Agenda and minutes

The Conservators are asked to confirm as a true record the Minutes of the Conservators’ Meeting held on 28 January 2019 (attached) and to authorise the Chairman to sign them.

The Minutes of the Meeting of the Epsom and Walton Downs Conservators held on 28 January 2019 were agreed as a true record and signed by the Chairman.

The Conservators are asked to note the current situation on issues raised previously. Updates on the following matters are provided: Hack Sand track at the foot of Walton Downs; Bid for European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development funding (EAFRD); Championship Horseracing.

The Conservators received a report asking them to note the current situation on issues raised previously. Updates on the following matters were provided: Hack Sand track at the foot of Walton Downs; Bid for European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development funding (EAFRD); Championship Horseracing.

Following consideration, it was resolved:

(1)      That the Conservators noted the current situation on issues raised previously.

This report provides the Conservators with an update on items considered by the Epsom and Walton Downs Training Grounds Management Board. Updates on the following matters are provided: Cyclists on the Downs, Equine Influenza, Epsom trained winners.

The Conservators received a report providing them with an update on items considered by the Epsom and Walton Downs Training Grounds Management Board. Updates on the following matters were provided: Cyclists on the Downs, Equine Influenza, Epsom trained winners.

The following matter was considered:

a)            Risk assessment for Racehorses in training on the Downs. The Conservators considered issues surrounding cycling on the Downs, noting the view of racehorse trainers that recent changes to dog walking had been big improvements, and that some activity by cyclists created a significant health and safety risk to horses in training. It was noted that Simon Dow would provide the Council’s Head of Operational Services with a risk assessment for racehorse training on the Downs, for consideration when reviewing the role of the Downskeepers.

Following consideration, it was resolved:

(1)      That the Conservators received and noted an update on items considered at recent meetings of the Epsom and Walton Downs Training Grounds Management Board.

This report presents the Head Downskeeper’s update to the Conservators. It includes: Downskeepers’ Hut break in, clearance of a fallen tree and new signs.

The Conservators received the report of the Head Downskeeper. It included: Downskeepers’ Hut break in, clearance of a fallen tree and new signs. The Conservators thanked the Council’s Ranger Service and the Downskeepers for their prompt action in clearing the large fallen tree.

Following consideration, it was resolved:

(1)      That the Conservators noted the report of the Head Downskeeper.

This report provides details of event requests for consideration by the Conservators.

The Conservators received a report providing details of requests for events on the Downs.

Following consideration, it was resolved:

That the Conservators:

(1)      Granted approval to the following events on the Downs:

·         EDMAC Cloud Tramp Event (Saturday 3 August 2019)

·         The Terrier Derby (Sunday 25 August 2019)

·         Surrey Men’s Cross Country League (Saturday 9 November 2019)

·         Epsom College Inter House Cross Country (Thursday 21 November 2019)

·         Mole Valley Orienteering Club (Thursday 23 January 2020).

(2)      Noted the Calendar of Events for 2019/20.

(3)      Noted the fees and charges to be applied to each event subject to the event being approved.

The Conservators are requested to agree the dates of their normal meetings to be held in 2019.

The Conservators received a report setting out the dates of their normal meetings to be held in 2019.

Following consideration, it was resolved:

(1)      That the Conservators agreed to hold meetings on the following dates:

Monday 17 June 2019 at 18.00 hours

Monday 14 October 2019 at 18.00 hours

The Chairman thanked the Conservators, advisors and Officers for their support and assistance over the past 4 years. The Conservators thanked the Chairman for all her work on their behalf over the same period.