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Overview and Scrutiny Committee - Tuesday, 30th June, 2026 10.00 am
June 30, 2026 at 10:00 am Overview and Scrutiny Committee View on council websiteSummary
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The Overview and Scrutiny Committee met on Tuesday 30 June 2026 to discuss the draft work programme for the municipal year 2026/27, agree terms of reference for several working groups, and review changes to the committee's terms of reference. A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to an independent review of bus franchising implementation pathways, strategic delivery plan, and next steps.
Bus Franchising: Independent Review into Bus Franchising Implementation Pathways, Strategic Delivery Plan and Next Steps
The committee received a report on the Independent Review into Bus Franchising Implementation Pathways, Strategic Delivery Plan and Next Steps. The review, commissioned by Mayor Paul Bristow, examined viable and deliverable pathways for implementing bus franchising in light of changed political and financial circumstances, focusing on affordability, deliverability, market capacity, and risk.
The review concluded that a phased and hybrid approach, combining interim direct awards and service permits with a sequenced introduction of competitively tendered franchise contracts, would be the most credible route. This approach aims to balance risk, encourage market participation, and enable a smoother transition to a fully franchised network, acknowledging that the original timescales are no longer practical.
Key recommendations from the review include:
- Implementation Pathway: A hybrid approach combining short-term direct awards and service permits with a phased introduction of competitively tendered franchise contracts.
- Financial Position: Acknowledging a funding gap due to updated demand drivers and the Mayor's commitment to freeze the Mayoral Precept. This may necessitate network reductions or alternative funding solutions.
- Depot Strategy: Proceeding with CPCA-owned bus depots in Peterborough and Cambridge to foster competition, with interim solutions being considered while these are developed.
- Fleet Strategy: Reconsidering the approach of operator-provided fleets for larger lots, suggesting CPCA ownership or leasing of electric buses to level the playing field and support the transition to zero-emission vehicles.
- Network Design: Developing comprehensive network planning guidelines with measurable targets and a clear pathway for designing, appraising, approving, and implementing bus service changes.
- Timescales: Revising the original timelines, with franchise competitions for larger lots delayed until CPCA can establish suitable depot ownership. Direct awards and service permits will be used in the interim.
During the discussion, concerns were raised about the financial implications of the proposed approach, particularly regarding the capital costs for new depots and the affordability of the overall scheme within the current financial envelope. The committee also discussed the potential for service reductions if affordability pressures cannot be mitigated.
The committee heard that the Bus Services Act 2025 provides new powers for direct awards, which could be used as a transitional measure. However, legal advice indicated that this new regime carries some risk of challenge. The report also highlighted that the current depot situation in Cambridge and Peterborough is insufficient for the long-term aspirations of a franchised network, and that operator feedback strongly favours CPCA-owned depots to ensure fair competition.
The committee ultimately received the report, and the recommendations within it were approved.
O&S Work Programme
The committee noted the draft work programme for the municipal year 2026/27. They agreed the terms of reference for three working groups: the Interim Outcomes Framework Working Group, the Budget Working Group, and the Bus Depot Working Group. Members were appointed to these groups. The committee requested that the terms of reference for the Bus Depot Working Group be brought back to the September meeting.
O&S Terms of Reference
The committee received a report on changes to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee's Terms of Reference, particularly in relation to the dismissal of mayoral commissioners, as prescribed by MHCLG guidance. The committee recommended to the Combined Authority Board that these further amendments be adopted.
Corporate Performance Report Q4 2025/26
The committee discussed and noted the Corporate Performance Report for Q4 2025/26. The report detailed performance against Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and progress on the Annual Business Plan. Several KPIs were highlighted as being Red
rated, including the number of new homes started and completed, and the percentage of live in-delivery projects on track. Officers explained that the housing metrics were influenced by factors outside the Combined Authority's direct control, while the project delivery metric reflected a more comprehensive assessment of projects, many of which predated the Single Assurance Framework. The committee also discussed the metric for the proportion of land classed as nature-rich, noting a reported decrease and the importance of robust data collection.
Other Business
The committee elected Councillor Aiden Van De Weyer as Chair and Councillor Jon Neish as Vice Chair for the municipal year 2026/27. Apologies were received from Councillor Woollard and Councillor Clough. One public question was received regarding infrastructure requirements for the North Huntington growth cluster. The committee also noted the CA Forward Plan and received updates from scrutiny lead members. The press and public were excluded from the final part of the meeting to discuss exempt information relating to the bus franchising strategic delivery plan. The date of the next meeting was scheduled for 8 September.
