Agenda item

Report of the Director of Open Spaces.

The Committee considered a report of the Director of Open Spaces on the 2019 Countryside Stewardship Grant application proposals. The Director of Open Spaces confirmed that the Epping Forest Management Plan Steering group would consider Countryside Stewardship Grant applications at the groups next meeting.

The Director of Open Spaces reassured Members that the proposed Management Strategy included a central objective of restoring wood pasture as promoted with the grant application.

Replying to a concern raised by a Member of the Committee the Director of Open Spaces explained that an in-depth pricing exercise had been undertaken with a number of external contractors assessed.

RESOLVED-That: -

1. The progress of the developing the grant proposals as listed in Appendices 1-3, be noted; and
2. That the Director of Open Spaces be authorised, in consultation with the Chairman and Deputy Chairman, to complete the grant negotiations with the grant body (Natural England); and
3. That authority be delegated to the Town Clerk, in consultation with the Chairman and Deputy Chairman to sign the finalised grant application for income estimated around £5.5 million over 10 years; and
4. That the Comptroller and City Solicitor be instructed to undertake such documentation as necessary; and
5. That limited changes can be made to the funding proposals after the end of August 2019 be noted; and
6. The predicted income and expenditure for the grant works as listed at Appendix 3, be noted; and
7. That the grant works will be delivered through a combination of in-house teams, contractors and volunteers coordinated by the Epping Forest Conservation Team be noted.