The Overview and Scrutiny Committee of South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority is scheduled to discuss the progress of bus franchising in the region and receive an update on the Mayor's scrutiny activities. The committee will also review its work programme and the latest Forward Plan of Key Decisions.

Bus Franchising Update

A significant portion of the meeting is scheduled to be dedicated to an update on the bus franchising programme, led by Matt Goggins, Director of Bus Reform. This initiative, decided upon in March 2025, aims to transition South Yorkshire from its current deregulated bus system to one where the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) specifies routes, fares, and service standards. This reform is a core part of the South Yorkshire People's Network, an integrated transport system designed to better serve residents and foster economic growth.

The report pack indicates that substantial progress has been made towards introducing bus franchising by September 2027. This includes advancements in the competitive procurement process for new operators, with contract awards anticipated soon. The procurement strategy aims to establish a stable and sustainable operating model with high performance standards and value for money. The evaluation of bids is considering operational capability, mobilisation, service delivery, safety, social value, financial robustness, and commercial value.

Safety is highlighted as a critical aspect of the People's Network. The report pack suggests the introduction of a new Travel Safe Partnership programme in 2027, with a dedicated Head of Travel Safe Partnership being recruited. This initiative will aim to enhance collaboration between transport operators, local authorities, the police, and community partners to prevent anti-social behaviour and improve passenger confidence, with a particular focus on the safety of women and girls. Network safety, concerning the day-to-day running of services and incident management, will be governed by franchise contracts setting safety standards for operators. Bus fleet safety has also been a key consideration, with specifications informed by independent studies, user feedback, and trade union input.

The report pack also details the timetable for delivery, with key milestones including the appointment of Indicative Preferred Bidders in November-December 2026, contract award in December 2026, and the commencement of mobilisation in January 2027, leading to the Go Live in September 2027. The bus franchising programme is intended to support SYMCA's equality, diversity, and inclusion ambitions by creating a more accessible and equitable transport network. It is also expected to contribute to climate change and sustainability goals by encouraging modal shift from private car use and facilitating the introduction of zero-emission buses.

Work Programme and Review of latest Forward Plan of Key Decisions

The committee is scheduled to review its work programme and the latest Forward Plan of Key Decisions. This agenda item, led by the Chair, aims to ensure the Overview and Scrutiny Committee maintains its oversight and challenge function. The Forward Plan allows the committee to identify matters that may warrant future scrutiny consideration at an early stage. The report pack outlines that the work programme is designed to support more proactive and impactful scrutiny, while providing a clear and transparent demonstration of how committee input has influenced decision-making and service improvement.

The report pack mentions that the English Devolution & Community Empowerment Act 2026 is expected to bring changes to the MCA scrutiny regime, including increased pre-decision scrutiny and powers to summon individuals to meetings. The committee will also review updates to its work programme, which includes ongoing projects such as the Integrated Settlement Outcomes Framework, the South Yorkshire Strategy, Fire Integration, and the development of local scrutiny committees.

Mayoral Scrutiny

Mayor Oliver Coppard is scheduled to attend the meeting to address scrutiny from the committee. While the specific details of what will be discussed are not fully elaborated in the provided documents, the previous meeting's minutes indicate that Mayoral Scrutiny sessions have covered topics such as manifesto pledges, transport accessibility, regional transport connectivity, and the Mayor's Vision Zero commitment to reduce road deaths and serious injuries. The previous discussion also touched upon public engagement and accountability, and the potential for expanded planning powers for mayoral authorities.

Minutes of the Meeting Held on 8 September 2026 and Review of Action Log

The committee is scheduled to review the minutes from its previous meeting on 8 September 2026 and consider the associated action log. The minutes from that meeting indicate discussions on issues such as antisocial behaviour at Barnsley Interchange, the Integrated Settlement Outcomes Framework, and the SYMCA Engagement Strategy & Toolkit. An action was recorded for the Chair and Vice-Chair to meet with relevant SYMCA officers to consider how issues relating to antisocial behaviour could be explored through the Committee's work programme, with an update to be reported to this meeting. The action log also shows a completed action for the Strategic Director of Legal, Governance & Commercial to provide members with information on mechanisms for residents to contact and engage with SYMCA.