Social Value Ideas for West Yorkshire Combined Authority

Round two bus contracts

The board confirmed that round one bus franchising contracts have been awarded and mobilisation is underway, while procurement for round two has started for the remainder of Leeds and parts of Wakefie…

“So, turning to transport, we have concluded round one of the bus franchising award process. I want to thank Paul and colleagues with operators named f…”

Future Bus Fleet Consultation

The Authority advanced the bus franchising programme, including an outline business case for a new zero-emission fleet, public consultation on bus design, and approval of development funding and round…

“In August, we did launch the first stage of a procurement tendering process for manufacturers because we were very keen to ensure that manufacturing s…”

Franchise performance criteria

Members sought assurance that franchising will not be based only on price and that performance will count. Officers confirmed round one contracts were evaluated on price, quality and social value, wit…

“"So the bids that we've finished evaluating for the round one contracts were evaluated on a combination of price, quality and social value. So those w…”

Bus depot CPO funding approved

The board approved progressing a compulsory purchase order for bus depots needed for franchising, with associated statutory and professional costs to be funded from the 2026-27 revenue budget using re…

“So the paper seeks to authorise the chief executive to formalise the compulsory purchase order. The land and interest that are required are set out in…”

Toller Lane junction delivery

The board approved delivery funding for the A6177 Toller Lane junction improvement scheme in Bradford. The scheme responds to congestion, poor accident records and bus reliability issues, and includes…

“For those that aren't aware, Toller Lane Junction with the outer ring road is one of the main arterial routes into Bradford. It experienced significan…”

Mayor's fares scheme extended

The authority approved a three-month extension to the Mayor’s fares scheme, funded by a reallocation of £4 million of BSIP money, with the possibility of a further extension to March 2027 delegated fo…

“Our Mayor's Fair scheme already started to deliver on that promise, having supported 83 million journeys, delivering £76 million in savings to passeng…”

£30m zero-emission bus investment

The combined authority has approved a £30 million investment in a new fleet of zero-emission buses, forming part of the transport decarbonisation strand of the climate and environment plan. This indic…

“So the the report, that we have today really, I think, sets out the foundational work that's been done over the last ten months and actually the commi…”

Harrogate Station Gateway delay

The Combined Authority approved only a time extension for the Harrogate Station Gateway scheme, not a change to the £11 million funding contribution. Delivery has been delayed by scheme development an…

“The Combined Authority granted full approval to the scheme in March 2024, subject to conditions. Discharge of those conditions has been delayed due to…”

External audit opinion likely disclaimed

Mazars reported that the 2024-25 accounts are expected to receive a disclaimed opinion because only minimum audit procedures can be completed, although work is ongoing to resolve draft account errors.…

“So, this report just updates you on the progress we've made since the last meeting on our external audit and as Nicola will have advised at the last m…”

Year-end surplus added to reserves

The board noted a balanced year-end position with a £15 million revenue surplus for 2025-26 and approved its transfer into earmarked reserves, with £8 million specifically for operational risk. This s…

“In terms of the revenue performance, we are pleased that we have balanced for this year. We have a surplus of 15 million for the year, which is in lin…”