The West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) Board met on Friday 12 June 2026, with Mayor Richard Parker presiding. The meeting focused on governance appointments, the authority's budget, and strategic priorities for the coming year. Key decisions included the appointment of Claire Nye as the permanent Chief Finance Officer and Section 73 Officer, and the approval of a new structure for the Local Scrutiny Committee.

Mayoral Priorities and Budget

Mayor Richard Parker outlined the WMCA's four key priorities for the upcoming year: Growth for Everyone, Homes for Everyone, Jobs for Everyone, and Journeys for Everyone. These priorities are designed to guide the authority's work and ensure inclusive growth across the region. Chief Executive Ed Cox presented the WMCA's corporate plan, detailing how current activities align with these priorities and how resources are being deployed. He highlighted the importance of inclusive growth, noting that the West Midlands economy could be £17 billion larger if it matched the growth rates of similar regions. The presentation also covered progress in attracting inward investment, supporting local businesses, and regenerating town centres.

Councillor Stephen Simkins, the newly appointed Deputy Mayor, spoke about the importance of opening up opportunities for all within the West Midlands, particularly in transport, housing, and job creation. He emphasised the need for a strong manufacturing and engineering base, alongside innovation, to drive enterprise and opportunity.

Chief Finance Officer Claire Nye presented the WMCA's budget for the financial year, detailing a revenue budget of £588 million and a capital budget of £817.5 million. She confirmed that the authority had a fully funded and balanced budget for the current financial year, closing a previously forecast deficit of £119 million. The transport budget accounts for almost half of the total budget, reflecting the scale of operating the regional transport system.

Appointment of WMCA Boards and Committees

The Board approved the appointments of members to various WMCA boards and committees for the 2026/27 municipal year. A significant change was the establishment of a single Local Scrutiny Committee, comprising 14 members, to align with the Government's expectations under the English Devolution & Community Empowerment Act 2026. This move was debated, with some members expressing concerns about reduced scrutiny capacity, particularly regarding transport matters. Mayor Parker argued that the single committee would allow for more strategic, cross-functional scrutiny and improve the quality of oversight.

The Board also approved amended terms of reference for the Investment Board, which will now include the Deputy Mayor, Councillor Stephen Simkins, as Chair. Non-constituent members will now be non-voting members of the Audit, Risk & Assurance Committee to improve quorum and participation.

Appointment of Chief Finance Officer and Section 73 Officer

The Board formally appointed Claire Nye as the Chief Finance Officer and Section 73 Officer for the West Midlands Combined Authority. Ms. Nye had been acting in an interim capacity since July 2025 and was unanimously recommended for the permanent role following a recruitment process.

Scrutiny Committee Updates

The Board received updates from various scrutiny committees:

• Transport Delivery Overview & Scrutiny Committee (9 March 2026): Councillor Timothy Huxtable, Chair of the committee, noted that the minutes were as set out in the papers. He highlighted the committee's work on road safety, including discussions on 20mph speed limits, the Kids Streets Programme, and the need for improved infrastructure. Concerns were raised about delays in the installation of average speed enforcement cameras in Birmingham.
• Investment Board (23 March 2026): The Board noted updates on the Investment Programme, Commercial Investment Fund, Residential Investment Fund, and the Brownfield Land & Property Development Fund. Approval was given for the Cross City Bus Package 6 West Full Business Case, which will see £13.005 million from the City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement invested in bus lanes, junction improvements, and upgraded bus shelters along the A41 Soho Road corridor.
• Overview & Scrutiny Committee (30 March 2026): The committee considered reports on housing delivery, the WMCA Homelessness Taskforce, the Connect to Work Programme, and the West Midlands Investment Zone. Members discussed the barriers to housing-led regeneration, the role of the WMCA in preventing homelessness, and the impact of employment programmes. The committee also reviewed the regional approach to building safety remediation.
• Audit, Risk & Assurance Committee (27 April 2026): The committee considered the External Audit Plan for 2025/26, an update on Internal Audit activity, the draft 2025/26 Annual Governance Statement, and quarterly risk reporting. They also reviewed the Health, Safety & Wellbeing Annual Report and an update on whistleblowing. The committee noted that the meeting was inquorate, and recommendations would be submitted to the WMCA Board on 12 June 2026 for formal approval.

Forward Plan

The Forward Plan, outlining key decisions to be taken by the WMCA over the next six months, was presented. This includes upcoming decisions on the appointment of an Executive Director for Major Capital Programmes, the Transport for City Regions Revenue Budget, and updates on WMCA's financial position and constitution.