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Your Combined Authority Budget: 2020-21

The budget for the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, working in partnership with the Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership (LEP) will be set in February for 2020/21.

This short animation explains the work we do in the region and how we spend our budget on delivering improvements that everyone can benefit from:

Our work covers an area known collectively as the Leeds City Region. Working with our partner councils of Barnsley, Bradford, Calderdale, Harrogate, Kirklees, Leeds, Wakefield, Selby and York, we aim to make our region known globally as a strong, successful economy where everyone can build great businesses, careers and lives.

Our investment delivers:

More jobs for people across Leeds City Region
Support for small and medium-sized businesses to grow
More businesses locating to the region
More apprenticeships, education and training opportunities for young people
Modern, accessible transport infrastructure
More, better quality housing
Accessible, responsive bus services connecting people to jobs and education
Additional private sector investment in the region

Ask us a question:

Between 8 January and 2 February 2020, we gave you an opportunity to ask us any questions you may have about our work.

Answers to your questions can be found in the Q&A section below and in the video section on the right hand side of this page (or by scrolling down if you are viewing on a mobile device).

Although this period of engagement is closed, we are always interested in talking to the people who are impacted by our work and benefit from the projects we are delivering. You can email us at:

customerfeedback@westyorks-ca.gov.uk

If you’d like to find out more about our work, please visit our website

Stay in touch:

You can register to be added to our Combined Authority Your Voice community where you will receive information on opportunities to have your say on a variety of projects.

The budget for the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, working in partnership with the Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership (LEP) will be set in February for 2020/21.

This short animation explains the work we do in the region and how we spend our budget on delivering improvements that everyone can benefit from:

Our work covers an area known collectively as the Leeds City Region. Working with our partner councils of Barnsley, Bradford, Calderdale, Harrogate, Kirklees, Leeds, Wakefield, Selby and York, we aim to make our region known globally as a strong, successful economy where everyone can build great businesses, careers and lives.

Our investment delivers:

More jobs for people across Leeds City Region
Support for small and medium-sized businesses to grow
More businesses locating to the region
More apprenticeships, education and training opportunities for young people
Modern, accessible transport infrastructure
More, better quality housing
Accessible, responsive bus services connecting people to jobs and education
Additional private sector investment in the region

Ask us a question:

Between 8 January and 2 February 2020, we gave you an opportunity to ask us any questions you may have about our work.

Answers to your questions can be found in the Q&A section below and in the video section on the right hand side of this page (or by scrolling down if you are viewing on a mobile device).

Although this period of engagement is closed, we are always interested in talking to the people who are impacted by our work and benefit from the projects we are delivering. You can email us at:

customerfeedback@westyorks-ca.gov.uk

If you’d like to find out more about our work, please visit our website

Stay in touch:

You can register to be added to our Combined Authority Your Voice community where you will receive information on opportunities to have your say on a variety of projects.

Q & A

CLOSED: This Q&A is now closed.

Ask your questions here

Share Why does this webpage say nothing about your ideas for tackling the climate emergency ? on Facebook Share Why does this webpage say nothing about your ideas for tackling the climate emergency ? on Twitter Share Why does this webpage say nothing about your ideas for tackling the climate emergency ? on Linkedin Email Why does this webpage say nothing about your ideas for tackling the climate emergency ? link

Why does this webpage say nothing about your ideas for tackling the climate emergency ?

