Venue: Committee Room - 2nd Floor West Wing, Guildhall
Contact: Natasha Dogra Email: natasha.dogra@cityoflondon.gov.uk
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Apologies Minutes: Apologies received from the Chairman Deputy Phillip Woodhouse, Gregory Lawrence and Alderman Gregory Jones.
In the absence of the Chairman Deputy Philip Woodhouse the Deputy Chairman Graeme Smith took the chair for the meeting.
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MEMBERS' DECLARATIONS UNDER THE CODE OF CONDUCT IN RESPECT OF ITEMS ON THE AGENDA Minutes: There were no declarations. |
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To agree the minutes of the previous meeting. Minutes: The Committee considered the public minutes of their last meeting on 19 November 2018.
MATTERS ARISING
In response to a Member’s query the City Surveyor confirmed that the report on the Wanstead Park Parkland Plan (Gateway 1/2) project report was due to for completion in January and would be brought before the Epping Forest and Commons and Projects Sub Committees as a Gateway 2 report.
Further to the mention of pest species in the minutes, the Committee was informed by a Member that the Forest Commission’s publication on pest species was a useful resource in identifying pests and encouraged those interested to consider the document. Members asked Officers to consider the promotion of appropriate linked pages on the City Corporation website.
The tender of the Deer Strategy Review had been delayed on advice to ensure that the term arrangements of academic institutions on the tender list were properly reflected in the tender process.
RESOLVED – That the public minutes and non-public summary of the meeting on the 19 November 2018 were agreed as an accurate record.
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Brexit Update The Director of Open Spaces to be heard. Minutes: The Director of Open Spaces was heard regarding implications of Brexit for the management of Epping Forest and the City Common. The Director of Open Spaces informed the Committee that he would endeavour to keep the update brief noting that the various possible outcomes of the Brexit process made it difficult to give an exhaustive list of potential impacts of the process. The Director of Open Spaces highlighted that the central impact was likely to be the loss of income received through the Countryside Stewardship Fund which received funding from The European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development: Europe investing in rural areas. However, the Director of Open Spaces explained that the City of London Corporation was in discussion with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) on plans to mitigate the loss of income. A Member asked for clarification on what percentage of the City of London’s Open Spaces Department’s income did the funding represent. The Director of Open Spaces replied that while the funding in terms of percentage was not huge as the amount was in the region of £200,000 and £170,000 for Epping Forest and the Commons respectively it was still important to note.
RESOLVED- that the update be noted.
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Superintendent's Update PDF 70 KB Report of the Superintendent of The Commons. Minutes: The Committee received a report of the Superintendent of ‘The Commons’ which provided an update on the issues across the nine sites within ‘The Commons’ division. The Superintendent of the Commons informed members that there had been considerable interest in the Burnham Beeches Café letting but confirmed that more information would need to be provided in the non-public session. In addition, the Superintendent informed Members that specialist contractors will be sought to reduce risks associate with rock fall within the Riddlesdown Quarry site. A Member queried whether there was public access to the quarry and, if so, were any measures in place to mitigate the safety issues caused by loose rocks. The Superintendent confirmed that there was no public access to the quarry although a business (Optical Surfaces) operates there under license. They are aware and car parking is restricted until further notice and agreed that public safety on the City Common was a vital aim of the Open Spaces Department.
A Member queried if there had been engagement from the Open Spaces Department and related Committees with the City of London Corporation’s Cultural Strategy. The Director of Open Spaces confirmed that there had been engagement and reference to open spaces, within and outside of the square mile, was present within the Cultural Strategy. A Member commented that monthly email Members received from ‘The Commons’ team were highly appreciated and useful for keeping the public informed of the work of the Commons team. Further to this point the Superintendent informed the Committee that a male calf had successfully been delivered on the morning of the 14th of January.
