Purpose of the Report:
The purpose of the report is to confirm that Oldham Council provides its approval for the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) (on behalf of the Mayor of Greater Manchester) to publicly consult on the Draft Greater Manchester Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS).
Reasons for the Recommendations:
Under the Environment Act 2021, the Mayor of Greater Manchester is required to prepare and adopt a Local Nature Recovery Strategy for the City Region and seek agreement from each of the ten districts.
The submitted report therefore is seeking the Cabinet’s approval for the Mayor to consult publicly on the Draft Strategy in the autumn. This will mean that Oldham Council has given its support as a supporting authority, which will allow consultation on the draft LNRS once all ten Greater Manchester districts have confirmed support or no objections. There are no disadvantages associated with this option.
The Final Strategy will return to Members for agreement prior to adoption by the Mayor.
Options/Alternatives considered:
Option 1: to provide approval for the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (on behalf of the Mayor of Greater Manchester) to publicly consult on the Draft Greater Manchester Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS). This will mean that Oldham Council has given its support as a supporting authority, which will allow consultation on the draft LNRS once all ten GM districts have confirmed support or no objections. There are no disadvantages to this option.
Option 2 – Not to provide approval for the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (on behalf of the Mayor of Greater Manchester) to publicly consult on the Draft Greater Manchester Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS). This will mean that Oldham Council will need to give reasons in writing to GMCA for the objection. The advantage of this option is that Oldham Council will have any formal objections reviewed. The disadvantage of this option is potentially delaying consultation on LNRS for GM to either allow for amendments to be made or for the Secretary of State to intervene and approve consultation.
Option 1 is the preferred Option.
Decision:
The Cabinet resolved to provide approval for the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (on behalf of the Mayor of Greater Manchester) to publicly consult on the Draft Greater Manchester Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS).