The West of England Combined Authority Overview & Scrutiny Committee met on Monday 19 October 2026 to discuss a range of significant topics including the Future Places Fund, local transport delivery, climate and ecological strategy, and the data lab fund. The committee also reviewed progress on the organisational improvement programme and the target operating model, performance reporting, and the work plan.

Future Places Fund

The committee discussed the Future Places Fund, a significant investment of £130 million aimed at increasing the supply of new homes. This fund is comprised of £45 million from the government's brownfield funding, £20 million from the Transforming City Regions (TCR) budget, and £65 million in borrowing. The intention is to grow this fund to around £1 billion through discussions with pension funds and central government. The fund is designed as a revolving fund, meaning public money will be reinvested, and will focus on projects demonstrating market failure where schemes would not otherwise proceed. To support this initiative, an £11.5 million construction skills fund has been established to ensure a pipeline of talent. The process for investment will be robust, involving an appointed investment advisor and an investment board, with unitary authorities participating.

Local Transport Delivery Plan

Concerns were raised regarding the adequacy of the maintenance allocation for the local transport delivery plan, with analysis from local authorities suggesting it is insufficient to maintain highways in their current state. The committee was informed that the pothole and pavement fund, a £215 million investment through TCR, represents a £40 million uplift from previous funding. However, it was acknowledged that this funding alone would not solve all issues. Individual councils can explore additional funding through borrowing or capital reserves. The committee also heard that the authority is supporting each unitary authority in applying for the Department for Transport's (DFT) structures fund for bridges and overpasses.

Climate and Ecological Strategy and Action Plan

The committee reviewed the progress of the West of England Climate and Ecological Strategy and Action Plan, published in 2023. The current approach is to embed climate resilience and nature recovery across all combined authority activities, rather than through a siloed directorate. A climate resilience action plan is being developed, with the Environment Advisory Board tasked with monitoring progress. Nature recovery is being integrated into the Strategic Development Strategy (SDS), and efforts are underway to make the transport network more sustainable. The £5 million nature recovery fund and the £500,000 green energy fund are also contributing to these efforts.

Data Lab Fund

The committee discussed the Data Lab Fund, with proposed expenditure of £700,000 this year and a further £1.5 million planned. While acknowledging that the benefits might appear vague at this stage, it was explained that the fund aims to improve the quality of data available to the combined authority to better understand the region's strengths, challenges, and support for residents. This data is crucial for evidencing decision-making and the effective spending of public money. The fund is seen as a significant investment at the heart of the organisation's future operations, particularly as an established mayoral combined authority preparing for greater fiscal devolution. The lack of co-terminosity across public sector boundaries in the region was highlighted as a challenge that the authority is working to address internally.

Organisational Improvement Programme and Target Operating Model

An update was provided on the Organisational Improvement Programme (OIP) and the implementation of the authority's new target operating model (TOM). The programme has moved from mobilization and design into delivery and embedding, playing a key role in the authority achieving established mayoral strategic authority status. The OIP, established to consolidate audit recommendations and improvement activities, aims to strengthen governance, performance management, and organizational effectiveness. The programme has a three-year budget of £3.1 million, funded through management-led efficiencies, with a forecast outturn of £2.8 million. Key achievements include strengthened governance, improved financial oversight, and the establishment of a corporate portfolio management office. Phase three of the TOM will focus on organisational culture, workforce capability, and preparation for further devolution. The OIP is evolving into a permanent continuous improvement programme and transformation function.

Performance Reporting Update

The committee received a report outlining proposals for regular performance reporting. The new approach aims to provide clear visibility of organisational and programme performance, enabling timely and informed decision-making. A project tracker is being implemented to oversee over 400 projects, with data to be presented through Power BI. The proposed reporting will include project distribution across growth strategy priorities, an overall Red/Amber/Green (RAG) status assessment, detailed performance across key project elements, and focused narratives on projects of concern. It is proposed that formal performance reports will be presented twice a year, with the option for an annual informal deep dive.

Work Plan Report

The committee reviewed its work plan, noting actions completed since the last meeting and considering future items for scrutiny. Discussions included the need for further briefings on the Transforming City Regions (TCR) funding, bus reform, and the Skills Strategy. Members also expressed interest in a visit to Brabazon and a focus on infrastructure plans for the Western Arc. The report also highlighted the upcoming implementation of the Devolution and Community Empowerment Act 2026, which will establish Local Scrutiny Committees.

Items for Consideration at the Joint Meeting

The committee considered reports scheduled for the Joint Meeting of the West of England Combined Authority Committee and Joint Committee on 23 October 2026. These included the Joint Committee Budget Forecast and the Mayoral Budget Forecast, the Investment Fund Programme and Grant Assurance, Delivery Assurance, the Forward Plan of Strategic Work, the West of England Investment Plan, the Skills Strategy, Established Mayoral Strategic Authority Status, the Expansion of the West of England Combined Authority, Brabazon and West Innovation Arc New Town, the Brownfield Housing Fund, and the Hicks Gate Masterplan.

Adult Skills Strategic Commissioning Plan

The committee discussed the Adult Skills Strategic Commissioning Plan, which has been co-developed with unitary authorities, providers, and colleges. A key concern raised was the uncertainty for experienced staff in unitary authorities regarding future funding arrangements beyond March 2027. While transition funding is not explicitly available, the plan includes the commissioning of eight triage officers from unitary authorities. The committee was informed that funding arrangements are dependent on government announcements, including the November budget. The long-term commissioning plan aims to provide certainty and reliability for providers, moving away from piecemeal one-year plans.

Local Transport Delivery Plan

The committee received an update on the Local Transport Delivery Plan (LTDP). Discussions focused on the maintenance fund, with an increased allocation of £215 million for potholes and pavements. However, concerns were raised that this allocation might still be insufficient, particularly for structural maintenance and climate change-related damage. The authority acknowledged the historical underinvestment in highways maintenance and is working to capture the benefits of existing investments. The committee was assured that the authority is working collaboratively with unitary authorities on the LTDP, with joint officer governance and additional transport advisory board meetings.

Constitutional Proposed Changes

The committee reviewed proposed constitutional changes, including updates to voting arrangements and terms of reference for committees, reflecting legislative changes. The audit committee had previously considered these changes and provided strong opinions. A key discussion point was the proposal for an independent chair of the audit committee, with benchmarking data indicating that a majority of Mayoral Combined Authorities have non-political chairs. The committee also discussed the importance of holding individuals to account for unconstitutional behaviour, with the current mayor having appointed a deputy mayor as required. The committee unanimously supported the principle of members of the public being able to ask supplementary questions.

Future Places Fund

The committee discussed the Future Places Fund, which aims to unlock stalled housing sites with an initial allocation of £46 million. The fund will be managed by the Director of Place, supported by independent experts. Political oversight will be provided through an annual paper to the committee, quarterly updates to the Strategic Place Partnership Board, and oversight at the audit committee. The mayor will have input into the prioritization of schemes. The committee also discussed the importance of ensuring that the fund delivers beyond just affordable housing, aiming for a blend of funding to unlock development on difficult sites. The committee requested a list of potential sites to be shared, with a caveat regarding confidentiality.

The meeting concluded with thanks to officers and members for their contributions.