Agenda, decisions and minutes

Apologies for absence were received on behalf of:

LCR Combined Authority

Mayor Joanne Anderson, Mayor of Liverpool City Council

Associate Member

Councillor Russ Bowden, Leader of Warrington Council

Deputy Portfolio Holders

Councillor Marion Atkinson

Councillor Kate Groucutt

Councillor Trish Hardy

Members and officers were invited to declare any interests they had in any of the items on the agenda for the meeting.

The following interest had been declared:-

Louise Outram – agenda item 17, ‘Designation of a Monitoring Officer’ as a candidate for the role. She left the meeting during consideration of the item (see Minute 125).

RESOLVED – That the Minutes of the meeting of the LCR Combined Authority held on 20 January 2023 were agreed as a correct record.

To receive updates from the Liverpool City Region Metro Mayor.

Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram provided Members with an update on his recent activities and key developments since the last meeting of the LCR Combined Authority.

The Metro Mayor began by referencing the recent publication of an independent report into the events outside the Stade de France in Paris before the Champions League Final in May 2022, that found that UEFA bore ‘primary responsibility’ for failures outside the ground, despite attempts by UEFA and French authorities to suggest Liverpool supporters were at fault. The report had in fact praised fans for helping avert the loss of life. The Metro Mayor stressed the importance of lessons being learned to ensure the safety of the venues chosen to host sporting spectacles and the safety of fans were at the forefront of decision making of sporting governing bodies. 

The Metro Mayor added that a formal UK Government response was still awaited, as was an apology from French authorities, and that he had again written to President Macron asking that he apologises for unacceptable comments by two of his Ministers and for the poor quality of policing on the day, but as yet no response had been received.

The Metro Mayor reported that the Northern Transport Summit had been held in Liverpool during the previous week and had been an opportunity to showcase the incredible work locally to provide a London-style transport system for the City Region, that included:

·       The rollout of new publicly owned trains for the Merseyrail network

·       Moving forward with bus reform

·       £2 capped fares for single bus journeys

·       New hydrogen buses being introduced in the coming weeks 

·       Securing the future of Mersey Ferries

·       Record-levels of investment in walking and cycling

The Metro Mayor highlighted the opportunities that devolution would provide for making it easier, cheaper, quicker and cleaner to get around the City Region on public transport and reverse decades of underinvestment in transport services in the North of England.    

The Metro Mayor also referred to public statements made by the public to the previous meeting on the issue of trains “Skip Stopping” at Bromborough Rake and Green Lane, and promised that an announcement would be made in the coming weeks that should be welcomed by local residents.

The Metro Mayor reported that he had lent his support to Unite’s “Get Me Home Safely” campaign to improve safety for women doing simple things like using public transport or walking home from work at night, which were often activities women felt unsafe to do and which most men took for granted. The Metro Mayor stressed that while progress in this area had been made, there was action still needed and that he would be working with the Police and Crime Commissioner and local council leaders to make travelling across the City Region safer. 

As Eurovision was edging ever closer, the Metro Mayor reported that he had joined the Mayor of Liverpool, the Mayor of Turin, and the (then) Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, for the Eurovision handover ceremony  ...  view the full minutes text for item 114.

(1)       To consider whether, in accordance with 100A of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended) it is in the public interest to exclude the public from the meeting during consideration of the reports and/or specified appendices listed below in order to prevent the disclosure of information ‘not for publication’ as set out in Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended)

(2)    To consider whether, in accordance with 100A of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended) it is in the public interest to exclude the public from the meeting during consideration of the specified appendices listed below in order to prevent the disclosure of information ‘not for publication’ as set out in Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended), in the event that the content of the appendices need to be discussed:

RESOLVED – (1) That, in accordance with 100A of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended), to prevent the disclosure of information ‘not for publication’, the press and public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following items for the reasons specified:

(2) That, in accordance with 100A of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended), to prevent the disclosure of information ‘not for publication’, the press and public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following specified appendices listed for the reasons specified, in the event that the content of the appendices need to be discussed:

To consider a report of the Executive Director for Corporate Services and the Portfolio Holder for Policy, Reform & Resources.