Matthew Hill asked over 4 years ago

Thank you for your question. Please click here to watch a video response from our Chair, Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe.
Share What are you doing to inform elected members and the public that the fully integrated regional transport system we deserve requires a hierarchy of National High Speed Rail, and, Regional/local rail, with buses and cycle provision serving railheads? Leeds city station is congested and cannot support additional local services. The capacity freed up by a new HIgh Speed Station, taking out the Inter City services (HS2 + NPR) would provide the step change in the regional transport system which is desperately needed. What are you doing to get this message across? on Facebook Share What are you doing to inform elected members and the public that the fully integrated regional transport system we deserve requires a hierarchy of National High Speed Rail, and, Regional/local rail, with buses and cycle provision serving railheads? Leeds city station is congested and cannot support additional local services. The capacity freed up by a new HIgh Speed Station, taking out the Inter City services (HS2 + NPR) would provide the step change in the regional transport system which is desperately needed. What are you doing to get this message across? on Twitter Share What are you doing to inform elected members and the public that the fully integrated regional transport system we deserve requires a hierarchy of National High Speed Rail, and, Regional/local rail, with buses and cycle provision serving railheads? Leeds city station is congested and cannot support additional local services. The capacity freed up by a new HIgh Speed Station, taking out the Inter City services (HS2 + NPR) would provide the step change in the regional transport system which is desperately needed. What are you doing to get this message across? on Linkedin Email What are you doing to inform elected members and the public that the fully integrated regional transport system we deserve requires a hierarchy of National High Speed Rail, and, Regional/local rail, with buses and cycle provision serving railheads? Leeds city station is congested and cannot support additional local services. The capacity freed up by a new HIgh Speed Station, taking out the Inter City services (HS2 + NPR) would provide the step change in the regional transport system which is desperately needed. What are you doing to get this message across? link

What are you doing to inform elected members and the public that the fully integrated regional transport system we deserve requires a hierarchy of National High Speed Rail, and, Regional/local rail, with buses and cycle provision serving railheads? Leeds city station is congested and cannot support additional local services. The capacity freed up by a new HIgh Speed Station, taking out the Inter City services (HS2 + NPR) would provide the step change in the regional transport system which is desperately needed. What are you doing to get this message across?

Chris Helliwell asked over 4 years ago

Thank you for your question. Please click here to watch a video response from our Chair, Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe.
Share What is the CA doing to support skills and training in the region? on Facebook Share What is the CA doing to support skills and training in the region? on Twitter Share What is the CA doing to support skills and training in the region? on Linkedin Email What is the CA doing to support skills and training in the region? link

What is the CA doing to support skills and training in the region?

HGB asked about 4 years ago

Thank you for your question. Please click here to watch a video response from our Chair, Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe.
Share What plans do you have to enforce improvements in the service first bus Leeds provide. Is there a point where you plan to remove their licence to operate for failing to provide a decent service to their fare paying passengers. Can you also tell me how making wider pavements and planting some trees is going to improve bus services on Facebook Share What plans do you have to enforce improvements in the service first bus Leeds provide. Is there a point where you plan to remove their licence to operate for failing to provide a decent service to their fare paying passengers. Can you also tell me how making wider pavements and planting some trees is going to improve bus services on Twitter Share What plans do you have to enforce improvements in the service first bus Leeds provide. Is there a point where you plan to remove their licence to operate for failing to provide a decent service to their fare paying passengers. Can you also tell me how making wider pavements and planting some trees is going to improve bus services on Linkedin Email What plans do you have to enforce improvements in the service first bus Leeds provide. Is there a point where you plan to remove their licence to operate for failing to provide a decent service to their fare paying passengers. Can you also tell me how making wider pavements and planting some trees is going to improve bus services link

What plans do you have to enforce improvements in the service first bus Leeds provide. Is there a point where you plan to remove their licence to operate for failing to provide a decent service to their fare paying passengers. Can you also tell me how making wider pavements and planting some trees is going to improve bus services

