Earlswood and Redhill Common Steering Group minutes - 18 July 2025
Attendance
| Name | Initials | Position/representation | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cllr King | JK | Ward Councillor Chairman (Cllr) | Present |
| Cllr Elbourne | ME | Ward Councillor | Present |
| Cllr Proudfoot | AP | Ward Councillor | Present |
| Thomas Carmona | TC | RBBC Officer | Present |
| Michael Hill | MH | RBBC Officer | Present |
| Simon Elson | SE | Reigate Area Conservation Volunteers | Present |
| Ron Boreham | RB | Horley Piscatorial Society | Apologies |
| Ollie Williams | OW | Local School, St. John’s | Present |
| Richard Feist | RF | Merstham Cricket club | Apologies |
| Tommy Mathews | TM | Boating | Absent |
| Amie Vaccaro | AV | Woodhatch Greenspace Preservation Volunteers | Apologies |
Minutes
25/13. Attendance and opening remarks
See above. Chair welcomes the group.
25.14. Terms of reference
Some group members felt that the Terms of Reference were now out of date and would like to review membership. TC to chase up the Reigate Society for an new member. Members of the group should respond with feedback about the ToRs by 18 August.
25/15. Management Plan update
The Management Plan is being revisited and therefore the publication will be pushed back. The new plan will be inline with emerging Greenspace strategy. MH to keep the group informed about progress.
25/16. Council update and work programme
Chamomile cuts are underway, being cut monthly over Summer. Himalayan Balsam has been pulled. Bracken pulling has taken place on the acid grassland. TC to investigate methods of bracken control. Barley straw was installed.
25/17. RACV (volunteers) update
Finished the Laurel clearance at Redhill Common for the year. TC to provide the group with an authorisation letter for burning onsite. Continues to work on the lost ponds, TC to investigate bike jumps at Redhill Common. Chain Pond has low water levels. SE said Chain Pond could benefit from another desilting. AP said that rainwater could be harvested from the nearby rooftops using guttering and pipes to increase the inflow of rainwater to the pond. RACV will do pond works to Chain Pond and Woodhatch Pond.
25/18. Horley Piscatorial Society update
Horley Piscatorial Society submitted a written update. Barley straw installed and has helped with water quality. They plan to tidy up the swims, remove the lily cage and remove the floatation devices (currently used by the straw). The council’s lakes project is progressing and TC will keep the group informed when the results come through. SE says there are still carp in the lower lake.
25/19. Lakes update
The council’s lakes project is progressing and TC will keep the group informed when the results come through. SE suggested a Lakes subgroup.
25/20. Issues across the commons
Orienteering posts missing. TC to check and send details to the ward Cllr for a CIL bid for replacement. Woodlands Road path, MH to confirm specifications of the path. Cricket Club at Petridgewood Common have left rubble and other debris. TC and MH to investigate and work with the Cricket club on this.
25/21. Any other business
The Elms are still being tested for their exact species, likely to be Narrow leaf Elm. Surrey Botanical Society has advised against seed introduction. The school have made a new wildlife/ community garden. OW invited group members to contact him if they wish to see photos.
Next meeting:
17 September 2025 6pm start at St. John’s School, onsite
Actions
- TC: Chase up Reigate Society for replacement member
- TC: Provide SE with authorisation letter
- TC: Investigate bike jumps
- TC: Survey orienteering posts
- TC: Investigate and work with the cricket club to clear mess left on PWC
- MH: Keep group informed about the Management Plan
- MH: Inform group on the specifications of the new path