Agenda item

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

The following matters were considered:

a)            Noticeboards. The Assistant Head of Service – Streetcare informed the Committee that the new noticeboard content will be put up the week commencing the 9^th of November 2026. She explained they are currently out to print. The Chair stated there are 24 prints to go out on noticeboards and lecterns. The Chair asked for volunteers and community engagement to assist in getting the content installed.

b)            Spoil Heaps. The Chair informed the Committee that progress has been made regarding the spoil heaps across the Downs. The Member from the Jockey Club explained that the largest spoil heap, on Ebbisham Lane, has now been cleared, with the materials repurposed for the old hack ride. He explained that a lot of the stone at the back of the Derby start has been used and the heaps will continue to be worked through.

c)            Bunds. The Chair informed the Committee that there are collaborative efforts and work taking place over the next few months to implement reinforcements along the fence line of the Jockey Club and the Golf Club using bunds. This should result in the spoil heaps decreasing in size as the work progresses.

d)            Toilets on the Downs. The Chair explained that the item will remain on the action tracker but there is no money currently to progress the project. The representative from the College Ward Residents Association asked why the Conservators are spending £75,000 on resurfacing the View Point Car Park instead of reinstating toilet facilities. The representative also highlighted the repeated anti-social behaviour (ASB) that occurs in the View Point Car Park and queried why other car parks are not also being resurfaced. The Chair stated that ASB is not being encouraged. He explained that the main reason for the resurfacing is for insurance risk purposes. He went on to explain that all the car parks cost a considerable amount to maintain so the resurfacing will save money in the long term due to no longer needing to pay for regular new scalpings. He stated that the ASB in the car park has been raised at the Community Safety Partnership and with the Borough Commander and alternate ideas are being explored to discourage ASB, such as gates or ramp posts. The Committee were encouraged to report any anti-social behaviour to the police.

e)            Events on the Downs. The Chair explained that whilst progress had been made to publicise events on the Downs, suggestions are welcome from the Committee to improve the process further. The representative from EDMAC highlighted the ‘What’s On?’ in my town group and website. The Chair stated that he works closely with the owner of the What’s On in Epsom site and also with Go Epsom, run by the Business Improvement District. He also highlighted the importance of involving local residents’ association groups.

f)             Chalk Lane. The Chair explained that the gate at the bottom of Chalk Lane could not be locked. He encouraged the Committee to report incidents to the police as it should be access only down the road. He stated that the fences at the top of the road have been refurbished  out of his County Council allowance. He has requested that signs that have been removed should be reinstated.

g)            Dog Walking on the Downs. The Chair informed the Committee that he will talk to a resident about running a pilot training session.

h)            Local Government Organisation. The Chair informed the Committee that a document had been submitted to Central Government regarding changes to the Act necessary to continue the Conservators and governance of the Downs. He explained that there has not been a response yet regarding the proposals set out in the document.