Agenda item

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

The Committee discussed issues raised by invited representatives.

The following matters were considered:

a)            Litter. The Chair informed the Committee that additional bins are being purchased and will be put on the Downs.

b)            Signs. The Chair confirmed that once he is aware of when the new signage and noticeboard content is being delivered, he will contact Consultative Committee Members and Invited Representatives to assist with installation.

c)            Derby impact. The representative from College Ward Residents’ Association raised the recent comments in the press from the Jockey Club about reviving the Derby Festival. The representative highlighted the importance of taking into account the impact on the local community, especially when talking about increasing the turnout. The Member from the Jockey Club expressed hope that changes to the Derby would have a positive impact and supports the additional efforts to increase turnout, improve customer experience and really invest in and champion the festival. The Member highlighted that from a residents’ perspective, the Derby Festival is a challenging time, but it is also a huge and historic event to be proud of. The Member made clear that it is not the Jockey Club’s ambition to make the festival longer and spread out over the week, but it is keen to increase the attendance and improve the experience of the two scheduled days. He explained that local residents have nothing to be fearful or worried about.

d)            Behaviour of attendees. The representative from College Ward Residents’ Association raised concerns regarding the behaviour of some of the attendees of the Derby. He explained that Cheltenham placed Portaloo’s throughout the town and that could help avoid some instances of anti-social behaviour. The Member from the Jockey Club explained that some facilities are placed by the Tattenham Corner Pub and the Tattenham strait. He acknowledged the concerns and comments raised. The Chair raised that communication is important and Committee Members and invited reps can help get the word out and help manage and raise relevant concerns. The representative from EDMAC raised that the Jockey Club could use a new style app for giving more in detail information regarding the weather forecast and specific times. He also suggested that the Jockey Club contact the special constabulary for policing the event. The Member from the Jockey Club confirmed that Surrey and Sussex Police do have links with the special constabulary and ensure they have the right teams in the right areas.

e)            Maintenance of Bunds. The representative from College Ward Residents’ Association raised concerns about the state of the bunds and the issue with fly-tipping and dumping in the car park nearby. He asked what will be done with the soil that has been put in place and if there is a management plan for installing and maintaining the bunds. The Chair explained that the bunds have been put in place as a deterrent to dissuade people from mounting the curb and driving onto that area. He informed the Committee that the soil used has been taken from elsewhere on the Downs and there is a habitat management plan which the Council’s Countryside Officer is actively engaged with. He acknowledged that there is work to do in tidying them up and explained that affected residents can be involved in what to do with the bunds.

f)             Spoil Heaps. The representative from Epsom Civic Society raised the ongoing issue of spoil heaps on the Downs. He explained that most of the materials are not natural to the Downs. He stated that if the materials are going to be reused, this should occur within a reasonable timeframe and not be left for years, and if it needs to be kept for years, then it should be kept in a tidy way. He expressed disappointment that when one of the spoil heaps was removed, a new one appeared immediately after. He asked for a list of what projects go with which piles and roughly when they will be completed. The Chair raised that first and foremost, the Downs is a training and working environment and there is mixed-use with the public. He explained that Nigel and the team are working hard to move additional mounds that have appeared and confirmed that the piles can be categorised as to where they have come from and what they are there for and the information will be shared. The Member from TGMB confirmed that the pile at Ebbisham Lane will be gone in the next 7-10 days, and a lot of the pile of all-weather material in the grass triangle is in the process of being moved over the next few weeks. He explained that the material in the top car park is all in use and there has always been material for training use stored there and this will continue. He accepted that it is untidy and explained that some of this is due to car park materials being stored and kept there too. He agreed to go round and identify the mounds and their uses. The representative from Epsom Civic Society suggested that when a project is commissioned and material is required or planned to be reused later, it should be within the project budget to ensure the mound is taken away rather than dumped. He did not accept the comment that it is acceptable to have the mounds left because the Downs is a working environment. The Chair informed the Committee that he has listened to comments and continues to raise the issue to TGMB and the Conservators and is making proactive steps to address the issue.

g)            Litter Bins. The representative from Epsom Civic Society welcomed the prospect of additional litter bins on the Downs. He suggested that bins are placed on the bottom road by the lower gallop track where the paths cross for those walking into the Langley Vale wood. The Chair noted the comment.

h)            Runway damage. The representative from EDMAC raised the ongoing issue of damage to the runway and highlighted that it is caused by both horses and people. He explained that horses should not be walking across the runway and organised runs had been planned which crossed the runway section. The Chair informed the Committee that the issue can be shared on the Epsom Riders Facebook group to ensure that people are made aware there shouldn’t be horses crossing the runway. He agreed to circulate a message into the group. He also agreed to raise the issue to any race events who are planning routes on the Downs.

i)             Family Day. The representative from EDMAC raised that the next open day has been scheduled for Monday the 4^th of May. He informed the Committee that the 2025 event was a success, and this event will build off of that success.

j)             Precepts. The representative from College Ward Residents’ Association asked for the percentages of the Conservators precept. The Chair confirmed that the precept is paid 60% by the Council, 30% by the Jockey Club (Epsom Racecourse), and 10% by TGMB.

Following consideration, the Committee unanimously resolved to:

(1)      Consider the matters raised by invited representatives as set out in this report.