Reigate Heath Steering Group minutes - 1 July 2022

Attendance

Minutes

21/01 Chair’s opening remarks and meeting attendance

The Chair welcomed everybody to the meeting and introduced new members Cllr Lerwanski, Martin Bacon and Matthew Clarke who is the new manager for Reigate Heath Golf course.

21/02 Apologies for absence

Trevor Mansfield and Steve Carter

21/03 Minutes of the last meeting

Carried forward: MB to circulate the date of when the newest management plan was adopted by the council. DW to recirculate final copy. MB apologised that he has not provided an update but will do so before next meeting. Unresolved.

Carried forward: RA to share bat and building report with group. Unresolved

The minutes were agreed.

21/04 Introduction of new golf course staff member and discussion on over seeding

Matthew Clarke is the new manager for Reigate heath golf course. Overseeding bare patches on the golf course has been postponed as the habitat group did not agree on the composition and provenance of the proposed seed mix. Matthew confirmed that the seed mix has been approved by Natural England. There is an abundance of poa grass which is detrimental to acid grassland habitat. SM requested that this matter is revisited in a habitat group meeting. DW to arrange habitat group meeting for a time that all members can attend, an additional full meeting will follow this. 

21/05 Golf club bore hole testing application – briefing paper sent with agenda

DC and Matthew Clarke gave an update on the application by the golf club to the Environment Agency to drill a bore hole for water testing. The purpose of the water test is to assess water quality, quantity and depth levels for the process of taking water from the ground for golf course irrigation.  SM confirmed that the original briefing sent to the group was not accurate. Natural England had not been consulted by the Environment Agency as indicated. Natural England are now aware of the application and will review the proposal. There were concerns raised by members of the group relating to the design of the bore hole and water storage tanks, impacts of water uptake on the wet heath and potential effects on the Surrey Hills extension review.  SE queried whether a notice of consent has been sent to Natural England, Matthew Clarke replied that one had not as the bore hole location is not on the SSSI. DW suggested that the application should go through the councils Asset Management team if the location is on RBBC land. DC agreed to follow this up and circulate photographs of what the bore hole would look like.

It was agreed that the trial could go ahead as planned and a response from Natural England on the long-term process of taking water is awaited. 

21/06 Golf club licence – legal licensing requirements for the sale of alcohol to non- golf club members

DC updated that an application for the legal compliance of alcohol sale to golf club non-members has recently been made to RBBC Licensing. RA withdrew from this item as she sits on the Licencing Committee. SM reported that there are rumours of live music being proposed which is why the application has been made. DC replied this is not the case, HS confirmed residents are happy with the licence application.

21/07 Work Programme 2022 / 2023 – copy sent with agenda. May be amended following a follow up habitat group meeting

Members were asked to share any comments or questions about the work programme 2022/23. JN asked for consideration to be given to the scheduled monuments when undertaking litter scrapes. DW confirmed only hand tools would be used for such works and it would be sensitive of archaeology. She also asked whether the trees around the monuments could be looked at regarding the canopy sail area effecting the stability of trees. DW asked if she could share the latest report published by Archaeology Society.

SE confirmed he has some amendments to make at the forthcoming habitat meeting.

21/08 Any other business

SM - The recent art club event in the sport pavilion was a real success, a thank passed to those who helped facilitate it.

SE - there is an outstanding task to remove the redundant Heathfield Nursery sign on Flanchford Road. Would like to thank Cllr Whinney for all the work and input he has made to the Steering Group over the years, the group agreed to pass on their thanks.

DW - Two memorial benches will be replaced, one of which has already been submitted to the group near the club house and the other along the tumuli ridge looking down to the clubhouse. DW will share the location of this bench and resend the bench model list for countryside sites. He also expressed his concern and disappointment over the lack of representation by Natural England at meetings. NB agreed to attempt to resolve this.

JN - a bench is missing near the main car park. DW to investigate.

EL - She is meeting TM on the 18th   of July to look at horse ride improvement works. DW will join if possible. The works for horse ride is not very clear on the work programme, DW will amend this.  

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