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Mayoral Combined Authority Board - Tuesday, 27th October, 2026 3.30 pm
October 27, 2026 at 3:30 pm Mayoral Combined Authority Board View on council website Watch video of meeting Read transcript (Professional subscription required)Summary
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The Mayoral Combined Authority Board endorsed the Transport for City Regions programme, approved the designation of the South Yorkshire Key Route Network, and approved the purchase of Doncaster Sheffield Airport and surrounding land. The Board also approved the South Yorkshire Publication Draft Local Nature Recovery Strategy in principle, subject to completion of the final statutory review, and approved the publication of 26 headline metrics for the South Yorkshire Outcomes Framework.
Transport for City Regions Programme
The Board endorsed the proposed Transport for City Regions programme, a £1.455 billion investment aimed at improving connectivity, supporting growth and regeneration, and delivering a modern, integrated transport network. This funding will be allocated across various themes, including airport connectivity, safer roads, public transport enhancements, tram extensions, infrastructure to unlock development, transport network maintenance, better neighbourhoods, and strategic and local rail improvements. The programme includes a pipeline of future investments to provide flexibility in responding to changing costs and emerging opportunities. Councillor Chris Read highlighted the importance of increased funding for highway maintenance and road safety, while Mayor Ros Jones CBE emphasised the significant transport investment secured through devolution. Councillor William Brown welcomed the focus on road safety and the potential for the funding to transform South Yorkshire's transport system. Councillor Fran Belbin also expressed support for the road safety allocation and the potential for new rail stations.
South Yorkshire Key Route Network and Mayoral Power of Direction
The Board approved the designation of roads as the South Yorkshire Key Route Network (SYKRN), a statutory requirement under the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Act 2026. This network identifies the most strategically important local highway corridors across South Yorkshire to support coordinated management and improvement. The Board noted the roles and responsibilities of local highway authorities and SYMCA in maintaining and operating the SYKRN, and supported a proposed approach to reviewing the network every five years. The Board also noted the introduction of a Mayoral Power of Direction, to be used as a last resort, allowing the Mayor to direct constituent authorities on the exercise of highway and traffic powers on KRN roads to support agreed strategic outcomes.
South Yorkshire Airport City
The Board approved the purchase of Doncaster Sheffield Airport and over 1,000 acres of surrounding land at Gateway East by the Mayoral Combined Authority. This move aims to bring critical public infrastructure under public control, removing onerous lease conditions and providing greater agency to deliver the South Yorkshire Airport City vision. The purchase will be financed through borrowing, with costs to be met by existing earmarked Gainshare funding and other revenues. The MCA will take a controlling shareholder position in the airport operating company, Fly Doncaster Ltd (FDL), and provide a revolving credit facility. Mayor Ros Jones CBE, Leader of Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council, hailed the decision as a new partnership
and a transformational opportunity
for Doncaster and South Yorkshire. Councillor Fran Belbin raised questions about wider infrastructure, including potential tram connections, and the approach to environmental and sustainability outcomes, particularly concerning emissions. Mayor Oliver Coppard, Mayor of South Yorkshire, responded by highlighting ambitious plans for transport connectivity, including potential rail links, and emphasised the commitment to developing a world-leading sustainable aviation hub. He also committed to transparency, accountability, and securing the best deal for taxpayers.
Local Nature Recovery Strategy
The Board approved the South Yorkshire Publication Draft Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS) in principle, subject to the completion of a final statutory review. This strategy, developed in collaboration with local authorities, Natural England, the Environment Agency, and other stakeholders, identifies locations for habitat restoration and improvement to benefit nature and the wider environment. The strategy was informed by a public consultation that received over 2,000 online responses and engaged nearly 1,500 people in person, with 94% of respondents expressing satisfaction with the direction for nature recovery in South Yorkshire. Zoe Jennings, Director of Energy and Environment, highlighted that the strategy supports wider priorities such as flood resilience, healthy communities, and sustainable growth.
South Yorkshire Outcomes Framework Refresh
The Board approved the publication of 26 headline metrics for the South Yorkshire Outcomes Framework (SYOF), which will measure progress against the South Yorkshire Strategy. A phased approach to the full refresh of the SYOF was also approved, with supporting metrics to be considered by March 2027 and target setting to be explored in the following financial year. Kate Mieske, Director of Insight, explained that the framework aligns with the South Yorkshire Strategy and will inform investment decisions. Councillor Chris Read welcomed the updated metrics and the phased approach, emphasising the ongoing evolution of data collection.
Programme Approvals
The Board considered and approved several programme approvals, including:
- Active Travel Bridges - Smithies & Dearne Valley: Progression to post-Outline Business Case (OBC) in-principle approval and award of £3.54m to Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council for the replacement of three ageing footbridges.
- CRSTS and TCR Five-Year Revenue Programme: Progression to full approval and onward award of £77.64m to support the development and delivery of the transport investment programme across South Yorkshire.
- Highways Capital Maintenance: Progression to full approval and onward award of £68.1m to Barnsley, Doncaster, and Rotherham for essential highway maintenance.
- Tram life extension additional costs: Progression of a change request for an additional £9.19m to support the tram vehicle life extension programme.
