As November began, a primary school was transferred to an academy trust despite calls from an MP for an urgent review.

Waltham Holy Cross Primary School in Waltham Abbey is being run by NET Academies Trust as of November 1.

The transfer was completed despite calls from Epping Forest MP Dame Eleanor Laing to put the case on hold until it had been reviewed by the Parliamentary Ombudsman.

A campaign to prevent NET Academy Trust overtaking the school had been ongoing since March 2018.

The City of London Corporation warned that commercial pickers are stripping ancient woodland of wild mushrooms to sell them to restaurants and markets.

The large-scale foragers are targeting Epping Forest, depriving insects and animals such as deer of a valuable food source and damaging the ancient trees that rely on types of fungus to protect their roots.

The corporation, which owns and manages the forest, is warning the fungus pickers that they could be fined or prosecuted.

Fungi play a key role in Epping Forest’s wildlife habitats and are a major reason it has protected status including as a Site of Special Scientific Interest and a Special Area of Conservation, the corporation said.

And a multi-million pound plan to revamp Epping Forest District Council’s offices was submitted.

The proposed internal and external refurbishments for the Grade II-listed headquarters, built in 1992 on Epping High Street, are expected to cost around £6.6m.

Epping Forest District Council had previously intended to construct a new building at North Weald Airfield for £8.5m.

A Heritage Statement submitted with the planning application said the offices need to be more adapted to a modern working environment.