RESOLVED - That in relation to the LCRCA Financial Performance Report for the period April-December 2022:

(a)    the contents of the report be noted;

(b)    the proposed revised revenue budget as detailed at 3.5 of the report be approved;

(c)    the proposed adjustments to the grants provided to Merseytravel to cover its operational activities as detailed at 3.8 of the report be approved; and

(d)    the proposed revised capital programme as detailed at 3.14 of the report be approved.

The Combined Authority considered a report of the Executive Director for Corporate Services and the Portfolio Holder for Policy, Reform & Resources that provided details of the revenue and capital performance of the Combined Authority group for the period April through to December 2022.

RESOLVED – That, in relation to the financial performance report for April – December 2022:

(a)    the contents of the report be noted;

(b)    the proposed revised revenue budget as detailed at 3.5 be approved;

(c)    the proposed adjustments to the grants provided to Merseytravel to cover its operational activities as detailed at 3.8 be approved; and

(d)    the proposed revised capital programme as detailed at 3.14 be approved.

To consider a report of the Executive Director for Place and the Deputy Portfolio Holder for Air Quality and Transport.

(Note: the appendices to this report contain information ‘not for publication’ that have been circulated to members of the Combined Authority only)

RESOLVED – That in relation to the next stages of bus reform within the Liverpool City Region:

(a)       the Assessment presented in the exempt Appendix 1 be received and noted;

(b)       the contents of the Independent Audit, that was prepared in accordance with section 123D of the Act as described in paragraph 3.5 and presented in the exempt Appendix 2 to this report be noted;

(c)        the publication of the Assessment, the Independent Audit and all other documentation relevant to the process be approved;

(d)       the Proposed Franchising Scheme as described in paragraph 3.4 and set out in the exempt Appendix 3 be approved;

(e)       it be agreed to proceed with the Proposed Franchising Scheme by undertaking a consultation on the Proposed Franchising Scheme in accordance with sections 123E to 123G of the Act, as described in paragraph 3.6;

(f)         the publication of a notice of the Proposed Franchising Scheme in accordance with sections 123E(2)(d) and 123E(3) of the Act be approved; and

(g)       the tasks necessary to conduct the consultation be delegated to the Executive Director for Place in conjunction with the Deputy Portfolio Holder for Transport and the Metro Mayor.

The Combined Authority considered a report of the Executive Director for Place and the Deputy Portfolio Holder for Transport & Air Quality inviting the Combined Authority to determine its approach to the next stages for bus reform within the Liverpool City Region, taking into account the requirements of the Transport Act 2000, as amended by the Bus Services Act 2017.

The Metro Mayor set out the background and context to the report, including the powers available to the Combined Authority through the Bus Services Act and the challenges facing bus services.

The Deputy Portfolio Holder summarised the work undertaken since 2019 when the Combined Authority identified franchising as its preferred option for bus services in the City Region, including the completion of an independent assessment and audit. He thanked Members and especially officers for their hard work in bringing the project to this point.

Councillor Morgan stressed that there was a once in a generation opportunity to make transformational improvements to public transport in the City Region by being bold and ambitious, but that it was important that the Government continue to be lobbied to provide proper funding. He stated his support for the opportunity for the public to have their say on the future of bus services locally.

Councillor Maher echoed the comments made in relation to funding, and on the need for other areas to receive comparable levels of funding as London.

The Metro Mayor welcomed the comments made, and stressed that this was a complicated process with a number of steps before any final decision was taken, and that it may take some time, but that this was the first step toward taking greater control of the bus network.

RESOLVED – That:

(a)       the Assessment presented in the exempt Appendix 1 be received and noted;

(b)       the contents of the Independent Audit, that was prepared in accordance with section 123D of the Act as described in paragraph 3.5 and presented in the exempt Appendix 2 to this report be noted;

(c)        the publication of the Assessment, the Independent Audit and all other documentation relevant to the process be approved;

(d)       the Proposed Franchising Scheme as described in paragraph 3.4 and set out in the exempt Appendix 3 be approved;

(e)       it be agreed to proceed with the Proposed Franchising Scheme by undertaking a consultation on the Proposed Franchising Scheme in accordance with sections 123E to 123G of the Act, as described in paragraph 3.6;

(f)         the publication of a notice of the Proposed Franchising Scheme in accordance with sections 123E(2)(d) and 123E(3) of the Act be approved; and

(g)       the tasks necessary to conduct the consultation be delegated to the Executive Director for Place in conjunction with the Deputy Portfolio Holder for Transport & Air Quality and the Metro Mayor.

