Agenda item

To discuss issues raised by representatives invited to attend the meeting of the Committee.

The Committee considered issues raised by representatives invited to attend the meeting.

The following issues raised by the invited representatives were considered:

(1)          Habitat Management Plan. A message from the Lower Mole Partnership Representative was passed on by the Chair, informing the Committee that steps are being taken to tackle the three main objectives of the Habitat Management Plan. The Chair continued to share that the Flail Mower will help deliver vast improvement to Habitat Management and a feasibility study will be carried out regarding the reintroduction of sheep grazing on the Downs.

(2)          Vegetation Dump near Rifle Butts Alley. The Chair informed the Committee that the Downskeepers will investigate and take any action necessary, and an update will be provided at the next Committee Meeting.

(3)          Noticeboards. The Chair informed the Committee that there has been a slight delay in getting the artwork for the inlay completed and agreed and that is something that has been progressing with the Streetcare Manager. The Chair acknowledge the work is significantly behind, but reassured the Committee that work is being carried out to get this job completed as soon as possible and an update will be provided once the works are complete.

(4)          Content on Noticeboards. An invited representative asked about unauthorised content on the noticeboards and who would be responsible for dealing with this issue. The Chair responded to say that the content mentioned is not sanctioned or approved and will be taken down promptly. The Chair also shared hopes that when the new content is fixed in place, this will stop people from sticking up signs that should not be on the noticeboards. The Chair directed people to approach EEBC Comms department if people want adverts displayed on the borough boards.

(5)          Educate Users of the Downs. An invited representative asked how the Conservators further people’s education can on how to use the Downs properly and safely. The Chair responded to say the primary objectives is to maintain the safety of users on the Downs and where there is a safety issue, additional or updated signage will be considered. The Chair invited Members and invited representatives to raise anything they believe is missing from the Downs signage in regard to safety of users.

(6)          Front of the Noticeboards. An invited representative asked what is planned for the front of the notice boards. The Chair responded to say the finalised draft for the noticeboard can be shared with Members and invited representatives via email. The Chief Executive highlighted that only items approved by EARFD can go on the front of the noticeboards as they were acquired through that programme with the grant money provided.

(7)          Drones and small aircrafts. The Chair shared an update on behalf of the Streetcare manager, that the Downskeepers and Rangers will check those flying on the downs have EDMAC issued membership passes and have been instructed to conduct more regular license checks. The invited representative from EDMAC asked for Rangers to be more proactive asking for member cards and be more present on the Downs after 12 noon. The Chair noted the comments.

(8)          Byelaws. An invited representative suggested a QR code, that links to the byelaws, be added to the noticeboards to increase the chance of people engaging with and reading the byelaws. The Chair noted the comments.

(9)          Notice from EDMAC. The invited representative from EDMAC gave notice of a small fire, caused by a model aircraft hitting the ground, that was quickly and easily put out. The representative continued to explain that EDMAC are implementing a rule that Members who fly large electric aircrafts have to bring a fire extinguisher with them. The Chair noted the comments and agreed to raise it at TGMB.

(10)       Volunteers. The invited representative from the Epsom Civic Society mentioned that members of the civic society might be willing to volunteer to help with appropriate tasks and jobs on the Downs. The Chair thanked the representative for their comments and stated that a group could be created for all willing friends of the Downs to bring all user groups together and coordinate potential volunteers to help when the Council does not have the resource to carry out some tasks.