A Member queried if the Ancient Monument referenced in report had the appropriate signage present and if the contractors work had affected the monument. The Superintendent informed Members that Officers had sought |
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Proposed NNR status for the Coulsdon Commons and Happy Valley PDF 124 KB Report of the Superintendent of The Commons. Additional documents:
Minutes: The Committee considered a report of the Director of Open Spaces on the proposed Natural Nature Reserve (NNR) status for the Coulsdon Commons and Happy Valley. The Report informed Members that Officers had attended meetings with Natural England and the London Borough of Croydon, to discuss the potential for the City’s Cousldon Commons and the London Borough’s Happy Valley to be declared a National Nature Reserve. Further, the report informed Members that at the most recent meeting officers from all parties agreed to develop and work towards the planned designation and seek further approval from Member’s concerning the formal ‘declaration process’. Director of Open Spaces noted that the proposed NNR status for Coulsdon Commons and Happy Valley would bring them into line with many of the other City Commons who have similar status’ and would advance the profile of the properties. In addition, the Director of Open Spaces explained that the proposed name for the NNR area was ‘South London Downs’ and commented that this name designated the area geographically but was not site specific.
A Member queried whether the position of the Royal Air Force at Kenley Airfield effected the classification of Kenley Common as an NNR and if the presence of aircraft impacted the maintenance of the site. The Superintendent clarified that airfield was only a small and entirely separate part of the common, currently owned by the MOD and that an effective management policy was in use place to mitigate the impact the airfield caused to the common.
RESOLVED - that Officers be authorised to progress the matter with Natural England and The London Borough of Croydon in order that a formal proposal can be developed and reported to this Committee by May 2019.
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Sports and Miscellaneous Charges PDF 62 KB Report of the Superintendent of The Commons. Minutes: Members noted that to further to Chairman’s consent the report had been withdrawn due to incorrect information contained within the report which was too extensive to be corrected by an officer update at the meeting. The Director of Open Spaces confirmed that an updated report would be considered at the next meeting of the Epping Forest and Commons Committee on the 11th of March.
RESOLVED – that: - I. The report is withdrawn; and II. That a corrected report be produced for consideration at the meeting of Epping Forest and Commons Committee on the 11th of March.
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Tree Pests and Diseases: Oak Processionary Moth urgent update PDF 108 KB Report of the Director of Open Spaces. Minutes: The Committee received a report of the Director of Open Spaces which provided Members with an urgent update on the challenges being faced due to the spread of Oak Processionary Moth (OPM) across the Open Spaces in the care of The City of London. The Director of Open Spaces noted that the OPM treatment had cost £100,000 in 2018 and was estimated to cost in the region of £200,000 this year and is likely to increase further. In addition, he explained that the OPM was already present at the Ashtead and Epping Forest but was expected to be an ongoing issue at many of the City of London Corporation’s Open Spaces.
A Member of the Committee asked the Director of Open Spaces for clarification on the effectiveness of the treatment of the OPM which the department was undertaking at Epping Forest. The Director of Open Spaces outlined the treatment programme for the OPM including the removal of the moth’s nests but explained these measures were designed to limit exposure to the public and would not be able to eradicate the OPM moth from the Forest. Further the Director of Open Spaces informed the Committee that the issue of OPM was likely to have a continued presence in the Epping Forest and that public education was going to be an important part of the program. A Member noted the Statutory Plant Health Notices mentioned in paragraph 13 of the Report and asked whether the required action of the City of London Corporation would be noted in the budgetary requirement of the Open Spaces Department. The Director of Open Spaces explained that discussions had taken place, and were ongoing, with the Forestry Commission and it is possible that Statutory Plant Health Notices might not be used if the once the species becomes |
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Superintendent's Update PDF 561 KB Report of the Superintendent of Epping Forest. Minutes:
The Superintendent informed the Committee that Epping Forest was at 60% spend against a profile spend of 66%, which indicated a small underspend.
Fly Tipping Members were updated by the Superintendent on the issue of fly tipping within Epping Forest including the number of reported incidents, specific sites of vulnerability and steps taken to increase security.
Rough Sleepers In addition, the Superintendent informed Members of the number of rough sleepers’ sites found within Epping Forest and noted that a decline in rough sleeping was expected over the winter months due to the adverse weather and the opening of seasonal night shelters.