To consider a report of the Executive Director for Corporate Services and the Portfolio Holder for Policy, Reform and Resources.

(Note: the appendices to this report contain information ‘not for publication’ that have been circulated to members of the Combined Authority only)

RESOLVED – That in relation to the Liverpool City Region Memorandum of Understanding and Business Rates Retention Strategy:

(a)       the requirements of the Freeports Framework that sets out the performance management, security audit and assurance processes for Freeports in England be noted;

(b)       the LCR Freeport Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) attached as exempt Appendix 1 be approved;

(c)        the Business Rates Retention Strategy attached as exempt Appendix 2 and the framework as outlined in the report to be implemented by the three Freeport billing authorities to help support investment in LCR Freeport Tax Sites, regeneration and levelling up in the City Region be approved; and

(d)       it be noted that there would be a final discussion with Government on minor amendments from the parties to the MOU and approval be given to delegate authority to the Combined Authority Treasurer to agree such amendments in consultation with the Freeport Director and the Metro Mayor.

The Combined Authority considered a report of the Executive Director for Corporate Services and the Portfolio Holder for Policy, Reform & Resources providing an update on the Freeport, including on the Full Business Case and the requirement to agree a Memorandum of Understanding that included a Business Rates Retention Strategy, between Government, the Combined Authority, St Helens, Halton and Wirral Councils.

The Metro Mayor confirmed that the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding would unlock £25m of seed funding for the development of the Customs Sites in the City Region that would help attract the Foreign Direct Investment the City Region needed but on the basis of supporting the Combined Authority’s ambitions and commitments to workers’ rights and environmental standards.

RESOLVED – (Councillors Maher and Williamson abstained) That in relation to the Liverpool City Region Memorandum of Understanding and Business Rates Retention Strategy:

(a)       the requirements of the Freeports Framework that sets out the performance management, security audit and assurance processes for Freeports in England be noted;

(b)       the LCR Freeport Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) attached as exempt Appendix 1 be approved;

(c)        the Business Rates Retention Strategy attached as exempt Appendix 2 and the framework as outlined in the report to be implemented by the three Freeport billing authorities to help support investment in LCR Freeport Tax Sites, regeneration and levelling up in the City Region be approved; and

(d)       it be noted that there would be a final discussion with Government on minor amendments from the parties to the MOU and approval be given to delegate authority to the Combined Authority Treasurer to agree such amendments in consultation with the Freeport Director and the Metro Mayor.

To consider a report of the Executive Director for Place and the Deputy Portfolio Holder for Air Quality and Transport.

RESOLVED – That:

(a)    receipt of the Local Authority Capability and Ambition Fund (CAF) from Government as identified in paragraph 3.6 of the report be noted, and the allocation of Bikeability funding as identified in paragraph 3.10 of the report and;

(b)    the disbursement of these CAF funds to the constituent local authorities be agreed and to the Combined Authority/Merseytravel as indicated in paragraph 4.1, Table 1 of the report.

The Combined Authority considered a report of the Executive Director for Place and the Deputy Portfolio Holder for Transport & Air Quality that sought approval for the disbursement of funding across the six constituent local authorities received from Active Travel England (ATE) in relation to Local Authority Capability and Ambition Fund (CAF) 2022/23. The report also sought approval to continue to deliver ‘Bikeability’ training for children.

The Deputy Portfolio Holder welcomed the funding that would be used to enhance opportunities for active travel across the City Region.

RESOLVED – That:

(a)    receipt of the Local Authority Capability and Ambition Fund (CAF) from Government as identified in paragraph 3.6 of the report be noted, and the allocation of Bikeability funding as identified in paragraph 3.10 of the report be noted and;

(b)    the disbursement of these CAF funds to the constituent local authorities be agreed and to the Combined Authority/Merseytravel as indicated in paragraph 4.1, Table 1 of the report.

