The Cabinet has decided to delegate the formulation and preparation of a joint development plan document for minerals and waste across Greater Manchester to the AGMA Executive Board.

URL: https://committees.oldham.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=5479

Decision Maker: Cabinet

Outcome:

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: No

Purpose:

Content: The Cabinet considered a report of the Executive Director of Place/Deputy Chief Executive that sought approval from Members to delegate to the AGMA Executive Board the formulation and preparation of a joint development plan document with the other nine Greater Manchester councils (Bolton Bury, Manchester, Rochdale, Salford, Stockport, Tameside, Trafford and Wigan), to cover planning for minerals and waste across Greater Manchester insofar as such matters were executive functions.   The leaders of the Greater Manchester authorities, at the Association of Greater Manchester Authorities (AGMA) Executive Board meeting on 28th March 2025, had agreed to the production of a statutory Greater Manchester Joint Minerals and Waste Plan (GMJMWP).  The submitted report considered the necessary steps required in relation to seeking approval from all the Greater Manchester districts to commence preparation and to delegate its preparation to the AGMA Executive Board.    The existing Greater Manchester Minerals and Waste Plans was required to be updated in full because they were currently out of date having previously been adopted over a decade ago. Their replacement, with a single, joint minerals and waste plan would ensure efficient compliance with national planning policies.    Options/Alternatives considered: Option 1:  Following the approval in principle of the above recommendation by Council to the making of a joint development plan document with the other 9 Greater Manchester councils (Bolton, Bury, Manchester, Rochdale, Salford, Stockport, Tameside, Trafford and Wigan), to cover planning for minerals and waste across Greater Manchester, Cabinet is recommended to: Delegate to AGMA Executive Board the formulating and preparing of the joint development plan document to cover planning for minerals and waste across Greater Manchester insofar as such matters are executive functions. This option is the most efficient option and will ensure an up-to-date minerals and waste plan. There are no disadvantages to this option. Option 2: To not delegate to the AGMA Executive Board, the formulating and preparing of the joint development plan document to cover planning for minerals and waste across Greater Manchester insofar as such matters are executive functions. This will mean that the minerals and waste plan would be unable to be delegated to the AGMA Executive Board by all ten districts, which will put at risk the timely progression of the minerals and waste plan. Option 1 was the preferred Option.   The Cabinet was informed that as this matter was a key decision, the proposal will be considered by the Place, Economic Growth and Environment Scrutiny Board at its meeting on 24th July 2025, which was after this Cabinet meeting.  It was therefore proposed that the Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods, be granted delegated authority to take the final decision on the delegation, having considered any comments made thereon by the Place, Economic Growth and Environment Scrutiny Board on 24th July 2025.   Resolved: That following the approval in principle by Council to the making of a joint development plan document with the other nine Greater Manchester councils (Bolton, Bury, Manchester, Rochdale, Salford, Stockport, Tameside, Trafford and Wigan), to cover planning for minerals and waste across Greater Manchester, the Cabinet is recommended to: 1.    Subject to recommendation 3 below, delegate to AGMA Executive Board the formulating and preparing of the joint development plan document to cover planning for minerals and waste across Greater Manchester insofar as such matters are executive functions. 2.    Note that the following are the sole responsibility of the Council: a)    Responsibility for giving of instructions to the Cabinet to reconsider the draft plan submitted by the Cabinet for the authority’s consideration. b)    The amendment of the draft joint development plan document submitted by the Cabinet for the Council’s consideration. c)    The approval of the joint development plan document for the purposes of submission to the Secretary of State for independent examination. d)    The adoption of the joint development plan document. 3.    Note that the item will be exempt from call-in, under Rule 14 of the Constitution, as the matter will be considered by the Place, Economic Growth and Environment Scrutiny Board on 24th July 2025. 4.    Grant delegated authority to the Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods to take the final decision on the delegation to AGMA Executive Board, having considered any comments made by the Place, Economic Growth and Environment Scrutiny Board on 24th July.

Date of Decision: July 21, 2025