Issue - meetings

This report presents the risk register for the Epsom and Walton Downs for review and note by the Conservators.

The Conservators received a report presenting the risk register for the Epsom and Walton Downs for review and note.

The following matters were considered:

a)            Legal Decisions. A Member of the Conservators raised a concern about risk EWC10 on page 23,  regarding lawful decisions made by the Conservators and expressed hope that legal advice would be sought and provided before any decisions are made to ensure they are completely lawful.   The Chair responded to inform the Committee that the risk is not saying that the Conservators are making illegal decisions, it is just acknowledging that there is a risk because decisions of the Conservators must be proper and legal and therefore, mitigants are put in place to deal with the risk and ensure that the decisions made are fully compliant with the law. The Clerk to the Conservators highlighted to the Committee that the risk is highlighted in red and scored at a 12 for the inherent risk of making illegal decisions, however, once all the mitigations are considered, the residual risk is only scored at a 4.

b)            Safety on the Downs. A Member of the Conservators asked where the responsibilitylies for ensuring and enforcing safety on the Downs and if it lies solely with the Downskeepers. The Chair responded to state that the Downskeepers work in conjunction with the Jockey Club to ensure the safety of members of the public, exercise riders and trainers on the Downs in accordance with the byelaws created by the Conservators, therefore sharing the risk across the constituent bodies (EEBC, TJC and TGMB) who make up the Conservators. The Member of the Conservators responded to ask who takes responsibility for the Downskeepers actions. The Chair informed the Conservators that Epsom and Ewell Borough Council is responsible for the Downskeepers actions. The Member of the Conservators responded to point out that the Downskeepers are taking on a greater role in ensuring the safety of all users of Downs and they will require more support. The Chair noted the comment and informed the Conservators that this topic will continue to be discussed to ensure that additional support is given to ensure the safety of all users of the Downs.

Following consideration, the Conservators unanimously resolved to:

(1)    Review, and note the strategic risk register located at Appendix 1.