Agenda and minutes

Venue: Virtual Meeting Accessible Remotely

Contact: Richard Holt  Email: richard.holt@cityoflondon.gov.uk

Items
No. Item

1.

Apologies

Minutes:

Apolaiges were received from Gregory Lawrence and Syliva Moys.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 1.

2.

MEMBERS' DECLARATIONS UNDER THE CODE OF CONDUCT IN RESPECT OF ITEMS ON THE AGENDA

Minutes:

No declarations were received.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 2.

3.

ORDER OF THE COURT OF COMMON COUNCIL pdf icon PDF 128 KB

To receive the Order of the Court of Common Council dated 16 July 2020 appointing the Committee and setting its Terms of Reference.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 3.

Minutes:

The Committee received the Order of the Court of Common Council dated 16 July 2020 appointing the Committee and setting its Terms of Reference. The Town Clerk noted the change to include the newly elected Verderers.

 

A member of the Committee commented that the Committee’s Terms of Reference was not constitutional. The Town Clerk replied that the Comptroller would be informed of this concern.

 

RESOLVED- That the Epping Forest and Commons Committee Order of the Court of Common Council be noted.

 

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.

4.

ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN

The Committee are invited to elect a Chairman in accordance with Standing Order 29.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 4.

Minutes:

The Committee proceeded to elect a Chairman in accordance with Standing Order No. 29.  The Town Clerk informed that Graeme Doshi-Smith, being the only Member expressing their willingness to serve, was duly elected Chairman of the Epping Forest and Commons Committee for the ensuing year and took the Chair for the remainder of the meeting.

 

RESOLVED- That Graeme Doshi-Smith be elected Chairman of the Epping Forest and Commons Committee for the ensuing year.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

5.

ELECTION OF DEPUTY CHAIRMAN

The Committee are invited to elect a Deputy Chairman in accordance with Standing Order 30.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 5.

Minutes:

The Committee proceeded to elect a Deputy Chairman in accordance with Standing Order No. 30.  The Town Clerk informed that Benjamin Murphy, being the only Member expressing their willingness to serve, was duly elected Deputy Chairman of the Epping Forest and Commons Committee for the ensuing year and took the Chair for the remainder of the meeting

 

RESOLVED- That Benjamin Murphy be elected Deputy Chairman of the Epping Forest and Commons Committee for the ensuing year.

 

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

6.

Minutes pdf icon PDF 127 KB

To agree the draft public minutes and non-public of the previous meeting of the Epping Forest and Commons Committee to be held on the 6th of July 2020.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 6.

Minutes:

The Committee considered the draft public minutes and non-public summary of the last meeting of the Epping Forest and Commons Committee held on the 6th of July 2020.

 

RESOLVED- That the public minutes and non-public summary of the Epping Forest and Commons Committee held on the 6th of July 2020 be approved as an accurate record.

 

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

7.

2019/20 COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS pdf icon PDF 35 KB

Report of the Town Clerk.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 7.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Committee considered a report of the Town Clerk, inviting Members to make their appointments tovarious Consultative Committees and Groups for 2020/21.

 

The Committee agreed that the Consultative Committees and Groups would continue with their membership for the previous year with Verderers elected in January appointed in the place of previously elected Verderers. The Director of Open Spaces explained that that Epping Forest Joint Consultative Committee was oversubscribed with relation to the agreement with the Forest Skills Centre and that only three Members should be appointed to the Committee.

 

The Town Clerk informed the Committee that two Members had stated their interest to be appointed as the local observer on the Open Spaces & City Gardens Committee and therefore the Committee would move to vote on this appointment. A vote on this appointment was conducted with nine votes in favour of Deputy Phillip Woodhouse and three in favour of Jeremy Simons. Deputy Phillip Woodhouse was therefore approved as the Epping Forest and Commons Committee appointed local observer on the Open Spaces & City Gardens Committee.

