West Yorkshire Combined Authority seeks public views as budgets are discussed

23 December 2024

An engagement is being launched today (23 December) to help give the public their say on the West Yorkshire Combined Authority's draft budget for the upcoming year.

With ambitious plans for the growth of the region and a future single settlement from government in 2026, this budget sets out how to deliver on the mayor’s priorities during a challenging period for public sector finances.

The engagement follows discussions between local leaders last week (12 December) on how to balance the pressures faced by the Combined Authority and its partners. These include funding bus routes for schools, concessionary travel for under 19s and over 65s, providing skills training to get people into jobs, and wider influences such as inflation, while continuing to deliver existing projects and services, across transport, skills, business support, culture and regeneration.

And while there will be some difficult decisions to be made in times of funding uncertainty for all authorities, a survey has now been launched to ask the public for their views on how this money can best be spent to deliver on the things that matter most to them, whether that is getting on the bus or getting back into the classroom.

The Combined Authority has two types of funding - revenue funding is available for day-to-day operations and project delivery; while capital funding is earmarked for specific longer-term projects which will have individual consultations in 2025.

The Combined Authority is seeking views on how it spends some of its revenue funding, recognising that this directly impacts people using the services it provides.

Setting out her bold vision last week in the Local Growth Plan, the Mayor of West Yorkshire, Tracy Brabin, talked about her ambition to create a thriving region with a better-connected transport system and skills to get people into well-paid jobs, and this budget will look to start to deliver on those goals.

Following the meeting, the mayor Tracy Brabin said:

“I’m on a growth mission in West Yorkshire to ensure that everyone can get in and get on with more money in their pocket which is why I set out my ambition in the local growth plan.

“But with ambition comes a challenge, and it’s the impact it has on people’s lives that matters, which is why it is so important to have your say on this budget.

“I’d encourage everyone to tell us what you want to see for the region so we can work to deliver a brighter West Yorkshire that works for all.”

Everyone will be able to give their views via the online survey here.

All responses will be considered and will help to shape the final budget which will be signed off in the new year.