- Skills Bootcamps Grant: Acceptance and onward award of £0.65m from the Department of Work and Pensions to expand delivery in priority sectors.
- Housing Accelerator Fund: Endorsement of a proposal submission to the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government for up to £95 million to establish a revolving housing investment fund.
- Made Smarter additional grant: Endorsement of a proposal submission to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade for an additional £0.09m to support the Made Smarter Yorkshire & Humber programme, including a new cyber security pilot.
Laurie Thomas, Director of Programme Delivery, presented the report, and Councillor Fran Belbin noted the significant amount of funding being approved, highlighting the importance of this work alongside larger decisions like the airport acquisition.
Delegated Authority Report
The Board noted the decisions and delegations made since the previous meeting, as detailed in Appendix A of the report. These included various commercial appointments and contract variations related to transport infrastructure and skills programmes.
Delegated decisions linked to this meeting
Decision summaries below are AI-generated from the council’s published record. Check the council source or the full decision page before relying on them.
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Delegated Authority Report
Recommendations ApprovedThe Mayoral Combined Authority Board noted the decisions and delegations made on 27 October 2026. The Board approved the appointment of consultants for Commercial Street Bridge, Colas Rail for rail repairs, WSP for bus shelter improvements, and Vodafone for underground services. They also approved procurement for a DTS Solutions Architect, increased a contract for Mass Transit project services, appointed project managers, approved refurbishment of Nunnery Square Supertram Depot, and awarded funding for a unified regional narrative. Further decisions included variations to contracts for the Made Smarter programme, a contract extension for citizen experience work, grant awards to Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council and Sheffield City Council, and approval for Meadowhall Park & Ride expansion. Additionally, they approved procurement evaluators for bus franchising, a Career Hub Core Grant, and extended contracts for Hitachi Technology.
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South Yorkshire Outcomes Framework Refresh
Recommendations ApprovedThe Mayoral Combined Authority Board approved the publication of 26 headline metrics and a phased approach to refresh the South Yorkshire Outcomes Framework on 27/10/2026. Amendments were made to three metrics: 'footfall in towns and cities' became 'Number of visitors to towns and cities', 'number of properties protected by flood schemes' became 'number of properties at risk of flooding', and 'biodiversity net gain' became 'biodiversity net gain and habitat condition'.
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South Yorkshire Key Route Network and Mayoral Power of Direction
Recommendations ApprovedThe Mayoral Combined Authority Board of South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority Council approved the designation of roads as the South Yorkshire Key Route Network on 27 October 2026. The Board noted the roles and responsibilities for maintenance, operation, and improvement of the network. They also supported a review approach and noted the Mayoral Power of Direction.
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Transport for City Regions Programme
Recommendations ApprovedThe Mayoral Combined Authority Board of South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority approved the proposed Transport for City Regions programme and thematic investment approach on 27/10/2026. This endorsement is subject to the completion of detailed programme development work before submission to the Government. The decision includes endorsing a programme with thematic investment areas such as Airport Connectivity, Safer Roads, Public Transport Enhancements, Tram Extensions and Enhancements, Infrastructure to Unlock Development, Transport Network Maintenance, Better Neighbourhoods, and Strategic and Local Rail Improvements.
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South Yorkshire Airport City
Recommendations ApprovedThe Mayoral Combined Authority Board of South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority Council approved the purchase of the airport site and surrounding land on 27/10/2026. The Board granted delegated authority to the MCA’s Chief Executive to agree full terms of the acquisition, provide landlord consent, and agree lease amendments. The Board also approved the MCA taking a controlling shareholder position in FDL, a proposed revolving credit facility to FDL, and revisions to the MCA’s Treasury Management Strategy.
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Programme Approvals
Recommendations ApprovedThe Mayoral Combined Authority Board decided on 27/10/2026 to approve programme progression and grant acceptances. This included in-principle approval for "Active Travel Bridges - Smithies & Dearne Valley" with an award of £3.54m to Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council, full approval and award of £77.64m for "CRSTS and TCR Five-Year Revenue Programme", full approval and award of £68.1m for "Highways Capital Maintenance", and approval for the "Tram life extension additional costs" change request. They also accepted and awarded £0.65m for the "Skills Bootcamps Grant" from the Department of Work and Pensions. The Board endorsed submissions for the "Housing Accelerator Fund" and "Made Smarter additional grant" to the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government and the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade respectively, delegating authority to the Executive Director - Growth, Business and Skills to accept and award any subsequent grants. Authority was delegated to the Head of Paid Service to enter into legal agreements for these decisions.
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Minutes of the meeting held on 15th September 2026
Recommendations ApprovedThe Mayoral Combined Authority Board of South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority Council approved the minutes of the meeting held on 15th September 2026. The Board endorsed the South Yorkshire Strategy and the proposed collective impact implementation approach. They also noted the Government's allocation of £85m of City Densification Funding to South Yorkshire and endorsed the programme approach.
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Local Nature Recovery Strategy
Recommendations ApprovedThe Mayoral Combined Authority Board of South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority Council decided on 27 October 2026 to approve the South Yorkshire Publication Draft Local Nature Recovery Strategy in principle. The Board noted the outcome of the statutory public consultation and delegated authority to the SYMCA Chief Executive to finalise and publish the final Strategy.
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