Agenda item

Approval is sought to carry out public consultation on the List of Heritage Assets and the accompanying guidance note on the future revision of the Local Heritage List.

Members scrutinised a report of the Executive Director of Place/Deputy Chief Executive that was seeking approval to undertake a public consultation on a List of Local Heritage Assets, and also on an accompanying guidance note regarding the future revision of the Local Heritage List.

Nominations for a draft List of Local Heritage Assets had been assessed and compiled following an extended public consultation period between September 2021 and February 2022. Consultation included a dedicated website platform where nominations could be received, supported by communications, information boards and leaflets distributed as part of Oldham Histories Festival. Parish Councils, civic societies, local historic societies and other interest groups were contacted.

The report presented two Options, for consideraton:

Option 1 (preferred Option) - to give approval to carry out public consultation on the List of Heritage Assets and the accompanying guidance note on the future revision of the Local List. This decision will mean that Oldham is recognizing, celebrating and making information on non-designated heritage assets worthy of inclusion on the Local List accessible to the public and is in line with proposed changes to national planning policy, specifically stating for development plans to be supported by a Local List to identify non-designated heritage assets that are important to the local community. There are no disadvantages to this option. 

Option 2 - To not give approval to carry out public consultation on the List of Heritage Assets and the accompanying guidance note on the future revision of the Local List. This will mean that a Local List is not progressed which will make information on non-designated heritage assets less accessible to the public and applicants and will not support a positive strategy for heritage. There are no advantages.

Resolved:

1.    That the Governance, Strategy and Resources Scrutiny Board, endorses the recommendations detailed in the submitted report of the Executive Director of Place/Deputy Chief Executive to approve public consultation on the List of Local Heritage Assets and the accompanying guidance note on the future revision of the Local Heritage List.

2.    Requests that the Group Leaders meeting concurs, thereby enabling the Chief Executive to formally approve the recommendations in the report.