The Combined Authority Board met on Wednesday, 18 March 2026, approving changes to the council's constitution and endorsing the Cambridgeshire Local Area Energy Plan. The Board also noted the Q3 budget monitoring report, which indicated an overall underspend, and approved the submission of an application to Visit England for accreditation as a Local Visitor Economy Partnership.

Updates to the Constitution

The Board approved changes to the Combined Authority's Constitution, with the exception of Appendices A and B, which were deferred to a future meeting for further consideration. Councillor Sarah Conboy proposed the approval, seconded by Councillor Chris Boden, and it was carried unanimously.

Q3 2025/26 Budget Monitoring Report

The Executive Director of Resources, Janice Gotts, presented the Q3 Budget Monitoring Report, highlighting that the authority was operating within its financial envelope. The report indicated an overall revenue underspend forecast of £10.4 million, with £4.4 million identified for carry-forwards into the 2026/27 financial year. Material underspends were noted in Economy and Growth (£6.6 million), Place and Connectivity (£2.9 million), and Corporate services (£0.8 million). The capital programme showed a forecast outturn underspend of approximately £12 million against a profiled £49 million. The Board was asked to approve provisional carry-forward requests totalling £4.433 million for the revenue programme and £8.235 million for subject-to-approval capital budgets. The report was noted, and the provisional carry-forward requests were approved.

Local Visitor Economy Partnership (LVEP)

The Head of Policy, Insight & Performance, Jules Ient, presented a report seeking approval to submit an application to Visit England for accreditation as a Local Visitor Economy Partnership (LVEP) for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough. The report highlighted the collaborative structure of the proposed partnership, bringing together various public and private sector organisations. The Board was also updated on the emerging strategic priorities within the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Destination Management Plan (DMP). The application was approved, and authority was delegated to the Director, Policy & Engagement and Chief Executive, in consultation with the Mayor, to make minor amendments to the application. Progress on the DMP was noted.

Cambridgeshire Local Area Energy Plan (LAEP)

Recommendations from the Growth Committee regarding the Cambridgeshire Local Area Energy Plan were presented. The Board was asked to endorse the LAEP as an evidence base to inform strategies and plans for local energy infrastructure requirements. It was also resolved to consider the ownership of the LAEP in light of Local Government Reorganisation and ask officers to consider the implications of its adoption by the CPCA. The recommendations were unanimously approved.

Youth Employment / NEET Strategy

The Board received recommendations from the Skills Committee regarding the development of a Youth Employment / NEET Strategy for 14–25-year-olds across Cambridgeshire & Peterborough. The development of the strategy was approved, and authority was delegated to the Assistant Director for Skills & Employment, in consultation with the Chair of the Skills Committee, to finalise and implement the engagement plan, convene partner organisations, adjust development activities, and prepare the draft strategy for future consideration.

Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP)

Recommendations from the Skills Committee regarding the Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP) were presented. The Board endorsed the LSIP inception note and the current LSIP 'storyboard'. Authority was delegated to the Assistant Director for Skills & Employment, in consultation with the Chair of the Skills Committee, to approve the draft LSIP prior to its submission to Skills England and the final version for submission to the Secretary of State.

Local Transport Delivery Plan (LTDP)

Recommendations from the Transport Committee regarding the Local Transport Delivery Plan (LTDP) for 2026/27 were presented. The Board approved the LTDP for submission to government on 20 March 2026. They also noted the draft indicative LTDP for 2027/28, 2028/29, and 2029/30, with opportunities for further revisions before final submission in September 2026. The process and timing around the review of the Transport Capital Programme (gainshare) were also approved. Delegated authority was given to the Assistant Director for Transport, in consultation with the Chair and Vice-Chair of the Transport Committee, to make minor amendments to the LTDP. The Board also agreed that passported funding for Active Travel, Highway Maintenance, and Local Transport Grant would continue to be prioritised, programmed, and delivered by the highway authorities in accordance with government expectations and the MoU between the DfT and the Combined Authority. Finally, the Board recommended that the Transport Committee be consulted on any material caveats, exclusions, or restrictions relating to eligible expenditure categories before responding to the Mayor on the awarding of highways grants.

Business Board

The Board reviewed and approved new Terms of Reference for the Business Board, to take effect from 1 April 2026. They also reviewed and approved the Mayoral nominations for appointments to the new Business Board. The current Business Board will be retired with effect from 31 March 2026.

Peterborough Bus Depot

The Board noted the progress made towards acquiring the preferred site for the Peterborough Bus Depot and agreeing the approach for the next phase of work. Delegated authority was approved for the Chief Executive and Mayor, in consultation with the s73 Officer and Monitoring Officer, to negotiate and complete the acquisition of the site, subject to several conditions including the purchase price not exceeding the approved budget and independent valuation, legal and environmental due diligence, and a positive pre-application planning response. Delegated authority was also given to the Chief Executive to negotiate and agree the terms of the funding agreement with Peterborough City Council, and to the Assistant Director of Public Transport to enter into contracts and agreements required to progress the project up to the planning application submission stage.

Updates to the Constitution

The Board approved changes to the Combined Authority's Constitution, with Appendices A and B deferred to a future meeting. This decision was made to allow for further consideration and briefing on legal constraints.

Chief Executive Highlights Report

The Chief Executive provided an update on key activities, including the positive outcome of the Gateway Review challenge session with government officials. Discussions on the forthcoming Devolution Bill and the Tiger Pass arrangements were also highlighted. The report noted the progress of the Memorandum of Understanding with Great British Energy, focusing on community energy projects. Updates were also provided on the Mayoral Development Corporation for Peterborough and partnership work with Homes England. The Chief Executive also commended the team's work on youth engagement initiatives. The report was noted by the Board.

Corporate Risk Report

The PMO Programme Lead presented the Corporate Risk Report, noting that there were no red risks on the register. Five risks were rated amber (high), seven yellow (medium), and six green (low). Two risks were identified as above risk appetite: fraud occurring within the CPCA, and the risk that the Bus Reform Programme may not be delivered in line with the Mayoral decision of March 2025. The report detailed the addition of four new risks, the closure of one risk, and the reduction in score for three existing risks. The Board noted the report and the progress of Audit & Governance deep dives and the 2026/27 schedule.

Updates on Future Devolution Opportunities

The Director of Policy and Engagement provided an update on the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill, noting that Royal Assent was anticipated before the summer recess. Updates were also given on wider legislation, including the Planning & Infrastructure Act and the Railways Bill. The Board noted the progress on workstreams preparing for additional responsibilities, including transport, skills, housing, environment, business, health, capacity, and established status. The Combined Authority intends to submit an application for Established Mayoral Strategic Authority status following the Bill's Royal Assent, subject to Board approval.

Funding Decisions

The Board noted the Chief Executive approvals for projects under £2 million made through the Single Assurance Framework.

Exclusion of the Press and Public

It was resolved that the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the remaining items on the agenda, as they contained exempt information under Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972, and that disclosure would not be in the public interest.

The meeting then adjourned for the exempt session.