Earlswood and Redhill Common Steering Group minutes - 9 December 2021

Thursday 9 December, 5.30 pm via Microsoft Teams

1. Welcome and apologies

The chair welcomed and thanked members for their attendance.

Apologies: Ollie Williams, Horley Piscatorial Society

Absent: Earlswood Café and Boats, John Potts, Environment Agency, Cllr Kulka

Present: Bernard Feist, Simon Elson, Cllr Bramhall (Chair), Michael Hill (RBBC), Cllr King, Cllr Ritter, David Watts (RBBC)

2. Minutes of the last meeting

October site walk: The walk was enjoyed by all and proved very helpful in understanding Management Plan objective

June meeting: All actions resolved. The chair reported that Item 7: ECSG Objection to Woodhatch Crematorium was sent to the Head of the RBBC Planning Team. Subsequently the application has been refused by the RBBC Planning Committee.

The minutes were agreed.

3. Management Plan

It was agreed that a face-to-face meeting is needed to discuss the development of the new management plan, current restrictions are making this difficult. Should restrictions ease a meeting at the Town Hall will be held in January 2022 to specifically discuss developing the management plan. SE suggested the value of setting up a separate subgroup which would be formed by those members directly involved with on-site management and an absolute deadline be given for feedback and comments. This will be considered.

Cllr Ritter enquired about the user survey as part of the formal consultation process, DW confirmed that a draft has been drawn up the RBBC Communications Team but he has not heard much on its development. It was agreed that DW will follow this up with the intention of steering group members to view it and offer input.

Action: DW to follow this up with RBBC Communications Team and report back at the next meeting.

4. British Military Fitness

DW reported that RBBC have been approached by British Military Fitness to hold exercise classes on the common. DW asked whether the group thought this was suitable for a Local Nature Reserve. DW commented that the exact location should be considered so as not to damage nature conservation and that an event of this type might be more suited to a park elsewhere in the borough. BF shared his experience of viewing these classes elsewhere and that if they are charging attendees then a maintenance of the land should be incurred by the organisers. SE pointed out the risk of impact on the car park as a much wider group from outside the borough is likely to be attracted. Cllr Ritter outlined that the timings of classes throughout the seasons and the equipment used should be understood as these elements may be significant. MH commented that stipulations on timings of classes and equipment used could be issued to protect any site used.

Without detailed information on timings, class sizes, equipment etc it was difficult to give a review and definitive answer, it was agreed that DW will ask for this information to be provided before any answer is given.

Action: DW to ask for this information and bring it to the next meeting.

Whilst talking about recreation of the common the chair reported that she has been notified of horses on the common once more, as the horses were being walked no offence was being committed under the current byelaws. Cllr Ritter commented that there has been an increase in cycling also and is it discussed in the Management Plan? DW replied that enforcing cycling over the common is very difficult but confirmed that cycling is included in the Management Plan but will add some further discussion to the subject if needed. Cllr King suggested more information on byelaws would help inform the public, SE suggested a section in the Management Plan discussing access and managing it would be of use.

5. AOB

SE offered support in delivering conservation works at New Pond Farm. A resident group is currently looking to get involved in such works, it was suggested that they be invited to the steering group. The Chair replied that the group is already well represented and quite large, it was suggested that Cllr King acts as a representative for them. Cllr King agreed to do this.

Action: Cllr King to arrange representation for resident group wishing to undertake conservation works at New Pond farm.

Cllr Ritter questioned the recent low turn out at meetings, the Chair replied that face to face meetings are always well turned out, some members are not able to join remotely.

DW notified the group of tree works during December and January 2022:

• Height reduction of large Beech next to Somerset Road playground due to severe decay fungi infection. A 2 metre stump will be left for wildlife habitat.
• Removal of several trees next to Ifold Close/Abinger Drive due to poor condition rendering them unsafe and a risk to properties.
• Removal of overhanging deadwood from trees along Woodhatch Road footpath and complete removal of tree at Pendleton Road junction due to extensive decay.  

SE passed thanks to DW for his changes to grassland mowing regime at Earlswood Common, he commented that it was brave amidst all the negative social media activity.  He also enquired about the car show by the lakes and whether any records of agreements by the group had been found. DW confirmed that he could not find any, MH agreed to check with Lee Wilcox about any past agreements. It was agreed that this event will be reviewed when it is proposed again. The Chair congratulated RBBC Greenspaces on winning a gold award for the management of Earlswood Common in the South East in Bloom awards

Action MH to check with Lee Wilcox about past agreements of holding this event.

6. Date of next meeting

To be arranged for January 2022.