Issue - meetings

At its meeting on the 7 December 2021, Council agreed to refer the proposed Summer programme of Heritage tours motion on to this Committee for consideration.

Following consideration, the Committee unanimously resolved to:

(1)      Note the Motion;

(2)      Agree to establish a programme of Heritage Tours to begin in Summer 2022.

The Committee received a report presenting a Motion referred to it by the Council at its meeting on 7 December 2021. The Motion proposed a Summer programme of Heritage tours.

The Committee considered the following matters:

a)            European Grant Funding for the Downs. The Committee noted that European Grant Funding had been secured for Epsom and Walton Downs which would fund two different types of heritage tour on the Downs.

b)            Tours of Ashley Road Tunnels. The Committee noted that the Ashely Road tunnels were in private ownership and that any heritage tours to the site would require permission from the site owner. The Head of Operational Services informed the Committee that the previous tour of the tunnels had be organised by the Epsom Business Improvement District (BID) and that he would work with the BID to explore whether further tours would be possible.

c)            Business case and funding for Heritage Tours. Following a question from a Member, the Head of Operational Services informed the Committee that the planned programme of Heritage Tours in 2022-23 would be provided within existing budgets. A business case and identification of funding sources would be presented to the Committee for consideration if it was proposed to expand the service.

d)            Horton Chapel. Following a question from a Member, the Head of Operational Services informed the Committee that Officers would contact the Trustees of Horton Chapel regarding the possibility of holding a Heritage Tour to the Chapel.

e)            SCC information signs in Epsom town centre. The Committee was informed that there was outstanding Surrey County Council sign posting works for Epsom town centre as a part of the Plan-E project, which would provide information about local heritage. Officers had contacted the County Council to request an update on these works.

f)             Communication of programme of Heritage Tours. The Committee noted that Councillor Nigel Colin would be involved in the Heritage Tour Programme, as the Council’s Heritage Champion. The programme of tours would be communicated with residents by the Council’s communications team.

Following consideration, the Committee unanimously resolved to:

(1)      Note the Motion;

(2)      Agree to establish a programme of Heritage Tours to begin in Summer 2022.