Agenda item

Report of the Executive Director, Environment.

The Committee received the Assistant Director’s update which summarised Epping Forest’s progress against objectives since May 2024 with updates of note.

During the discussion, the following points were noted:

a)    Members identified an error with the financial year figures of the golf course.

b)    The Committee enquired on the feedback to the new model staff away day. Officers reported it was well received.

c)     It was suggested a deep dive be done on the Field Studies Council at High Beach on how that linked into the Corporation’s wider education strategy.

d)    The Chairman noted that Epping Forest District Council were creating master plans for specific sites for development across the district as part of their Local Plan. He had been working with officers to formulate a response to the Epping South development which would have a significant impact on Epping Forest if not mitigated. 

e)    Officers reported, following requests for background on rough sleeping and drug use, that the south of the Forest did have issues with this and joint operations were being carried out with the Metropolitan Police to sweep out the detritus. Further work was planned for September.

f)      Committee Members discussed how effective re-housing efforts had been. Officers explained that this was a local authority responsibility, however, they worked closely with agencies to support re-homing rough sleepers, but noted drug use was a much bigger issue.

RECEIVED.