Agenda and minutes

The Committee is asked to confirm as a true record the Minutes of the Meeting of the Committee held on 18 September 2017 (attached) and to authorise the Chairman to sign them.

The Minutes of the Meeting of the Epsom and Walton Downs Consultative Committee held on 18 September 2017 had been omitted from the published agenda pack in error, and were circulated at the meeting. The Minutes were agreed as a true record and signed by the Chairman.

The Committee is asked to note the current situation on issues raised previously, and other matters of interest.

The Committee received and noted a report providing updates on matters raised previously, and other items of interest. The following matters were considered:

a)            Public consultation for parking on land in front of the Derby Arms Public House. The British Horse Society (BHS) representative expressed that the BHS and the Epsom Downs Riders Protection Society (EDPRS) had submitted detailed comments in response to the public consultation, and requested that these be presented to the Conservators in full when they considered the matter. The Epsom Civic Society (ECS) representative made a similar request with regard to the consultation response submitted by the ECS.

b)            Hack riding map for Downs users. The Committee was informed that officers were in the process of producing a new hack riding information map for the Downs. It was noted that officers were consulting the Hack Rider representatives with regard to the map, and that following this it would be presented to the Conservators for approval. The Hack Rider representatives expressed their thanks to officers for their work to produce the map.

c)            Hack sand track, foot of Walton Downs. The Hack Rider representatives informed the meeting that they had received a response from the Horserace Betting Levy Board (HBLB) in relation to correspondence regarding the Hack Sand Track. The HBLB had agreed to meet the Hack Rider representatives to discuss the track’s condition. The representatives enquired whether the Chairman, Clerk and Epsom Downs Racecourse representative would like to meet with them to discuss the matter prior to their meeting with the HBLB. The Chairman thanked the representatives for this offer, and it was noted that a response would be provided by officers following the meeting.

d)            Condition of concrete posts adjacent to the racecourse. The Committee was informed that Epsom Downs Racecourse was looking into this issue.

e)            Works to water mains in the area adjacent to the Derby Arms Public House. The Committee noted that these works were nearing conclusion.

To receive the report of the Head Downskeeper.

The Committee received and noted the report of the Head Downskeeper.

This report provides the Committee with a summary of items of interest considered at the meetings of the Epsom and Walton Downs Conservators held on 4 October 2017 and 22 January 2018, and the Minutes of those meetings.

The Committee received and noted a summary of the items of interest considered at meetings of the Epsom and Walton Downs Conservators held on 4 October 2017 and 22 January 2018, and the Minutes of those meetings.

To discuss any issues raised by Hack Riders Representatives, including the following:

·         Signposting/marker posts,

·         Scrub clearance,

·         Hatched area afternoon ride,

·         Dog control. 

The following matters were raised by the Hack Rider representatives:

a)            Signposting/marker posts. Officers informed the Committee that signposting and marker posts for hack rides would be reviewed following finalisation of the new hack ride information map (see Minute 11 b) above).

b)            Scrub clearance. Officers informed the Committee that it had not been possible to undertake scrub clearance work near the southern end of Rifle Butts Alley this winter as urgent additional maintenance work had been required elsewhere on the Downs. If it was not possible to complete the work in advance of the bird nesting period, it be included in the schedule for next winter’s work programme.

c)            Use of the Hatched area for hack riding. The Training Grounds Management Board representative informed the Committee that the hatched area was currently closed for hack riding due to the wet conditions. It would be reopened once conditions had improved.

The representative also informed the meeting that the area had not received a high level of use while it was open. A small number of cases of misuse of the area by hack riders had been witnessed. These had related to horses travelling too fast in the area, or encroaching upon the adjacent gallops.

d)            Dog control. The Committee noted that the dog walking information signs and other measures implemented since 2016 had been highly successful in improving dog control on the Downs.

To discuss any issues raised by representatives to the Committee. At the time of publication of this agenda, no items had been requested.

The following matter was raised by a representative to the Committee:

a)            Byelaw sign for the model aircraft peg board. The Epsom Downs Model Aircraft Club representative enquired whether a byelaw sign could be installed on the rear of the model aircraft frequency peg board on the Downs. It was noted that officers would consider this.

To identify any items which the Committee wishes to be brought to the attention of the Conservators at their next meeting, and nominate a spokesperson to present them if appropriate.

The Committee agreed that no items from the meeting would require verbal representation to the Conservators.