Agenda item

Report of the Director of Open Spaces and Heritage.

Since 2008 funding has been received as grants from the government’s Entry and Higher Levels within the Environmental Stewardship Scheme (ESS). Over the life of this ESS (2008-2018) these grant monies will have brought in a total of over £1.77 million in revenue, providing vital support for approved habitat conservation work under the Epping Forest Management Plan (EF Plan). This funding been used to support EF Plan prescriptions for undertaking essential maintenance and restoration of the internationally and nationally-important habitats throughout Epping Forest.

The agreement with Natural England under ESS terminates in October 2018. The successor scheme to ESS is the Countryside Stewardship Scheme (CSS), which is aimed at continuing to provide similar focused support for essential biodiversity conservation in England.

Epping Forest remains a priority site for Natural England and it is proposed to apply to this grant scheme to ensure the continuity of the conservation programme.

The preparation of the application would be undertaken until mid-summer 2018, during which period the Management Plan Steering Group would be consulted on the application, for approval by Grand Committee in July 2018. If approved the application would be submitted to Natural England and if accepted the CSS agreement would commence on 1st January 2019.

RESOLVED – that Members:

 note the application preparation process (‘Proposals’ section).

 give approval for officers to make a formal request to enter the CS Scheme’s application process to Natural England by mid-spring 2018.

 approve the consideration of the CSS application by the Management Plan Steering Group during spring/summer 2018 prior to seeking approval from Grand Committee for its submission to Natural England.