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AGM, Combined Authority Board - Wednesday, 3rd June, 2026 10.00 am
June 3, 2026 at 10:00 am Combined Authority Board View on council website Watch video of meeting Read transcript (Professional subscription required)Summary
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The Combined Authority Board met for its Annual General Meeting, approving committee memberships and noting annual reports. Key discussions included the impact of Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) on the Combined Authority's work and the importance of robust governance and risk management.
Membership of the Combined Authority
The Board formally noted the members and substitute members appointed by constituent councils to the Combined Authority for the municipal year 2026-27. It was also confirmed that the Police and Crime Commissioner for Cambridgeshire, the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Fire Authority, and the Central East Integrated Care Board would continue to hold co-opted member status. The Board agreed that any late notifications of appointments to the Monitoring Officer would take immediate effect.
Appointments to Thematic Committees
The Mayor's nominations for the Chairs of the thematic committees for 2026-27 were noted and agreed. The Board also noted the committee members and substitute members appointed by constituent councils to the Combined Authority's thematic committees, including the Funding Committee and the Staffing Committee. It was agreed that members of the Audit and Governance Committee and the Overview & Scrutiny Committee could attend the Funding Committee as observers.
Appointment of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee
The Board confirmed that the Overview and Scrutiny Committee would comprise 14 members, with two members and two substitute members from each constituent council for the municipal year 2026-27. The political balance of the committee was agreed as set out in Appendix A of the report, and the appointments of members and substitute members nominated by constituent councils were confirmed.
Appointment of the Audit and Governance Committee
The size of the Audit and Governance Committee was confirmed as nine members: one member and one substitute from each constituent council, plus two independent persons. The political balance of the committee was agreed as set out in Appendix A. The appointments of members and substitute members nominated by constituent councils were confirmed, and Mr Rhys Jarvis was appointed as Chair for the municipal year 2026/27.
Appointments to Outside Bodies
The Board confirmed existing appointments to outside bodies, including the Mayor's ongoing role with England's Economic Heartland and the Cambridge Growth Company Advisory Council. The Executive Director, Place and Economy, was appointed to the vacant director position on the board of the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Business Growth Company Ltd. The log of officer appointments to outside bodies was also noted.
Overview and Scrutiny Annual Report
The Board noted the Annual Report of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee for 2025/26. Councillor Aidan Van De Weyer, Chair of the Committee, highlighted the committee's work on the Combined Authority's budget, corporate plan, and bus franchising. He emphasised the committee's role as a critical friend
and noted the development of rapporteur roles to shadow thematic committees. The report detailed the work of three working groups: Budget, Corporate Plan, and Scrutiny Protocol Review.
Audit and Governance Annual Report
The Board noted the Annual Report of the Audit and Governance Committee for 2025/26, presented by Mr Rhys Jarvis, Chair of the Committee. Mr Jarvis highlighted improvements in risk management and internal control, noting that the external auditors' value for money opinion was positive for the first time in three years. He also mentioned emerging risks such as Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) and health and safety, and the committee's review of the Authority's use of Artificial Intelligence. The report detailed the committee's oversight of internal and external audits, financial reporting, and the Code of Corporate Governance. A self-assessment review of the committee's effectiveness was also discussed, with recommendations for improvement.
Member Attendance Statistics
The Board noted the Member Attendance Statistics for 2025/26, which detailed attendance at Combined Authority Board meetings.
Member Development Annual Report
The Board noted the Member Development Annual Report for 2025/26. The report outlined the training sessions held, including those on strategic scrutiny, questioning skills, and budget scrutiny. It highlighted plans for joint training sessions with constituent authorities for 2026/27 to optimise budgets and ensure continued member development, particularly in light of the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Act 2026.
Calendar of Meetings
The Board noted the approved calendar of meetings for the 2026/27 Municipal Year. This included the provisional dates for additional meetings of the Business Board and the Staffing Committee.
Announcements and Other Business
During the announcements section, Mayor Paul Bristow reflected on the Combined Authority's achievements over the past year, highlighting progress in areas such as the growth plan and the positive outcomes of a recent Gateway Review. He also discussed the Authority's strong presence at UKREiiF, demonstrating its growing recognition. Councillor Lucy Nethsingha raised concerns about the potential impact of Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) on the Combined Authority's work, suggesting that the Combined Authority might be better positioned to handle certain functions than new unitary authorities. Discussions also touched upon the need for quantitative monitoring of results from events like UKREiiF and the importance of sharing data. The appointment of Councillor Anna Bailey as Statutory Deputy Mayor was announced.
