Agenda item

A report to update the Joint Management Committee on the progress of matters considered previously and the activities of Volunteer Groups.

The Committee received a report updating it on the progress of matters considered previously, and the activities of Volunteer Groups.

The following matters were considered:

a)            Farmer Memorial. The Committee noted that the restoration of the Memorial had been completed in March. It was also noted that only one bollard was in location to protect the memorial from future incidents, and the Committee requested Officers to look into the possibility of providing a second. The Assistant Parks Manager would discuss this matter with the insurers for the accident.

b)            Habitat Management Plan – Progress update. The Streetcare Manager informed the Committee that she had recently met with the Nonsuch Voles representatives and that the Voles had agreed to undertake several items from the Habitat Management Plan’s Action Plan. Following this, the Streetcare Manager had produced a final copy of the Habitat Management Plan. The Committee noted that the final copy of the plan would be circulated following the meeting.

c)            Dementia Friendly Initiative. The Committee was informed that a site visit with 2 representatives of the Alzheimers Society had been arranged by the Streetcare Manager for Monday 25 April. Councillor Dudley would also be in attendance.

d)            Commercial Dog Walking. The Streetcare Manager informed the Committee that Epsom and Ewell Borough Council was in the process of recruiting 3 new Rangers, and that one of their duties would be to assist in managing dog control in the Borough’s parks and open spaces. The Streetcare Manager also informed the Committee that a holistic approach to the issue was necessary, as otherwise problems could be transferred to other locations within the Borough.

The Committee noted that there was no legal requirement for commercial dog walkers to hold a licence for such an activity. Some Royal Parks issued ‘Professional Dog Walker’ Licences, but these required a significant level of resource to implement and enforce.

The Streetcare Manager would provide a report containing proposals for the management of dog control and commercial dog walking to the October meetings of the Joint Management Committee and Epsom and Ewell Borough Council’s Leisure Committee. It was noted that the London Borough of Sutton’s Local Committee may also need to consider a report regarding the matter to enable a similar approach to be taken in the Warren Farm area.

A revised Dog Walking Policy had recently been introduced on Epsom and Walton Downs, and had been very successful. Councillor Hicks requested a copy of the revised Dog Walking Policy for Epsom and Walton Downs, and it was noted that the Streetcare Manager would circulate this following the meeting.

e)            Update from The Meadow Project. Sally Williams provided the Committee with a verbal update on planned volunteer days for the project during May-June 2016.

f)             Update from Nonsuch Voles. The Committee noted the Quarter 1 update report from the Nonsuch Voles.

g)            Update from Nonsuch Watch. Frances Wright provided the Committee with an update on survey work undertaken by the group and a report concerning air pollution in the Park. The Committee noted that documents relating to both of these issues were included within the agenda as Annexe 2 to this item, and acknowledged the views expressed in the group’s report regarding vegetation screening for boundaries to the Park.

h)           Update from Friends of Nonsuch. Gerald Smith provided the Committee with a verbal update on the activities of the group. Mr Smith informed the Committee that the Palace model had been available for viewing every Sunday, and that the Service Wing Museum had now opened for visitors for the summer. Work to agree a lease for the group’s accommodation was progressing, and the group was now in the process of obtaining legal advice prior to its completion. The group had confirmed arrangements for events to celebrate its 25^th Anniversary, and were pleased to report that visitors from a number of different countries had recently visited the museum.