This week in South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority:

Devolution Act Reshapes Local Power, Scrutiny Gets Sharper Teeth

The South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) is set to see significant shifts in its powers and responsibilities following the implementation of the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Act 2026. This landmark legislation, which received Royal Assent in April 2026, codifies existing devolution arrangements and introduces new, expanded powers for Mayoral Combined Authorities (MCAs).

The Act designates mayors as responsible for fire and rescue services where geographical areas align, as is the case in South Yorkshire. This means the Mayor will oversee the Community Risk Management Plan, fire budgets, and the appointment of the Chief Fire Officer. While this integration aims to streamline services, concerns were raised about the financial implications of fire and rescue services not being ring-fenced, potentially impacting other SYMCA budgets. Safeguards are promised, including scrutiny of budget proposals and material spending changes.

Crucially, the Act reforms scrutiny functions, granting committees greater powers to summon individuals and access information. This means the Overview and Scrutiny Committee can now summon the Mayor, MCA members, officers, and any appointed commissioners to attend meetings and answer questions. The public will also have a statutory right to submit petitions to the scrutiny committee.

The legislation also grants MCAs increased authority over strategic planning, with a statutory duty to produce a spatial development strategy. Furthermore, it introduces a health improvement duty, requiring SYMCA to improve health outcomes and reduce inequalities across all its functions.

While the Act clarifies many aspects of devolution, guidance on operationalising certain powers, such as the power to convene local partners, is still being developed. The government has indicated that the Devolution Act is a floor, not a ceiling, suggesting further devolution is possible through a formal right to request process.

• Overview and Scrutiny Committee Meeting Details

Bus Franchising Rolls On: New Buses, New Routes, New Challenges

South Yorkshire's journey towards integrated public transport under the South Yorkshire People's Network is gathering pace, with significant progress reported on the bus franchising programme. The decision to move to bus franchising was taken in March 2025, with the aim of improving reliability, integration, accessibility, and environmental performance.

Key milestones achieved include the acquisition of six bus depots and the launch of procurement for the first batch of new buses. An additional £50 million in government funding has been secured to support fleet investment. The first phase of franchised services is targeted for Sheffield and Doncaster in September 2027, with full rollout by the end of the decade.

Passengers in Doncaster can expect to see fleet renewal, with new, more accessible, zero-emission buses. The programme aims to halt the decline in bus patronage and encourage growth, a key indicator of success. Challenges remain, particularly in addressing connectivity for rural villages, shift workers, and evening travel, with plans for demand-responsive services and matching vehicle size to demand being explored.

The committee also discussed the importance of data in driving decisions. Currently, bus operators are not compelled to share detailed data on passenger journeys, which hinders the ability to optimise routes and services effectively. The new franchising model aims to rectify this by giving SYMCA control over this data.

• Overview and Scrutiny Committee Meeting Details

Audit Committee Tackles Financial Health and Safety

The Audit, Standards and Risk Committee convened this week, focusing on the financial outturn for 2025/26, internal audit progress, and health and safety performance. Councillor Mike Levery was elected as the new Chair, with David Phillips appointed as Vice-Chair.

Financial Outturn and Audit Plans

The Treasury Outturn Report for 2025/26 indicated that Treasury Management Investment income exceeded the budget due to higher than forecast investment balances and returns. The Police Fund also significantly exceeded its budget due to an upfront grant payment. The MCA maintained an under-borrowed position, and officers will continue to monitor market conditions for opportune external borrowing. The committee reviewed the draft unaudited Statement of Accounts for 2025/26, noting the consolidation of SYMCA, the Chief Constable's accounts, and South Yorkshire Future Trams Limited (SYFTL). The external audit by KPMG is underway, with a focus on rebuilding assurance following prior disclaimed audit opinions.

Health and Safety: A Positive Picture with Room for Improvement

Deb Kilvington, the incoming Head of Health, Safety and Wellbeing, presented a positive health and safety update for January to March 2026. Key highlights included zero accidents or near misses involving SYMCA staff and contractors. Crime and disorder incidents saw a slight reduction, and vandalism instances fell significantly by almost 50%. However, concerns were raised about slip, trip, and fall incidents at Barnsley Interchange, with plans for new floor surfaces and improved signage in development.

Internal Audit Reports: Procurement and Investment Zones

Several internal audit reports were presented, including findings on Procurement, Investment Zone Governance, and SYFTL Key Financial Controls. While overall opinions were positive (Reasonable Assurance and Green ), areas for strengthening controls were identified, particularly concerning compliance monitoring, documentation of ethical considerations, and updating policies. Management has agreed to implement all recommended actions.