The issue of Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) was a recurring theme, with several members expressing concerns about its potential to disrupt the work of the Combined Authority and its constituent councils. Councillor Brian Milnes highlighted that LGR would likely consume significant bandwidth, reducing the time available for CPCA work. Councillor Lucy Nethsingha suggested that the Combined Authority might be better placed to manage certain functions than emerging unitary authorities. The Mayor acknowledged these concerns, stating that the Combined Authority had provided a response to government on LGR but had not sought to influence the public discussion due to its political nature. Councillor Jamil echoed the sentiment that the CPCA was in a better position than potential new authorities due to its established knowledge and operational framework.
The Board also discussed the importance of the Combined Authority making its presence and work known to the wider public, with a view to moving beyond past nervousness in this regard.
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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Calendar of Meetings
Recommendations ApprovedThe Combined Authority Board noted the approved calendar of meetings for the 2026/27 Municipal Year on 03 June 2026. The calendar includes additional meetings for the Business Board and Staffing Committee.
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Member Development Annual Report
Information OnlyThe Combined Authority Board noted the Member Development sessions held in 2025/26 on 03/06/2026. The Board also noted the Member Development Annual Report.
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Audit and Governance Annual Report
Information OnlyThe Combined Authority Board noted the Annual Report of the Audit and Governance Committee for 2025/26 on 03/06/2026. The report detailed the committee's work in overseeing risk management, internal control, and financial reporting. The Board accepted recommendations regarding the reappointment of Independent Persons, updates to the Constitution, and the approval of refreshed Risk Management and Single Assurance Frameworks.
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Minutes of the previous meeting
Recommendations ApprovedThe Combined Authority Board approved the minutes of the meeting on 18 March 2026 as an accurate record and signed by the Mayor. The action log was noted.
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Appointment of the Deputy Mayor(s)
Information OnlyCombined Authority Board decided to note the appointment of Councillor Anna Bailey as Statutory Deputy Mayor on 03/06/2026.
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Appointments to Outside Bodies
Recommendations ApprovedThe Combined Authority Board confirmed existing appointments to outside bodies and appointed the Executive Director, Place and Economy to the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Business Growth Company Ltd board. The Board also noted the log of officer appointments.
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Member Attendance Statistics
Information OnlyThe Combined Authority Board decided to note the Member Attendance Statistics for 2025/26 on 03 June 2026. This was an information-only decision with no specific officer actions agreed.
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Overview and Scrutiny Annual Report
Information OnlyThe Combined Authority Board noted the Annual Report of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee on 03/06/2026. The report summarised the committee's work during the 2025/26 municipal year.
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Appointment of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee
Recommendations ApprovedThe Combined Authority Board approved the appointment of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee on 03 June 2026. The committee will have 14 members, with political balance agreed as set out in Appendix A, and constituent councils' nominated members and substitute members confirmed as per Appendix B.
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Appointments to Thematic Committees, including the appointment of Chairs.
Recommendations ApprovedThe Combined Authority Board agreed to note and agree the Mayor's nominations for committee chairs for 2026-27. The Board also noted the committee memberships appointed by constituent councils for the municipal year 2026-27. Additionally, the Board noted that Audit and Governance members and Overview & Scrutiny members can attend the Funding Committee as observers.
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Appointment of the Audit and Governance Committee
Recommendations ApprovedThe Combined Authority Board decided to appoint the Audit and Governance Committee on 03/06/2026. The committee will have nine members, including two independent persons, and Mr Rhys Jarvis was appointed as Chair for the municipal year 2026/27. The Board confirmed the size of the committee, agreed its political balance, and confirmed the appointment of nominated members and substitutes from constituent councils.
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Membership of the Combined Authority
Recommendations ApprovedThe Combined Authority Board noted members appointed by constituent councils and confirmed co-opted member status for the Police and Crime Commissioner, Fire Authority, and Integrated Care Board on 03 June 2026. They agreed that late notifications of appointments to the Monitoring Officer shall take immediate effect.
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