 

RESOLVED – That the following appointments be agreed:

 

Ashtead Commons Consultation Group

Graeme Doshi-Smith (Chairman)

Benjamin Murphy (Deputy Chairman)

Sylvia Moys

Jeremy Simons

 

Burnham Beeches and Stoke Common Consultation Group

Graeme Doshi-Smith (Chairman)

Benjamin Murphy (Deputy Chairman)

Sylvia Moys

Alderman Robert Hughes-Penney

 

Coulsdon Commons, West Wickham & Spring Park Consultation Group

Graeme Doshi-Smith (Chairman)

Benjamin Murphy (Deputy Chairman)

Sylvia Moys

Jeremy Simons

 

Epping Forest Joint Consultative Committee

Graeme Doshi-Smith (Chairman)

Benjamin Murphy (Deputy Chairman)

Sylvia Moys

 

Epping Forest Consultative Committee

Graeme Doshi-Smith (Chairman)

Benjamin Murphy (Deputy Chairman)

Sylvia Moys

Caroline Haines

Verderer Michael Chapman DL

Verderer Paul Morris

H.H. Verderer William Kennedy

Verderer Nicholas Munday

 

Epping Forest Management Plan Steering Group

Graeme Doshi-Smith (Chairman)

Benjamin Murphy (Deputy Chairman)

Sylvia Moys

Benjamin Murphy

Verderer Michael Chapman DL

Verderer

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

8.

EPPING FOREST AND COMMONS COMMITTEE 2020 DATES pdf icon PDF 69 KB

Report of the Town Clerk.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 8.

Minutes:

The Committee received a report of the Town Clerk on the dates for 2020 relating to the Epping Forest and Commons Committee. The Town Clerk clarified that the next meeting of the Committee would be held on the 16th of November and not the 17th as had previously been listed.

 

RESOLVED- That the report be noted.

 

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

9.

Superintendent's Update pdf icon PDF 172 KB

Report of the Superintendent of The Commons.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 9.

Minutes:

The Committee received a report of the Director of Open Spaces which provided a general update on issues across the nine sites within ‘The Commons’ division.

 

The Committee’s Deputy Chairman and the Chairman of the Open Spaces & City Gardens Committee highlighted the contribution of car parking charges to funding the management of the open spaces noting the importance of this in the period of increased pressures on the management budgets. The Chairman commented that there would be a further discussion of ideas for increasing revenue later in the meeting. The Director of Open Spaces explained that proposals for car parking charges in Epping Forest would be considered at the November meeting of the Epping Forrest and Commons Committee.

 

RESOLVED- That the report be noted.

  

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 9.

10.

Draft minutes of the meeting of the Burnham Beeches and Stoke Common Consultation Group 18th August 2020 pdf icon PDF 72 KB

To recive the draft minutes of the meeting of the Burnham Beeches and Stoke Common Consultation Group held on the 18th of August 2020.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 10.

Minutes:

The Committee received the draft minutes of the Burnham Beeches and Stoke Common Consultation Group meeting held on the 18th of August 2020. The Director of Open Spaces noted that it was a productive and well supported meeting which was particularly positive when considering the difficulties associated with remote committee meetings.

 

RESOLVED- That the draft minutes of the Burnham Beeches and Stoke Common Consultation Group meeting held on the 18th of August 2020 be noted.

 

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 10.

11.

Timetable update - Production of new Management plans and associated public consultation - Kenley Common, Coulsdon Common, Riddlesdown and Farthing Downs/New Hill pdf icon PDF 93 KB

Report of the Director of Open Spaces.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 11.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Committee considered a report of the Director of the Open Spaces on the Timetable Update regarding the production of New Management Plans and Associated Public Consultation for Kenley Common, Coulsdon Common, Riddlesdown and Farthing Downs/New Hill. The Director of Open Spaces introduced the report and highlighted the key elements to Members.

 

RESOLVED- That the amended timetable for the production of the 10-year management plans for Kenley Common, Coulsdon Common, Riddlesdown and Farthing Downs/New Hill be approved.

 

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 11.

12.

Proposal to extend the use of Public Spaces Protection Orders at Burnham Beeches - Outcome of the public consultation process pdf icon PDF 159 KB

Report of the Director of Open Spaces.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 12.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Committee considered a report of the Director of Open Spaces concerning the continued use of the five existing PSPOs (Public Safety Protection Orders) at Burnham Beeches and the outcome of the public consultation process. The report provided a summary of the key elements of the proposal and the previous actions taken on this project.

 

RESOLVED- That: -

  1. Option 1, as explained in the report, to extend the effect of the existing PSPOs at Burnham Beeches for a further three years from 1st December 2020 be approved; and
  2. That the Comptroller and City Solicitor be authorised to make the replacement/extended Orders; and
  3. That authority be delegated to the Director of Open Spaces to authorise officers at Burnham Beeches to issue Fixed Penalty Notices in relation to Public Spaces Protection Orders; and
  4. That the set the fixed penalty for breach of a Public Spaces Protection Orders at Burnham Beeches be approved at £80 with a reduction to £50 if paid within 10 days.

