The Epping Forest & Commons Committee meeting scheduled for 29 June 2026 was set to cover a range of operational and strategic matters concerning the management of Epping Forest and various commons. Key discussions were anticipated regarding the appointment of committee chairs, updates on landscape recovery and resilience programmes, and detailed reports on the financial outturn and risk management for both Epping Forest and the Commons charities. The meeting also included scheduled updates on ecological monitoring, grazing reviews, and the committee's event diary.

Order of the Court of Common Council

The committee was scheduled to receive the Order of the Court of Common Council dated 23 April 2026 for information. This order would likely outline decisions or directives from the Court of Common Council that are relevant to the committee's responsibilities.

Election of Chair and Deputy Chair

As is standard practice, the meeting was scheduled to begin with the election of a Chair and Deputy Chair for the committee, in accordance with the relevant Standing Orders. These elections are crucial for formally establishing the leadership of the committee for the duration of its proceedings.

Minutes of the Previous Meeting

The committee was due to agree the public minutes and non-public summary of the previous meeting held on 24 March 2026. This is a routine item to ensure the accuracy and formal record of past discussions and decisions.

Appointment of Consultative Committees and Groups and Representatives on Other Bodies

A report from the Town Clerk was scheduled to be considered, detailing the appointment of members to various consultative committees and groups. This would also include the appointment of representatives to other bodies, ensuring the committee's engagement with relevant external organisations and advisory groups. The terms of reference for these bodies were also to be reviewed, with a particular focus on updating them to reflect the roles of local officers and any changes in job titles.

Landscape Recovery & Resilience (Carbon Removals Programme)

Officers from the Environment Department were scheduled to provide a verbal update on the Landscape Recovery & Resilience initiative, specifically focusing on the Carbon Removals Programme. This update would likely cover progress, achievements, and any challenges encountered in efforts to enhance the Forest's capacity for carbon sequestration and its overall resilience.

City Corporation Nature Recovery Strategy Development

Another verbal update from the Environment Department was planned, concerning the development of the City Corporation's Nature Recovery Strategy. This discussion would likely focus on the ongoing efforts to enhance biodiversity and ecological health across the City Corporation's managed areas, including Epping Forest and the Commons.

Burnham Beeches & The Commons Updates

Several items were scheduled to provide updates on the management and operation of Burnham Beeches and the various Commons:

• Assistant Director (Superintendent) Burnham Beeches and the Commons Update: A report from the Executive Director, Environment was to be presented, offering a comprehensive overview of activities and progress in managing Burnham Beeches and the associated Commons.
• Risk Management Update Report - The Commons (Summary): This report, also from the Executive Director, Environment, was intended to provide a summary of the risk management framework and current risk assessments pertaining to the Commons. It would assure members that risks are being managed in line with corporate frameworks and charity regulations.
• Revenue Outturn 2025/26 - The Commons Charities: A report from the Chamberlain and Executive Director, Environment was scheduled, detailing the financial performance of the Commons charities for the 2025/26 financial year, comparing actual revenue outturn against the final budget.

Epping Forest Updates

Similarly, several items were dedicated to providing updates on Epping Forest:

• Assistant Director (Superintendent) Epping Forest Update: A report from the Executive Director, Environment was to be presented, offering a summary of business activities and progress in Epping Forest for the period March to May 2026.
• Risk Management Update Report - Epping Forest (Summary): This report from the Executive Director, Environment, was to provide assurance on the risk management processes for the Epping Forest charity, ensuring compliance with the Corporate Risk Management Framework and the Charities Act 2011.
• Revenue Outturn 2025/26 - Epping Forest Charity: A report from the Chamberlain and Executive Director, Environment was scheduled, detailing the financial performance of the Epping Forest charity for the 2025/26 financial year, comparing actual revenue outturn against the final budget.
• Epping Forest Ecological Monitoring Report 2025: This report from the Executive Director, Environment, was to present the findings of the 2025 ecological monitoring programme. It aimed to establish a framework for assessing habitat condition and tracking species trends, focusing on open habitats and using vegetation, butterflies, and reptiles as key indicators.
• Grazing Annual Review 2025 and Update: A report from the Executive Director, Environment, was to provide an annual review of the conservation grazing programme in 2025 and offer an update on its ongoing activities and future planning.
• Committee Meeting & Events Diary 2026: A report from the Executive Director, Environment, was to outline the Epping Forest and Commons Committee's diary for 2026, including scheduled meetings and upcoming events.

Questions and Other Business

The agenda concluded with standard items for members to ask questions on matters relating to the work of the committee and for any other urgent business to be raised that the Chair considered appropriate for discussion.

Exclusion of the Public

A motion was scheduled to exclude the public from the meeting for the consideration of specific items. This was due to the sensitive nature of the information, relating to business under the remit of the Court of Common Council acting as charity trustee, where public access provisions under the Local Government Act 1972 do not apply. These items were expected to contain sensitive information not in the best interests of the charity to consider in a public meeting.

Non-Public Agenda

The non-public part of the agenda included items such as agreeing non-public minutes, updates on Burnham Beeches & The Commons and Epping Forest, and proposals regarding charity funds and reserves, as well as specific reports on Epping Forest deer management and property agreements. These items were designated for discussion in a non-public session due to their sensitive nature.