Agenda and draft minutes

Up to 30 minutes will be set aside for the Committee to receive any questions or statements from members of the public.

To register to ask a question or make a statement at a meeting of the Committee, please contact: Democraticservices@epsom-ewell.gov.uk

Questions and statements not submitted to Democratic Services prior to the meeting may be accepted at the Chair’s discretion.

No questions or statements from members of the public were received.

To receive declarations of any Disclosable Pecuniary Interests or other registrable or non-registrable interests from Members in respect of any item to be considered at the meeting.

No declarations were made by Members in respect of any items considered at the meeting.

The Committee is asked to confirm as a true record the Minutes of the Meeting of the Committee held on 13 October 2025 (attached) and to authorise the Chair to sign them.

The Committee confirmed as a true record the Minutes of the Meeting of the Committee held on 13 October 2025 and authorised the Chair to sign them.

The Committee shall receive a presentation on the work of the Paul Alan Project from the organisation’s Founding Director.

The Committee received a presentation on the work of the Paul Alan Project from the organisation’s Founding Director, Clare Parish.

Clare informed the Committee on the following matters:

a)            The Paul Alan Project provides defibrillators/bleed kits, along with training on how to use the equipment, deliver CPR, and spot the signs of cardiac arrest. Clare explained that her father had died in a busy environment surrounded by people, but nobody present knew what to do or how to spot the signs. She stated that she had been inspired to form the Paul Alan Project with a mission to increase awareness, educate people and make life-saving equipment accessible to everyone. The organisation had been named in memory of her late father, with his portrait included on all the organisation’s defibrillators (‘defibs’).

b)            She explained that to date, the organisation had provided training to over 2600 people.  The Paul Alan Project installed its first defib/bleed kit in Collingwood Park, Sutton. She stated that most of the organisation’s defib/bleed kits were located in the London borough of Sutton. The Nonsuch Park one had been installed by the public toilets near the café.

c)            She explained that last year somebody’s life had been saved with one of the organisation’s defibs in Morden, with another life saved with CPR given by a person who had been taught at one of the organisation’s training sessions.

d)            Clare informed the Committee that the British Heart Foundation runs a website called DefibFinder where you can type an address to see the location of the ten nearest defibs. The Paul Alan Project looks for gaps and endeavours to provide defibs in those areas.

e)            She explained that many defibs are located inside buildings such as shops, meaning those defibs become inaccessible when those buildings are closed – she stated that the Paul Alan Project contacts those people with a view to arranging the installation of a cabinet in order to move the defib to somewhere outside the building where they are accessible. She explained that the cabinets need to be locked to prevent theft – the entry code can be requested upon phoning 999.

f)             She explained that deaths due to cardiac arrest in the UK are the highest in Europe, owing to factors such as insufficient defib provision, training being insufficient and costly, and lack of confidence in people to take action.

g)            She stated that it costs £600 to install a cabinet including the defib/bleed kit. She explained that the Cabinet runs on electricity to be lit and kept at the correct temperature. She informed the Committee that the cost of the cabinets is covered through fundraising, and that the Committee would not incur any cost for the cabinet installed in the Park.

h)            In response to a question from a Member, she confirmed that the Paul Alan Project does not work with the British Heart Foundation, but all of their defibs are registered on BHF’s national map.

The Committee shall receive an annual update report from the Chair of the Friends of Nonsuch.

The Committee received an annual update report from the Chair of the Friends of Nonsuch, Richard Harris.

