The West of England Combined Authority Overview & Scrutiny Committee was scheduled to discuss significant organisational changes, the authority's digital and data strategy, and proposed amendments to the committee's terms of reference. The meeting's agenda also included a review of the committee's work plan and reports intended for a joint committee meeting.

Recent Organisational Changes and Target Operating Model

The committee was scheduled to consider a report detailing recent organisational changes within the West of England Combined Authority (WECA) and its Target Operating Model (TOM). The TOM is designed to provide a framework for the effective and efficient delivery of WECA's programmes and services, aiming to support the organisation in achieving Established Strategic Authority status. The report outlined that the TOM would define how WECA organises its people, systems, processes, and governance, with a focus on strategic alignment, efficiency, value for money, governance, accountability, collaboration, capability, capacity, digital and data-driven delivery, and continuous improvement. The Nolan Principles, which guide public life, were to be integrated into the TOM to reinforce ethical standards. The report also detailed recent changes to the senior leadership structure, including the disestablishment of Director roles for Economy and Skills and Environment, and the creation of new Director roles for Service Delivery and Stakeholder and Partnerships. These changes were intended to align leadership capacity with evolving strategic priorities and support a clearer separation between policy development, partnership working, and programme delivery.

Digital and IT Systems Strategy Overview

A report was scheduled for discussion regarding the development of WECA's Digital and Data Strategy. This strategy is a key component of the Authority's Organisational Improvement Programme (OIP) and aims to strengthen the organisation's core digital and data capabilities. The strategy focuses on four key priorities: improving digital experiences for staff, partners, and residents; strengthening and connecting organisational data to ensure it is consistent, accessible, and reliable; enhancing data and digital skills across the workforce; and establishing secure and well-governed technology foundations. The report highlighted that these improvements are crucial for effective programme delivery, performance monitoring, evidence-based decision-making, and for supporting WECA's ambition to secure Established Authority Status and an Integrated Settlement with the government. The strategy outlines a phased approach, with initial work focusing on foundations and readiness for Established Authority Status, followed by a phase to accelerate and scale digital and data capabilities across the organisation.

Constitution Review - Draft Committee Terms of Reference

The committee was set to consider a report proposing amendments to its own Terms of Reference (ToR) as part of a wider review of the WECA constitution. The proposed changes aim to more accurately reflect the functions of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, adopt good practice, enhance the ability to hold decision-makers to account, and ensure transparency and accountability to the public. The amendments include explicitly setting out the committee's purpose and functions, detailing membership arrangements, the process for appointing a Chair and Vice-Chair, and the ability to establish sub-committees and task and finish groups. The proposed changes also clarify meeting frequency, quorum requirements, voting arrangements, and provisions for conflicts of interest. Furthermore, the revised ToR would detail the committee's role in setting its work programme, receiving the register of key decisions, and the process for referring matters to the committee, including statutory powers related to policy development and review, and the right of members to access documents. The report noted that these proposed amendments would be presented to the West of England Combined Authority Committee for formal approval as a change to the constitution.

Work Plan Report - Including MCA Forward Plan

The committee was scheduled to review its work plan, noting actions completed since the previous meeting on 26 January 2026 and considering future items for scrutiny. The report detailed the status of outstanding actions, including a planned visit to the Brabazon/Western Innovation Arc area and an update on the spatial development strategy. It also noted that a joint briefing on the constitution review had taken place and that papers on the Target Operating Model and Digital and Data Strategy were on the agenda for the current meeting. The report also provided an update on the relaunch of Advisory Boards, with outcomes from these boards expected to inform future committee discussions. Members were invited to identify items for future work plan consideration from the report, the agenda for the upcoming Joint Committee meeting, and the MCA's Forward Plan.

Review of Reports Going to the Joint Committee of the West of England Combined Authority and Joint Committee on 27 March 2026

The committee was scheduled to review reports that were to be presented at the Joint Committee meeting on 27 March 2026. This item aimed to provide the Overview and Scrutiny Committee with an overview of key items being considered by the Joint Committee, allowing for potential scrutiny or comment.