The WMCA Board met on Friday 17 July 2026, approving significant changes to the council's constitution and agreeing a new programme approach for transport investment. The board also noted the 2025/26 financial outturn, which showed a revenue underspend and an improved capital delivery rate.

Constitution Review

The board approved amendments to the council's constitution, marking the first phase of an ongoing review. These changes aim to clarify roles and responsibilities, improve accessibility, and align the constitution with the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Act 2026. The amendments do not fundamentally alter governance arrangements but consolidate existing practices and provide a clearer framework. Further phases of the review will address wider governance structures and supporting protocols.

Rosewell Review Phase 2 / Transport for City Regions

A new programme approach for the Transport for City Regions (TCR) programme was agreed, allocating funding 50/50 between priority Growth Corridors and Network Needs. This approach, stemming from the Rosewell Review, aims to improve political oversight, delivery pace, and the prioritisation of unallocated funding. The board agreed on proposed portfolios for delivering the programme and the criteria for prioritising remaining funding. A revised gateway process for project assurance and an enhanced role for the Investment Board, alongside an independent expert panel, were also agreed. Principles for using £80m of TCR revenue funding to support capacity and project development were endorsed.

2025/26 Financial Outturn and Capital Budget Update

The board noted the provisional financial outturn for 2025/26, which showed a revenue underspend of £7.0m and a capital delivery rate of 71%, an improvement on previous years. Transfers to reserves totalling £19.4m were approved, including £3.3m for public service innovation and £1m to mitigate future cost pressures on Midland Metro Limited funding. The release of £4.0m from the General Transport Budget Risk Reserve to fund external advice and £0.4m for the Passenger Incentives Programme were also approved.

The updated capital programme for 2026/27 to 2030/31 was approved, totalling £553.6m for 2026/27. This includes £48.0m for Baseline Highways Maintenance funding for 2027/28 and £139.80m for Local Network Improvement Plan (LNIP) allocations over five years. Amendments to capital budgets for the Wednesbury - Brierley Hill Metro Extension and Dudley Interchange projects, totalling £11.3m, were approved, with a proposed funding strategy to contain these pressures within the Transport for West Midlands budget. Authority was delegated to the Director of Commercial & Investment Activities to procure a fund manager for the Collective Investment Fund and Residential Investment Fund.

Appointment of Executive Director of Major Capital Programmes

The appointment of Wayne Bexton to the post of Executive Director of Major Capital Programmes was approved. This role is intended to strengthen leadership and accountability for the WMCA's major capital investment portfolio.

Investment Board - 22 June 2026

The minutes of the Investment Board meeting held on 22 June 2026 were noted. The Investment Programme now stands at £847.3m, with commitments reaching £748.4m. The board discussed delays in the Metro Eastside Extension and Wednesbury - Dudley line, with officers explaining these related to testing rather than construction. A review of transport capital project funding arrangements, decision-making processes, and accountability was noted.

Forward Plan

The forward plan of items to be considered at future WMCA Board meetings was noted.

Date of Next Meeting

The date of the next board meeting was confirmed as Friday 11 September 2026 at 11:00 am.