Issue - meetings

To consider any issues arising from the meeting of the Epsom and Walton Downs Consultative Committee held on 18 September 2017.

The Conservators received and noted a report presenting the Minutes of the Epsom and Walton Downs Consultative Committee held on 18 September 2017. The report had been published as a supplement to the main agenda document.

The following matter was considered:

a)            Condition of hack sand track, foot of Walton Downs. The Conservators considered whether to send a letter to local stables to inform hack riders of the poor condition of the track, and explain that its maintenance was the responsibility of the Horse Race Betting Levy Board.

Members expressed concern that such a letter could give riders an incorrect expectation that the Conservators might undertake works to the track, or imply that they had maintenance responsibility for it, despite that not being the case. It was noted that the condition of the track had continued to deteriorate since it had last been considered. It was also noted that representatives of the hack riding community were already aware of its condition.

Following consideration of this, the Conservators decided not to write to local stables regarding the issue until there was further news regarding its maintenance that could be reported.