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Joint meeting - West of England Combined Authority Committee and West of England Joint Committee - Friday, 5th June, 2026 1.00 pm
June 5, 2026 at 1:00 pm Joint meeting - West of England Combined Authority Committee and West of England Joint Committee View on council website Watch video of meeting Read transcript (Professional subscription required) Watch video of meeting Read transcript (Professional subscription required)Summary
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The West of England Combined Authority Committee and West of England Joint Committee met on Friday 5 June 2026, approving the West of England Investment Plan 2026 and noting the publication of the West of England Investment Prospectus. The committee also supported the Mayor's intention to apply for Established Mayoral Strategic Authority (EMSA) status, a move that would unlock further devolved powers and funding.
Key decisions made during the meeting included the approval of the West of England Investment Plan 2026, which outlines the region's strategic priorities for growth and investment over the next decade. The committee also supported the Mayor's intention to formally apply for Established Mayoral Strategic Authority (EMSA) status, a move that would grant the region access to the highest level of devolution currently available in England. Additionally, the committee approved plans to establish an interim delivery team and a Mayoral Development Zone (MDZ) for the Brabazon and West Innovation Arc new town project, aiming to accelerate progress and secure future development. The committee also noted the receipt of a £45 million allocation from the Brownfield Housing Fund, which will be used to support the accelerated delivery of homes on stalled brownfield sites across the region.
The meeting also addressed the Mayoral Combined Authority and Mayoral Budget Outturn for 2025/26, noting the final outturn positions for both revenue and capital budgets. The Investment Fund Programme and Grant Assurance was updated, with the committee delegating authority for approving the Full Business Case for the Distribution Hub and allocating £5 million to create a Nature Recovery Fund. Furthermore, the committee approved changes to schemes within the current Investment Fund programme and agreed to allow flexibility in moving CRSTS risk budgets between projects. The West of England Investment Plan 2026 was approved, and the publication of the West of England Investment Prospectus was noted. The committee also approved the West of England Skills Strategy, a key document outlining the region's approach to developing a skilled workforce. Finally, the committee supported the Mayor's intention to consent to the submission of a formal proposal to expand the West of England Combined Authority to incorporate North Somerset Council. The Hicks Gate Masterplan was endorsed as a non-statutory planning framework, and the revised Corporate Risk Management Framework was approved. The Audit Committee Annual Report 2025/26 and the Overview and Scrutiny Committee Annual Report 2025/26 were both noted. The Joint Committee Budget Outturn for 2025/26 was also noted, along with the approval of change requests for schemes within the Economic Development Fund and Revolving Infrastructure Fund programmes.
Delegated decisions linked to this meeting
Decision summaries below are AI-generated from the council’s published record. Check the council source or the full decision page before relying on them.
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Expansion of the West Of England Combined Authority
Recommendations ApprovedThe West of England Combined Authority Committee supported the Mayor's intention to consent to the submission of a formal proposal to expand the West of England Combined Authority to incorporate North Somerset Council. The Committee delegated authority to the Director of Law and Governance to approve the wording of the final draft order for the expansion to be laid before Parliament.
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Expansion of the West Of England Combined Authority
Recommendations ApprovedThe West of England Combined Authority Committee supported the Mayor's intention to consent to a proposal to expand the West of England Combined Authority to include North Somerset Council. The committee delegated authority to the Director of Law and Governance to approve the wording of the final draft order for the expansion to be laid before parliament.
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Established Mayoral Strategic Authority Status
Recommendations ApprovedThe West of England Combined Authority Committee supported the Mayor's intention to apply for Established Mayoral Strategic Authority status on 05 June 2026. The committee approved recommendations to progress this application.
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West of England Investment Plan
Recommendations ApprovedThe West of England Combined Authority Committee approved the West of England Combined Authority Investment Plan 2026 on 05 June 2026. The committee also noted the publication of the West of England Investment Prospectus.
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Brownfield Housing Fund
Recommendations ApprovedThe West of England Combined Authority Committee noted the receipt of a £45,005,618 allocation of the Brownfield Housing Fund capital grant and associated conditions from the Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government. The committee delegated the detail of delivery to the MCA’s Director of Place, in consultation with the equivalent directors of the Unitary Authorities, with escalation to the MCA’s Chief Executive Officer in consultation with Unitary Authority CEOs if consensus is not reached.
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West of England Investment Plan
Recommendations ApprovedThe Director of Operations approved a contract extension for Inner Circle Consulting for £82,635 to support the Corporate PMO. This decision was made on 03/06/2026.
The Head of Delivery (Rail) / SRO Future Transport Zone (FTZ) programme appointed Bevan Brittan Solicitors for legal and procurement advice on the Integrated Micromobility Services contract re-procurement. This decision was made on 24 April 2026.
The Director of Operations approved funding of £500,000 for The Restore Trust to deliver Connect to Work, conditional on due diligence. This decision was made on 28/05/2026.