To consider a report of the Executive Director for Place and the Deputy Portfolio Holder for Transport and Air Quality

RESOLVED – That, in relation to the City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement (CRSTS) Highways Maintenance / Non-Highways Maintenance (CRSTS Maintenance Programme) and Key Routes Network (KRN) programmes:

(a)    the update on the delivery of the Year 1 (2022/23) City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement (CRSTS) Maintenance programme be noted;

(b)    the content of the proposed Years 2 to 5 (2023/27) CRSTS Maintenance programme be noted and approved;

(c)    authority be delegated to the Executive Director - Place in consultation with the Chief Legal Officer and Treasurer to put in place and manage funding agreements to disburse funds to delivery partners, in order to progress schemes in the Years 2-5 CRSTS Maintenance programme as detailed in this report;

(d)    authority be delegated to the Executive Director - Place to approve changes to the CRSTS Maintenance programme within the overall programme budget, subject to consultation with delivery partners where appropriate;

(e)    the allocation of an additional £1.96m of CRSTS funding to the Key Routes Network (KRN) Levelling Up Programme (increasing the total allocation to the KRN programme to £46.93m), and the provision of this additional sum to Merseytravel to enable delivery of the Queensway Tunnel Lighting project be approved.

(f)     the authority delegated to the Executive Director of Investment and Delivery on 22July 2022 to finalise negotiations of detailed funding terms and associated agreements for the KRN programme, including the Queensway Tunnel Lighting project, be noted; and

(g)    the exemption of the call in period associated with the Queensway Tunnel Lighting project, as set out in paragraph 3.10 of the report be noted.

The Combined Authority considered a report of the Executive Director for Place and the Deputy Portfolio Holder for Transport & Air Quality that provided an update on the ongoing delivery of the Highways Maintenance / Non-Highways Maintenance and Key Routes Network (KRN) programmes that formed part of the City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement (CRSTS). It also set out the proposed delivery programme for years 2-5 (2023 to 2027) in addition to detailing some proposed changes to the governance arrangements for overseeing delivery of this element of the CRSTS programme.

The Deputy Portfolio Holder emphasised the certainty that the funding settlement provided for local authorities, in contrast to that of the yearly finance settlement, and the opportunity this provided to manage the programme more effectively.

RESOLVED – That, in relation to the City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement (CRSTS) Highways Maintenance / Non-Highways Maintenance (CRSTS Maintenance Programme) and Key Routes Network (KRN) programmes:

(a)    the update on the delivery of the Year 1 (2022/23) City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement (CRSTS) Maintenance programme be noted;

(b)    the content of the proposed Years 2 to 5 (2023/27) CRSTS Maintenance programme be noted and approved;

(c)    authority be delegated to the Executive Director - Place in consultation with the Chief Legal Officer and Treasurer to put in place and manage funding agreements to disburse funds to delivery partners, in order to progress schemes in the Years 2-5 CRSTS Maintenance programme as detailed in this report;

(d)    authority be delegated to the Executive Director - Place to approve changes to the CRSTS Maintenance programme within the overall programme budget, subject to consultation with delivery partners where appropriate;

(e)    the allocation of an additional £1.96m of CRSTS funding to the Key Routes Network (KRN) Levelling Up Programme (increasing the total allocation to the KRN programme to £46.93m), and the provision of this additional sum to Merseytravel to enable delivery of the Queensway Tunnel Lighting project be approved.

(f)     the authority delegated to the Executive Director of Investment and Delivery on 22July 2022 to finalise negotiations of detailed funding terms and associated agreements for the KRN programme, including the Queensway Tunnel Lighting project, be noted; and

(g)    the exemption of the call in period associated with the Queensway Tunnel Lighting project, as set out in paragraph 3.10 of the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Executive Director for Investment and Delivery and the Portfolio Holder for Education, Skills, Equality & Diversity.

(Note: an appendix to this report contains information ‘not for publication’ that has been circulated to members of the Combined Authority only)

RESOLVED – That:

(a)    the devolved Adult Education Budget (AEB) allocation for 2023/24 academic year of £53,698,692 from the Department for Education (DfE) be accepted and the maximum AEB funding allocations to Liverpool City Region grant funded providers, as summarised in Exempt Appendix 1 be approved;

(b)    the delegated grant funding of £2,960,686 from the DfE for the Level 3 Adult Offer for the academic year 2023/24 be accepted as outlined in the letter dated 09 February 2023 noting this was not the full annual budget available as outlined in section 3 of the report;

(c)    the funding of £2,921,579 from the DfE for the Multiply Grant (funded through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund) for the financial year 2023/24 (year 2) be accepted;

(d)    the funding of £8,200,000 from the DfE for the Skills Bootcamps for the Workplace Wave 4 Grant for the financial year 2023/24 be accepted;