Delegated decisions linked to this meeting
Decision summaries below are AI-generated from the council’s published record. Check the council source or the full decision page before relying on them.
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Bus Franchising: Independent Review into Bus Franchising Implementation Pathways, Strategic Delivery Plan and Next Steps
Recommendations ApprovedThe Overview and Scrutiny Committee of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority Council approved recommendations on 30 June 2026. The committee received a report on bus franchising implementation pathways, a strategic delivery plan, and next steps. The approved recommendations include implementing a phased franchising scheme with direct awards for initial contracts, establishing CPCA-owned depots in Peterborough and Cambridge, and adopting a balanced fleet strategy.
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Recommendations/Questions to the CA Board
Recommendations ApprovedThe Overview and Scrutiny Committee of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority Council did not make any recommendations for the CA Board on 30 June 2026. The recorded outcome was Recommendations Approved.
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Scrutiny Lead Member Reports
Recommendations ApprovedThe Overview and Scrutiny Committee of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority Council approved recommendations on 30/06/2026. The committee received updates from scrutiny lead members for the Thematic Committee.
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Date of Next Meeting
Recommendations ApprovedThe Overview and Scrutiny Committee of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority Council decided the next meeting is scheduled for 8th September. This was approved on 30/06/2026.
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Election of Chair
Recommendations ApprovedCambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority Council's Overview and Scrutiny Committee elected Cllr Van De Weyer as Chair for the municipal year 26/27 on 30/06/2026. Recommendations were approved.
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Declaration of Interests
Recommendations ApprovedCambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority Overview and Scrutiny Committee approved recommendations on 30/06/2026. No declarations of interest were made.
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Forward Plan
Recommendations ApprovedThe Overview and Scrutiny Committee of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority Council decided to note the CA Forward Plan on 30 June 2026.
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Corporate Performance Report Q4 2025/26
Recommendations ApprovedThe Overview and Scrutiny Committee of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority Council discussed and noted the Corporate Performance Report for Q4 2025/26 on 30 June 2026. The committee reviewed performance data for Key Performance Indicators and progress on the Annual Business Plan.
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O&S Terms of Reference
Recommendations ApprovedThe Overview and Scrutiny Committee recommended to the CA Board to adopt amendments to the O&S Committee Terms of Reference. These amendments relate to the dismissal of mayoral commissioners as prescribed by MHCLG guidance, and were approved on 30/06/2026.
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Appointment of Scrutiny Lead Members
Recommendations ApprovedThe Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority Overview and Scrutiny Committee approved recommendations on 30/06/2026. Cllr Neish was appointed scrutiny lead member for the Transport Committee, Cllr Vellacott for the Growth Committee, and Cllr Cahn for the Skills Committee.
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Public Questions
Recommendations ApprovedThe Overview and Scrutiny Committee of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority approved recommendations on 30/06/2026. The committee will discuss whether to include scrutiny of Opportunity Zones and the Spatial Development Strategy in its work programme.
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O&S Work Programme
Recommendations ApprovedThe Overview and Scrutiny Committee of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority approved recommendations on 30 June 2026. The committee noted the draft work programme for 2026/27, agreed terms of reference and appointed members for the Interim Outcomes Framework Working Group and the Budget Working Group, and appointed members to the Bus Depot Working Group.
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Minutes of the previous meeting
Recommendations ApprovedThe Overview and Scrutiny Committee of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority Council decided on 30/06/2026 to approve the minutes of the previous meeting and note the Action Log. The committee approved the Scrutiny Member Role Description, noted working group comments, agreed to change the Rapporteur Role name to Scrutiny (Committee) Lead, accepted draft O&S Terms of Reference for recommendation to the Combined Authority Board, and noted the results from the Scrutiny Survey and agreed actions. The committee also approved the draft O&S Committee annual report for presentation to the CA Board at its AGM.
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Exclusion of the Press and Public
Recommendations ApprovedThe Overview and Scrutiny Committee decided to exclude the press and public from the meeting on 30/06/2026. This was because the report contained exempt information, and the public interest in maintaining exemption outweighed the public interest in disclosure.
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Election of Vice Chair
Recommendations ApprovedThe Overview and Scrutiny Committee of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority Council decided that Cllr Neish was elected Vice Chair for the municipal year 26/27 on 30/06/2026.
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Apologies for Absence
Recommendations ApprovedThe Overview and Scrutiny Committee of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority Council approved recommendations on 30/06/2026. Apologies for absence were received from Cllr Woollard, substituted by Cllr Foice-Beard, and from Cllr Clough.
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