Agenda item

The Committee is asked to note the current situation on issues raised previously.

The Committee received and noted a report providing updates on matters raised previously. The following items were noted:

a)     Car parking for events. It was noted that this was a matter which Officers were looking into, and that a written update would be circulated to the Committee following the meeting.

b)     Dog Control. The Committee was informed that the Streetcare Manager had received a copy of a report from the consultant Simon Jenkinson which had been commissioned by the Jockey Club regarding the issue of dog control on the Downs. Due to the receipt of the report shortly before the meeting, the Streetcare Manager had not yet had the opportunity to consider its contents.

The Committee was informed that the Training Grounds Management Board (TGMB) had proposed the introduction of new signs for the Downs with regard to dog walking. Proposed wording for the signs and example images illustrating their appearance were circulated at the meeting. The signs stated that in the interests of health and safety, all dogs must be on leads before noon. The signs also stated that after noon dogs could be walked off leads provided there were no horses present.

The Committee considered the proposed wording and design for the signs. It was noted that the Committee’s views would be communicated to the Conservators, and the following matters were considered:

       i.          Reference to Health & Safety. The British Horse Society Representative suggested that the wording “in the interest of Health & Safety” be reviewed, as it could be perceived as a generic excuse, rather than a specific reason for the request to keep dogs on leads.

      ii.          Reference to “must”. The British Horse Society Representative expressed concern that the sign stated that dogs “must” be on leads prior to noon, but that in his opinion the current Downs Byelaws did not enable the Conservators to require dog walkers to do so. The Clerk informed the Committee that this would be reviewed prior to its consideration by the Conservators.

    iii.          Inclusion of “!” symbol. The Lower Mole Service Representative suggested that the sign should include an exclamation mark symbol similar to that used on the current signs, as this was a universal method for alerting users to an issue.

    iv.          Enforcement of restrictions. The Streetcare Manager informed the Committee that enforcement of dog walking restrictions was currently only possible on the Downs under the Byelaws. If a Public Spaces Order was placed on the Downs, it would enable fixed penalty notices to be issued for offences relating to dog control, but enforcement of either powers would be challenging. The Committee noted that some local authorities and management bodies (such as the Wimbledon Putney Commons Conservators) employed civil enforcement officers for such purposes. The Streetcare Manager informed the meeting that feedback received from other local authorities which had implemented Dog Control or Public Spaces Orders had been that most very rarely enforced such powers, and that education of dog walkers had been more successful.

      v.          Comparison with Newmarket Training areas. It was noted that Newmarket Racehorse Training centre did not have a Local Act of Parliament similar to the Downs, which enabled its management organisation to more easily control access by dog walkers. Its arrangements with the Downs were therefore not comparable.

Subject to the comments detailed above, the Committee expressed broad support for the proposed signs.

c)     Surface of Walton Road – satisfaction of Highways Authority to works. The Clerk informed the Committee that Surrey County Council would be contacted with regard to whether it was satisfied with the resurfacing works undertaken by the Training Grounds Management Board in 2014.

d)     Fixed-point photography of the Downs. The Streetcare Manager would look into the possibility of undertaking fixed-point photography monitoring of the Downs.

e)     Review of Hack Ride Markers on Epsom Golf Course. It was noted that this was an ongoing process and that some markers had already been renewed.

f)      Cars offered for sale on the Downs near Clear Height Stables. It was noted that Borough Council Officers had looked into the matter but had been unable to take enforcement action as the number of vehicles had not exceeded the legal limit. The Borough Council would continue to monitor the issue.