The Cabinet has decided to establish the Atom Valley Northern Gateway Mayoral Development Corporation for engagement with Government and key stakeholders.

URL: https://councildecisions.bury.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=4243

Decision Maker: Cabinet

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: Yes

Is Callable In?: No

Purpose:

Content: The Leader and Cabinet Member for Strategic Growth presented a report providing the governance details of the Atom Valley Northern Gateway Mayoral Development Corporation (MDC) which will provide a single, focussed body for engagement with Government and key stakeholders. This report set out how the MDC will work, the governance arrangements and operational details. The Leader noted that the current proposals were subject to change, however this was the first stage approach, setting out the principles behind the scheme, and h ensuring Bury has a voice in the process.   In response to Members’ questions, it was noted that the make up of the board and voting rights were subject to change as legally it was for the MDC to decide, so it was up to Rochdale and Bury to lay down a marker to ensure adequate political representation. With regards to the consultation, it was noted that this report sets out our response to the feedback and that we still think this is right way forward.   With regards to the Chair, the timescale depended on the availability and response from the people interested. The Leader advised a range of names were being considered and an appointment would be made as soon as reasonably possible. In the meantime, we have infrastructure of the Mayoral Development Zone in the background to move the project forwards.   With regards to checks and balances for use of powers, it was noted that the constitution set out every power available to the MDC but not necessarily powers that were planning to be used. Such powers over public rights of way have a higher threshold of checks and balances, and the constitution set out that any such power would be done with consent of the Secretary of State. The Leader undertook to provide an overview of safeguards outside the meeting.   Decision:   Cabinet: 1.    Noted the outcome of the ‘Atom Valley Northern Gateway MDC’ consultation, as detailed within the Consultation Report (Appendix A); 2.    Supported designation of the ‘Atom Valley Northern Gateway’ Mayoral development area by the Greater Manchester Mayor (the Mayor) and the Mayor notifying the Secretary of State (SoS) of that designation; 3.    Approved the draft governance and operational arrangements, including objectives, as set out in the draft constitution (Appendix B); 4.    Delegated Northern Gateway Strategic Board to finalise the draft governance and operational arrangements for the proposed MDC and note the approval of the constitution sits with the MDC; 5.    Agreed Rochdale Council will be the MDC host Authority and Bury Council will be the partner Authority, subject to 2-year initial review then regularly on 5-year basis thereafter; 6.    Noted that corresponding recommendations are to be presented to Rochdale Council, and that, if endorsed a further report will be presented to the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) and GM Mayor to seek endorsement of these proposals. Accordingly, establishment of the Atom Valley Northern Gateway MDC is contingent on these respective decisions; and 7.    Noted that following endorsement by GMCA, the Mayor and the SoS a further report will be presented to Cabinet seeking formal approval to implement, including financial appraisal to provide further details on costings.   Reasons for the decision: A Delivery Vehicle Options Appraisal (DVOA) was commissioned by Bury and Rochdale Councils and GMCA from Deloitte which concluded the delivery vehicle with the greatest ability to support the effective delivery of Northern Gateway is an MDC. This stems from the MDC's capacity to maintain local accountability and explore potential enhanced powers, alongside a series of additional benefits.   Alternative options considered and rejected: That the ‘Atom Valley Northern Gateway MDC’ is not endorsed and would therefore not proceed to implementation. Alternative delivery mechanisms would need to be revisited, however as outlined in the March cabinet report, the MDC was the option that presented the best balance of considerations of flexibility, governance, private sector engagement and risk share, with other options comparing unfavourably in terms of the criteria, fit for the needs of Northern Gateway, and, in the case of some options, reliance on pending legislation creating threats to delivery timelines based on an untested model with no best practice basis.

Date of Decision: July 9, 2025