The West Yorkshire Combined Authority Board met on Thursday 12 March 2026, approving significant investment totalling £230 million across a range of key areas including transport, skills, and economic development. Key decisions included the adoption of the new Local Transport Plan, the endorsement of the Integrated Settlement Outcomes Framework, and the approval of substantial funding for various transport infrastructure projects, such as the Elland Rail Station and the Beckett Street Sustainable Travel Corridor.

Integrated Settlement and Investment Programme

The Board endorsed the latest draft of the Integrated Settlement Outcomes Framework, which will guide the delivery of a £2 billion devolution package over the next four years. This framework, developed in negotiation with the government, sets out targets for key indicators across economic development, housing, transport, skills, and environmental sustainability. The Board also agreed to indicative high-level investment programmes designed to accelerate the delivery of priorities outlined in the Corporate Plan and directorate business plans, aligning with the Integrated Settlement's objectives. These programmes span areas such as business growth, culture, heritage, sport, housing, transport infrastructure, and skills development.

Local Transport Plan

The new West Yorkshire Local Transport Plan (LTP) was approved and adopted, setting out the region's transport vision until 2040. Developed collaboratively with partners and informed by extensive public consultation, the LTP prioritises the creation of the Weaver Network, a sustainable transport system designed to benefit people, places, and the environment. The plan's policies and delivery priorities focus on building a network that puts people, places, and sustainability first, with strong public support indicated by the consultation findings. The LTP has been strengthened following consultation, with particular attention paid to climate resilience, biodiversity, inclusivity, safety, and cross-boundary working.

Region of Learning and Creativity Strategy

The Board approved the Region of Learning and Creativity Strategy, a plan aimed at transforming skills and employment support across West Yorkshire. This strategy addresses the region's skills deficit and aims to halve the number of residents with low or no qualifications, while ensuring access to Level 3 qualifications. It is built on four key themes: Inspiring Futures, Fulfilling Lives, Employer Excellence, and A System that Works for Everyone. The strategy will be delivered through the Integrated Settlement, providing greater control over skills funding and better alignment across the system, enabling a joined-up, long-term approach to skills, creativity, and employment that reflects community needs and business ambitions.

Local Nature Recovery Strategy Publication

West Yorkshire's first Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS) was approved and adopted. This strategy provides a clear vision for a nature-rich region, outlining a structured approach to reversing wildlife decline, restoring habitats, strengthening ecological networks, and reconnecting people with nature. A key focus is on water projects to improve the health and accessibility of waterways. The strategy has been shaped collaboratively with councils, national partners, communities, farmers, landowners, and environmental groups, with 95% of consultation respondents supporting the plan.

International Strategy for Economic Growth

The West Yorkshire International Strategy for Economic Growth was approved as the guiding framework for the region's international engagement. This strategy aims to leverage West Yorkshire's strengths in health and life sciences, advanced manufacturing, digital, creative industries, and the green economy to achieve global advantage. It sets out six strategic priorities: boosting trade, attracting inward investment, strengthening research collaboration, growing the visitor economy, supporting international students, and enhancing West Yorkshire's soft power. The strategy also introduces a more focused, evidence-based approach to international work, with a new system for identifying priority markets and categorising relationships as active, developing, or emerging.

Project Approvals

A significant number of project approvals were made, totalling £230 million, across various investment priorities:

Investment Priority 1 – Good Jobs and Resilient Businesses

• Local Innovation Partnership Fund: Approval was given to progress the Local Innovation Partnership Fund through its strategic assessment stage, allowing work to begin on delivery subject to UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) confirming development funding. Up to £300,000 of Combined Authority funding was approved to support the application programme coordination role.
• Tech West Yorkshire: Approval was granted for the progression of the Tech West Yorkshire scheme through its business justification stage, allowing delivery activity to begin. £725,000 of Combined Authority funding was approved, with £655,000 allocated to Leeds Digital Festival Limited via a funding agreement.

Investment Priority 2 – Skills and Training for People

• Employment West Yorkshire: Approval was given to extend the Employment West Yorkshire programme to March 2027 and to provide additional Combined Authority funding of up to £7,311,426. Funding agreements with the five West Yorkshire councils will be amended to reflect this.

Investment Priority 3 – Creating Great Places and Accelerated Infrastructure

• Langthwaite Enterprise Zone: Approval was given for Phase 2 of the Langthwaite Enterprise Zone scheme to progress to its outline business case, with £4,370,000 in development funding approved.
• British Library North (Temple Works): Approval was granted to delegate authority for the acceptance of £10 million of government funding to the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Mayor, for the British Library North project. The Combined Authority also approved entering into legal agreements with Homes England for the transfer and accountability of up to £24,071,417 for the project, subject to the successful conclusion of negotiations on Heritage Fund conditions.

