Purpose

Item for noting

Decision

(1)   That the existing PAA-developed tool has not been subject any academic scrutiny, independent testing, stakeholder engagement or indeed any methodological assurance from any insight officers or policy experts within the WMCA be noted.

(2)   The progress made in developing the WMCA Employment & Skills Impact Model and its role in strengthening the Combined Authority's approach to benefits realisation, impact assessment and value for money analysis be noted.

(3)   In principle that, subject to completion of development, validation and governance arrangements, the Employment & Skills Impact Model becomes the preferred methodology for future Employment, Skills, Health and Communities business cases and benefits realisation activity be agreed in principle.

(4)   That the existing benefit-cost methodologies and tools currently used within the programme approval process should be regarded as interim arrangements pending completion of the Employment & Skills Impact Model be agreed.

(5)   Support the continued testing, refinement and governance development of the model to ensure it delivers a robust, transparent and regionally credible approach to impact assessment that can be utilised consistently across WMCA programmes and by wider regional partners be noted.