(e)    the methodology that will be applied to calculate the AEB Contract for Service allocations and the Level 3 Lifetime Skills Guarantee allocations for the academic year 2023/24 as outlined in section 4 of the report be noted;

(f)     it be noted that the AEB Assurance Framework will be updated to include Multiply Funding to enable in year changes to reflect the process used for AEB and the Level 3 Adult Offer as described in section 4 of the report;

(g)    the continuation of a Facilitation Fund using AEB in 2023/24 academic year as set out in section 4 of the report be approved;

(h)    the Scheme of Delegation outlined in section 6 regarding the allocations for the Contract for Services AEB delivery for academic year 2023/24, the provider allocations for the Level 3 Adult Offer funding for academic year 2023/24, the provider allocations for the Multiply Grants for the financial year 2023/24 and noting the process already in place to award Skills Bootcamps for the Workplace grant funding to continue for Wave 4 (financial year 2023/24) be approved; and

(i)     the headline data referenced in section 7 of the report relating to the last AEB academic year for 2021/22 and reported in Appendix Two be noted.

The Combined Authority considered a report of the Executive Director for Investment & Delivery and the Portfolio Holder for Education, Skills, Equality & Diversity that sought approval for a range of Adult Education funding allocations and grants to support providers and skills offers for the academic and financial year 2023/24, and for a scheme of delegation for the contract award process.

The Deputy Portfolio Holder for Education, Skills, Equality & Diversity highlighted the impact of the devolution of the Adult Education Budget, with approximately 78% of residents now having qualifications at Level 2, bring it in line with the national average for the first time.

[Note: the Metro Mayor briefly vacated the chair and was replaced by the Deputy Mayor during consideration of this item although he had resumed the chair prior to the decision-making]

RESOLVED – That:

(a)    the devolved Adult Education Budget (AEB) allocation for 2023/24 academic year of £53,698,692 from the Department for Education (DfE) be accepted and the maximum AEB funding allocations to Liverpool City Region grant funded providers, as summarised in Exempt Appendix 1 be approved;

(b)    the delegated grant funding of £2,960,686 from the DfE for the Level 3 Adult Offer for the academic year 2023/24 be accepted as outlined in the letter dated 09 February 2023 noting this was not the full annual budget available as outlined in section 3 of the report;

(c)    the funding of £2,921,579 from the DfE for the Multiply Grant (funded through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund) for the financial year 2023/24 (year 2) be accepted;

(d)    the funding of £8,200,000 from the DfE for the Skills Bootcamps for the Workplace Wave 4 Grant for the financial year 2023/24 be accepted;

(e)    the methodology that will be applied to calculate the AEB Contract for Service allocations and the Level 3 Lifetime Skills Guarantee allocations for the academic year 2023/24 as outlined in section 4 of the report be noted;

(f)     it be noted that the AEB Assurance Framework will be updated to include Multiply Funding to enable in year changes to reflect the process used for AEB and the Level 3 Adult Offer as described in section 4 of the report;

(g)    the continuation of a Facilitation Fund using AEB in 2023/24 academic year as set out in section 4 of the report be approved;

(h)    the Scheme of Delegation outlined in section 6 regarding the allocations for the Contract for Services AEB delivery for academic year 2023/24, the provider allocations for the Level 3 Adult Offer funding for academic year 2023/24, the provider allocations for the Multiply Grants for the financial year 2023/24 and noting the process already in place to award Skills Bootcamps for the Workplace grant funding to continue for Wave 4 (financial year 2023/24) be approved; and

(i)     the headline data referenced in section 7 of the report relating to the last AEB academic year for 2021/22 and reported in Appendix Two be noted.

To consider a report of the Executive Director for Investment and Delivery and the Portfolio Holder for Inclusive Economy and the Third Sector.

RESOLVED – That, in relation to progress in investing the Strategic Investment Fund (SIF) for the programme period of April 2021 to March 2026:

(a)    the report be noted;

(b)    it be noted that in addition to existing projects recent bids for funding had been received from Local Authorities and work was currently in progress to appraise these; and

(c)    the proposed approach to over-programming of the Strategic Investment Fund by up to £60m be approved, noting that approval for any additional projects would be subject to the Combined Authority Assurance Framework and Combined Authority approval.

