The Epping Forest & Commons Committee met on Monday 29 June 2026, electing Deputy Caroline Haines as Chair and David Sales as Deputy Chair. The committee approved the public minutes and non-public summary of the meeting held on 24 March 2026 as an accurate record. The committee also noted appointments and agreed to amended terms of reference for several consultative groups, including the Epping Forest Consultative Group, for which Verderer Paul Morris would continue as Chair for the ensuing year. Verderer Paul Morris was also appointed as an observing member of the Natural Environment Board for the ensuing year.

Appointment of Consultative Committees and Groups

The committee noted appointments and agreed to amended terms of reference for several consultative groups. These included the Ashtead Common Consultative Group, Burnham Beeches and Stoke Common Consultative Group, Coulsdon Common, West Wickham & Spring Park Consultative Group, and the Epping Forest Consultative Group. Verderer Paul Morris was appointed as an observing member of the Natural Environment Board for the ensuing year.

Landscape Recovery & Resilience (Carbon Removals Programme)

Officers provided a verbal update on the scoping study for Epping Forest and Burnham Beeches and Stoke Common, which included an assessment of the feasibility of reintroducing Pine Martens. Members were encouraged to attend meetings of the Nature and Resilience Management Oversight Group for further discussion on landscape issues.

City Corporation Nature Recovery Strategy Development

A verbal update was given on the development of the City Corporation Nature Recovery Strategy. Officers confirmed that the presentation slides would be circulated to members, and a briefing would be emailed during the summer to gather feedback from members on how to progress the strategy.

Assistant Director (Superintendent) Burnham Beeches and the Commons Update

A report was presented detailing key data and activities across the Commons from March to May 2026. The committee noted the work undertaken, including habitat management, volunteer contributions, and fire safety initiatives. Specific mentions were made of the renewal of a partnership with Lady Mayor at the Freeman's School Prize Day and the potential for a Forest School opportunity at Ashtead Common. The Chair congratulated officers on the signage improvements at Coulsdon Commons. Discussions also covered the volunteer strategy, livestock costs, the reduction in the size of the Burnham Beeches car park, the role of officers in engaging with fires, and the progress of fundraising workstreams related to advertising.

Risk Management Update Report - The Commons (Summary)

The committee received an overview of the risk management processes for Ashtead Common, Burnham Beeches, Coulsdon and Other Commons, and West Wickham and Spring Park. Officers assured the committee that all risks were being managed in compliance with the Corporate Risk Management Framework and the Charities Act 2011. Several risks, including those related to health and safety, tree events, and visitor pressure, were discussed, with some previously closed risks being reinstated for oversight purposes.

Revenue Outturn 2025/26 - The Commons Charities

A report comparing the revenue outturn for the Commons charities in 2025/26 with the final budget was presented. Burnham Beeches and Stoke Common showed an underspend of £34k, while West Wickham Common and Spring Park Wood and Coulsdon and Other Commons had an overspend of £266k. Ashtead Common reported an underspend of £56k. Explanations for significant variances were provided, and it was noted that a designated reserve had been established at Burnham Beeches to fund future asset replacements.

Assistant Director (Superintendent) Epping Forest Update

Updates on business activity in Epping Forest from March to May 2026 were presented. The committee noted the successful outcomes of investigations into offences, including a prosecution for criminal damage and efforts to address anti-social behaviour at Wanstead Flats. The report highlighted the media interest in the bluebell display and the restoration of the 'London 15' milestone on Bell Common. Discussions also covered ongoing work on properties, marketing of the High Beach visitor centre, Verderer elections, and enforcement activity regarding cycling damage at hill forts. The committee was informed about the progress of the Carbon Removals Project, including the installation of tree moisture detectors and hedgerow planting. The Epping Forest Act 150th Anniversary Celebration Oversight Group and the Engagement and Access Oversight Group provided updates on their respective activities. The report also detailed engagement events, golf income, education programmes, and volunteer achievements, including the Epping Forest Conservation Volunteers receiving Team of the Year at the Epping Forest District Council Civic Awards.

Risk Management Update Report - Epping Forest (Summary)

The committee received an overview of the risk management processes for the Epping Forest charity. Officers assured the committee that risks were being managed in compliance with the Corporate Risk Management Framework and the Charities Act 2011. A new risk, Negative impacts of visitor pressure, was added to the register. The four highest risks, rated Red, were discussed: Deterioration of Wanstead Park Reservoirs, Failure of raised reservoirs, Negative impacts from pests or diseases, and Readiness for Natural Environment Charities Review (NECR) implementation. Mitigation actions for these and other Amber-rated risks were outlined.

Revenue Outturn 2025/26 - Epping Forest Charity

A report comparing the revenue outturn for the Epping Forest charity in 2025/26 with the final budget was presented. An overall overspend of £36k was noted. The report highlighted that due to a change in the charity's funding model, a surplus of £422,000 on its local risk budget had been carried forward into unrestricted free reserves, increasing the total balance to £995,000.

Epping Forest Ecological Monitoring Report 2025

The findings of the 2025 ecological monitoring programme for Epping Forest were presented. The report focused on open habitats, using vegetation, butterflies, and reptiles as key indicators. While neutral grasslands performed well, acid grasslands and heathlands showed lower condition scores, with common issues including scrub encroachment and nutrient enrichment. Notable findings included new colonies of White-letter Hairstreak butterflies and the confirmation of northern heathlands as key reptile strongholds. The report proposed the development of a 10-year Ecological Monitoring Strategy and endorsed the use of the 2025 data as a baseline for future assessments.

Grazing Annual Review 2025 and Update

An update on the 2025 conservation grazing programme was provided, detailing progress against the five-year action plan. The report highlighted the herd size, infrastructure improvements at Great Gregories Yard, and the continued use of outwintering and NoFence technology. The financial summary indicated that income was outweighed by operational costs, with the primary purpose remaining ecological management. The committee endorsed the direction of travel for conservation grazing and noted proposals for a post-2027 strategy.

Committee Meeting & Events Diary 2026

The committee received an outline of the Epping Forest and Commons Committee diary and upcoming events for 2026. Members were encouraged to note events of interest and express interest in joining oversight groups.

Any Other Business

The Chair moved a vote of thanks to Emily Brennan, the outgoing Natural Environment Director, for her strong and effective leadership over the past three years. The committee placed on record their sincere appreciation for her contributions.

The meeting concluded with a resolution to exclude the public for the consideration of non-public matters, which included updates on Burnham Beeches & The Commons, charity funds and reserves, deer management, property agreements, and Epping Forest.