Decision

Salford City Council – Record of Decision

I, Councillor Mike McCusker, Lead Member for Planning, Transport and Sustainable Development, in exercise of the powers contained within the City Council Constitution, do hereby –

Approve the publication of Salford’s Biodiversity Duty Report by the statutory deadline of 26th March 2026.

The Reasons are: that the report (and its publication) forms part of Salford City Council’s statutory biodiversity duty, elaborating on the council’s policies, objectives and actions it has taken, is taking and planning to take to improve biodiversity in the area, whilst concurrently delivering on the actions specified in Salford’s biodiversity emergency declaration.

Options considered and rejected were: N/A – as publication of the report constitutes a statutory obligation, no alternative options were considered.

Assessment of Risk: Low. The publication of the Biodiversity Duty Report is a statutory obligation under the Environment Act 2021; hence, failure to publish the report, within the timeframe specified, would be in contravention of the act.

The source of funding is: N/A.

Legal Advice obtained:Elise Petit-Gould, Senior Lawyer - 17/02/2026

The Biodiversity Duty Report appears to meet the council’s reporting obligations under the Environment Act 2021 and aligns with the structure and expectations set out in national guidance. It is also consistent with the council’s existing biodiversity policies.

The statutory deadline for publication is 26 March 2026. Provided the final data (particularly biodiversity net gain metrics and gain plans) is verified, publication by this date will demonstrate compliance with the duty and carries low legal risk.

Failure to publish on time would place the council in breach of a statutory duty and increase the risk of challenge. Likewise, any significant inaccuracies in the published data may create legal or reputational issues and could require correction.

This advice relates only to the statutory reporting requirement. Any projects referenced in the Report remain subject to separate legal and planning considerations.

Financial Advice obtained:Ethan Bestwick, Accountant – 12/02/2026

N/A – there are no direct financial implications associated with the publication of the Biodiversity Duty Report.

Procurement Advice obtained: N/A.

HR Advice obtained: N/A.

Climate Change advice obtained: The policies and actions highlighted in the report will likely have positive implications for climate-change mitigation and adaptation in Salford. It is well established that biodiversity and climate are profoundly interconnected. Action regarding biodiversity-improvement can involve creating/enhancing habitats that also support increased carbon dioxide capture and storage, and resilience to weather extremes, which are projected to increase in frequency and intensity with climate change. For example, establishing / improving green spaces that incorporate trees, woodland and diverse vegetation, can help reduce the impacts of heatwaves through localised shading and cooling, and also contribute to flood risk management by slowing surface water run-off and increasing water infiltration. As such, biodiversity-enhancement activities can underpin nature-based solutions that support climate-change mitigation and adaptation, and Salford’s associated objectives. The work also aligns with the Greater Manchester 5-Year Environment Plan.

The following documents have been used to assist the decision process:

Lead Member Report.

Contact Officer: Jo Regan / Bétina Frinault                 jo.regan@salford.gov.uk

This decision is subject to consideration for briefing purposes by the Lead Member for Neighbourhoods, Environment and Community Safety. The Lead Member is supportive of the decision.

The appropriate scrutiny panel to call-in the decision is the Growth & Prosperity Scrutiny Panel.

Signed: Councillor McCusker                 Dated: 11th March 2026

Lead Member for Planning, Transport and Sustainable Development

This decision was published on 13th March 2026.

This decision will come into force at 4.00 p.m. on 20th March 2026, unless it is called-in in accordance with the decision-making process rules.