Replying to a Member’s query the Superintendent confirmed that each rough sleeper site cleared was listed as a single incident of fly tipping in the relevant statistics. In addition, a Member noted that the public and local Neighbourhood Watch Schemes were a useful resource and asked if the Epping Forest team had appropriately engaged with them to help with the policing of fly tipping in the area. The Head Forest Keeper explained that the City of London had representatives on community policing boards in Redbridge and Waltham Forest which provided helpful information. The Member replied by clarifying that the Neighbourhood Watch was a separate body to those mentioned by the Head Forest keeper asked if there was any engagement with service which they provided. The Superintendent clarified that the Epping Forest team did involve local Neighbourhood Watch Schemes, particularly through social media posts which provided an early warning and key information for staff investigating incidents such as fly tipping. Following |
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Epping Forest District Council Local Plan Examination PDF 111 KB Report of the Director of Open Spaces. Additional documents:
Minutes: The Committee received report of the Director of Open Spaces on the Epping Forest District Council’s Local Plan and the proposed engagement plan for City of London Corporation officers. The report outlined the planned attendance of officers at hearings of the ‘Examination-in-Public’ to ensure that The Conservators’ concerns are appropriately reflected on the Local Plan, and the associated interim Mitigation Strategy. The Head of Conservation informed the Committee that since the report had been produced the mitigation proposals put forward for on-site measures in Epping Forest had been accepted and the interim Strategy approved by Epping Forest District Council(EFDC) but had still to be approved by the London Boroughs which are also competent authorities for the Epping Forest Special Area of Conservation (SAC). Moreover, the Head of Conservation commented that the interim strategy did not include provisions for the provision of Suitable Alternative Natural Green Spaces (SANGS).
A Member enquired about the nature of the concerns being expressed by the other Local Authorities involved were with regard to the Mitigation Strategy. The Head of Conservation replied that while the City of London Corporation wasn’t party to these discussions, it was the opinion of Officers is that the lack of areas in which to provide SANGS and the charging of tariff costs on housing units were expected to the key concerns. Following this point a Member queried whether the tariffs mentioned in the Report were for single builds or for developments of more than ten buildings. the Head of Conservation clarified that the tariffs were designed for housing units rather than single builds, and that the level of tariffs should not affect the overall viability of any scheme, a matter that EFDC had confirmed within its District.
The issue of affordable housing, both inside and outside of London, was highlighted by |
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Epping Forest Land Retention Policy PDF 101 KB Report of the Director of Open Spaces. Minutes: The Committee considered a report of the Director of Open Spaces on the Epping Forest Land Retention Policy and the results of initial Negotiations with the Highway Authorities. The report provided Members background information on the policy and outlined the reasons for the lack of progress on the implementation. In addition, the report recommended to Members that the original 1:1 compensatory approach be adopted. The Superintendent updated the Committee that after the publication of the report Waltham Forest have now accepted 1:10 ratio most likely as a result of a funding deadline from TFL. In addition, the Superintendent explained that the advice of the City solicitor was that strictly adhering to a 1:10 ratio in land retention could lead to the use of Compulsory Purchase Powers to realise projects. The Superintendent recommended to the Committee that a balanced case-by-case basis was the most prudent course of action. Replying to a Members query, the Superintendent confirmed that any additional compensatory land offered would have to be immediately adjacent to current Epping Forest land.
The Chairman commented that the quality of land offered as compensatory land was a key issue to any agreement. It was highlighted by a Member that while they believed that a case-by-case basis was the correct way forward, the land retention policy should maintain a strong defence of Forest Land. Replying to a Member’s query the Superintendent confirmed that Highway Improvement Schemes in the Special Area of Conservation would require a comparable exchange of land. Members noted their agreement with the case-by-case method recommended by the Director of Open Spaces in the report but decided not to require a strict ratio on land retention provided requests.
