It was established by statutory instrument under the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009 on 1 April 2014.

Strategic local governance decisions have been made by the joint committee of the Leeds City Region Leaders Board.

[2] A multi-area agreement was established in 2008 and since 2011 economic development has been supported by the Leeds City Region LEP, which forms a business-led local enterprise partnership.

[10] The constituent members of the WYCA supported a mayor covering all of Yorkshire, but the UK government refused this idea.

The West Yorkshire Combined Authority took over the responsibility of payment for the Apprenticeship Grant for Employers in 2015.