Agenda item

Report of the Superintendent of Epping Forest.

The Committee considered the report of the Superintendent of Epping Forest and noted that a dominant theme of the 2015/16 Work Programme was the need to increase the area of land under wood-pasture restoration from 16.5 ha to approximately 40 ha each year. Members noted that the programme also sought to consolidate works initiated in 2013-14, such as those undertaken through the Wanstead Park Steering Group or at Highams Park to continue with the vegetation management works visited by the Committee in November 2014.

Officers said tree safety would continue to be a significant aspect of the Operations Teams work in 2015. The Forest structures survey, completed by the Built Environment team in 2014, would be developed in 2015 to create a comprehensive structures database for Epping Forest. The grassland mowing programme would be extended to include additional cutting of wood-pasture restoration areas. Cattle grazing would be extended into new areas, such as Honey Lane Quarters, with the help of the new infrastructure including the nine new loops of the invisible fence network.

Members agreed that volunteers would be instrumental in delivering both the Highams Park works and to improve access at Swaines Green, as well as working on key areas of wood-pasture restoration elsewhere in the Forest.

Discussions ensued regarding the long term financial viability of wood-pasture restoration. Officers agreed to submit an outturn report consisting of the economic aspect of this activity for the Committee’s consideration later in the year. The Chairman thanked all of the staff involved with delivering the Operations Programme for their hard work.

Resolved: Members approved the Epping Forest Operations Programme for 2015/16.