The Overview and Scrutiny Committee met to discuss anti-social behaviour at Barnsley Interchange, review the work programme and forward plan, and receive updates on the Integrated Settlement and the SYMCA Engagement Strategy. The committee also questioned Mayor Oliver Coppard on his manifesto pledges and the authority's evolving responsibilities.

Anti-Social Behaviour at Barnsley Interchange

Members expressed significant concern regarding ongoing anti-social behaviour at the Barnsley Interchange. Groups of young people have been causing disruption, impacting passengers and leading to assaults on staff. Councillor Joshua Bacon highlighted that the free youth travel scheme might be contributing to the problem, affecting vulnerable residents. Rebecca Brookes, Strategic Director of Legal, Governance and Commercial, informed the committee that a multi-agency action plan involving SYMCA, South Yorkshire Police, and Barnsley Council is in place, including increased policing, security, and CCTV. The Chair and Vice-Chair will meet with relevant SYMCA officers to consider how issues relating to antisocial behaviour and the respective responsibilities of SYMCA, local authorities and policing partners, could be explored through the Committee's work programme, with an update to be reported to a future meeting.

Work Programme and Forward Plan

The committee noted the latest Forward Plan of Key Decisions and the updated Committee Work Programme. Councillor Alexi Dimond and Councillor Brian Steele were nominated and appointed to serve on the Audit, Standards and Risk Committee's Transport Risk Working Group. The committee also approved the review scopes for two review projects: one focusing on the Devolution Review of Scrutiny and Assurance Arrangements, and another on Bus Franchising. Further reports on these projects will be presented at future meetings.

Reporting on Integrated Settlement

Andy Leverton, Assistant Director for Data, Planning and Performance, provided an update on the Integrated Settlement Outcomes Framework, which outlines the measures and targets SYMCA will report to the government on until March 2029. The first six-month reporting period concludes in September 2026, with an initial report due in November. Mr Leverton noted that the government's Rewiring the State statement indicated an intention to streamline reporting requirements. Members welcomed the flexibility offered by the integrated settlement but stressed the need for a robust performance management framework. They expressed particular interest in future updates on performance against skills and employment outcomes.

Engagement Strategy and Toolkit Update

Liam Ronan-Chlond, Director of Strategic Partnerships, and Adam Leach, Principal Officer for Engagement, presented an update on the development of SYMCA's Engagement Strategy and Toolkit. The strategy aims to embed a consistent and participatory approach to engagement across the organisation, informed by input from staff, local authorities, voluntary sector organisations, and residents. Four proposed engagement roles for SYMCA were outlined: Direct Engagement, Coordinating Engagement, Enabling Engagement, and Observing and Learning. Members emphasised the importance of residents being able to engage directly with SYMCA and stressed the need for meaningful engagement that involves communities early in policy development. The Strategic Director of Legal, Governance & Commercial will provide members with information on the mechanisms available for residents to contact and engage with SYMCA.

Mayoral Scrutiny

Mayor Oliver Coppard attended to answer questions from the committee.

• Big Clean Initiative: Members sought an update on the Mayor's manifesto pledge to undertake a Big Clean across South Yorkshire using money confiscated from criminals. He explained that initial activity had begun in Maltby and a wider programme was planned for 2027. He acknowledged that current funding was insufficient for his full ambitions and confirmed that additional support would be provided through the Mayoral Priority Fund.
• Transport Accessibility: Members raised concerns around transport accessibility, and the Mayor highlighted ongoing investment in accessible public transport, including new tram and bus fleets, improvements to interchanges and bus stops, and engagement with disability organisations. He also referenced demand-responsive transport services in rural communities and confirmed SYMCA continued to support community transport providers.
• Regional Transport Connectivity: The Mayor advised that discussions were ongoing regarding improving road and rail links between Sheffield and Manchester, including enhanced Trans-Pennine connections and potential Supertram network expansion. He noted that discussions with government and regional partners were ongoing.
• Vision Zero: Discussion focused on the Mayor's Vision Zero commitment to reduce deaths and serious injuries on South Yorkshire's roads. The Mayor highlighted work underway through transport investment, road safety initiatives, and cross-agency partnership working, emphasising that road safety is a shared responsibility beyond policing.
• Public Engagement and Accountability: Members further discussed public engagement and accountability. The Mayor acknowledged that scrutiny arrangements would need to develop as SYMCA's expanding responsibilities. He noted the importance of transparency and public involvement, and felt that effective scrutiny should extend beyond elected members, including local media, citizens' panels, and other community participation methods.
• Planning Powers: The Mayor welcomed the proposed changes to planning powers for mayoral authorities in principle but stressed that any additional responsibilities would need to be accompanied by sufficient resources and specialist expertise. He reiterated his support to prioritise brownfield sites for development and highlighted the need for government support to make these sites financially viable.