Agenda item

Report of the Superintendent of Epping Forest.

The Committee received the update report of the Superintendent of Epping Forest for August, September and October 2015 and the recent operational activity was noted. In response to a query regarding raised charges for wayleaves, the Superintendent said that some queries had been received and were being responded to appropriately.

In response to a query regarding objections to planning objections, Officers agreed that the City must ensure a balanced approach was taken to support for and against planning applications. Discussions ensued regarding requesting a sum of money from the Policy and Resources Committee to invest in external planning consultant guidance to ensure a balanced view was taken towards planning matters.

Members requested that Committee reports and updates be accompanied by a map highlighting the site which was the subject of discussion and the Superintendent agreed to make a map available to Members at Committee meetings.

In response to a query regarding provisions for playing rugby, Officers informed Members that they had approached local rugby clubs and none had requested additional facilities.

Discussions ensued regarding fly tipping taking place in the forest. Members agreed that deterrents and certainly of capture were essential elements when trying to decrease the amount of fly tipping taking place. The Superintendent that said he could provide total costs incurred for rubbish removal however it was difficult to quantify disposal costs of fly tips separately to general litter.

In response to a query regarding the maintenance of Gifford Wood, the Superintendent informed Members that a management grant had been received from the Forestry Commission which would cover the maintenance of the area for the next few years.

Officers informed Members that they were utilising a range of social media outlets to promote new City of London Corporation initiatives with funding for underprivileged schools to visit and make use of open spaces.

Received.