Decision details

Matter for Decision

The information report provided an update on the activities of the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority (CPCA) Board. Therefore, there was no decision to be made by the relevant Executive Councillor.

Reason for the Decision

As set out in the Officer’s report.

Any Alternative Options Considered and Rejected

Not applicable.

Scrutiny Considerations

The Committee received a report from Councillor A Smith. 

In response to Members’ questions Councillor A Smith said the following:

i.                There were strict rules about how the Combined Authority could consult on the bus franchising consultation. Acknowledged the form wasn’t easy to complete. Noted there was a summary regarding what the consultation was about and that there were two versions of the consultation which could be completed either a shorter or a longer version.

ii.               The Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Business Growth Company Limited was being wound up because it was set up to support a time limited project ‘Growth works’, which had concluded its business at the end of December 2023. The company potentially could have supported other projects, but these were being managed in-house by the Economy and Growth Team at the CPCA.

iii.             There were many ways in which the £10.6 million Government bus funding could be used. The CPCA had been required by auditors to set out how the CPCA could fund bus franchising itself, however this did not restrict the CPCA to have to fully fund bus franchising. The business case set out where other sources of funding could come from. 

iv.             Noted that in future it might be useful to invite lead officers from the CPCA to attend future Strategy and Resources Scrutiny Committees to discuss other areas of CPCA work.

The Chair thanked Cllr A Smith for their update report.