Agenda and minutes

The Conservators are asked to confirm as a true record the Minutes of the Conservators’ Meeting held on 22 January 2018 (attached) and to authorise the Chairman to sign them.

The Minutes of the Meeting of the Epsom and Walton Downs Conservators held on 22 January 2018 were agreed as a true record and signed by the Chairman.

This report presents an update on issues raised at previous meetings and other items of interest.

The Conservators received a report providing an update on issues raised at previous meetings. The following matters were considered:

a)            Public consultation on parking for non-racing events. The Conservators noted that this consultation had now ended, and a report presenting the responses received would be presented to the next meeting.

b)            Maintenance of the hack sand track, foot of Walton Downs. The Conservators noted that no response had yet been received from the Horserace Betting Levy Board.

Following consideration, the Conservators:

(1)          Noted the updates 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.

The Conservators noted an update on items considered by the Epsom and Walton Downs Training Grounds Management Board. The following matters were considered:

a)            Hatched area. The Conservators were informed that the hatched area was currently closed for hack riding due to the ground conditions.

b)           Woodland Trust site, Langley Vale. The Conservators noted the concerns expressed by the TGMB with regard to the planning application submitted by the Woodland Trust for an access road, car park and (outline application for a) visitor centre. It was noted that applications had been submitted by the Woodland Trust to both Mole Valley and Reigate & Banstead Councils.

Following consideration, the Conservators:

(1)          Noted the updates on items considered at recent meetings of the Epsom and Walton Downs Training Grounds Management Board.

To receive the report of the Head Downskeeper.

The Conservators received a report of the Head Downskeeper updating them on recent issues and activities on the Downs. The following matter was considered:

a)            Staffing. The Conservators noted that the Downskeeper team was fully staffed (6 team members).

Following consideration, the Conservators:

(1)          Noted the report of the Head Downskeeper.

This report details a proposal from BT to carry out essential works to replace a telecommunications joint box on the Downs in the Tattenham Corner area.

The Conservators received a report setting out an application from BT to replace a telecommunications joint box on the Downs in the Tattenham Corner area. The works to complete this required approval from the Conservators under Downs byelaw 2. (i).

Following consideration, the Conservators:

(1)          Agreed to the proposal from BT as set out in Annexe 1 to the report, and granted consent for the necessary works under byelaw 2. (i).

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

The Conservators received a report providing details of event requests for consideration.

Following consideration, the Conservators:

(1)          Agreed the following events on the Downs:

·                     Mole Valley Orienteering Club (Thursday 17 May 2018)

·                     Downs Young Athletes Cross Country League (Sundays 21 Oct, 2 Dec 2018, 17 Feb, 3 Mar 2019)

·                     Epsom College (Thursday 22 Nov 2018)

·                     EDMAC Cloud Tramp (Saturday 4 August 2018)

·                     Omni Terrier Derby (Sunday 26 August 2018)

·                     Tadworth Athletics Club: Tadworth Ten (Sunday 6 January 2019)

(2)          Noted the Calendar of Events for 2018/19 as at Annexe 2 to the report.

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

(4)          Noted the review of the maximum number of events under each category per financial year and agreed that the numbers should remain unchanged as detailed in Annexe 4 to the report.

To consider any issues arising from the meeting of the Epsom and Walton Downs Consultative Committee held on 12 March 2018.

The Conservators received a report presenting the Minutes of the Epsom and Walton Downs Consultative Committee held on 12 March 2018.

Following consideration, the Conservators:

(1)          Noted the Minutes of the meeting of the Epsom and Walton Downs Consultative Committee held on 12 March 2018

This report lists references to Officers outstanding as at 16 April 2018.

The Conservators received a report presenting the outstanding references as at 16 April 2018.

Following consideration, the Conservators:

(1)          Noted the outstanding references.