Agenda and minutes

In the absence from the meeting of Councillor Christopher Woolmer (Chair), the Committee elected to appoint Councillor David Reeve to preside as Chair of the meeting.

Councillors Christopher Woolmer (Chair) and Louise Phelan were not present at the meeting at this time.

To take any questions from members of the Public.

No questions were received from members of the public.

Members are asked to declare the existence and nature of any Disclosable Pecuniary Interests in respect of any item of business to be considered at the meeting.

No declarations of interest were made by Councillors in relation to items on the agenda.

The Committee is asked to confirm as a true record the Minutes and the Restricted Minutes of the Meeting of the Nonsuch Park Joint Management Committee held on 20 June 2022 (attached) and to authorise the Chair to sign them.

The Following matter was considered by the Committee:

a)            Reason for previous absence: Councillor David Reeve wished to confirm that his absence from the previous meeting of the Committee was due to illness. This was noted by the Committee.

The Committee confirmed as a true record the Minutes and the Restricted Minutes of the Meeting of the Nonsuch Park Joint Management Committee held on 20 June 2022 and authorised the Presiding Chair to sign them.

Councillors Christopher Woolmer (Chair) and Louise Phelan were not present at the meeting at this time.

This report accompanies an update to the Work Programme for the Nonsuch Park Joint Management Committee following the last meeting on 20^th June 2022.

The Committee received a report accompanying an update to the Work Programme for the Nonsuch Park Joint Management Committee following the last meeting on 20^th June 2022.

Councillors Christopher Woolmer (Chair) and Louise Phelan were not present at the meeting at the start of the discussion of the item, and entered the meeting during the discussion of the item.

The following matters were considered by the Committee:

a)            Visitor survey: The Streetcare manager provided a verbal update to the Committee on the Visitor Survey that will be required to under-pin the updated Park Management Plan and Strategic Park Business Plan.

b)           Covid memorial bench: The Committee noted that the Nonsuch Park Covid memorial bench would soon be installed. It was noted by the Committee that the Covid memorial benches are an Epsom and Ewell Borough Council initiative, with one bench per ward, and that the Nonsuch Ward bench was to be located in Nonsuch park, with approval from Sutton Council, as it would be seen by a large number of people who visit the Park. The Committee noted there are policies in place with regard to the placement of flowers and paraphernalia on benches in the Park.

c)            Priority of item 5 (bylaws) of the Programme: It was agreed by the Committee that item 5 (bylaws) of the ‘Nonsuch Park Joint Management Committee – Additional Work Programme Items 2022’ (appendix to the report) be moved to high priority. It was agreed by the Committee that a set of proposed new bylaws would be brought to the next meeting of the Committee for consideration.The Committee noted the areas that would be addressed by the proposed bylaws, including cycling and the scattering of ashes within the Park.

d)           Removal of bollard at Sparrow Farm Road entrance to the Park: The Streetcare Manager explained that the bollard located at the Sparrow Farm Road entranceintended to restrict entry for motor-vehicle users also undesirably restricts entry for bicycle and mobility scooter users. She explained that keeping the bollard will require strong evidence and a trial is to be conducted in which the bollard will be removed. If the trial provides evidence that suggests a need for a bollard, then it shall be returned.

e)            Park events: The Committee considered the possibility of increasing the number of events held in the Park. Suggestions included a possible joint event with Epsom & Ewell for the Cheam Charter Fair, or a Christmas Fair at the Park. This was noted by the Streetcare Manager.

f)             Car park stewardship at Park Run events: The Committee agreed that, prior to Park Run events expected to draw large numbers of visitors arriving by car, a letter signed by the Chair be provided to Park Run event organisers requiring the presence of additional stewards to manage visitor parking and prevent parking in unauthorised areas.

g)           Letter of thanks to Nonsuch Voles: It was agreed by the Committee that a letter of thanks, signed by the Chair, would  ...  view the full minutes text for item 14.

Immediately at the conclusion of the discussion of the COMMITTEE WORK PROGRAMME report (item 4 of the agenda), Councillor David Reeve (Presiding Chair) offered the chair to Councillor Christopher Woolmer (Chair), who had become present at the meeting.

Councillor Christopher Woolmer (Chair) offered apologies from himself and on behalf on Councillor Louise Phelan for their late arrival and explained that their lateness was due to an unexpected car issue. This was noted by the Committee.

The Committee is asked to consider whether it wishes to pass a resolution to exclude the Press and Public from the meeting in accordance with Section 100A (4) of the Local Government Act 1972 on the grounds that the business involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Act (as amended) and that pursuant to paragraph 10 of Part 2 of the said Schedule 12A the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.

Under Section 100(A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the Committee passed a resolution to exclude the public from the meeting for Part Two of the Agenda on the grounds that the business involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Act (as amended) and that pursuant to paragraph 10 of Part 2 of the said Schedule 12A the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighed the public interest in disclosing the information.

This report has not been published because the meeting is likely to be closed to the press and public in view of the nature of the business to be transacted/nature of the proceedings.  The report deals with information relating to the financial or business affairs of the Committee and third parties and the public interest in maintaining the exemption currently outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.

The decision for this item is recorded in a separate (not for publication) restricted Minute.

The Streetcare Manager provided a verbal update on the proposed Park tour for Committee Members and Officers.

The following matters were considered by the Committee:

a)            Map, guide and vehicle for Park tour: The Committee considered the possibility of a Park map, Wildlife guide, and vehicle being provided for Members and Officers on the tour.

b)           Emergency Information: The Committee considered that the address and postcode of the Park and the location of defibrillators within the Park be written on the Park entrance boards to provide important information for use in emergencies.