RESOLVED- that:
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Flood Alleviation Scheme at Hillyfields Loughton PDF 88 KB Report of the Director of Open Spaces. Additional documents:
Minutes: The Committee considered a report of the Director of Open Spaces on the Proposed Construction of a Flood Alleviation Scheme at Hillyfields Loughton. The report updated Members on the findings of a Surface Water Management Plan (SWMP) commissioned by Essex County and Epping Forest District Councils. In addition, the report outlined the Flood Alleviation Scheme proposed by Essex County Council and explained the reasons for recommending the scheme’s adoption.
The question of the maintenance and liability of the flood defences on City of London Corporation Land was raised by a Member who expressed concern that the City of London Corporation might become responsible for the maintenance of the defences. The Superintendent confirmed that no agreement had yet been reached on the maintenance of the site and that the Comptroller and City Solicitor would be consulted on the legal basis for any such agreement.
RESOLVED- that:
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Epping Forest Fires 2018 Update PDF 133 KB Report of the Director of Open Spaces. Additional documents:
Minutes: The Committee received a report of the Director of Open Spaces on the subject of fires within Epping Forest in 2018. The report detailed progress made with the implementation of the 2013 Wildfire Improvement Plan and referenced the 2018 drought during which 47 there were wildfires at various locations across Epping Forest and included a major 4-day incident at Wanstead Flats.
It was enquired by a Member if there had been any engagement with the local schools and youth groups with regard to education on forest fires. The Superintendent informed the Committee that the Epping Forest team had not engaged with local schools in the manner suggested by the Member but that they were aware of the educational outreach undertaken by the London Fire Brigade. The Chairman noted the importance of education on this issue and a Member commented he believed that people were more likely to maintain the Epping Forest if they understood its value. The Superintendent highlighted that the Police Service had urged a cautious approach to engaging the public on the issue of wildfires as they could encourage an increase in ‘copycat’ cases of.
RESOLVED- that the report be noted.
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Questions on Matters Relating to the Work of the Committee Minutes: A Member highlighted to the Committee that the Chairman of Open Spaces had answered a question in the Court of Common Council on the tenth of January relating to dog washing facilities on open spaces managed by the City of London Corporation. Further to this comment the Deputy Chairman added that the question allowed him to inform Members of the new opportunities for licensable activities afforded to the City of London Corporation Open Spaces under the relevant 2018 legislation. The Deputy Chairman felt that given the infrastructure investment needed to support such facilities would make the necessary investment unlikely.
A Member informed the Committee that they had received a Christmas card from the City of London School for Girls which featured a painting of Epping Forest created by a Student of the school and suggested the Committee write to student to congratulate the student on their work. Moreover, the Member highlighted to the Committee that they had been approached to nominate a volunteer who picked up litter on Epping Forest for the Freedom of the City and invited comment on these proposals. The Committee both of these proposals received the support of the Committee. |
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Any Other Business That the Chairman Considers Urgent Minutes: There is was no urgent business considered. |
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Exclusion of the Public 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.
Minutes: RESOLVED: 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.
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Non-Public Minutes To agree the minutes of the previous meeting. Minutes: The Committee considered the non-public minutes of their last meeting on 19 November 2018.
RESOLVED – That the non-public minutes of the meeting on the 19 November 2018 were agreed as an accurate record.
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The Beeches Café - Burnham Beeches Report of the City Surveyor.
Minutes: The Committee considered a report of the City Surveyor regarding The Beeches Café.
RESOLVED- that the report be approved.
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Disposal of Laundry Cottage, Woodredon Estate Report of the City Surveyor. Minutes: The committee received a report of the City Surveyor regarding the Disposal of Laundry Cottage on Woodredon Estate.
RESOLVED- that the report be noted.
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Disposal of The Lodge, Woodredon Estate Report of the City Surveyor. Minutes: The Committee received a report of the City Surveyor regarding the Disposal of The Lodge on Woodredon Estate.
RESOLVED- that the report be noted.
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Non Public Questions on Matters Relating to the Work of the Committee Minutes: There were no questions in the non-public session.
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Any Other Business That the Chairman Considers Urgent and Which the Committee Agree Should Be Considered Whilst the Public Are Excluded Minutes: The Committee dealt with business concerning an agreement between the City of London Corporation and local sports club.
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