24 February 2011
Announcement on budget reductions for Epping Forest
In order to maintain public access and protect Epping Forest's
unique natural conservation and heritage area, a package of savings
- still to be ratified by the City's Court of Common Council - was
outlined by the City of London’s Epping Forest and Commons
Committee.
A review of the latest forecast financial positions of the
City’s private funds, which are used to finance maintenance and
services at Epping Forest, has confirmed the need to achieve
overall budget reductions of 12.5%, which affects all parts of the
City of London including Epping Forest.
The City of London’s Epping Forest and Commons Committee
identified savings -wide ranging cuts totalling £457k which will
result in staff redundancies and reductions in funding for tree
work, ride maintenance, equipment and machinery, together with less
improvement work on the Forest's farmed estate. Safety will remain
paramount.
As a result, the budget for annual events has been reduced,
meaning that long standing events including the Epping Forest
Festival will cease until further notice. Currently it costs the
City of London £4.4 million per year to run Epping Forest including
income generated at site.
Until now, the running of the ‘free to enter’ Epping Forest
Festival has been heavily subsidised and cost the City of London
£22,000 to run (excluding staff hours). Despite recently introduced
car parking and stall pitch charges, the event still does not
generate enough income to cover its basic costs.
Epping Forest, London’s largest public open space, has been
owned and managed by the City of London since 1878, at no cost to
the local taxpayer.
Superintendent of Epping Forest Paul Thomson said:
"We are in a very difficult position and unfortunately tough
decisions have to be made in order to ensure that we maintain a
high standard of service provision here at the Epping Forest.
"I understand local people will, in particular, be disappointed
by the cancellation of this year’s Festival but we will be working
closely with any local community groups looking to raise funds and
to organise a Forest Festival of their own. We will bring back the
Forest Festival should the City’s finances improve."
As a charitable trust, Epping Forest is seeking to offset
the impact of proposed cuts by seeking additional grant support
from local charities for the City's invaluable work on
environmental education and biodiversity research.
Ends
Press enquiries: Loretta Lui 020 7332 1528