Issue - meetings

To discuss issues raised by representatives invited to attend the meeting of the Committee.

The Committee discussed the issues raised by representatives invited to attend the meeting.

The following matters were discussed:

a)            Signs on the Downs. The Chair explained that the amount of signage is a difficult balancing act but agreed to address that balance if there is need in certain areas for additional signage for cyclists.

b)            E-Bikes. The representative from EDMAC raised that they are seeing a lot more e-bikes up on the downs and a lot more speeding and dangerous behaviour. The Chair explained that there is limited resource to deal with this issue. The Member from the British Horse Society suggested looking into a Public Safe Protection Order for electric bikes in the area as it would come under an antisocial issue. The Chair informed the Committee that there is a PSPO in place across the whole of Epsom, that was renewed last year at Crime and Disorder Committee, which is in place to help deal with antisocial behaviour. The Chair also mentioned that he had chaired a meeting on antisocial behaviour, with the Chair of Crime and Disorder Committee, the local MP, and several other stakeholders. He explained that non-assisted e-bikes are a problem in certain parts of the borough and encouraged people to report issues to the police as they will use that information to better target their patrols. The Assistant Head of Service – Streetcare mentioned that the police find specifics helpful and encouraged people to make not of what the riders are wearing or the make and model of the bike, if possible.

c)            Litter bins. The Assistant Head of Service – Streetcare explained that there has not been a budget for bins on the downs and standard practice has been repurposing bins that have been removed from other parts of the borough and putting them on the downs. The Assistant Head of Service – Streetcare informed the Committee that it could be something the Conservators would like to budget for in the future. The Chair agreed with the comments.

d)            Events on the Downs. The Chair reiterated that the work will be done, and the Hack Riders Facebook group and relevant stakeholders will be notified. The Chair encouraged the Committee to identify the relevant contact points and build a list for future information sharing regarding events on the downs.

e)            Surfaces in the Car Park. The representative from College Ward Residents’ Association asked if the works on the surfaces in the car parks would be completed soon. The Assistant Head of Service – Streetcare explained that the work has been added to the Winter Workplan 25/26 and should be completed over the coming months.

f)             Car Parking. The representative from College Ward Residents’ Association raised concerns about the parking on the triangle by the Derby Arms and asked for clarification regarding the cars that are parked there. The Chair thanked the representative for raising the issue to the Committees’ attention and raised that it will be looked at and considered as part of the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3