Issue - meetings

Report of the Assistant Director - Economic Growth and Housing

The Cabinet considered the report of the Assistant Director - Economic Growth and Housing indicating that the Liverpool City Region (LCR) Local Nature Recovery Strategy was being prepared by the LCR Combined Authority as the ‘responsible body’ in line with government deadlines, with public consultation on the draft Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS) due to take place from February 2025 and the final Local Nature Recovery Strategy to be approved in mid-2025. Sefton Council as a ‘supporting authority’ was required to approve both the draft and final Local Nature Recovery Strategy prior to their approval by the Combined Authority. The report sought Council approval of the draft LCR Local Nature Recovery Strategy prior to its consideration by the LCR Combined Authority. The LNRS was a cross-cutting theme across several Cabinet Member portfolios and Services.

The following appendices were attached to the report:

·       Draft Liverpool City Region Local Nature Recovery Strategy

·       Strategy and representational PDF map of Sefton only

Decisions Made:

That

(1)           the draft Liverpool City Region Local Nature Recovery Strategy be approved for consultation by the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, as the responsible body;

(2)           authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member - Housing and Highways, in consultation with the Assistant Director - Economic Growth and Housing or the Chief Planning Officer, to agree any subsequent changes to the draft Local Nature Recovery Strategy arising through the supporting authority and Combined Authority approval process; and

(3)           authority be delegated to the Chief Planning Officer, in consultation with the Cabinet Member - Housing and Highways, to make minor editorial and presentational changes to the draft Local Nature Recovery Strategy arising through the supporting authority and Combined Authority approval process.

Reasons for the Decisions:

It was concluded that the Council should approve the draft LCR Local Nature Recovery Strategy prior to its consideration by the LCR Combined Authority, in line with the recommendations set out within the report.

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected:

None. The LCR Combined Authority had advised that Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS) supporting authorities, such as Sefton Council, must agree the draft LNRS prior to its approval by the Combined Authority.