Issue - meetings

To inform the Conservators of the current position of the Working Balance and Repairs and Renewals Reserve, report on recent and planned improvement works across Epsom and Walton Downs and seek approval to allocate funding towards the resurfacing of the Viewpoint Car Park.

To inform the Conservators of the current position of the Working Balance and Repairs and Renewals Reserve, report on recent and planned improvement works across Epsom and Walton Downs and seek approval to allocate funding towards the resurfacing of the Viewpoint Car Park.

The following matters were considered:

a)            Procurement process. A Member of the Conservators asked for clarification on the procurement process for work of this nature. The Assistant Head of Service – Streetcare explained that it would need to go through a procurement process and advice would need to be sought from the procurement team as this project would hit one of the higher tier thresholds. She explained the work would be advertised and follow a full and proper procurement process.

b)            Increased income. A Member of the Conservators asked if there would be a further income benefit for the licensed vendor in the car park, following the improvement works. The Assistant Head of Service – Streetcare explained that the estimates for income from mobile vendors has been conservative, so there is potentially room for increased income going forwards. The Member raised it would be great to resurface all the car parks. The Chair agreed but explained that there are not sufficient funds to resurface multiple car parks at this stage.

c)            Safety improvements. A Member of the Conservators raised that it could be beneficial to combat anti-social behaviour that occurs in the View Point Car Park, by adding a barrier or CCTV, when the resurfacing works are carried out. The Chair commented that Surrey Police could be consulted to get their thoughts on possible additional items to help reduce anti-social behaviour issues in the car park. He informed Conservators that he would raise it with the Borough Commander and the Community Safety Partnership. He also raised that there is a discussion to be had about whether the car parks introduce charges for their use in the future.

d)            Price. The Vice Chair queried whether the budgeted amount for the project will be enough. He highlighted that it would need to be done to a high standard as large vehicles use the car park. The Assistant Head of Service – Streetcare informed Conservators that they are reasonably confident it can be achieved within the allotted budget and explained that a similar project had been completed at Nonsuch Park and was done to a high standard, which is still in a good condition years down the line. She explained that the project will go out to a procurement exercise and the price of goods and materials can fluctuate but the team will see what can be achieved with the allotted budget.

Following consideration, the Conservators unanimously resolved to:

(1)      Note the current position of the Working Balance and Repairs and Renewals Reserve.

(2)      Note the recent and planned expenditure on improvements to Epsom and Waltons Downs.

(3)      Approve expenditure of £75,000 to fund resurfacing works to the Viewpoint Car Park, Grandstand Road.