Decision details

The Cabinet considered a report of the Executive Director of Place/Deputy Chief Executive that, if approved, would enable the Council to undertake the required statutory consultation on the proposed establishment of an Oldham Mayoral Development Corporation, in order to test public and stakeholder support for a governance model intended to accelerate delivery of the Borough’s regeneration programme and Live Well ambitions, before any final decision would be made regarding a formal designation.

The Cabinet was therefore being asked to approve the commencement of formal statutory consultation on the proposed establishment of an Oldham Mayoral Development Corporation (MDC).

The MDC would be a statutory body, designated by the Mayor of Greater Manchester, operating within a defined Red Line Boundary (Mayoral Development Area), as detailed in the submitted report, focused on accelerating delivery of Oldham’s regeneration and development programme, including, the following:

·       SportsTown (Health, Sport Science & Innovation Campus)

·       Town Centre regeneration (including Town Living Partnership sites)

·       Cultural & Creative Quarter heritage assets

·       Minewater Heat Network and Incubator

·       Northern Roots (Phase 2)

·       Strategic brownfield residential opportunities

The Cabinet was advised that a proposed MDC would support the delivery of: The Greater Manchester Strategy (GMS) 2025, the Pride, Progress, Partnership (The Oldham Plan 2024 – 2030), the Community Regeneration Partnership and Oldham’s Live Well ambitions.

Options/Alternatives considered:

Option 1 – Do Nothing / Continue with Existing Arrangements

Option 2 – Strategic Partnership Expansion

Option 3 – Mayoral Development Zone (Non-Statutory

Option 4 (the preferred Option) – create a Mayoral Development Corporation

Resolved:

1.    That the Cabinet approves the commencement of formal statutory consultation on the proposal to establish an Oldham Mayoral Development Corporation.

2.    That the Cabinet notes that following consultation, a further report will be brought to Cabinet to consider the outcome and determine whether to support the Mayor of Greater Manchester in formally requesting designation from the Secretary of State.