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Audit Committee Annual Report 2025/26
Recommendations ApprovedThe West of England Combined Authority Audit Committee noted the Audit Committee Annual Report 2025/26 on 05/06/2026. The committee approved the external auditor's audit plan, received and commented on interim and final audit findings reports, and endorsed the internal audit plan for 2026/27.
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Overview and Scrutiny Committee Annual Report 2025/26
Recommendations ApprovedThe Executive Director of Transport approved the recommendations in the Overview and Scrutiny Committee Annual Report 2025/26 on 05/06/2026. The report summarised the committee's work and actions for the year.
The West of England Combined Authority Committee noted the receipt of a £45,005,618 allocation of the Brownfield Housing Fund and delegated delivery details to the Director of Place on 05/06/2026. This delegation includes consultation with Unitary Authority directors, with escalation to the Chief Executive Officer if consensus is not reached.
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West of England Investment Plan
Recommendations ApprovedThe Director of Operations approved an increase in project costs of £485.76 for two previously approved projects, Spaniorum Trust and The Parish of Yate PCC, on 30 April 2026. The Director of Strategy awarded £424,536.09 in Green Business Grants to 59 applicants and £2,050 to North Somerset Council for administrative costs on 5 May 2026. The West of England Combined Authority Committee approved the West of England Combined Authority Investment Plan 2026 and noted the publication of the West of England Investment Prospectus on 5 June 2026.
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Mayoral Combined Authority and Mayoral Budget Outturn 2025/26
Recommendations ApprovedThe Joint meeting - West of England Combined Authority Committee and West of England Joint Committee noted the outturn position for the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority Revenue Budget, the Mayoral Revenue Budget, the Capital Outturn, and the Treasury Outturn on 05/06/2026. Recommendations were approved.
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Investment Fund Programme and Grant Assurance
Recommendations ApprovedThe West of England Combined Authority Committee approved recommendations regarding the Investment Fund Programme and Grant Assurance on 05/06/2026. The committee delegated authority for approving the Distribution Hub Full Business Case, allocated £5m to a Nature Recovery Fund, and noted the receipt of funding for Local Remediation Acceleration Plans and from Homes England. Specific officer actions include delegating the finalisation of allocation and use of Local Remediation Acceleration Plans funding and Homes England funding, and delegating authority to enter into a grant funding agreement with First Bus for the Zero Emission Buses Regional Areas award.
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Hicks Gate Masterplan
Recommendations ApprovedThe West of England Mayoral Combined Authority endorsed the joint Masterplan for Hicks Gate as a non-statutory planning framework to inform emerging planning policy on 05/06/2026. The Masterplan aims to unlock coordinated and high-quality housing delivery with significant infrastructure, including protecting the A4 as a mass transit corridor and establishing a new transport interchange at Hicks Gate.
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Joint Committee Budget Outturn 2025/26
Recommendations ApprovedThe West of England Joint Committee noted the revenue and capital outturn for the 2025/26 financial year. The committee approved change requests for schemes within the Economic Development Fund and Revolving Infrastructure Fund programmes.
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Corporate Risk Framework
Recommendations ApprovedThe West of England Combined Authority Committee approved the revised Corporate Risk Management Framework on 05 June 2026. The revised framework includes updated risk categories, new risk appetite statements, and the introduction of residual risk appetite thresholds.
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Forward Plan of Regional Strategic Work
Recommendations ApprovedThe West of England Combined Authority Committee decided to note the forward plan of regional strategic work and provide steers on priorities and direction. This decision was made on 05/06/2026. The committee will receive early sight of upcoming strategy launches, development activity, and new programmes.
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Brabazon and West Innovation Arc New Town
Recommendations ApprovedThe West of England Combined Authority Committee approved the non-statutory designation of the West Innovation Arc as a Mayoral Development Zone on 05/06/2026. They also approved key principles for the zone and endorsed establishing an interim delivery team. Authority was delegated to the MCA’s Director of Place to recruit an interim chair for the MDZ, supported by an MDZ Board.
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Delivery Assurance
Recommendations ApprovedThe Joint meeting - West of England Combined Authority Committee and West of England Joint Committee approved change requests for schemes within the Investment Fund programme and agreed flexibility to move CRSTS risk budgets between CRSTS projects. This decision was made on 05/06/2026. The decision included approving change requests for schemes within the current Investment Fund programme and allowing the West of England Combined Authority, Bath & North East Somerset Council, Bristol City Council and South Gloucestershire Council to move CRSTS risk budgets between CRSTS projects.
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Skills Strategy
Recommendations ApprovedThe West of England Combined Authority Committee approved the West of England Skills Strategy on 05/06/2026. The strategy sets out the Combined Authority's approach to developing a joined-up employment and skills system to support residents into opportunities and help employers access a skilled workforce. The decision includes the development of a new West of England Baccalaureate, known as the West Bacc, a regional work-readiness award for 16-18 year olds.
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