Issue - meetings

This report accompanies an update to the Work Programme for the Nonsuch Park Joint Management Committee that was approved in January 2022.

The Committee received a report providing an update to the Work Programme that was approved in January 2022.

The following matters were considered by the Committee:

a)            Correction to paragraph 6.3 of the report: The Head of Corporate Assurance informed the Committee of a correction to paragraph 6.3 of the report following the rearrangement of items on the programme into priority order. The correction was as follows:

The work programme items “6, 7, 8, 9, 10 & 13” listed in paragraph 6.3 of the report were corrected to read “1, 2, 3, 4 & 5”.

a)            Flooding: A Member enquired as to whether there was a flood risk report for the park. Officers informed the Committee that there is currently no flood risk document for the park but highlighted that Surrey County Council had issued a Section 19 report following flooding in Epsom and Ewell in 2021 and was looking at measures to be taken in relation to the wider area. It was noted by the Committee that the park is largely unaffected by flooding and that it is an area of low concern.

b)            Car parking: The Committee considered the issues created by large number of cars drawn to the park during Park Run events. Officers informed the Committee that there was a good relationship with the Park Run organisers and that this enabled the issue to be managed.  The Committee noted that car parking arrangements for the Park was a medium priority within the work programme and that there was not funding within the current year’s budget to introduce a charge for their use. Officers informed the Committee that whilst charges for car parking would provide revenue to the Park, it would also require works to provide defined spaces, enforcement and create a potential insurance liability.

c)            Enforcement: Following a question from a Member, the Committee noted authorised hirers of the park were required to display a flag during their events to identify that they had approval to do so. Members considered the possibility of additional signage to inform park users of the rules and noted that Officers felt that as the system became more established it was likely to become self-policing.

d)            Charitable Foundation: Following a question from a Member, the Committee noted that it does not have a charitable status. Members considered that the possibility of seeking charity status should be investigated to enable donations and bequests to be given to the park and requested that officers present a report on the matter at a future meeting.

Following consideration, the Committee unanimously resolved to:

(1)          Review the updated Nonsuch Park Joint Management Committee Work Programme and progress made to date attached to the report

(2)          Delegate approval to the Head of Operational Service and Streetcare Manager in consultation with the Chair of the Committee to agree one-off larger events in Nonsuch Park