The Combined Authority considered a report of the Executive Director for Investment & Delivery and the Portfolio Holder for Inclusive Economy & Third Sector that updated on progress in investing the Strategic Investment Fund (SIF) and sought approval for a measured degree of overprogramming of the Fund to ensure it could be expended fully over the course of the programme period (April 2021-March 2026).

The Porfolio Holder emphasised that the £326.1m made available via the SIF had been allocated to a range of significant projects across the City Region, but that due to inevitable slippage in often complex programmes, it was necessary to allocate up to £60m to ensure that funds were all expended.

RESOLVED – That, in relation to progress in investing the Strategic Investment Fund for the programme period of April 2021 to March 2026:

(a)    the report be noted;

(b)    it be noted that in addition to existing projects recent bids for funding had been received from Local Authorities and work was currently in progress to appraise these; and

(c)    the proposed approach to over-programming of the Strategic Investment Fund by up to £60m be approved noting that approval for any additional projects would be subject to the Combined Authority Assurance Framework and Combined Authority approval.

To consider a report of the Executive Director for Investment and Delivery and the Portfolio Holder for Education, Skills, Equality & Diversity.

RESOLVED – That:

(a)    the provision of up to £4.8m funding from the Strategic Investment Fund for the Ways to Work Programme be approved; and

(b)    authority be delegated to the Executive Director - Investment and Delivery to finalise negotiations of detailed funding terms and associated agreements for the Programme specified at (a) above in consultation with the Combined Authority Monitoring Officer and the Treasurer.

The Combined Authority considered a report of the Executive Director for Investment & Delivery and the Portfolio Holder for Education, Skills, Equality & Diversity that sought approval to award Strategic Investment Funding (SIF) to gap fund the Ways to Work Programme until UK Shared Prosperity Funding (UKSPF) became available in April 2024.

The Portfolio Holder for Inclusive Economy & Third Sector highlighted the success of the Ways to Work Programme, resourced from the European Social Fund, that had supported 35,000 people since 2016. Funding was due to come to an end on 30 September 2023 but replacement UKSPF funding would not be available until April 2024. The SIF allocation would allow the programmes to continue to support residents of the City Region.

The Metro Mayor supported the proposals to ensure the Ways to Work programme would continue, but expressed frustration that despite promises made by the Government that no area would be worse off under the UKSPF, the reduction in funding meant that £5m of SIF resources was being used that might have been allocated to other projects.

RESOLVED – That, in relation to the Ways of Work Programme:

(a)    the provision of up to £4.8m funding from the Strategic Investment Fund for the Ways to Work Programme be approved; and

(b)    delegated authority be granted to the Executive Director of Investment and Delivery to finalise negotiations of detailed funding terms and associated agreements for the Programme specified at (a) above in consultation with the Combined Authority Monitoring Officer and Combined Authority Treasurer.

To consider a report of the Executive Director for Investment and Delivery and the Portfolio Holder for Inclusive Economy and the Third Sector.

RESOLVED – That in relation to changes proposed to previously agreed Strategic Investment Fund projects:

(a)    the material change to St Helens Southern Gateway Package as requested by St Helens Metropolitan Borough Council indicated in paragraphs 3.1 – 3.6 of the report and the extension of time for completion to May 2023 be approved;

(b)    the material change to LCR Strategic Cycling and Walking Network Work Package 5 of the Transforming Cities Fund as requested by St Helens Metropolitan Borough Council, indicated in paragraphs 3.7 – 3.13 of the report and the extension of time for completion to June 2023 be approved.

The Combined Authority considered a report of the Executive Director for Investment & Delivery and the Portfolio Holder for Inclusive Economy & Third Sector which sought the approval for material change controls for previously agreed Strategic Investment Fund Projects.

The Porfolio Holder summarised the proposed changes to the St Helens Southern Gateway package and the Transforming Cities Fund Walking and Cycling Schemes in St Helens.

RESOLVED – That:

(a)    the material change to St Helens Southern Gateway Package as requested by St Helens Metropolitan Borough Council indicated in paragraphs 3.1 – 3.6 of the report and the extension of time for completion to May 2023 be approved;

(b)    the material change to LCR Strategic Cycling and Walking Network Work Package 5 of the Transforming Cities Fund as requested by St Helens Metropolitan Borough Council, indicated in paragraphs 3.7 – 3.13 of the report and the extension of time for completion to June 2023 be approved.

