Agenda item

Report of the Interim Executive Director, Environment.

The Committee received the Assistant Director’s report which sought to summarise Epping Forest’s progress against business plan objectives since October 2023.

During the discussion, the following points were noted:

a)         Officers had been speaking to the Police about learnings from other locations in respect of nuisance from motorcross and quad bikes, noting the limited jurisdictions in the Forest under current bylaws.

b)         A Verderer asked to be kept informed of relevant operational incidents.  The Chairman  advised that communications would be considered at the Awayday.    

c)         A Verderer suggested that the phone-in reporting service could be improved, following specific examples of inaccurate guidance given to the public.  The Chairman asked to be advised when the contract was due for renewal and the Executive Director agreed to investigate.

d)         The Chairman suggested that it would be helpful for Members to understand the CRM (complaints handling system) and relevant complaint data in future Assistant Director reports.  

e)         The Countryside Stewardship Grant Scheme Award would be announced in the late summer.

f)          The Chairman commended the hard work that had gone into the recruitment drive, noting that Epping Forest had been carrying a number of vacancies.

RESOLVED, that – the report be noted.