Issue - meetings

This report seeks authority for Officers to take the necessary steps to deal with unauthorised encampments and fly-grazing within Nonsuch Park.

The Committee received a report seeking authority for Officers to take the necessary steps to deal with unauthorised encampments (‘UE’s) and fly-grazing within Nonsuch Park.

The Committee considered the following matters:

a)            Horses left on Land: In response to a question from a Member, the Interim Assistant Head of Service (Streetcare) stated that historically there had not been any instances of horses left unauthorised in Nonsuch Park, but there was always a risk of it occurring, particularly in connection with UEs. She stated that instances of fly-grazing on Council land had occurred elsewhere in Epsom & Ewell.

b)            Length of Time to Deal with UEs: In response to a question from a Member, the Interim Assistant Head of Service (Streetcare) stated that the length of time to deal with unauthorised encampments can vary greatly depending on factors such as any welfare issues to be resolved or whether or not the matter ends up going to court.

c)            Sutton Officers to be Notified of UEs: The Committee noted that, owing to the large majority of the footprint of the Park sitting within the boundary of Epsom & Ewell, the list of Officers recommended for authorisation consisted of exclusively Officers of Epsom & Ewell Borough Council. The Interim Assistant Head of Service (Streetcare) stated that she would ensure that the appropriate Sutton Council Officers were notified of any future instances of UEs within Nonsuch Park.

Following consideration, the Committee resolved (4 for, 1 abstaining) to:

(1)      Confirm that the Nonsuch Park Joint Management Committee:

a)    does not tolerate any encampment occupying land within Nonsuch Park that does so without the Committee’s prior consent, and that the Committee considers any such encampment as unauthorised.

b)   does not permit any horse to be left on land within Nonsuch Park without the Committee’s prior consent.

(2)      Nominate and authorise, effective until further notice, the following officers:

-     Head of Operational Services,

-     Interim Assistant Head of Service (Streetcare),

-     Interim Assistant Head of Service (Venues & Community Commercial Services),

-     Interim Assistant Head of Service & Transport and Waste Manager,

-     Deputy Streetcare Manager,

-     Parking and Enforcement Manager,

to:

a)    exercise powers under s.77 and s.78 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 to take any necessary steps to deal with unauthorised encampments occupying land within Nonsuch Park.

b)   exercise powers under s.1 of the Control of Horses Act 2015 to take any necessary actions and decisions to deal with fly-grazing of animals within Nonsuch Park.