Agenda item

Report of the Superintendent of the Commons.

The Committee was informed that the merger of the City Commons with Burnham Beeches and Stoke Common to form ‘The Commons’ had united the management of four Consultative Committees under a single Superintendent. Each Consultative Committee was aligned to one of the four charities within the new division.

Members noted the impact of the merger upon the frequency and nature

of Consultative Committee meetings and site visits to reduce their

demands on the Members and Officers involved whilst ensuring that effective

governance and community engagement is maintained.

The Burnham Beeches, Coulsdon Commons, and West Wickham Common

Consultative Committees had been consulted and are supportive of the recommendations. Members were satisfied that adequate consultation had taken place and agreed that additional site visits could be arranged should the need arise. Members noted the proposal to visit one rather than two of the open spaces within the Division each year. Members agreed that the work of the consultative committees was integral and must continue to be well supported.

Resolved – that Members:

i. Approved the re-merger of the West Wickham and Spring Park Consultative

Committee (WW&SP) with the Coulsdon Commons Consultative Committee

(CC) with the proviso that a further meeting or site visit may be arranged each

year should circumstances require.

ii. Approved a reduction in the frequency of meetings of the Burnham Beeches and

Stoke Common Consultation Group (BBCG) from three to two per annum with

the proviso that a further meeting or site visit may be arranged each year

should circumstances require.

iii. Noted the Town Clerk’s role to administer the BBCG thereby bringing it in line

with all other Consultative Committees within the Division.

iv. Approved the reduction of Epping Forest and Commons Committee site visits to

‘The Commons’ from two to one per annum with the proviso that further

meetings or site visits may be arranged each year should circumstances

require.

v. Noted the need for a further report to this Committee in March 2018 to assess

the impact of the approved changes.