Public Document Pack

Coulsdon and West Wickham Commons Consultative Committee

Date: MONDAY, 23 JANUARY 2017 Time: 7.00 pm Venue: MERLEWOOD ESTATE OFFICE, NINEHAMS ROAD, , CR3 5LN Members: Philip Woodhouse (Chairman) Phil Rathbone ( Conservation Graeme Smith (Deputy Chairman) Volunteers) Sylvia Moys Cllr Celia Rudland, (Whyteleafe Village Barbara Newman Council) Jeremy Simons Jane Sidell (English Heritage) Verderer Peter Adams Avril Sleeman (British Horse Society) Rachel Adams (Croydon Cllr Donald Speakman (LB of Croydon) Conservation Volunteers) Cllr Hilary Turner (Tandridge DC & Friends Cllr Adele Brand (Chaldon Village of Airfield) Council) Dr Ian Waite (Kenley & District RA) Richard Carter (South London Cllr Chris Wright (LB of Croydon & Friends Harriers) of ) Alan Clifford (Old RA) Cllr Nicholas Bennett JP (LB of Bromley) Gwyneth Fookes (Bourne Society) Gladys Edmonds (Wickham Common RA) Cllr Jean Hooper (Caterham Hill Cllr Hannah Gray (LB of Bromley) Parish Council) Peter Hodges (Hayes & Coney Hall Police Brian Hudson (Open Spaces Community Advisory Panel) Society) Bridget Hogan (West Wickham and Spring Malcolm Jennings (Association of Park Volunteer's Group) Croydon Conservation Societies) Chantal Lane (Bromley Bridleways Access Graham Lomas (Chair of Friends of Group) Farthing Downs) Geoff Newton (West Wickham Police Brian Longman (Riddlesdown RA) Community Advisory Panel) Sarah Lovatt (New Hillbillies) Cllr Tom Philpott (LB of Bromley) Dr Jane McLauchlin (Croydon Val Polydorou (West Wickham RA) Natural History & Scientific Society) Cllr Neil Reddin (LB of Bromley) Cllr Stephen O'Connell (LB of Sue Short, (Heartsease Girl Guide Camp) Croydon) Sam Wheatcroft (Wickham Common Residents' Association)

Enquiries: Fern Aldous [email protected]

John Barradell Town Clerk and Chief Executive

AGENDA

1. APOLOGIES

2. MEMBERS' DECLARATIONS UNDER THE CODE OF CONDUCT IN RESPECT OF ITEMS ON THE AGENDA

3. MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING For Decision

a) Minutes of the Coulsdon Common Consultative Committee (Pages 1 - 6) To agree the minutes of the meeting held on 13 January 2016.

b) Minutes of the West Wickham Common Consultative Committee (Pages 7 - 12) To agree the minutes of the meeting held on 27 January 2016.

4. SUPERINTENDENT'S UPDATE The Superintendent of the Commons to be heard.

For Discussion 5. REVIEW OF ANNUAL WORK PROGRAMME 2016/17 The Head Ranger for West Wickham and Coulsdon to be heard.

For Discussion 6. MANAGEMENT ISSUES AND PRIORITIES FOR 2017/18 The Head Ranger for West Wickham and Coulsdon Common to be heard.

For Discussion 7. KENLEY REVIVAL PROJECT UPDATE The Kenley Revival Project Manager to be heard. For Discussion

8. QUESTIONS ON MATTERS RELATING TO THE WORK OF THE CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE

9. ANY OTHER BUSINESS THAT THE CHAIRMAN CONSIDERS URGENT

10. DATE OF SUMMER WALK Date and time to be agreed.

For Decision

Agenda Item 3a

COULSDON COMMONS CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE

Wednesday, 13 January 2016

Minutes of the meeting of the Coulsdon Commons Consultative Committee held at the Guildhall EC2 at 7.00 pm

Present

Members: Alderman Gordon Haines (Chairman) Graham Lomas (Friends of Farthing Sylvia Moys Downs) Barbara Newman Sarah Lovatt (New Hillbillies) Verderer Peter Adams Dr Jane McLauchlin (Croydon Natural Councillor Adele Brand (Chaldon Village History & Scientific Society) Council) Phil Rathbone (Coulsdon & Kenley Richard Carter (South London Harriers) Volunteer Group) Alan Clifford (Old Coulsdon Residents' Councillor Celia Rudland (Whyteleafe Association) Village Council) Gwyneth Fookes (Bourne Society) Avril Sleeman (British Horse Society) Brian Hudson (Open Spaces Society) Councillor Hilary Turner (Tandridge District Malcolm Jennings (Association of Croydon Council & Friends of Kenley Airfield) Conservation Societies) Councillor Chris Wright (London Borough of Croydon)

Officers: David Arnold - Town Clerk's Department Andy Barnard - Superintendent, The Commons Hadyn Robson - Support Services Manager, The Commons Allan Cameron - Head Ranger, West Wickham & Coulsdon Commons Steve Wise - Senior Ranger, West Wickham & Coulsdon Commons Maria Traynor - Support Services Officer, West Wickham & Coulsdon Commons

1. APOLOGIES Barbara Newman took the Chair at the start of the meeting.

Apologies for absence were received from Rachel Adams (Croydon Conservation Volunteers) and Councillor Stephen O’Connell (London Borough of Croydon).

2. MEMBERS' DECLARATIONS UNDER THE CODE OF CONDUCT IN RESPECT OF ITEMS ON THE AGENDA There were no declarations.

Page 1 3. MINUTES RESOLVED: That the public minutes of the meeting held on 14 January 2015 be agreed as an accurate record.

