Framework Community Board Highlights – April 2026
The Joint Medium Schemes Framework (MSF4) and Professional Services Partnership (PSP) Community Board met on 23 April 2026 at Burleigh Court Conference Centre, Loughborough, for a morning of presentations, updates and collaboration.
The Future of Transport: Amey’s Intelligent Mobility Team
John Marcon and Manish Kumar from Amey’s Intelligent Mobility Team presented on three interconnected themes shaping the future of transport: cleaner transport, future mobility and connected and automated mobility.
The session showcased live projects already making a difference on the ground. EV rollout projects are under way with Trafford Council and Telford and Wrekin Council, while Staffordshire County Council’s Mobility Hubs initiative is using data-driven analysis to prioritise active travel across both urban and rural areas – demonstrating how local authorities can use evidence to shape smarter, greener transport networks.
Delivering at Scale: Transport for West Midlands
Fiona Kane and Carolyn Harris gave an overview of Transport for West Midlands’ (TfWM) work as a Combined Authority, spanning the full lifecycle from planning and delivery through to operations.
TfWM’s portfolio reflects the breadth and ambition of what Combined Authorities can achieve – metro extensions, five new rail stations, and significant bus infrastructure including new depots and interchanges such as the Dudley Interchange. Once delivered, assets pass to TfWM’s operational teams, who work closely with local authorities and communities to maintain and improve services.
Carolyn also challenged elements of the MHA+ Performance Toolkit. As a Combined Authority, TfWM operates across the WMCA network as a third party – acting in effect as both client and contractor. The team is reviewing four KPIs to ensure performance measures better reflect this reality. It is an important piece of work with implications for how Combined Authorities are assessed across the framework.
Community at the Heart: Ashbourne Reborn
Galliford Try, alongside Derbyshire County Council, presented on the Ashbourne Reborn project – a £15.2 million regeneration of Ashbourne town centre led by Derbyshire Dales District Council and funded by the UK Government’s Levelling Up Fund.
The scheme is transforming key public spaces including the Market Place, Victoria Square, Millennium Square and Shrovetide Walk, with wider pavements and safer crossings significantly improving the pedestrian experience for residents and visitors.
What set this presentation apart was the team’s approach to delivery. Sensitive town centre closures were carefully planned and accelerated to hit key milestones, including around Ashbourne’s famous medieval Shrovetide Football event – a distinctive scheduling consideration. Throughout the works, the team worked proactively with local businesses to ensure deliveries could continue, and maintained a strong focus on stakeholder engagement from start to finish. A genuine example of going above and beyond for the communities the framework serves.
Get involved: MHA+ Service Improvement Groups
The meeting also included updates from the MHA+ Service Improvement Groups (SIGs) – the best practice groups that sit at the heart of continuous improvement across the alliance. SIGs bring together framework partners and authority members to share knowledge, address common challenges and raise standards.
If you are not yet involved in a SIG, we would encourage you to get in touch. Your experience and expertise can make a real difference to the work these groups do.
Save the Date: Annual Event and Innovation Awards 2026
Looking ahead, the MHA+ Annual Event takes place on 23 September 2026 – a highlight of the framework calendar and a chance to bring the whole alliance together. The theme, this year, is Highways and Transport: The Future.
This year’s event will also celebrate innovation in the MHA+ Annual Awards, celebrating the projects, teams and individuals pushing the boundaries of what is possible across our community. Nominations are now open.
Full details are available at www.mhaplus.org.uk/events/annual-event-2026