Agenda and minutes

Apologies had been received from Deputy McGuiness, Ian Seaton and Deputy Deane.

An interest was declared by George Abrahams in respect of Orion Harriers Lease Renewal, discussed under ‘any urgent non-public business’.

To agree the public minutes of the previous meeting.

Resolved: That the minutes of the previous meeting be agreed as an accurate record.

Ms Moys would submit her

The Superintendent of Epping Forest to be heard.

The Committee received a verbal update from the Superintendent of Epping Forest and noted the following:

Staff Changes

A gardener and interim Project Officer had been newly recruited.  Vacancies remain for 2 litter picker posts and a maintenance worker.  A new herdsman had been recruited by our contract partner Wildlife and Countryside Services.  Recruitment for the role of Head of Visitor Services had been unsuccessful and a national campaign would commence this September.

Weather

July was the sixth sunniest since 1929 with many warm days and only 86% of average rainfall.  Fortunately thunderstorms kept the Forest damp across this month.  August was the coolest since 1993 ending a sequence of eight warmer than average months.   Daily rainfall totals at Epping Forest were 156% higher than the 20 year average.  In particular, ex-hurricane ‘Bertha’ passed over the Forest on 10^th to 11^th bringing an Essex high of 25mm of rain in 24 hours at High Beach.

Fire Severity Index

The damper weather had reduced the Fire Severity Index as measured by the Meteorological Office from 4 Very High, on a scale of 1 to 5 to 2 Low.

New Study in Journal Nature

Climate change had been identified as a key driver of ‘forest disturbances’ such as fires; storms; bark beetles and droughts.

Green Flag & Green Heritage Awards

Epping Forest had successfully retained both awards.

Football Season

The summer at Wanstead Flats had seen a record number of 18 school sports days, 3 football tournaments and 45 pre-season football friendly matches. A new Rounders League and Archery taster sessions had been introduced. The new season which commenced on 6^th September would host 5 separate leagues incorporated 150 teams, together with 35 clubs comprising 45 teams.

Community Payback Scheme

Wanstead Flats hosted a new Serco-run Community Payback scheme from

Report of the Chamberlain.

Members noted the Trustee’s Annual Report and Financial Statements for the Year

Ended 31 March 2014 for Epping Forest.

Report of the Superintendent.

Members noted that the 2014 day time deer count recorded 505 Fallow and 44 Reeves Muntjac. This showed a 69% increase on the previous year’s Fallow Deer figure of 299. 44 Reeves Muntjac were also recorded as opposed to 43 in 2013. The number of Deer Vehicle Collisions (DVCs) in the Forest locality, an area wider than the count area, also increased from 64 to 123 DVCs, an increase of 92%.

Members noted that year on year populations varied significantly due to variable factors such as weather; patterns of disturbance and the availability of winter food supplies. The more reliable five-year average for 2010-2014 (based on four counts) was 285 Fallow Deer, up 7% on the previous five-year average for 2009-2013 (based on four counts). This equated to an average population density of 5.5 deer per 100 acres. The proposed cull figures for the 2014/15 season recommended to your Committee are 105 Fallow Deer and as many Reeves Muntjac Deer as

possible. The lower cull figures were set using data from the deer count,

recommendations from the DMP and the experience of stalkers during the

2013/14 cull.

In response to a query from Members, Officers clarified that they would investigate the use of incentives to involve the land owners and local community more. Members noted that the number of deer around the forest had risen significantly and this may be due to a healthy diet available to the deer.

Members said that he deer were very beautiful but there were too many. Numbers were very significant so other arrangements for managing them needed to be identified. Officers said for this to be successful cooperation with neighbour landowners and tenants was crucial. Members asked Officers to identify ways to engage land owners, for example by inviting individuals to City

Report of the Superintendent.

Members were informed that the historic environment of Epping Forest and the heritage assets within it were a non- renewable resource that enabled us to understand the origins and significance of our landscapes. The Epping Forest Act of 1878 contained specific duties to preserve and maintain historic features. Research into the history of Epping Forest and the City of London Conservators responsibility under the 1878 Act was a continuing responsibility, which was addressed through conservation assessments, management plans, surveys and other processes.

Members noted that the need for the historic environment of Epping Forest to be prioritised was becoming increasingly apparent: Wanstead Park was included on the English Heritage (EH) Heritage At Risk Register; an independent request was made

for EH to designate a site on Forest land; local groups have asked to undertake

investigative work; and a new management plan for Epping Forest was being

prepared which would cover the management of the historic environment.

In response to a query Members were informed that the Historic Environment Policy aimed to improve our understanding of the historic environment of Epping Forest in order to conserve and enhance it for the enjoyment of all, and to encourage visitors to value and care for it. The policy set out principles for interacting with the historic environment of Epping Forest, rather than the Buffer Lands, whether by the City of London or by external bodies and individuals.