The Chair of the Friends informed the Committee on the following matters:

a)            He stated that this year was the 35^th anniversary of the Friends.

b)            He explained that a few members of the Friends committee were due to stand down at the coming AGM, and their positions would need to be filled. He stated that recruiting new members was proving challenging – he suggested that in part this was owing to the fact that the Park was currently experiencing a time of calm and stability, and that people are generally more keen to get involved during times of uncertainty or risk.

c)            He explained that the Friends manage the Nonsuch Park museum/gallery, which is run by volunteers. He stated that the number of volunteers was decreasing as individuals were getting older and choosing to leave the role, and that recruiting new volunteers was also proving challenging. He stated that the museum/gallery had had c.4000 visitors across the year.

d)            He explained that the Friends host talks and music performances in the mansion and that he was currently developing a plan of events to hold throughout 2026. He felt it was important to increase the profile of the Park and the events in the mansion, and stated that efforts were being made to promote the Park and said events on the Friends’ social media pages.

e)            He mentioned the works that had been completed to repair the damaged wall in the formal gardens, which had been the project of a former Chair of the Friends, the late Gerald smith. He said the Friends were looking into raising the profile and awareness of the Palace site, Banqueting Hall site, and other historical aspects of the park.

f)             Following a suggestion from a Member, he stated that he would be happy for the Friends to work collaboratively with local educational establishments such as Nescot and UCA to promote and highlight the beauty and rich history of the Park.

The Senior Countryside Officer shall provide the Committee with an update presentation on the Nonsuch Park Habitat Management Plan 2023-28.

The Senior Countryside Officer, Sarah Clift, provided the Committee with an update presentation on the Nonsuch Park Habitat Management Plan 2023-28.

The Senior Countryside Officer informed the Committee on the following matters:

a)            She explained that the Park’s grasslands are routinely cut and cleared, and that clearing the cut grass gives wildflowers a chance to thrive. She explained that, in some of the meadows, cut grass is collected and turned into hay, but prior to being cut, ragwort amongst the grass needs to be pulled, with the help of volunteers, as it is poisonous to livestock. The hay cut and bailing is carried out by a local farmer. The rest of the meadows (aside from the ones which are regularly cut for amenity use) are cut and cleared by a flail collector, where the arisings are piled up at the edge of the meadows. She stated that the Council used to hire a flail collector, but had now bought one, which had more than paid for itself since its purchase.

b)            She stated that the successful management of all of the Borough’s open spaces relied on the good work of volunteers. She gave thanks to the Nonsuch Voles for their work with respect to habitat management in the Park. She stated that the Voles do great work keeping the margins of Round Pond open. The Countryside Team had surveyed the round pond and found Great Crested Newts, which are a protected species.

c)            In response to a question from a Member she stated that the Countryside Team used to have a relationship with Nescot, in which its students used to be involved in habitat management work in nearby Horton Country Park. She explained that that relationship had dissipated, owing to Nescot no longer running any courses relating to habitat management.

d)            She informed the Committee that Historic England had visited the Park because the Palace Site is a Scheduled Ancient Monument. She explained thatas owners of a Scheduled Ancient Monument, the Council has a duty to keep it in favourable condition. Entering into a Countryside Stewardship Agreement would be a way to get grant funding to enable the proper management of the designated area and the wider park.

e)            She explained that a number of trees within the Park had become badly affected by Ash Dieback. She stated that, with regard to tree works in the Park, the trees affected the worst by Ash Dieback, particularly the ones that might cause a safety risk, were considered a priority.

f)             She explained that it was important to make sure that Scrubland did not encroach on the Park’s Grassland areas.

g)            She explained that Local Authorities had a strengthened legal duty for public bodies to conserve and enhance biodiversity under the Environment Act 2021.There is an expectation on public authorities to look strategically at their policies and operations from time to time (at least every 5 years) and assess what action they can take ‘to further’ the conservation  ...  view the full minutes text for item 23.

The Interim Assistant Head of Service (Streetcare) shall provide the Committee with a verbal update on the following matters:

-       Installation of Height Restriction Barriers

-       Donation Units

-       Playground Project

-       Dog Walking Licensing Scheme

-       Cheam Charter Fair Joint Event

The Environment and Sustainability Officer, Mark Rachwal, and Interim Assistant Head of Service (Streetcare), Sam Whitehead, provided the Committee with a verbal update on matters arising in the Park.