Gazcata asked over 4 years ago

Thank you for your question. Please click here to watch a video response from our Chair, Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe.
Share Why does the 613/614 not go thru the interchange on Mon-Sat services. It waits for up to 9 minutes on Hallings and Market Street so there is plenty of time in the timetable to visit the interchange. It is not good having to get off on Hallings and walking up to the interchange to connect to another route or train. The 576 service from the interchange always has the longest queue in the bus station so if the 613/614 service visited the bus station it would improve the 576 service as well as they cover a lot of the same route in Bradford. on Facebook Share Why does the 613/614 not go thru the interchange on Mon-Sat services. It waits for up to 9 minutes on Hallings and Market Street so there is plenty of time in the timetable to visit the interchange. It is not good having to get off on Hallings and walking up to the interchange to connect to another route or train. The 576 service from the interchange always has the longest queue in the bus station so if the 613/614 service visited the bus station it would improve the 576 service as well as they cover a lot of the same route in Bradford. on Twitter Share Why does the 613/614 not go thru the interchange on Mon-Sat services. It waits for up to 9 minutes on Hallings and Market Street so there is plenty of time in the timetable to visit the interchange. It is not good having to get off on Hallings and walking up to the interchange to connect to another route or train. The 576 service from the interchange always has the longest queue in the bus station so if the 613/614 service visited the bus station it would improve the 576 service as well as they cover a lot of the same route in Bradford. on Linkedin Email Why does the 613/614 not go thru the interchange on Mon-Sat services. It waits for up to 9 minutes on Hallings and Market Street so there is plenty of time in the timetable to visit the interchange. It is not good having to get off on Hallings and walking up to the interchange to connect to another route or train. The 576 service from the interchange always has the longest queue in the bus station so if the 613/614 service visited the bus station it would improve the 576 service as well as they cover a lot of the same route in Bradford. link

Why does the 613/614 not go thru the interchange on Mon-Sat services. It waits for up to 9 minutes on Hallings and Market Street so there is plenty of time in the timetable to visit the interchange. It is not good having to get off on Hallings and walking up to the interchange to connect to another route or train. The 576 service from the interchange always has the longest queue in the bus station so if the 613/614 service visited the bus station it would improve the 576 service as well as they cover a lot of the same route in Bradford.

Paul Bradley asked over 4 years ago

Thank you for your question. The West Yorkshire Combined Authority doesn’t manage the timetables for these bus services. Please contact First Bus at www.firstbusfeedback.com/s3 to provide feedback on your bus service.
Share I have noted in the March 2019 Statement of Accounts (page 7) under Treasury Management that within the Combined Authority there is significantly more income received during the year. Short term investments of c.£99M being invested as at 31/3/2019. Does the Combined Authority have a panel of institutions that these investments are placed with? Can you direct me to someone regarding getting an opportunity to quoted for a portion of these deposits? on Facebook Share I have noted in the March 2019 Statement of Accounts (page 7) under Treasury Management that within the Combined Authority there is significantly more income received during the year. Short term investments of c.£99M being invested as at 31/3/2019. Does the Combined Authority have a panel of institutions that these investments are placed with? Can you direct me to someone regarding getting an opportunity to quoted for a portion of these deposits? on Twitter Share I have noted in the March 2019 Statement of Accounts (page 7) under Treasury Management that within the Combined Authority there is significantly more income received during the year. Short term investments of c.£99M being invested as at 31/3/2019. Does the Combined Authority have a panel of institutions that these investments are placed with? Can you direct me to someone regarding getting an opportunity to quoted for a portion of these deposits? on Linkedin Email I have noted in the March 2019 Statement of Accounts (page 7) under Treasury Management that within the Combined Authority there is significantly more income received during the year. Short term investments of c.£99M being invested as at 31/3/2019. Does the Combined Authority have a panel of institutions that these investments are placed with? Can you direct me to someone regarding getting an opportunity to quoted for a portion of these deposits? link

I have noted in the March 2019 Statement of Accounts (page 7) under Treasury Management that within the Combined Authority there is significantly more income received during the year. Short term investments of c.£99M being invested as at 31/3/2019. Does the Combined Authority have a panel of institutions that these investments are placed with? Can you direct me to someone regarding getting an opportunity to quoted for a portion of these deposits?

