Agenda and minutes

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Contact: Democratic Services, email:  democraticservices@epsom-ewell.gov.uk  tel: 01372 732000

Items
No. Item

8.

Minutes of Previous Meeting pdf icon PDF 85 KB

The Conservators are asked to confirm as a true record the Minutes of the Conservators’ Meeting held on 9 November 2020 and 17 December 2020 (to follow) and to authorise the Chairman to sign them.

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Minutes of the previous meeting of the Epsom and Walton Downs Conservators Committee held on 9 November 2020 and 17 December 2020 were agreed as a true record and the Conservators authorised the Chairman to sign them.

9.

Budget 2021/22 pdf icon PDF 78 KB

This report seeks approval for the 2021/22 budget and the recommended precepts on the constituent bodies.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Conservators received a report seeking approval for the 2021/22 budget and the recommended precepts on the constituent bodies. 

The Committee received a verbal introduction from the Chief Accountant.

The following matters were raised by the Conservators:

a)            Business rates: Following a question from a Conservator, the Officer confirmed that business rates had been payable on public conveniences up until this year, however this is no longer the case following changes by central Government. 

b)            Racehorse training: Conservators noted the current allocated training period for racehorse trainers. The Conservators noted that, should the Jockey Club need to formally request additional resources on the downs, a formal report detailing the additional resource requirement and proposed funding would need be brought to the Committee at a future date.

Following consideration, it was resolved unanimously that the Conservators:

(1)      Agreed to note the latest income and expenditure position for 2020/21;

(3)      Agreed to note the conclusion of the 2019/20 external audit of the accounts.

Following consideration, it was resolved 7 Members voting for, 1 Member voting against and the Chairman not voting that the Committee:

(2)      Approved the 2021/22 budget, as set out in Appendix 1 to this report, with a request for a 2.4% increase in precept from the constituent bodies as follows:-

i.             Epsom and Ewell Borough Council: £260,140

ii.            Epsom Downs Racecourse: £130,070

iii.          Epsom & Walton Downs Training Board: £43,360

 

10.

Epsom Downs Racing Season 2021 pdf icon PDF 85 KB

This report informs the Conservators of dates for race meetings in 2021 and presents a request from Epsom Downs Racecourse for consent for race meetings and extensions to the periods permitted for fencing, as required by the Epsom and Walton Downs Regulation Act 1984 and Epsom and Walton Downs Byelaws.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Conservators received a report informing the Conservators of dates for race meetings in 2021 and presented a request from Epsom Downs Racecourse for consent for race meetings and extensions to the periods permitted for fencing, as required by the Epsom and Walton Downs Regulation Act 1984 and Epsom and Walton Downs Byelaws.

The Committee received a verbal introduction from the Vice-Chairman, highlighting the challenges going forward over uncertainties due to the pandemic.

The following matters were raised by the Committee:

a)            Fencing: Conservators noted that arrangements for the racing season were still fluid as it was not known what the Government’s regulations and guidance would be for events such as horse racing.  Adherence may be achieved by fencing off a smaller area of the Downs than was necessary last year.

b)           Deadlines: Following a question from a Conservator, the Officer confirmed that they would liaise with Democratic Services to ascertain the legal deadlines for any upcoming events and publications.

 

Following consideration, it was resolved unanimously:

(1)      That the Conservators note the dates of the 2021 racing season for Epsom Downs detailed in paragraph 2.1 of this report, and grant their consent to the following meetings in accordance with section 14 of the Epsom and Walton Downs Regulation Act 1984:

Thursday 1 July (Evening)

Thursday 8 July (Evening)

Thursday 15 July (Evening)

Thursday 29 July (Evening)

Sunday 26 September

(2)      That the Conservators note that Epsom Downs Racecourse has applied to Surrey County Council for the temporary suspension of Footpath 50 as detailed in section 4 of this report.

(3)      That the Conservators consider and determine an application from Epsom Downs Racecourse for consent under the Byelaw 2 (i) (a) to extend the fencing period for the Upper Tattenham Enclosure and Lonsdale Enclosure for 4 days to cover the period 17 May - 20 May 2021.

(4)      That the Conservators consider and determine an application from Epsom Downs Racecourse for consent under the Byelaw 2 (i) (a) to extend the fencing period for the Lonsdale Enclosure to enable fencing to remain in place on 16 June and between the dates of 9 – 15 August 2021.