The Overview and Scrutiny Committee of South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority met on Tuesday 17 March 2026 to review the latest forward plan of key decisions, receive updates on the Integrated Settlement Outcomes Framework and the Local Nature Recovery Strategy, and discuss the development of the South Yorkshire Strategy. The committee also reviewed the draft Chair's Annual Report for 2025/26.

Review of Latest Forward Plan of Key Decisions

The committee reviewed the latest Forward Plan of Key Decisions. Councillor Tim Huggan, Chair of the committee, queried how the Homelessness, Rough Sleeping and Domestic Abuse Grant, intended to fund supported housing, would be distributed from the Mayoral Combined Authority (MCA) to local authorities. Officers explained that plans were still being developed, but the MCA would likely convene delivery bodies such as councils. This programme is intended to be additional to existing work, providing value and capacity, and will be linked with other programmes like the National Housing Development Fund and the Social and Affordable Housing Programme to enhance prevention work and support a longer-term strategic approach. The Chair requested that the strategic homelessness and supported housing programme be added to the Work Plan for 2026/27, and the Director of Housing & Infrastructure, Colin Blackburn, was asked to provide a briefing on the programme once proposals were prepared. The committee resolved to note the Forward Plan of Key Decisions.

Integrated Settlement: Update and Outcomes Framework

An update was provided on the draft Integrated Settlement Outcomes Framework (ISOF), which outlines the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority's (SYMCA) approach to delivering, measuring, and reporting on Integrated Settlement (IS) performance from 2026 to 2029. While most indicators and targets have been agreed with the government, a few remain under discussion and are expected to be finalised shortly. The ISOF is scheduled for approval by the MCA Board the following week, enabling government publication before the pre-election period.

Gareth Sutton, Executive Director of Resources & Investment, reported on a government-commissioned readiness assessment by PwC, which evaluated SYMCA's capability to manage new powers and flexibilities. SYMCA's self-assessment rated its overall readiness between 'building' and 'embedded', a finding validated by PwC. The external assessment identified SYMCA as 'leading' in areas like financial control and workforce capability, while also highlighting development needs in outcomes tracking, evaluation, and system upgrades. These findings have informed an improvement plan integrated into business planning and budget proposals for the upcoming year. Subject to Board approval on 24 March, SYMCA will begin implementing this plan, with government monitoring progress through six-monthly review boards from October 2026.

Councillor Mick Stowe asked if PwC had recommended any changes, and it was confirmed that a key recommendation was for SYMCA to clearly articulate how new flexibilities would be managed. In the short term, existing governance arrangements have been reiterated, with a longer-term cultural shift planned to embed behaviours that support open assessment of project performance and resource reallocation.

Councillor Angela Argenzio inquired about SYMCA's standing compared to similar authorities and requested an update on the implementation of recommendations. Mr Sutton stated that while government had not yet released full findings for other Combined Authorities, informal discussions suggested SYMCA was performing averagely. He welcomed the committee's involvement and agreed to provide updates on the implementation of IS readiness recommendations. He also noted that IS activity and monitoring could be incorporated into the committee's future work plan.

The Chair raised concerns about SYMCA's capacity to manage its new responsibilities and whether performance-linked funding might be imposed. Mr Sutton explained that under the IS model, funding is provided upfront, with no explicit punitive mechanisms for missing targets or bonuses for exceeding them. The Outcomes Framework serves as the 'contract', with ambitious but achievable targets agreed with the government. However, underperformance could influence future spending rounds.

Councillor Brian Steele referenced global events and their potential economic impact, asking if the government had indicated any changes to funding. Mr Sutton confirmed no indication of changes from the government, though he was monitoring the situation. The Chair proposed that the committee formally acknowledge the uncertainties in the current global situation that could influence the Settlement and delivery.

The committee resolved to:

• Note the Integrated Settlement Outcomes Framework, which was due for MCA Board approval in March.
• Note the work on readiness and the emerging findings of the government assessment.
• Note the current global situation, which could significantly influence future funding and delivery.

Local Nature Recovery Strategy

An update was presented on the Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS), highlighting that SYMCA is the statutory Responsible Authority for its preparation. The strategy has been developed collaboratively with the four South Yorkshire local authorities, the Peak District National Park Authority, Natural England, the Environment Agency, and other stakeholders and the public. The LNRS aims to identify locations for nature recovery and habitat improvement, setting out priorities and measures for South Yorkshire, including the recovery of habitats and species and the creation of ecological corridors. Public bodies will be required to consider the LNRS in their policymaking, investment decisions, and spatial planning.

The draft LNRS is nearing completion, with its mission, vision, and principles outlined. Approval to publish the draft for a six-week public consultation in May/June was being sought from the MCA Board.