In response to a query, Members noted that in 2013-14, £5238 was spent on heritage research to feed into various projects. Further minor spends were anticipated in the next few years. The Visitor Services Section brought in £4869 in grants during 2010-14 to develop the museum collection, and further spends are anticipated to get the collection and archive store to accreditation standard.

Officers agreed that the

The Superintendent of Burnham Beeches, Stoke Common and City Commons to be heard.

The Committee received a verbal update from the Superintendent of Burnham Beeches and City Commons, and noted the following:

Awards

8 Green Flags had been received for the following areas:

·       Burnham Beeches

·       Ashtead Common

·       Coulsdon Common

·       Kenley Common

·       Farthing Downs

·       West Wickham Common

·       Spring Park

·       Riddlesdown

5 Heritage Flags had been received for the following areas:

·       Burnham Beeches

·       Ashtead Common

·       Farthing Downs

·       Kenley Common

·       Riddlesdown

Service Based Reviews

Project lists were being readied for consideration by the Serviced Based Review project boards set up by the Director and would focus on:

•        Focussing on the core

•        Operational efficiency

•        Income Generation

Kenley Heritage Lottery Fund

There had been a significant change to increase chances of success at the next stage and these changes aimed to make it clearer how the site would have looked whilst operational. An amount of budgetary risk was inevitable to cover the increased amount of professional fees. Currently a prediction of £10k could be found within the existing budget.

Coulsdon Commons

Hay cutting across five sites had begun and 80 bales had been retained for winter feed.

A request from Tesco in Caterham had been received to help with a focal point to aid their learning programme for primary school children.

Farthings Down

Travellers had arrived on the site but Officers had dealt with them in a swift and professional manner.

The weekly health walk was enjoying good numbers. Alternating weekly between Farthing Downs & Kenley, it was serving recovering cardiac patients, a stroke victim and a few individuals who felt uncomfortable to access the space alone.

The City Surveyor’s Department was now making good progress with the relevant authorities over the repeat post storm flooding issue on Coulsdon Commons.

Members thanked the Superintendent for a useful visit to Burnham Beeches. Members discussed the scattering of

Report of the Superintendent.

Members noted the Trustee’s Annual Report and Financial Statements for the Year

Ended 31 March 2014 for Burnham Beeches and Stoke Common.

Report of the Chamberlain.

Members noted the Trustee’s Annual Report and Financial Statements for the Year

Ended 31 March 2014 for Ashtead Common and West Wickham Common

and Spring Park Wood Coulsdon and Other Commons,

Report of the Superintendent.

Members were informed that Burnham Beeches agreed a voluntary “Dog Walkers code? with its local dog walking community in 2006. A review of the number of

dog related incidents since that date revealed that they had not decreased.

Work to develop proposals to introduce Dog Control Orders (DCOs) at Burnham Beeches, based upon guidance provided by the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, received Committee approval in September 2012.

The Home Office had recently advised that the power to make Dog Control Orders was expected to cease on 20th October 2014 when the relevant provisions of the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 (ABC&P) come into force. Any Orders introduced after that date would be Public Space Protections Orders.

Formal public consultation on the DCO proposals had recently concluded with the majority of responses received from dog walkers.

A good level of support was received for the introduction of Schedules 1, 4 and 5. Schedules 2 and 3 received less support. Member decisions are now sought on a range of options using the powers provided under Secondary Authority status.

The Chairman informed Members that Deputy Deane was unable to attend the meeting but had submitted a written statement supporting rejection of the report recommendations.

In response to a query the Chairman clarified that these Dog Control Orders were to be introduced at the Burnham Beeches site only and would not form the basis for a pilot at any other City Corporation Open Space. Members agreed that it would be inappropriate to use this report or the recommendations in relation to any other site.

Schedule 1. Pick up dog faeces

Members agreed that staff at Burnham Beeches should not have to pick up after people’s dogs regardless of whether it was in a bag or not. Officers confirmed

There were no questions.

There was no urgent business.

MOTION: That under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Part I of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act.

MOTION: That under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public

be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Part I of

Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act.

To agree the non-public minutes of the previous meeting.

Resolved: That the minutes of the previous meeting be agreed as an accurate record.

Joint Report of the Director of the Built Environment and Director of Open Spaces.

The Committee considered the joint report of the Director of the Built Environment and Director of Open Spaces.

Report of the Superintendent.

The Committee considered the report of the Superintendent.

Report of the Superintendent.

The Committee considered the report of the Superintendent.

Report of the Superintendent.

The Committee considered the report of the Superintendent.

Report to follow.

The Committee considered the report of the Director of Open Spaces.

There were no non-public questions.

There was one item of urgent business.

Report of the Director of Open Spaces (report circulated separately)

The Committee considered the report of the Director of Open Spaces.