Agenda item

Report of the Head of Centre.

Members noted that the Epping Forest Field Centre (EFFC) delivered the City of London’s environmental learning service in Epping Forest; it was established to commemorate the European Year of Conservation in 1970. From its inception the service has been managed by the Field Studies Council (FSC) for, and on

behalf of, the City of London Corporation. FSC was an independent educational charity that inspires environmental understanding through first-hand experience. The buildings (teaching and ancillary facilities and staff residences) were maintained by the City.

Members noted that they received reports in 2013 and in 2014 at the meeting in May and noted pleasing progress and achievements. EFFC connected a diverse range of learners (school children, adults and families) of all abilities to the natural world in Epping Forest. The majority of learners are from Greater London with a

significant number also coming from Essex with comparatively high numbers of pupils that have free school meals, ‘English as an additional language’ (BME backgrounds) and/or diverse ethnicity. The service promoted Epping Forest as ‘a wonderful place for discovery and learning’ and fostered responsible behaviours in relation to Epping Forest and the wider environment.

Officers said that the Centre delivered its 500,000th learner experience in 2011.

Delivery against the 2011-14 Plan had been effective as outlined below.

Maintenance was carried out by contractors employed by the City of London. (Defect reporting and monitoring, cleaning duties, grounds maintenance duties and routine repairs will be undertaken by Centre staff). The Centre continued to be generally very well maintained by the City and its contractors. The Centre Grounds and nearby learning sites continued to very suitable for the provision of a range of great learning experiences.

The Head of Centre was supported a ten full-time staff of which two are at senior level. Eight members of the staff had field teaching as the main part of their responsibilities. One member of staff is the Administrator (reception, bookings & finance processor) another is Centre Support Facilitator (main duty person, liaison with contactors, clients, volunteers, visiting tutors). Income generation from courses in 2014 is strong. Our 2014 Plan indicated the ‘need to focus more on course income and viability (and on quality) rather than overly focussing on high numbers

of learning experiences’. As at the summer of 2014 Officers were on target to match or exceed the 2014 course income budget estimate.

In response to a query, Members noted that a 36% staff turnover in 2014 was proving to be challenging especially at a time of updating for curriculum reform and coping with heating related issues and other disrupting factors, especially staff sickness. A consequence of these factors was slower than desired progress with funding acquisition, development work and promotional activity. However, income and expenditure for the year appeared to be broadly in line with budget estimates and visitor feedback continues to be excellent and there has been good progress with some developments. The performance probably exceeded that which might reasonably be expected and the new team were enthusiastically embracing the challenge of making further progress in the Autumn Term.