Agenda item

Joint report of the Director of Open Spaces and the Director of Communications.  

The Committee considered a report of the Director of Communications on the Marketing and Communications for Epping Forest and Commons. The Director of Communications introduced the report noting that the Epping Forest and Commons communications strategy had moved to a more proactive and positive direction but highlighted that, without increased resources, there were limitations on what could be achieved.

The Deputy Chairman thanked The Director of Communications for the report and for the transparency in discussing the work undertaken by the Communications Team but noted that this position was not yet where the Committee would want it to be. It was added that more work was required to effectively publicise the work undertaken to support Epping Forest and encouraged officers to continue work in this regard. A member of the Committee commented that there was a need to be more locally and charity-focused with communications. The Chairman noted that there was a strong case for a dedicated resource to support to help secure income for the open spaces charities. It was agreed that a meeting with the Chairman, Deputy Chairman and the new Executive Director for the Environment be arranged to discuss the business case for a funded marketing strategy for Epping Forest and the Commons. The Director of Communications noted that there were examples of devolved communications plans at other City of London Corporation institutions.

Responding to a request from the Committee, the Director of Communications agreed to provide a report on the annual review of the Marketing and Communications for Epping Forest and Commons for the Committee.

RESOLVED- That the Communications Plan be agreed.