Report of the Head Downskeeper
A verbal report will be given to the Conservators with regard to recent events and works on the Downs.
Minutes:
The Downs Manager provided the Committee with a verbal report. The following matters were discussed:
a) Reported antisocial behaviour. The Conservators were informed that there had been a number of incidents of antisocial behaviour reported on the Downs, including an attempted break-in of the Downskeeper’s Hut.
b) Staffing issues. The Conservators were informed that two members of the Downskeeper staff were currently on long term sick leave. Downskeeper Ashley Critcher was acting as the interim Head Downskeeper, and the Council’s Ranger service were assisting with evening duties. This arrangement enabled the Downskeepers to maintain their presence during the hours of racehorse training.
The Conservators expressed their best wishes to the Downskeepers who were on sick leave, and wished them a speedy recovery. The Conservators also expressed their thanks to the other Downskeepers for their efforts to ensure that the service continued despite the reduced capacity, and to the Council’s Rangers and Racecourse staff for all their assistance and support.
The Conservators requested officers to continue to monitor the situation, and consider the use of agency or temporary staff to assist if necessary.
c) Closing times for car park gates. The Conservators noted that a suggestion had been raised at the meeting of the Epsom and Walton Downs Consultative Committee held on 26 September that car park gates should be shut at dusk, rather than the current timings of 5pm/9pm (see Minute no 15 for further information). The Conservators noted that the car parks gates would be locked at 5pm from Saturday 8 October.