To consider a report of the Executive Director for Corporate Services.

The Combined Authority considered a report of the Executive Director for Corporate Services that updated on the recruitment process undertaken for the Chief Legal Officer and sought the ratification of the appointment of a preferred candidate and their designation as the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority Monitoring Officer.

The Executive Director and Chief Executive summarised the process undertaken to identify a preferred candidate and recommended Louise Outram, currently Interim Monitoring Officer of the Combined Authority.

RESOLVED – That:

(a)    the progress made regarding the appointment to the position of the Chief Legal Officer be noted;

(b)    it be noted that the holder of the post of Chief Legal Officer fulfilled the statutory Monitoring Officer role for the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority under the Local Government and Housing Act 1989; and

(c)    the verbal recommendation of the Chief Executive and Executive Director for Corporate Services, to appoint Louise Outram to the position of Chief Legal Officer and designate as Monitoring Officer for the Combined Authority, be approved.

Members of the public will be given the opportunity to ask questions which have been submitted in accordance with Meetings Standing Orders No. 11. A period of 30 minutes will be allocated for this item. Copies of valid questions will be circulated at the meeting.

Members of the public who wish to submit questions are asked to contact Democratic Services either by:

Email: [email protected]

Telephone: 0151 330 1330

In writing: Democratic Services, LCR Combined Authority, PO Box 1976, No. 1 Mann Island, Liverpool, L3 1BP.

A proforma will be supplied for the submission of public questions which for this meeting must be returned by 5.00pm on Monday 27 February 2023.

The Metro Mayor reported that one question had been submitted by a questioner who was not present at the meeting.

Louise Outram, Interim Monitoring Officer, read out the question as follows:

Please can you confirm the dates when the public consultation on bus franchising will launch? I am aware that it will last for 12 weeks, but would like to know the estimated or actual launch date.

The Metro Mayor referred to the earlier decision to move to the next stage of bus reform that involved undertaking a formal consultation on the Proposed Franchising Scheme and stated that officers would be preparing the consultation programme, which would launch following the local elections taking place in May.  The Metro Mayor confirmed that information about the formal start of the consultation and the ways that residents would be able to share their views, which were essential to ensuring we put the ‘public’ back into public transport, would be shared on the Combined Authority website in the coming weeks.

The Metro Mayor confirmed that a written response would be provided to the questioner.

Members of the public who wish to submit a single position or statement in accordance with Meetings Standing Orders No. 11 are asked to contact Democratic Services either by:

Email: [email protected]

Telephone: 0151 330 1330

In writing: Democratic Services, LCR Combined Authority, PO Box 1976, No. 1 Mann Island, Liverpool, L3 1BP.

The single petition or statement for this meeting must be returned by 5.00pm on Monday 27 February 2023.

There were no petitions or statements submitted by members of the public.

RESOLVED – That the Minutes of the Transport Committee held on 10 November 2022 were noted.

RESOLVED – That the Minutes of the Audit and Governance Committee held on 30 November 2022 were noted.

To consider a report of the Executive Director for Investment and Delivery and the Portfolio Holder for Inclusive Economy and the Third Sector.

(Note: This report contains Confidential Information that is not for publication that has been provided to members of the Combined Authority only)

RESOLVED – That in relation to the update on SIF funding, the recommendations set out in the Confidential and Exempt Report be approved.

The Combined Authority considered a report of the Executive Director for Investment & Delivery and the Portfolio Holder for Inclusive Economy & Third Sector providing an update on the Strategic Investment Fund.

RESOLVED – That in relation to the update on SIF funding, the recommendations set out in the Confidential and Exempt Report be approved.

To consider a report of the Executive Director for Investment and Delivery and the Portfolio Holders for Tourism, Culture & Visitor Economy and for Inclusive Economy & the Third Sector.

(Note: This report contains Confidential Information that is not for publication that has been provided to members of the Combined Authority only)

RESOLVED – That in relation to the Event Bid Funding, the recommendations set out in the Exempt Report be approved.

The Combined Authority considered a report of the Executive Director for Investment & Delivery and the Portfolio Holders for Tourism, Culture & Visitor Economy and for Inclusive Economy & Third Sector in relation to funding for a bid to host an event in the City Region.

RESOLVED – That in relation to the Event Bid Funding, the recommendations set out in the Exempt Report be approved.