Issue - meetings

To present the Strategic Risk Register for the Conservators, which covers the risks, mitigations, responsibility and action required to manage the risks identified.

The Conservators received a report which presented a Strategic Risk Register for the Downs, covering the risks, mitigations, responsibility, and management action required.

The following matters were considered:

a)            Impact of Climate Change. A Member of the Conservators raised that an awareness of the impact of climate change on the Downs and the racing industry was not included in the Risk Register. The Member expressed that this issue should be included in future iterations of the Register, to enable the Conservators to decide how best to mitigate the effects. The Interim Director of Corporate Services responded to confirm that further discussion would take place to ensure that Climate Change can be included in the Strategic Risk Register.

b)           Grassland Fire Risk.  A Member of the Conservators raised that a significant issue faced by the Downs as a result of climate change, is grassland fire. Grassland fires would be detrimental to the training industry and the Conservators noted the need to make a combined approach in reaching out to Surrey Fire and Rescue to determine if they could cope with a grassland fire on the Downs. It was noted that fire risk had not yet been included in the Jockey Club Risk Register.

c)            Update the Strategic Risk Register. The Chair informed the Conservators that the Strategic Risk Register is a living document and asked for it to be updated to reflect the following issues:

a.    the potential risk of fire on the Downs.

b.    the impact of pollen on the training community on the Downs.

Following consideration, the Conservators unanimously resolved to:

(1)      Agree the Strategic Risk Register.