The Environment and Sustainability Officer informed the Committee on the following matters:

a)            He stated that solar panels had been installed on various Council buildings, including the Epsom Playhouse and Bourne Hall, and that buildings in Nonsuch Park had been investigated for their viability for solar panel installation. He explained that the mansion house came with significant challenges, including the building being listed, and not enough flat areas on its roof. He explained that the tractor shed roof had been deemed suitable, and was close enough to the mansion that energy could be directed for use at the mansion – he stated that the number of panels appropriate to install on the tractor shed roof would cover an estimated third of the energy currently used at the mansion. He estimated that this would equate to savings of c.9-10k a year, with less than five years to pay back the c.£40k installation costs.

b)            In response to a question from a Member, he stated that it would likely be unviable to sell the energy produced by the solar panels as they would not produce enough energy. He advised that the energy would be better used for the purposes of powering the mansion.

c)            In response to a question from a Member, he stated that it was intended that the cost of the solar panels and their installation would be covered by grant funding.

d)            He wished to clarify that the Committee were not being asked at this meeting to agree to the installation of any solar panels or approve any costs – he was just providing an update on the findings of the investigations conducted so far.

The Interim Assistant Head of Service (Streetcare) informed the Committee on the following matters:

a)            She stated that the application to the Sutton CIL bid for height restriction barriers at the three Park entrances had been successful – the barriers had been funded and would be installed soon.

b)            She stated that work towards the Donation Units and Dog Walking Licensing scheme was on track, and both would be launching soon. She stated that publicity for the licensing scheme was due to go out in January, with the scheme starting soon after.

c)            She stated that progress on the Trim Trail was going well, and that it would hopefully be installed ready for Easter time.

d)                  She stated that she had spoken with the coordinators of the Cheam Charter Fair. She explained that the Cheam Charter Fair was run on grant funding. She stated that it might be possible for the coordinators to run market stands in the Park as part of the Fair, but full profits would  go the Fair coordinators.

To agree the draft schedule of meetings of the Nonsuch Park Joint Management Committee for the 2026/27 Municipal Year.

The Committee received a report seeking agreement of the draft schedule of meetings of the Nonsuch Park Joint Management Committee for the 2026/27 Municipal Year.

Following consideration, the Committee unanimously resolved to:

(1)      Approve the following draft schedule of meetings for the municipal year 2026/27:

a) Monday 15th June 2026, 10:00

b) Monday 12th October 2026, 10:00

c) Monday 18th January 2027, 10:00

d) Monday 22nd March 2027, 10:00

The Committee received a report providing an update on the current financial year 2025-26 priority planned maintenance programme (including any additional Health & Safety and emergency works undertaken during the year) and seeking approval for the forthcoming 2026-27 priority planned maintenance works.

The Committee considered the following matters:

a)            Mansion Boiler. In response to a question from a Member, the Senior Surveyor explained that the Mansion had recently had new a boiler installed, with an anticipated lifespan of c.20yrs. He informed the Committee that heat pumps would not be compatible at the Mansion.

b)            Car Park Resurfacing. In response to a question from a Member in respect of potholes in the car parks, the Senior Surveyor stated that it would cost c.£130k to carry out a full resurfacing operation, which was not available within the Committee’s funds.

Following consideration, the Committee unanimously resolved to:

(1)      Note the progress of the works (including the additional Health & Safety and emergency works) carried out during the current financial year 2025-26.

(2)      Approve the proposed planned maintenance priority works for 2026-27.

The Committee received a report providing a forecast for 2025/26 and seeking the Joint Management Committee’s approval of both the 2026/27 budget and the recommended contributions to be sought from the constituent authorities.

Following consideration, the Committee unanimously resolved to:

(1)      Note the latest 2025/26 forecast position;

(2)      Agree the revenue budget for 2026/27 as set out in Appendix 1 of the report;

(3)      Agree to seek contributions of £117,760 from each Epsom and Ewell Borough Council and the London Borough of Sutton for the financial year 2026/27, as set-out in section 4 of the report.