Investment Priority 4 – Tackling the Climate Emergency and Environmental Sustainability

• Thorne Beck Flood Alleviation Scheme: Approval was given for the Thorne Beck Flood Alleviation Scheme to progress to delivery, with £1,510,133 of Combined Authority funding approved. A funding agreement with Leeds City Council was also approved.
• Pitty Beck Wetlands Restoration: Approval was granted for the Pitty Beck Wetlands Natural Flood Management scheme to progress to delivery, with £145,000 of Combined Authority funding approved. An addendum to the funding agreement with Aire Rivers Trust was also approved.

Investment Priority 5 – Delivering Sustainable, Integrated, Inclusive and Affordable Transport

A series of project approvals were made under this priority:

• Moorthorpe Rail Station Car Park: Approval was given to delegate authority for a change request to reallocate unspent risk and contingency budget from the completed Normanton car park scheme to fund additional costs and extend the timescale for the Moorthorpe Rail Park and Ride scheme.
• Elland Rail Station and Access Package: Approval was given for the Elland Access Package to progress to delivery, with £22,672,312 in Combined Authority funding approved. Elland Rail Station will continue to develop its full business case, with £690,000 in development funding approved. A service agreement with Network Rail was also approved.
• White Rose Rail Station: Approval was granted for a change request to release an additional £3,588,305 for highway and junction works, bringing the total Combined Authority funding to £29,735,682. A funding agreement with Leeds City Council was approved.
• Huddersfield Bus Station: Approval was given for the Huddersfield Bus Station scheme to progress to delivery, with £20,990,812 in Combined Authority funding approved. An addendum to the funding agreement with Kirklees Council was also approved.
• Dewsbury Town Centre Walking and Cycling Improvements: Approval was granted for specific elements of the scheme (Railway Street, Asda Bridge, Battye Street, Link Road, Bradford Road and South Street) to progress to delivery, with £7,554,549 in Combined Authority funding approved. An addendum to the funding agreement with Kirklees Council was also approved. The Aldams Road element was also approved to progress to delivery with £3,899,831 in Combined Authority funding approved.
• Dewsbury – Batley – Chidswell Sustainable Travel Corridor: Phase 1 of the scheme was approved to progress to delivery, with £7,782,514 in Combined Authority funding approved. An addendum to the funding agreement with Kirklees Council was also approved. Phase 2 of the scheme will be paused pending future funding considerations.
• Castleford Growth Corridor Scheme - Wheldon Road Bridge: Approval was given for the Castleford Growth Corridor Scheme Wheldon Road Bridge to progress to delivery, with £11,916,654 in Combined Authority funding approved. An addendum to the funding agreement with Wakefield Council was also approved.
• Woodhouse Lane Gateway: Approval was granted for the Woodhouse Lane Gateway scheme to progress to delivery, with £21,864,886 in Combined Authority funding approved. An addendum to the funding agreement with Leeds City Council was also approved.
• Beckett Street Sustainable Travel Corridor: Approval was given for the Beckett Street Sustainable Travel Corridor scheme to progress to delivery, with £30,519,000 in Combined Authority funding approved. An addendum to the funding agreement with Leeds City Council was also approved.
• Wakefield Road Sustainable Travel Corridor: Outline approval was granted for the Wakefield Road Sustainable Travel Corridor scheme to progress to full business case development, with £1,286,827 in additional development funding approved. An addendum to the funding agreement with Bradford Council was also approved.
• Active Travel Fund Tranche 3 - A660 Otley Road: Approval was granted for a change request to increase Combined Authority funding by £5,960,094, taking the total scheme cost to £17 million. The scope of Phase 3 was revised, and the delivery timescale extended to February 2027. An addendum to the Leeds City Council funding agreement was approved.
• Active Travel Fund Tranche 4 - Armley Town Street: Approval was given for the Armley Town Street scheme to progress to delivery, with £4,049,366 in Combined Authority funding approved. A funding agreement with Leeds City Council was also approved.
• Highways Asset Management and Off-Road Cycling and Walking – Calderdale Unplanned Maintenance Fund: Approval was granted for additional funding of £3,067,142 for the Calderdale Unplanned Maintenance Fund scheme. A funding agreement with Calderdale Council was also approved.
• York Programme Review: The Combined Authority approved the York Programme Review, endorsing decisions by City of York Council's Executive Board to reallocate funding between schemes. This included approving £11,301,427 for the York Station Gateway Scheme, £20,457,635 for further delivery of Packages 3 and 4 of the scheme, and £500,000 in additional development funding for York Outer Ring Road Phase 1a. Funding agreements with City of York Council were approved for these allocations.
• City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement (CRSTS) Capacity Fund: Approval was given to accept £21,520,000 in grant funding, increasing the programme total to £42,863,000. The programme scope was revised, and the delivery period extended to March 2028. Development funding of £2,707,074 was approved for partner councils, and authority was delegated to the Chief Executive for future allocation amendments.