mike Harvey asked over 4 years ago

Thank you for your query. The Combined Authority has a service level agreement with Leeds City Council (LCC) for Treasury Management Services. Under this arrangement LCC will place surplus cash, which is generally earmarked grants received in advance of need, on short term deposits / investments with a number of local authorities. This includes capping how much is invested with a single authority to spread the exposure to risk. To the best of our knowledge this is standard practice across Local government and is simply for cash flow management purposes.
The arrangements with LCC are kept under regular review and currently limit the cash management investments with local authorities only as this is deemed as the safest option which is supported by the fact that no Local authority has ever defaulted on a debt when due.
Share I am concerned at the apparent emerging financial situation at the Combined Authority. 1. If I have understood this correctly, the Capital Budgets (indicative) project a £10m budget forecast surplus in 2019/20 becomes nearly £300m deficit within three years 2. WYCA has limited guarantees of future funding and yet "resource requirements are included in the business plans that are currently unfunded" 3. "All major capital funding streams should be spent by the start of 2021/22, other than West Yorkshire plus York Transport Fund " 4. This combined WYCA/LEP budget is reliant on unconfirmed central government finance 5. WYCA is already over-committing on projects (over-programming), relying on future, as yet unspecified, grants 6. There is a risk that financing for projects required under the 'Climate emergency' will not materialise (despite the shift from 'Clean Growth') The Combined Authority appears to be reliant on an ambitious growth plus strategy at a time there are risks from Brexit, changes to working population demographics, every WYCA Council chasing above-inflation growth with unspecified sources of finance to deliver these projects. WYCA may be left with an unsustainable level of debt or projects stall mid-completion with the resulting impact on staff, contractors and a partially developed environment blighting neighbourhoods. As already highlighted in the budget report, there is a risk this funding may not materialise, if so, prudential borrowing will not solve the problem, and WYCA/LEP will have to make cuts to projects and services. To mitigate the risk from unsustainable, unfinanced and undeliverable growth, is this a logical point for WYCA to scale back growth aspirations to match confirmed funding? on Facebook Share I am concerned at the apparent emerging financial situation at the Combined Authority. 1. If I have understood this correctly, the Capital Budgets (indicative) project a £10m budget forecast surplus in 2019/20 becomes nearly £300m deficit within three years 2. WYCA has limited guarantees of future funding and yet "resource requirements are included in the business plans that are currently unfunded" 3. "All major capital funding streams should be spent by the start of 2021/22, other than West Yorkshire plus York Transport Fund " 4. This combined WYCA/LEP budget is reliant on unconfirmed central government finance 5. WYCA is already over-committing on projects (over-programming), relying on future, as yet unspecified, grants 6. There is a risk that financing for projects required under the 'Climate emergency' will not materialise (despite the shift from 'Clean Growth') The Combined Authority appears to be reliant on an ambitious growth plus strategy at a time there are risks from Brexit, changes to working population demographics, every WYCA Council chasing above-inflation growth with unspecified sources of finance to deliver these projects. WYCA may be left with an unsustainable level of debt or projects stall mid-completion with the resulting impact on staff, contractors and a partially developed environment blighting neighbourhoods. As already highlighted in the budget report, there is a risk this funding may not materialise, if so, prudential borrowing will not solve the problem, and WYCA/LEP will have to make cuts to projects and services. To mitigate the risk from unsustainable, unfinanced and undeliverable growth, is this a logical point for WYCA to scale back growth aspirations to match confirmed funding? on Twitter Share I am concerned at the apparent emerging financial situation at the Combined Authority. 1. If I have understood this correctly, the Capital Budgets (indicative) project a £10m budget forecast surplus in 2019/20 becomes nearly £300m deficit within three years 2. WYCA has limited guarantees of future funding and yet "resource requirements are included in the business plans that are currently unfunded" 3. "All major capital funding streams should be spent by the start of 2021/22, other than West Yorkshire plus York Transport Fund " 4. This combined WYCA/LEP budget is reliant on unconfirmed central government finance 5. WYCA is already over-committing on projects (over-programming), relying on future, as yet unspecified, grants 6. There is a risk that financing for projects required under the 'Climate emergency' will not materialise (despite the shift from 'Clean Growth') The Combined Authority appears to be reliant on an ambitious growth plus strategy at a time there are risks from Brexit, changes to working population demographics, every WYCA Council chasing above-inflation growth with unspecified sources of finance to deliver these projects. WYCA may be left with an unsustainable level of debt or projects stall mid-completion with the resulting impact on staff, contractors and a partially developed environment blighting neighbourhoods. As already highlighted in the budget report, there is a risk this funding may not materialise, if so, prudential borrowing will not solve the problem, and WYCA/LEP will have to make cuts to projects and services. To mitigate the risk from unsustainable, unfinanced and undeliverable growth, is this a logical point for WYCA to scale back growth aspirations to match confirmed funding? on Linkedin Email I am concerned at the apparent emerging financial situation at the Combined Authority. 1. If I have understood this correctly, the Capital Budgets (indicative) project a £10m budget forecast surplus in 2019/20 becomes nearly £300m deficit within three years 2. WYCA has limited guarantees of future funding and yet "resource requirements are included in the business plans that are currently unfunded" 3. "All major capital funding streams should be spent by the start of 2021/22, other than West Yorkshire plus York Transport Fund " 4. This combined WYCA/LEP budget is reliant on unconfirmed central government finance 5. WYCA is already over-committing on projects (over-programming), relying on future, as yet unspecified, grants 6. There is a risk that financing for projects required under the 'Climate emergency' will not materialise (despite the shift from 'Clean Growth') The Combined Authority appears to be reliant on an ambitious growth plus strategy at a time there are risks from Brexit, changes to working population demographics, every WYCA Council chasing above-inflation growth with unspecified sources of finance to deliver these projects. WYCA may be left with an unsustainable level of debt or projects stall mid-completion with the resulting impact on staff, contractors and a partially developed environment blighting neighbourhoods. As already highlighted in the budget report, there is a risk this funding may not materialise, if so, prudential borrowing will not solve the problem, and WYCA/LEP will have to make cuts to projects and services. To mitigate the risk from unsustainable, unfinanced and undeliverable growth, is this a logical point for WYCA to scale back growth aspirations to match confirmed funding? link

