The Funding Committee of the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority met on Monday 22 June 2026, approving revisions to its Terms of Reference and recommending the approval of a significant business case for the Skills Capital Programme. The committee also noted officer decisions on various projects and reviewed the progress of ongoing initiatives.

Review of Terms of Reference

The committee reviewed proposed amendments to its Terms of Reference, which were designed to align with the Combined Authority's Corporate Plan and the Single Assurance Framework. A key change discussed was the adjustment of approval levels for projects, with officers now able to approve projects up to £500,000, and the committee's role in approving projects between £500,000 and £2 million. Concept papers, previously approved by officers, will now require committee or board approval. The committee unanimously recommended these revisions to the Combined Authority Board for incorporation into the Combined Authority's Constitution.

Single Assurance Framework Business Case Approvals: Officer Decisions

The committee noted a series of officer decisions made under the Single Assurance Framework delegation. These included approvals for projects such as the FE Teacher Industry Exchange Programme (£137,907), the Changing Futures programme (£225,000), and the National Cycle Network School Neighbourhoods project (£556,347). Several change requests were also noted, including extensions and reprofiling of funds for the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, Connect to Work, and the Active Travel Fund.

Single Assurance Framework Business Case Approvals: Funding Committee Decisions

A significant decision was made regarding the Skills Capital Programme, which aims to expand post-16 education capacity across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough. The committee unanimously recommended the approval of the business case for this programme, totalling £15,143,069, to the Combined Authority Board. This funding, primarily from the Department for Education, will support capital projects to increase learner places and construction skills provision, with an additional £689,000 from the FE Cold Spots programme to enhance flexibility. Individual projects within the programme will be brought back for separate approval.

Concerns were raised about the revenue funding aspect of the programme and ensuring access for young people, particularly regarding transport. Caroline Fairhurst, the former project manager, explained that the underspend from the FE Cold Spots programme provided some revenue flexibility. The committee also discussed the challenges of securing premises and transport for educational initiatives, with a commitment to provide updates outside the meeting.

Project Progress Report

The committee received an update on project delivery across the Combined Authority, noting the Strategic Projects Dashboard and the wider portfolio. Of the strategic projects, six were rated amber and six green, with no red-rated projects. In the wider portfolio, two projects were rated red: the £100m Affordable Housing Programme, nearing completion but with a few properties delayed, and the Nature and Environment Investment Fund, facing delays due to the complexity of the funding scheme and the need to secure match funding. The committee was informed that the Nature and Environment Investment Fund had a project extension agreed in principle to carry forward into 2026/27. Discussions also touched upon the bus franchising programme, which remained amber due to significant risks and dependencies, and the Youth Guarantee Trailblazer, which was progressing well with lessons learned from its first year being applied to the second.

Work Programme

The committee noted its Work Programme for the upcoming municipal year.

Election of Vice-Chair

Councillor Keith Horgan was unanimously appointed as the Vice-Chair of the Funding Committee for the municipal year 2026-27.

Minutes of the Previous Meeting

The minutes from the meeting held on 5 January 2026 were approved as an accurate record.