transport and Cabinet Member for Resources, in consultation with the Chief Operating Officer, S151 Officer, Black Country Director of Transport and Director of Resident Services to negotiate final details, approve and authorise the sealing of the Black Country Collaboration Agreement.   4.      That subject to approval at each respective authority and signing of the Collaboration Agreement the following be approved:   a.      Transfer of strategic transport development functions to Black Country Transport from Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council, Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council and Walsall Council.   b.      Transfer of development projects and their funding affected by the transfer of functions from Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council, Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council and Walsall Council to Black Country Transport.   c.      Transfer of external staff whose roles are affected by the transfer of functions from the strategic transport teams at Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council, Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council and Walsall Council through a Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) (TUPE) where applicable.   d.      A restructure of City of Wolverhampton Council’s Strategic Transport team and the movement of affected staff and functions from this team to the Black Country Transport team under a change of line management.   e.      The funding principles outlined in Section 6 of the report to fund the team and its projects.   f.        As part of the Collaboration Agreement, City of Wolverhampton Council would:   i.        Agree to share unrecoverable Black Country Transport team costs equally across the four Black Country authorities.   ii.       Agree to the governance and structures set out in the Collaboration Agreement.   iii.     Agree to share project liability between the respective authorities involved in a project.   5.      That it be noted, a detailed communications plan had been prepared to identify the various stakeholder groups who need to be consulted, engaged, or informed of this work.   6.      That the progress towards the harmonisation of Information Technology systems to facilitate effective working practices through a data sharing agreement between the four authorities be noted.   7.      That it be noted, there is a requirement to provide a workspace for Black Country Transport (BCT) team collaboration within the City of Wolverhampton Council as well as within the other three Black Country Authority buildings.   8.      That it be noted, an additional 16 posts are being created within the BCT team to ensure the team is fit for purpose post-consolidation. These have been costed as part of the financial case and would be opened for recruitment incrementally to meet business needs providing there is available budget.   9.      That it be noted, a detailed Equalities Impact Assessment has been completed for this piece of work and approved by the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) team (Appendix 2).   10.   That it be noted, a Data Protection Impact Assessment has been developed to enable the transfer of data between the authorities in the project implementation phase.   11.   That it be noted,  a target implementation date of 1 April 2026 is proposed. The transfer of staff, projects, and associated funding would only proceed following the completion of TUPE consultations and the formal execution of the collaboration agreement by all relevant authorities.   12.   That it5 be noted, the Individual Executive Decision Notice (IEDN) relating to the sealing and signing of the Collaboration Agreement would be executed immediately following Cabinet approvals at Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council, Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council and Walsall Council.