Councillor Carla Thomas

The Liverpool City Region Combined Authority decided to approve recommendations on 17/07/2026. This included agreeing to write off two defaulted Flexible Growth Fund loans totalling £456,923.47 and approving changes to Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council's Huyton Active Travel Corridor project, including an increase in funding of £5,521,306. The Authority also noted immaterial changes made to Strategic Investment Fund projects.

The Liverpool City Region Combined Authority approved the transfer of Merseyrail services to public ownership from July 2028. The decision was made on 17/07/2026. Merseytravel will continue developing the public ownership model and progress initial mobilisation stages.

The Liverpool City Region Combined Authority approved recommendations regarding homelessness on 17/07/2026. The authority approved the formation of a Homelessness Task Force and the allocation of £8,355,208 for tackling homelessness and rough sleeping. Delegated authority was given to the Executive Director of Investment and Delivery to utilise up to £1,900,000 for commissioning services and delivering priorities identified by the Task Force, and the remaining £6,455,208 to fund resources, commission services, and enter into agreements with delivery partners.

The Liverpool City Region Combined Authority decided to approve recommendations for the region to seek designation as a Marmot City Region on 17/07/2026. This includes adopting the Marmot Principles and embedding health equity in decision-making processes. The authority will adopt a Health Impact Assessment approach to identify and consider potential impacts on population health and health inequalities.

The Liverpool City Region Combined Authority approved recommendations regarding the Bus Franchising Programme on 17/07/2026. The Authority approved a variation to the Franchising Scheme for Buses 2023 and delegated authority to Merseytravel to approve changes to franchised bus contracts. This delegation includes approving changes to routes, services, and other operational requirements, subject to certain financial and risk thresholds.