Agenda item

This report presents an update on the Committee Action Tracker.

The Committee received a report presenting an update on the Committee Action Tracker.

The following matters were discussed:

a)            Conditions of the Hack Canter. The Chair explained that the required work had been completed, and the item could now be closed on the action tracker. This was confirmed by the Member from the Training Grounds Management Board and the Epsom Downs Riders Protection Society.

b)            Noticeboards. The Chair explained that the draft noticeboard content had been circulated to all attendees for their comments following the meeting. The representative from the Epsom Civic Society asked when the content will be displayed on the boards. The Chair stated that once everyone is in agreement, the next step will be to send the content to the printers and then get it on the noticeboards. The Chair expressed thanks to Councillor Spickett and the Assistant Head of Service – Streetcare for their help in getting to this stage. The representative from the Epsom Civic Society asked for confirmation that there will be content put on the lectern noticeboards, as well as the large noticeboards. The Chair confirmed that there is content prepared to go on the lectern noticeboards too and agreed to share the content with the Committee via email.

c)            Drones. A Member asked if there is a specific mention against flying drones on the Downs in the byelaws. The Assistant Head of Service – Streetcare stated they had taken legal advice on this topic and the byelaws do cover drones.

d)            Spoil Heaps. The Chair reminded the Committee that the Downs is primarily to be used for the purpose of racehorse training. The Chair informed the Committee that many spoil heaps are materials earmarked for works across the Downs. The representative from the Epsom Civic Society stated that it is not fair to say they are being repurposed and earmarked for works when many spoil heaps have sat unmoved for years. The Chair agreed to a meeting with the Jockey Club and the Assistant Head of Service – Streetcare, to identify the spoil heaps and explain or justify why they are there and what they will be used for and when, or to identify what needs to be removed from the Downs.

e)            Toilets on the Downs. The Chair explained that this item will remain on the action tracker but at present there is no budget to progress it.

f)             Fibre Sand Gallop. The Chair explained that the required work had been completed, and the item could now be closed on the action tracker. This was confirmed by the Member from the Training Grounds Management Board and the Epsom Downs Riders Protection Society.

g)            Resurfacing of Hack Track. The Chair explained that the required work had been completed, and the item could now be closed on the action tracker. This was confirmed by the Member from the Training Grounds Management Board and the Epsom Downs Riders Protection Society.

h)            Events on the Downs. The Chair informed the Committee that this item is still a work in progress and the relevant actions will be progressed to get it into a position to have the relevant information shared with interested stakeholders and visible on the Epsom and Ewell Borough Council Website. The representative from EDMAC raised that they had issues attempting to advertise their EDMAC Family Day event on the ‘What’s on’ feature on the EEBC website. The Chair reminded the Committee of the importance of keeping the racing community abreast with any events planned on the downs.

i)             Racehorses using Hack Track. The Chair confirmed this item has been addressed and can be closed.

j)             Additional Lighting. The Chair informed the Committee that additional lighting by the Durdans, at the bottom of Chalk Lane, has been installed. The Chair explained that he had hoped to add more lighting to Chalk Lane but due to power issues and budget constraints, it was not possible to do so.

k)            School Run Traffic. The Chair explained that the gate at the bottom of Chalk Lane does have a Traffic Regulation Order on it, but there is an issue of who would lock and unlock the gate. The Chair informed the Committee that they are following it up with Surrey Highways to look at what options there are with this particular issue. The Member from the British Horse Society encouraged the Chair to check if the TRO reference motorised vehicles or just vehicles.

l)             Dog Walking on the Downs. The Chair acknowledged that there are still issues on the downs with regards to dog walkers and out of control dogs. He mentioned that there are still plans to hold an awareness day for dog walkers on the downs.

m)          Car Park Management. The Chair mentioned that there would be an update on this item at the January 2026 meeting of the Conservators.

n)            Local Government Reorganisation. The Chair informed the Committee that the decision on what is happening to Surrey as a result of Local Government Reorganisation has been delayed until the end of October. The Chair explained that it has been added to the action tracker as the reorganisation will affect the 1984 Act which governs the Downs. The Chief Executive clarified that any contracts or agreements that name Epsom and Ewell Borough Council, will be automatically transferred and inherited by the new Unitary Authority. She explained that there will be conversations taking place to understand how the Conservators will operate under the new Unitary Authority. The Chair mentioned that he has raised this item with TGMB and encouraged them to allocate budget for any legal work that would need to be done on the 1984 Act with the upcoming changes.

Following discussion, the Committee unanimously resolved to:

(1)      Note the status and update on actions listed in the Committee Action Tracker.