The Overview & Scrutiny Committee of the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) met on Monday 30 March 2026 to discuss a range of significant issues impacting the region. Key topics included addressing systemic barriers to housing regeneration, updates on the WMCA Homelessness Taskforce, progress on the Connect to Work programme, and the West Midlands Investment Zone. The committee also reviewed the Remediation Acceleration Plan for building safety in the West Midlands.

Housing Delivery: Addressing Systemic Barriers to Housing Led Regeneration Across the West Midlands

The committee was scheduled to discuss how the WMCA is addressing systemic barriers to housing-led regeneration across the West Midlands. This discussion was intended to inform a region-wide strategic framework focused on enabling brownfield-first, place-based development, aligned with the WMCA's devolved powers, investment priorities, and long-term growth ambitions. The report highlighted that housing is a critical foundation for residents' quality of life and a key driver of regeneration. It also detailed various challenges faced by the housing sector, including the high costs and risks associated with remediating derelict and contaminated brownfield sites, rising construction costs, fragmented land ownership, and the particular impact on Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). The report noted the WMCA's Housing and Land Programme, which has secured £557 million in devolved grant funding since 2018 to tackle viability issues and unlock land for residential development. Case studies on the Lockside development in Walsall and Smithgate in Wolverhampton were included to illustrate the impact of targeted investment and place-based approaches. The report also emphasised the importance of partnerships and collaboration with key regional stakeholders, including Homes England, and highlighted the WMCA's efforts to support affordable housing delivery and SMEs through various programmes.

WMCA Homelessness Taskforce Update

The committee was to receive an update on the work and progress of the WMCA Homelessness Taskforce. The report noted that local authorities retain statutory duties for preventing and relieving homelessness, while the WMCA's role is to provide strategic leadership and convene regional partners. The Taskforce's objective is to design out homelessness by improving how service systems respond to people's needs and connect with each other. Key achievements in 2025 included linking with the Mayor's Homes and Jobs Taskforces to ensure a joined-up approach, strengthening the definition of Universal Prevention, and supporting the Office of Public Service Innovation's Homelessness Sprint process. The report also detailed work related to children, families, and young people, including contributions to the West Midlands Social and Affordable Homes Programme and the Rent Support and Simplification Proof of Concept. Research on the Private Rented Sector's role in preventing homelessness and a study on homelessness among minoritised communities were also highlighted. The update included information on the conclusion of the Rough Sleeping Initiative (RSI) Programme and ongoing work funded by the Rough Sleeping Prevention and Recovery Grant. The report also provided context on the Government's National Plan to End Homelessness, outlining its five core pillars and implications for the WMCA's strategic role.

Connect to Work Programme Update

This report was intended to provide an overview of the Connect to Work (CtW) programme, funded through the Integrated Settlement 2025/26. The programme, a Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) initiative, aims to provide personalised employment support for disabled people, those with long-term health conditions, and other disadvantaged groups with complex barriers to employment. The CtW programme is strategically aligned with West Midlands Works and aims to integrate employment, skills, and health pathways through multi-agency hubs. The report detailed the business case approach, highlighting a local authority-led model for Year 1 (2025/26) with a focus on young people. It also outlined the multi-year funding confirmed for 2026-2030, supporting an additional 16,668 residents. The report detailed the delivery models, including Individual Placement Support (IPS) and Supported Employment Quality Framework (SEQF), and provided early performance data showing referrals, starts, and achievements in securing employment. The programme's impact on health barriers and non-health related barriers reported by young people was also discussed, along with the innovative digital pilot.

West Midlands Investment Zone Update

The committee was scheduled to receive a comprehensive overview of the West Midlands Investment Zone (WMIZ) during its initial two years of delivery. The report aimed to inform members of the progress made, key developments, and the current status of the programme. The update covered progress at the three key sites: Birmingham Knowledge Quarter (B-KQ), Coventry & Warwick Investment Zone (CWIZ), and Wolverhampton Green Innovation Corridor (GIC). Significant progress was noted in developing strategic frameworks, securing investment, and advancing infrastructure works. The report also provided updates on regional programmes, including the Equity Fund, Supply Chain Transition programme, and Skills initiatives. Investment and Promotion work by the West Midlands Growth Company (WMGC) was also detailed, along with an update on Business Rate Retention (BRR) management. The forward look to 2026/27 outlined priorities such as investor attraction, developing the BRR reinvestment plan, and exploring new financing routes.

Building Safety in the West Midlands (Remediation Acceleration Plan)

This report sought endorsement for the regional approach to delivering the West Midlands Remediation Acceleration Plan (WMRAP). The plan, developed collaboratively with regional partners, sets out measures to accelerate the remediation of unsafe residential buildings. Key priorities for the WMRAP include fixing buildings faster, identifying all buildings with unsafe cladding, and supporting residents throughout the remediation process. The report highlighted that the WMCA had received funding for 2025/26 and confirmed further allocation for 2026/27. Interventions to date included bolstering enforcement capacity, establishing a Primary Authority Partnership with West Midlands Fire & Rescue Service, and establishing a clear governance structure and data management system. The report detailed five key remediation objectives agreed by regional partners, focusing on driving progress, coordinating intervention activity, working effectively with national partners, creating a trustworthy data set, and advocating for residents. It also outlined the status of remediation in the West Midlands, including data on buildings with unsafe cladding and progress within the Cladding Safety Scheme. The report identified remediation blockers and challenges, such as stalled progress in developer-controlled buildings, missing unsafe buildings data, limited enforcement capacity, and the need for improved data sharing and resident engagement.

Work Programme

The committee was scheduled to consider its work programme and the WMCA Board Forward Plan of items to be considered at future meetings. This included a review of the Annual Review Letter 2024-25 from the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman, and updates on Housing Delivery, the WMCA Homelessness Taskforce, the Connect to Work Programme, the West Midlands Investment Zone, and the Building Safety Remediation Acceleration Plan. Future reports were also noted, including the State of the Region Report and an update on the Integrated Settlement Progress.

The meeting also included standard procedural items such as apologies for absence, declarations of interests, and chair's remarks, as well as the confirmation of minutes from the previous meeting and a review of the recommendation/action tracker.