I am concerned at the apparent emerging financial situation at the Combined Authority. 1. If I have understood this correctly, the Capital Budgets (indicative) project a £10m budget forecast surplus in 2019/20 becomes nearly £300m deficit within three years 2. WYCA has limited guarantees of future funding and yet "resource requirements are included in the business plans that are currently unfunded" 3. "All major capital funding streams should be spent by the start of 2021/22, other than West Yorkshire plus York Transport Fund " 4. This combined WYCA/LEP budget is reliant on unconfirmed central government finance 5. WYCA is already over-committing on projects (over-programming), relying on future, as yet unspecified, grants 6. There is a risk that financing for projects required under the 'Climate emergency' will not materialise (despite the shift from 'Clean Growth') The Combined Authority appears to be reliant on an ambitious growth plus strategy at a time there are risks from Brexit, changes to working population demographics, every WYCA Council chasing above-inflation growth with unspecified sources of finance to deliver these projects. WYCA may be left with an unsustainable level of debt or projects stall mid-completion with the resulting impact on staff, contractors and a partially developed environment blighting neighbourhoods. As already highlighted in the budget report, there is a risk this funding may not materialise, if so, prudential borrowing will not solve the problem, and WYCA/LEP will have to make cuts to projects and services. To mitigate the risk from unsustainable, unfinanced and undeliverable growth, is this a logical point for WYCA to scale back growth aspirations to match confirmed funding?

J Carlton asked over 4 years ago

Thank you for your query. The estimated capital budget does require an element of borrowing to complete all the schemes identified which in total is a £1 billion programme. For a number of years now a reserve has been prudently set aside to meet the cost of this borrowing.

Our business plans do include aspirations beyond our current level of resources. These ‘unfunded plans’ can only be progressed once further funds become available. As mentioned, borrowing has always been in our plans to complete the £1 billion West Yorkshire plus York Transport Fund and a reserve has been set aside to meet the associated financing costs. A number of projects, currently funded from external sources, are under regular review and with further funding bids being planned should the opportunity arise. The Combined Authority has prudently kept its general reserves above normal levels to either meet the potential challenges we face (e.g. Brexit) and / or for use in funding projects where funding has ended.

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Page published: 14 Feb 2020, 02:29 PM