The Mayoral Combined Authority Board of South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority Council convened on Tuesday 24 March 2026, approving a refreshed Corporate Plan for 2026 and endorsing the draft South Yorkshire Strategy as a basis for wider stakeholder engagement. The Board also approved the establishment of the Don Valley Corridor Programme as a strategic regeneration initiative and noted the successful completion of the Brownfield Housing Fund Programme.

MCA Corporate Plan Refresh 2026

The Board approved the refresh of the MCA Corporate Plan for 2026. This plan outlines the organisation's vision, mission, objectives, and guiding principles, reflecting recent developments and achievements over the past year, as well as plans for the upcoming 12 months. The Integrated Settlement Outcomes Framework will be included as an annex upon publication.

Integrated Settlement: Update and Outcomes Framework

The Board approved the contents of the Integrated Settlement Outcomes Framework in its near-final draft. Authority was delegated to the MCA's Chief Executive Officer, in consultation with the Mayor, to finalise the Integrated Settlement Outcomes Framework and agree any outstanding targets with the government. Authority was also delegated to the S73 Officer to accept the associated funding. The Board noted the work undertaken on readiness for the Integrated Settlement and the emerging findings of the Government's assessment, which indicated areas of leading practice but also highlighted the need for investment in systems and data reporting.

South Yorkshire Strategy Development

The Board endorsed the initial draft attached as the basis for wider stakeholder involvement and engagement in the continued development of the first South Yorkshire Strategy. This strategy aims to create a shared vision for South Yorkshire's future, ensuring that local efforts contribute to greater, faster, and more consistent progress for residents and create more prosperous and better-connected places. The strategy is built around three long-term ambition statements and eight outcome areas, providing a structure for aligning priorities and tracking impact.

South Yorkshire Growth Plan - Phase Two

The Board noted phase two outputs and delegated authority to the portfolio holder for economic growth to finalise the delivery plan and publish a revised Growth Plan. The Growth Plan aims to deliver a bigger, better economy for South Yorkshire with missions focused on improving business density and driving greater opportunity across the region.

South Yorkshire Creative & Cultural Investment Framework

The Board formally approved the draft South Yorkshire Creative & Cultural Investment Framework for publication in Spring 2026. This framework establishes six key strategic priorities and investment criteria to guide interventions in the region's cultural and creative industries. It was noted that the Framework will become part of the MCA's strategic framework for future investment decisions.

Don Valley Corridor – Programme Development

The Board approved the establishment of the Don Valley Corridor Programme as a strategic regeneration programme with a coordinated delivery approach between SYMCA, Sheffield City Council, and Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council. The governance structure, comprising a Don Valley Corridor Programme Board, Don Valley Corridor Working Group, Don Valley Corridor Delivery Team, and Independent Expert Advisory Group, was also approved. Partners committed to collectively fund and resource the programme's development and delivery. The application of a no-detriment principle to future partner funding contributions was endorsed, enabling programme-level funding while retaining each authority's full value. Finally, the designation of a Mayoral Development Zone (MDZ) for the Don Valley Corridor was endorsed as a non-statutory statement of intent to strengthen national engagement and preserve future delivery options.

Brownfield Housing Fund Programme

The Board noted the updated position on SYMCA's Brownfield Housing Fund Programme, which concludes on 31 March 2026. The programme has been successful in enabling the development of over 3,700 new high-quality homes across South Yorkshire that would otherwise not have been developed. The Board welcomed this success and requested a future report on the development of a new Housing Fund Programme as part of the Integrated Settlement.

South Yorkshire Local Nature Recovery Strategy

The Board noted the content of the emerging South Yorkshire Consultation Draft Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS). Approval was granted for the publication of the LNRS for public consultation in May/June 2026. Delegated authority was given to the SYMCA Chief Executive, in consultation with the Portfolio Lead and Portfolio Chief Executive Lead, to finalise and publish the draft for consultation. The LNRS aims to identify locations for nature recovery, improve habitats, and reverse nature's decline, providing coordinated action for the benefit of the environment and local people.

Mayor's Transport Vision

The Board reviewed and adopted the Mayor's Vision for Transport, which sets out a clear ambition to transform the transport network in South Yorkshire. This vision supports future economic growth, connects people to opportunities, addresses environmental challenges, and improves people's lives. The Board also noted the links to the Local Transport Plan.

Supertram 2026/27 Business Plan

The Board endorsed the draft 2026/27 Supertram Business Plan. This plan outlines priorities for the tram system, including operational improvements, asset investment, and customer experience enhancements. It was noted that the plan has informed the MCA's 2026/27 budget allocation to South Yorkshire Future Trams Limited (SYFTL). Delegated authority was granted to the Executive Director of Transport to approve the detailed delivery plan developed by SYFTL.

Annual Group Budget & Treasury Management Strategy 2026/27

The Board approved the revised Quarter 3 budget estimates for the financial year 2025/26 and adopted the revenue and capital budget estimates for the financial year 2026/27. The reserve strategy and treasury management strategy for 2026/27 were also approved, along with proposed movements in reserves. The Board noted that the Mayor had formally published the 2026/27 Police and Crime Commissioner Precept and noted the Police and Crime budget approved by the Mayor. Delegated authority was granted to the Section 73 Officer to accept a number of grant awards and vary the budget accordingly.

Programme Performance and Approvals Report

The Board reviewed the performance of the MCA's externally funded capital and revenue programmes up to the end of Quarter 3 2025/26. Several investment schemes were approved for progression to full approval and award of grant, including the Melton Road to Boat Inn Trans Pennie Trail Improvements (£1.22m grant to City of Doncaster Council), the South Yorkshire Strategic Transport Model (£1.74m grant to SYMCA), and the Kendray School Links Active Travel Scheme (£0.398m grant to Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council). Delegated authority was granted for the progression of IZ0035 to full approval and award of c£4.5m grant. The Board approved SYMCA's formal role in signing off the Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP) and delegated authority for its draft and final submission. Final grant allocations totalling £34.36m for learning organisations for the 2026/27 Academic Year were approved, along with an allocation of up to £10m for procured Adult Skills provision. Delegated authority was also granted to develop local delivery model flexibilities for Skills Bootcamps. Additionally, the Board approved the acceptance of several grants, including £0.208m from DESNZ for the Advanced Zoning Programme, £9.42m from MHCLG for Supported Housing, £1.55m from MHCLG for Spatial Development Strategy preparation, £0.07m from UKDI for the Yorkshire Regional Defence and Security Cluster, £0.18m from MHCLG for place-based budget pilot capacity, and c£0.05m from Connected Places Catapult. Acceptance of £0.13m grant from DfE for Further Education Teacher Industry Exchange was noted. Delegated authority was granted for the Executive Director of Growth, Business and Skills to submit proposals for and accept up to £7.5m from DSIT for Robotics Adoption Hubs and up to £2.5m for Robotics Adoption Programme Skills Development. Finally, approval was given for a change request detailed in section 2.25, and delegated authority was granted to the Head of Paid Service to enter into legal agreements for the approved points.

Assurance Framework 2026

The Board noted the proposed amendments to the Assurance Framework, designed to ensure compliance with Government requirements and recent guidance. Members were invited to consider any further changes for governance, risk management, funding approvals, or decision-making arrangements from 1 April 2026. The draft Assurance Framework was agreed for onward publication and submission to Government.

Delegated Authority Report

The Board noted the decisions and delegations made since the previous meeting, as detailed in the report.