Brentwood Borough Council owns and manages a variety of countryside open space, woodlands, country parks and common land. To date management has been directed towards public access. This has resulted in a majority use being for walking dogs with very little alternative and with increasing population growth and the resulting pressure on the environment it is important that management encompass other objectives and recreational uses.

In order to direct and guide the future management of these sites a baseline has been set by entering into various central government countryside stewardship schemes. Public engagement in the detail of the management is now sought by the setting up of a conference group of open space users from residents of the Borough.

Representation from all potential user groups is essential to ensure balanced management is undertaken within the framework of the stewardship schemes.

Members raised concerns regarding the wording in the recommendation with regard to Wards and Parishes and the parks therein; as some Wards had up to 3 Parishes and others none.  Some Wards had country parks within them and others none.  Officers advised that two representatives should be appointed from each Ward.

Following a full discussion Cllr Poppy MOVED the motion, omitting the word “parish” and Cllr Mrs Tierney SECONDED the recommendation in the report.

A vote was taken by a show of hands and it was RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY:

·         That the committee request that each Ward nominate one tree warden and one other interested resident to represent country park users, plus two representations for forest school/educational user.

Reasons for Recommendation

In order that management of the countryside site becomes more proactive in the services they provide.