Decision

To approve the Tees Valley Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS) – Pre-Consultation Draft (July 2026), insofar as it relates to Middlesbrough.

Reasons for the decision

To allow the emerging Tees Valley Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS) to progress to a statutory period of public consultation.

Alternative options considered

Middlesbrough Council is a ‘Supporting Authority’ for the purpose of preparing the Tees Valley Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS), with the Tees Valley Combined Authority being the ‘Responsible Authority’. As a Supporting Authority, the Council has an opportunity to consider the pre-consultation draft LNRS and offer either support or objection to it, and has a period of 28 in which to respond.
An alternative option to approving the Tees Valley LNRS would objecting to it. Under these circumstances the draft LNRS would need to be referred for a decision by the Secretary of State before any consultation could take place. As the LNRS has been prepared in consultation with Middlesbrough Council this is not considered to be an appropriate option.
Alternatively, Middlesbrough Council could choose not to respond within the 28 day period. Under this circumstance it would be assumed there are no objections and the LNRS could progress to the consultation stage. As it is recommended that Middlesbrough Council supports the LNRS’ progression to consultation this is not considered to be an appropriate option.