Agenda item

Report of the Town Clerk.

Members were informed that following the resignation of Richard Morris OBE who has served as a Verderer of Epping Forest since 1998, the Committee is asked to note the vacancy for one northern Forest Parish Verderer and, taking into account that the septennial elections are not scheduled to take place until 2020, approve the commencement of an appointment process to result in the selection of a new Verderer of Epping Forest.

In accordance with Section 30(7) of the Epping Forest Act 1878, the Committee must make a recommendation to the Court of Common Council in respect of the appointment of a Verderer of Epping Forest who will serve as such until the septennial elections in 2020 when all four of the Epping Forest Verderers will be elected.

Officers sought the Committee’s approval in respect of a number of practicalities relevant to the appointment process, specifically the appointment of a Working Party to oversee the interview stage of the process and which will make recommendation to this Committee on a preferred candidate for appointment as a Verderer.

The report additionally sets out the timetable for the appointment process and Members’ views are sought on the proposed timescales.

RESOLVED – that Members:

1. Noted the vacancy for a Verderer of Epping Forest.

2. Approved the commencement of an appointment process to select a northern Forest Parish Verderer of Epping Forest (in line with the requirements of the Epping Forest Acts 1878 & 1880) for a tenure of Office to conclude in 2020 ahead of the septennial elections of all four Verderers of Epping Forest.

3. Approved the composition of a Working Party to consider applications for the position of a Verderer of Epping Forest.

4. Approved the proposed timetable for the appointment process.