The City of London Corporation has agreed to establish a consultative committee for Epping Forest. The committee will be an additional forum where issues relevant to the Forest and its management can be discussed. Its views will feed into the Epping Forest & Commons Committee which makes decisions about the Forest.

The exact formation of the group is yet to be decided, but it is likely to be made up of representatives from relevant local interest groups.

The next step is for the City of London Corporation to undertake local consultation and produce proposals on the membership of the consultative committee.

The City of London Corporation already has a number of long-standing arrangements under which the views of local people, interest groups and elected representatives are sought on matters affecting the Forest. Under the Epping Forest Act 1878, the four Epping Forest Verderers are elected locally by the Commoners to sit on this Committee. There has been extensive public consultation on particular projects, more recently carried out through a dedicated internet page. Liaison groups with Redbridge and Waltham Forest borough councils are well established and a similar mechanism is being developed with Epping Forest District Council.

Alderman Gordon Haines, Chairman of the Epping Forest & Commons Committee said: “The establishment of an Epping Forest consultative committee is a natural progression for the Forest. We take local views and opinions very seriously and this will provide another route for local people to contribute to the life of the Forest.”

For further details please contact:

Susanna Lascelles - Media Officer

Email: susanna.lascelles@cityoflondon.gov.uk

Tel: 020 7332 1754

ENDS

About the City of London CorporationThe City of London Corporation, headed by the Lord Mayor, provides local government and policing services for the financial and commercial heart of Britain, the 'Square Mile'. In addition, the City Corporation has three roles: (1) To support and promote the ‘City’ as a world-leading financial and business hub, with outward and inward business delegations, high-profile civic events, research-driven policies all reflecting a long-term approach. See www.cityoflondon.gov.uk for more details. (2) to support London’s communities by working in partnership with neighbouring boroughs on economic regeneration, education and skills projects. In addition, the City of London Corporation’s charity City Bridge Trust aims to address disadvantage across Greater London through quality grant-making and related activities. It makes grants of c £20million per year to charitable projects in London. The Corporation also supports education with three independent schools, three City Academies, a primary school and the world-renowned Guildhall School of Music and Drama. (3) To look after key London heritage and green spaces including Tower Bridge, Museum of London, Barbican Arts Centre, City gardens, Hampstead Heath, Epping Forest, Burnham Beeches, and important ‘commons’ in south London. And – with its heart in London’s Square Mile - we also support and promote the ‘City’ as a world-leading financial and business hub, with outward and inward business delegations, high-profile civic events, research-driven policies and a long-term approach. See www.cityoflondon.gov.uk for much more on our uniquely diverse role, including the City of London Police, etc.