Investment Priority 6 – Creative Industries, Culture, Heritage and Sport

• You Can Make It Here 2: Approval was granted for a change request to increase Combined Authority funding by £4,773,664, taking the total programme cost to £9,003,906. The delivery timeframe was extended to March 2029, and funding agreements with delivery partners were approved, with delegated authority for final allocations.

Portfolio Summary

The Board noted the portfolio summary, which provides a snapshot of the progress of major investment programmes. The report highlighted strong momentum across transport, regeneration, and skills projects, with significant funding approvals secured and many schemes moving towards delivery. It also noted emerging financial pressures within maturing programmes, which are being closely monitored.

Bus Franchising Transition Programme

The Board received an update on the Bus Franchising transition programme. Key decisions included delegating authority to the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Mayor, to award Round 1 franchise contracts to preferred bidders. Approval was given for the consultation response relating to the design of new buses, and authority was delegated to finalise the vehicle specification. The business case for Electronic Ticketing Machines (ETM) and Automatic Vehicle Location (AVL) systems was approved, with capital funding of up to £10.2 million allocated. The Wakefield Depot scheme's outline business case was approved, with £11 million for development and early enabling works. The Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Phase 1 scheme's full business case was approved, with capital funding of approximately £17.3 million. Authority was delegated to approve a change request for crew room facilities within the Bus Reform Depot Programme. The acquisition of Heckmondwike Bus Station by long lease from Kirklees Council was approved. Finally, the consultation response relating to the Service Permit Regime was approved, along with the finalised regime and associated documents, and authority was delegated to operate the regime.

ENCTS Disabled Travel

The Board approved changes to the English National Concessionary Travel Scheme (ENCTS) to allow disabled and companion pass holders free bus travel before 9:30 am on weekdays, starting with a pilot in Wakefield from May 2026, and rolling out across West Yorkshire from the start of bus franchising in 2027. Local Authority Bus Grant will cover the estimated costs for the Wakefield pilot.

Treasury Management Strategy Statement 2026/27

The Treasury Management Strategy Statement for 2026/27 was approved. This statutory document sets out the prudential limits and policies for the management of the Combined Authority's treasury functions, including capital expenditure plans, borrowing strategies, and investment policies. The Minimum Revenue Provision Statement was also approved.

Governance Review

The findings of the Governance Review were noted, and new governance arrangements were approved. This includes a streamlined committee structure comprising a Combined Authority Board, a Weaver Network Board, and an Investment Board, along with advisory and partnership forums. The new structure, terms of reference, and membership model will take effect from the 2026 Annual Meeting. Authority was delegated to the Assistant Director, Legal, Governance and Compliance to make any necessary drafting or technical amendments to ensure compliance with the forthcoming English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill.

The Corporate Plan & Business Plans

The structure of the Corporate Plan 2026-27 was approved, aligning with the Combined Authority's four-year plan and the West Yorkshire Plan's missions. The Directorate business plans on a page for 2026-27 were also approved. Authority was delegated to the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Mayor, to finalise and publish the Corporate Plan.

Pay Policy Statement

The Pay Policy Statement for the 2026/27 financial year was approved and will be published on the Combined Authority's website. The statement includes updates on reporting pay gaps and refreshed pay ratios, and reinforces the commitment to fair and consistent pay, supported by strong governance. It also highlights how managed pay flexibilities can attract specialist skills while remaining responsible with public funds.

Future Collective Bargaining Arrangements

The Board endorsed the decision to withdraw from the Passenger Transport Forum (PTF) for collective bargaining. The preferred approach is to join the National Joint Council (NJC) for future pay award negotiations, while negotiating other terms and conditions locally through a strengthened local framework. Authority was delegated to the Head of Paid Service to make the final decision on future collective bargaining arrangements after further exploration of options.

Officer Arrangements

Interim officer arrangements were endorsed to ensure continuity during the absence of the Executive Director for Transport. This includes endorsing the interim role of the Executive Director for Transport, the recruitment of an Interim Senior Responsible Officer for Mass Transit, and the interim role of Director of Environment and Place. Authority was delegated to the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Mayor, to scope staffing arrangements for the Bus Franchising workstream and progress an additional Director post if required.

Minutes for Information of Committee Meetings

The Board noted the minutes, notes, and agendas of various committee meetings published on the Combined Authority's website since the last meeting. These included minutes from the Scrutiny Committee, Healthy Work Life Board, Transport Committee, Governance & Audit Committee, and the Climate, Energy & Environment Committee.