 

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 12.

13.

Superintendent's Update pdf icon PDF 399 KB

Report of the Superintendent of Epping Forest.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 13.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Committee received a report of the Director of Open Spaces which provided a report summary of the Epping Forest Division’s activities across July 2020. The Chairman commented on the work of Officers across an extremely busy summer period.

 

Replying to a query from a member of the Committee the Director of Open Spaces confirmed that the engineer’s report on the Wanstead Park reservoirs had been completed and would be incorporated into a report Committee for consideration at the November meeting. Responding to a further comment, the Director of Open Spaces confirmed that the Dams in question were regularly inspected by Officers including the water levels.

 

Responding to a query from the Deputy Chairman the Director of Open Spaces explained the City of London Corporation’s policy with regard to rough sleepers in Epping Forest noting the Corporation’s adherence to the ‘No Second Night Policy’ and the cooperation with relevant local authorities to assist rough sleepers.

 

The Chairman of Open Spaces and City Gardens Committee referenced a recent publication on the voltage shocks to cattle in invisible fencing and requested further information on the use of electric collars in the management of the cattle in Epping Forest. The Director of Open Spaces explained that the shocks to cattle in the invisible fencing system were less than the equivalent from physical fences and observed that, as an audio warning precedes the shock administered, cattle quickly learn to avoid these prohibited areas and therefore rarely experienced any shock. In addition, the Director of Open Spaces explained that the invisible fence system could not be extended to deer in the Forest and these were wild animals.

 

The Director of Open Spaces explained that the Deer Strategy was due to be completed and ready for the Committee’s consideration at the meeting in November. In addition,

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 13.

14.

Draft minutes of the Epping Forest Consultative Committee pdf icon PDF 116 KB

To receive the draft minutes of the Epping Forest Consultative Committee held on the 24th of June.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 14.

Minutes:

The Committee received the draft minutes of the Epping Forest Consultative Committee held on the 24th of June 2020.

 

RESOLVED- That the draft minutes of the Epping Forest Consultative Committee held on the 24th of June 2020 be noted.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 14.

15.

Questions on Matters Relating to the Work of the Committee

Minutes:

A member of the Committee commented on the issue of maintaining swan nesting sites within Epping Forest and expressed that something needed to be done to resolve these issues. The Director of Open Spaces explained that combating these issues would likely be an expensive undertaking. The Committee discussed the possibility of involving volunteers and the Vintners Livery Company in this process.

 

It was noted by a member of a Committee that the increased visitor numbers had demonstrated that the communication, including signage and the City of London Corporation open spaces website, were not working in an optimal manner. The Chairman noted that there was a balance to be reached between maintaining aesthetic quality of the Forest and providing appropriate signage. In addition, the Chairman commented that the City of Corporation’s open spaces website was not of the quality required and suggested that this matter be escalated by Officers.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 15.

16.

Any Other Business That the Chairman Considers Urgent

Minutes:

There was no urgent business considered in the public session.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 16.

17.

Exclusion of the Public

MOTION: That under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Part I of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act.

 

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 17.

Minutes:

RESOLVED: That under Section 100A (4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Part I of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 17.

18.

Non-Public Minutes

To agree the draft non-public minutes of the previous meeting of the Epping Forest and Commons Committee held on the 6th of July 2020.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 18.

Minutes:

The Committee considered the draft non-public minutes of the last meeting of the Epping Forest and Commons Committee held on the 6th of July 2020.

 

RESOLVED- That the non-public minutes of the Epping Forest and Commons Committee held on the 6th of July 2020 be approved as an accurate record.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 18.

19.

Local Plans Update - Burnham Beeches SAC

Report of the Director of Open Spaces.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 19.

Minutes:

The Committee received a report of the Director of Open Spaces which provided a summary of the work undertaken regarding Local Plans and the Burnham Beeches SAC. 

 

RESOLVED- That the report be noted

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 19.

20.

Farm Business Tenancy Update

Report of the Director of Open Spaces.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 20.

Minutes:

The Committee considered a report of the Director of Open Spaces on the Farm Business Tenancy Update.

 

RESOLVED- That the report be agreed.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 20.

21.

Non Public Questions on Matters Relating to the Work of the Committee

Minutes:

There were no questions received in the non-public session.

 

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 21.

22.

Any Other Business That the Chairman Considers Urgent and Which the Committee Agree Should Be Considered Whilst the Public Are Excluded

Minutes:

The Committee considered one item of urgent business in the non-public session.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 22.