Councillor Argenzio asked about the inclusion of beaver reintroduction and tree planting. Officers confirmed that beavers are among the 11 species identified for reintroduction, with a region-wide priority due to their capacity to create wetland habitats. Tree planting, particularly in ancient woodlands, is a priority, and the Mayor's ambition to plant 1.4 million trees serves as a baseline, with the LNRS identifying sites for further planting. The Chair emphasised the importance of planting suitable species for specific habitats.

Councillor Hannah Kitching inquired about SYMCA's consultative role in planning applications affecting nature recovery and the weight of its comments. Officers explained that SYMCA is developing a Spatial Development Strategy (SDS) that will set a strategic policy framework for development, infrastructure, environment, and net zero. The LNRS will serve as a key evidence base for the SDS, embedding environmental priorities into strategic planning. Local planning authorities will need to ensure their Local Plans conform to the SDS, thus integrating LNRS priorities into the local planning system.

Councillor Jane Kidd asked about community involvement, and Colin Blackburn, Director of Housing & Infrastructure, responded that communities would be central to driving nature recovery, working alongside local authorities, land managers, and SYMCA.

Councillor Brian Steele raised concerns about landowner engagement, noting that the strategy is non-binding. Mr Blackburn acknowledged the challenges in engaging landowners, with responses being mixed. Efforts have been made to reach farmers, recognising their crucial role in land management. The public consultation will further emphasise landowner engagement. While the LNRS is non-binding, it aims to highlight benefits and opportunities to encourage landowner participation in nature recovery. The Chair expressed concern that the non-binding nature of the LNRS could be undermined by development incentives and suggested this be raised with the government.

The committee resolved to note the emerging South Yorkshire Consultation Draft Local Nature Recovery Strategy.

South Yorkshire Strategy Development

Debbie Squire, Principal for Strategy Development, presented the South Yorkshire Strategy, described as a regional, overarching framework designed to create a shared vision for South Yorkshire's future. The intention is to ensure that existing work within individual authorities contributes to greater, faster, and more consistent progress. The strategy has been jointly developed by local authorities and SYMCA, building on existing local plans and delivery programmes. The initial draft includes a shared regional vision, three long-term ambition statements, and eight outcome areas common across local authority strategies. The next phase will involve engaging partners from health, education, emergency services, business, and the voluntary and community sectors to refine priorities and strengthen collaborative approaches.

The Chair noted the strategy's ambition and queried its realism and achievability, as well as how outcomes would be measured. Ms Squire stated that the strategy is derived entirely from existing approved plans, not new commitments. The detailed work on defining and measuring added value will occur in the next phase, with a key measure of added value being whether coordinated regional action leads to faster progress than individual local programmes.

Councillors Argenzio and Kitching highlighted that the strategy should prevent SYMCA and local authorities from working in isolation, promote shared learning and best practice, establish a consistent direction, and clarify regional versus local delivery responsibilities. Ms Squire agreed, stating the strategy provides a foundation for improved strategic thinking and long-term collaboration on issues that cannot be solved by individual authorities. Gareth Sutton, Executive Director of Resources & Investment, added that public organisations across South Yorkshire collectively spend billions, but rarely consider this spending in its totality. A shared strategy would facilitate better joint investment decisions, a consistent narrative for government engagement, and improved relationships and alliances across systems. The Chair cautioned that the strategy must be durable enough to withstand future changes and sensitive to potential challenges facing South Yorkshire.

The committee resolved to note the development of the South Yorkshire Strategy and the proposal for wider stakeholder engagement.

Overview and Scrutiny Committee Draft Chair's Annual Report 2025/26

The Chair presented the draft annual report, highlighting key themes: the need for SYMCA's governance and scrutiny arrangements to evolve with increasing devolution; the intention to use SYMCA's forward planning to shape a more focused and impactful committee work plan for 2026/27; and the utilisation of informal opportunities for deeper scrutiny, such as working groups, to enhance pre-decision scrutiny and address capacity constraints.

Councillor Argenzio highlighted the significance of the MCA Board's decision regarding Doncaster Sheffield Airport (DSA) and, noting changes to the business case, suggested the item be brought back for further scrutiny. The Chair agreed, acknowledging DSA as an ongoing, high-profile project.

ACTION: The Executive Director of Resource & Investment was asked to present an update on Doncaster Sheffield Airport to the committee at the earliest opportunity.

Members expressed concern about the gap between March and July, during which the committee cannot formally meet due to the pre-election period and the MCA Board's AGM. Officers confirmed their willingness to provide informal briefings outside the formal meeting cycle, with caution exercised due to pre-election period restrictions and potential membership changes.

As the meeting was no longer quorate, the committee was unable to approve the recommendations within the report.