Agenda item

Report of the Director of Open Spaces.

Members noted the success of the decision to provide facilities for marriages and civil partnerships at The Queen Elizabeth’s Hunting Lodge between 2015 and 2016. Reflecting public demand, the report makes proposals to increase the frequency and scale of weddings to generate further income ranging between £36,000 to £62,200 for reinvestment in to Epping Forest local risk budget. The report makes proposals to balance public access to the Hunting Lodge, while meeting increasing demand for ceremonies at weekends by offering more weekend opportunities and an extension of the value chain facilitating the staging of receptions on site by erecting a marquee within the under-utilised courtyard at The View. In order to meet potential demand for receptions it is proposed to obtain a full Premises Licence from the local authority.

Some Members raised concerns over the closure of the Hunting Lodge for long periods of time over the summer time, whether there were adequate facilities and car parking available for guests and whether staff resources were available to accommodate the weekend events. Officers confirmed that consideration would be given to licensing later parking hours to ensure that adequate car parking was available. The facilities had been reviewed and been deemed sufficient, and more staff would be recruited to ensure that events could be accommodated. Some Members still felt this was insufficient and the Chairman took the decision to a vote. The decision was agreed with 7 Members voting for and 3 Members voting against the recommendation below. The Committee agreed that the Wedding and Civil Partnership Hire policy should be reviewed annually.

Resolved – that Members:

· Approved the proposal of an increase in fee associated with marriage and civil ceremonies at the Queen Elizabeth’s Hunting Lodge.

· Approved an increase to the number of ceremonies that can take place on a Friday or Saturday and an overall increase in number of ceremonies that are held on an annual basis. · Approved the use of The View courtyard, exterior space and community room to host evening receptions and authorise the Superintendent to apply for the necessary Premises Licence.