• Audit, Standards and Risk Committee Meeting Details

Other Matters

Mayoral Combined Authority Board Meeting

The Mayoral Combined Authority Board is scheduled to meet next week. Key items on the agenda include the financial outturn for 2025/26, a revised budget for 2026/27, and programme approvals for investment schemes and grant acceptances. The Board will also receive an update on delegated authorities.

• Mayoral Combined Authority Board Meeting Details

This week in South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority:

Police Scrutiny: Tackling Disproportionality and Building Trust

The South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) Community Confidence Board met this week to confront difficult but vital issues surrounding policing in our region. Mayor Oliver Coppard emphasised the importance of these conversations, stating, It is vital that we create spaces like this one, where we can have open and honest conversations, focusing on issues that matter to people in South Yorkshire. The board delved into stop and search, use of force, hate crime, and the Police Race Action Plan, aiming to understand the realities on the ground and how public perception aligns with police practice.

Stop and Search: A Stark Reality

Chief Superintendent Simon Wanless presented data revealing that Black individuals are 3.1 times more likely to be stopped and searched than white individuals in South Yorkshire. While the positive outcome rate for searches is consistent across all ethnic groups, meaning officers find items in roughly one in three searches regardless of ethnicity, the disproportionality in who is stopped remains a significant concern. Efforts are underway to improve the recording of reasonable grounds for searches, with 92.4% now meeting the required standard. A new Stop, Search, Safeguard programme mandates a vulnerable child form for every stop search of a person under 18, aiming to ensure their welfare is considered.

Use of Force: Examining Disparities

The data on the use of force also highlighted disproportionalities, with Black individuals being 2.1 times more likely to have force used against them compared to white individuals when considering the general population. This disparity significantly reduces when looking only at those being arrested, suggesting the issue is linked to the arrest cohort rather than indiscriminate use of force. The force has seen a substantial increase in the recording of use of force incidents, with body-worn video used in 88% of instances. A mandatory Vulnerable Child Form is now in place when force is used on a child, with data shared with Children's Social Care.

Hate Crime: A Growing Concern

Superintendent Shaz Wood reported a slight increase in hate crime volumes over the past 26 months, with a particular rise in online offences. Race remains the largest strand of hate crime, accounting for 69% of all incidents. Muslim victims represent the largest proportion of hate religion crimes. A key challenge identified is the lower rate of positive action taken for female victims of hate crime, especially within the Muslim community, who are less likely to support prosecutions. Efforts are being made to tackle under-reporting through targeted engagement with schools and under-represented community groups.

Police Race Action Plan: Progress and Challenges

The Police Race Action Plan (PRAP), launched locally in October 2024, focuses on six key themes, including building an anti-racist workforce, increasing representation, and improving community relations. Progress has been made in delivering Inclusion Matters training to over 70% of the workforce and reaching an eight-year high in new recruits from ethnic minority backgrounds. However, challenges remain in increasing representation in senior ranks and improving Black communities' confidence to report crime.

The discussions highlighted the complex nature of policing and the ongoing efforts to build trust and ensure fair treatment for all communities in South Yorkshire.

• Community Confidence Board Meeting Details

Mayoral Combined Authority Board: Shaping South Yorkshire's Future

The South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) Board convened this week, marking the start of the municipal year with key decisions on governance and investment. Mayor Oliver Coppard highlighted the region's growing presence on the national stage, stating, South Yorkshire has a huge amount to offer, and with more than 1,000 delegates coming through our pavilion, it mattered that we showed the best of who we are.

Governance and Constitutional Updates

The Board approved amendments to the MCA's Constitution, incorporating changes brought about by the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Act 2026. This includes new powers for the Mayor, such as the general power of competence and the ability to appoint commissioners. The Board also approved the annual corporate governance update, noting progress in risk management and endorsing the revised Code of Corporate Governance.

Record Investment and Programme Approvals

A significant £168 million was invested across South Yorkshire in the 2025/26 financial year, marking a record year for investment. The Board noted the Capital Investment Programme Outturn Report, showcasing a wide range of projects in development, delivery, and completion. Several schemes received full approval, including active travel projects in Sheffield and the Highways Maintenance Incentive Funding 2026/27. The Board also endorsed expressions of interest for the Third National Forest Programme and the Bloomberg Philanthropies Youth Climate Action Fund programme.

Electrifying South Yorkshire's Buses

A key item flagged was the commencement of depot electrification for the bus franchising programme. This crucial step will enable the deployment of a fleet of electric buses across the region, a move that will significantly improve air quality and public transport for residents.

• Mayoral Combined Authority Board Meeting Details

Other Matters

Business Advisory Board Meeting

The Business Advisory Board is scheduled to meet next week. This board, comprised of private sector members, plays a vital role in advising on economic development and business growth strategies for South Yorkshire.

• Business Advisory Board Meeting Details