Mayor marks first 100 days in office
Today marks 100 days since Tracy Brabin came into office as the first ever Mayor of West Yorkshire, following the landmark devolution deal which transferred significant new powers and money to the region.
17 August 2021
The Mayor of West Yorkshire marks her first 100 days in office; already delivering on her promises to the people of the region.
Today marks 100 days since Tracy Brabin came into office as the first ever Mayor of West Yorkshire, following the landmark devolution deal which transferred significant new powers and money to the region.
In the past three months, the Mayor has already started to deliver on her ten manifesto promises for the next three years. From beginning to bring buses back under public control, to leading on a creative new deal for the region and securing new green jobs, the Mayor has shown her commitment to those that worked so hard for devolution and to ensure that West Yorkshire is recognised globally as a strong, successful economy where everyone can build great businesses, careers and lives.
Mayor of West Yorkshire, Tracy Brabin, said: “I am so proud of what we’ve achieved over the past three months. Through the Combined Authority we have now attached funding to every one of my ten manifesto pledges – the team have really hit the ground running and built on their commitment to empowering this region through devolution.
I would like to thank the people of West Yorkshire and all of the partners I’ve been working with, particularly the five West Yorkshire Leaders and the other members of the Combined Authority who have supported my pledges. I know that we will continue to work together to deliver for the people of West Yorkshire.
I am often asked about what I would like to achieve as the first Mayor of West Yorkshire. My answer - to make people’s lives a little bit easier. We have all been through so much, especially throughout the pandemic, and I really want to be able to bring about change that people across the region can feel in their day to day lives. Whether that be cheaper bus tickets, or access to genuinely affordable homes, or for the women and girls to feel safer as they walk our streets.
There is still a long way to go but I will continue to listen to the people of West Yorkshire, and I’m determined that over the next three years we will deliver more prosperity and greater hope for our fantastic region and ensure a fair and just recovery from COVID that works for everyone.”
Here are some of the Mayor’s key achievements so far:
Bringing buses back under public control
On 24th June the Mayor took the first steps in bringing buses back under public control, while unlocking millions of pounds worth of funding to improve services in the meantime. The move will bring cheaper, simpler bus fares, and a more reliable service to the region. In addition, last month the Mayor launched the Under 19 Fare Deal for Young People ensuring lower fares for many young people to travel across the region.
Prioritising skills and training
On 9th August the Mayor announced a new Green jobs taskforce to oversee delivery of over 1000 Green Jobs in West Yorkshire – jobs that help us reach our net zero climate target.
Mayor Brabin also announced that the Combined Authority also committed £500,000 to begin development of initiatives to support young people aged 16-30 to enable them to improve their skills and to engage with high skilled well-paid jobs in emerging sectors such as green and digital.
The Mayor also launched the Employment and Skills Framework which sets out support to help people find new jobs and build new skills in high demand sectors.
Creating well paid, skilled jobs for young people
On 9th August the Mayor announced a new Green jobs taskforce to oversee delivery of 1000 Green Jobs in West Yorkshire. The Mayor committed £500,000 to begin development of initiatives to support young people aged 16-30 to enable them to improve their skills and to engage with high skilled well-paid jobs in emerging sectors such as green and digital.
Leading a Creative New Deal
On 10th August the Mayor announced the creation of a new Culture Committee which will oversee delivery of the ‘Creative New Deal’. £500,000 of funding has been announced to support development of the scheme, including £190k for continuation of the Beyond Brontë’s film and TV training scheme.
Building new, sustainable homes including council houses and affordable homes
On 29th July at the meeting of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, the Mayor set out the affordable housing programmes that would meet the target of building 5000 affordable and sustainable homes, alongside £3.2m of funding from the Devolution Deal to work up the pipeline of affordable and sustainable housing projects.
Championing inclusivity and diversity
On 26th July the Mayor announced plans and funding for a Fair Work Charter for West Yorkshire, setting the standards expected for good work in the region: reducing in-work poverty, boosting health and wellbeing, and promoting greater economic inclusion for our disadvantaged groups and communities.
On 24th June the Mayor also signed the Armed Forces Covenant on behalf of West Yorkshire Combined Authority. In addition, at the July meeting of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority the Mayor announced plans and funding to recruit a West Yorkshire Inclusivity Champion to ensure that the region’s recovery benefit’s us all. The Mayor also committed the Combined Authority to ethnicity pay gap reporting.
Tackling the Climate Emergency
On 13th July the Mayor joined the UK 100 as part of the national UK Net Zero Summit, committing the West Yorkshire Combined Authority to focus on climate and clean energy policy, and shifting to 100% clean energy by 2050. In addition, funding was announced for the Net Zero Region Accelerator programme, running to March 2024.
Policing and Crime
On 18th June Alison Lowe was confirmed as the new Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime. The Mayor secured over £3.5m in funding to support victims across West Yorkshire including programmes to support women and girls’ safety. Consultation has begun with community groups on how best to keep women and girls safe, and West Yorkshire has placed a bid for funding though the Safer Streets Fund. In addition, £2 million has been allocated for 25 Independent Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Advisors.
Support local businesses and be a champion for our local economy
The Mayor has set out plans to refresh the Economic Recovery Plan to ensure the region builds back better from the impacts of the COVID pandemic. Funding, such as the £6m entrepreneurship package of support and £500k to support a scheme development relating to supporting business, have already been announced.
In addition, the Mayor has supported the local economy through her backing of the campaign against the privatisation of Channel 4;she has lobbied the Government on their plans for the Northern train network, including progress on Northern Powerhouse Rail and HS2.
COVID response
As well as delivering on her manifesto pledges, the Mayor has set out a clear response to the COVID pandemic. Following the Government’s announcement to remove requirements for face masks on public transport the Mayor joined with Metro Mayors across the country to call on the Government to reverse their decision. In addition, the Mayor mandated that face coverings would be required in bus stations operated by the Combined Authority across the region.