4. THE COMMONS DIVISIONAL PLAN 2015-18 At this point, Alderman Gordon Haines (Chairman) arrived to take the Chair.

The Committee received a report of the Superintendent of The Commons, accompanied by a presentation that outlined The Commons’ Divisional Plan 2015-18. Members were advised that the new Plan had been produced by the Senior Management Team, which included the Superintendent, Head Rangers, Conservation Officer, and Support Services Manager. The Plan would be updated at three year intervals. The Superintendent added that the collective name for the Division had recently changed ‘The Commons’ for communication purposes to help provide a unified identity across all commons. Members noted that the names of the individual Commons, i.e. Coulsdon or West Wickham, would continue to be used locally at each site.

RECEIVED.

5. OPEN SPACES BILL The Committee received a verbal update and presentation from the Superintendent of The Commons regarding the City of London Corporation (Open Spaces) Bill. Members were advised that the Bill had been deposited to Parliament in November 2015 and it would be considered in the House of Commons and the House of Lords.

The Superintendent advised that, to his knowledge, the Bill had received one petition since it was deposited but this was not regarding The Commons Division. He added his thanks to Consultative Committee members for the helpful and constructive feedback received during the consultation process in 2015.

RECEIVED.

6. SERVICE BASED REVIEW The Committee received a verbal update and presentation from the Superintendent of The Commons regarding the financial savings to be delivered as part of the City Corporation’s Service Based Review. Members were advised that £162,000 worth of savings per annum were currently anticipated to be delivered by the Division by 31 March 2018 through increased operational efficiencies and income generation.

Projects to deliver savings across the Division included a reduction in the use of consultants to save £17,000 per annum, the rationalisation of the vehicle fleet, machinery and equipment to save £15,000 per annum, and increased income generation through voluntary donations, wayleave charges, and the letting of office premises and increase or introduction of car park charges where possible. Members noted their concern for the introduction of charges in small car parks such as the one at Riddlesdown Common, as car users may simply

Page 2 park on surrounding roads instead, which would disturb and disrupt local residents.

Members noted that some income was already being generated through the increased sale of charcoal. A member also added that small grants were available from local District and Parish Councils that could fund specific projects.

RECEIVED.

7. PROPOSED ALTERATIONS TO CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE MEETINGS AND SITE VISITS The Committee considered a report of the Superintendent of The Commons that examined the impact of the re-merger of the West Wickham and Coulsdon Commons Consultative Committees upon the frequency and nature of consultative meetings/site visits and seeks to reduce demand on the Members and Officers involved whilst ensuring that effective governance and community engagement is maintained. The Superintendent advised that the Burnham Beeches and Stoke Common Consultation Group had agreed to reduce the frequency of its meetings as per the recommendations in the report.

Members noted that a re-merger of the West Wickham and Coulsdon Commons was a useful suggestion due to their proximity and the similarities between both sites. Evening site visits in spring or summer would remain useful to enable members to familiarise themselves with both sites. The Superintendent added that informal Special Meetings could take place amongst available members at relative short notice to discuss certain issues.

RESOLVED – That the re-merger of the West Wickham and Coulsdon Commons Consultative Committee be supported, subject to a review two years after the re-merger.

8. MANAGEMENT ISSUES AND PRIORITIES The Committee received a presentation from the Head Ranger of West Wickham and Coulsdon Commons regarding the upcoming management issues and priorities for Coulsdon Commons. Members received updates regarding the following matters:-

Volunteering Volunteers had contributed 697 days’ worth of man-hours towards conservation work during 2015, including three corporate volunteer days. Volunteers had also helped to prepare and then sell charcoal, which had generated approximately £1,700 worth of income in 2015. Such income would not have been generated if the work had been carried out by Rangers instead of volunteers.

Meet the Ranger Events An event to promote the work carried out by Rangers was scheduled for February. The frequency of these types of events would look to be increased to

Page 3 engage further with the local community and develop local users’ knowledge about who owns, manages and funds the site.

Awards Kenley Common and Farthing Downs had both earned Green Heritage Awards and Green Flags had been awarded to all sites across the Commons. An application had been submitted for Riddlesdown Common to be considered for the 2016 Green Heritage Award.

Environmental Stewardship Scheme The Scheme was currently in its sixth year and was due to end in 2021. The footpath network and general access around the sites had been improved through a programme of scrub clearance. Clearance had also been carried out in areas surrounding The Grove junction. Cattle had recently moved into the cleared area.

Incidents 44 incidents had occurred on the Commons during 2015, including 2 car accidents. A site meeting regarding the blocked water drain on Stites Hill had taken place on 17 December 2015. A programme of work to address the issue had now been created by Surrey County Council and Thames Water. Details of the works to be carried out could be reported to the Committee during February 2016 once they had been agreed. In response to a member’s question, the Head Ranger advised that the overflow did not represent a health hazard so the Environment Agency had instructed the local authorities (London Borough of Croydon and Surrey County Council) to deal with the issue.

The Head Ranger reported several incidents of fly-tipping on roads through and surrounding the Commons during 2015 but thanked the London Borough of Croydon for their quick response times. In response to members’ requests, he added that figures regarding the level of fly-tipping being carried out could be calculated and provided at a later date.

Kenley Revival Project The Project had received Heritage Lottery Funding to be delivered within the next three years with a budget of £1.1 million. Two Project Officers were currently being recruited to carry the project forward.

RECEIVED.

9. REVIEW OF ANNUAL WORK PROGRAMME 2015/16 AND PRESENTATION OF THE 2016/17 PROGRAMME The Committee received a presentation from the Head Ranger that previewed the upcoming 2016/17 Annual Work Programme. Members noted the following matters:-

Farthing Downs Fence replacement, boundary work, and work to reduce the amount of mature scrub in the Site of Special Scientific Interest would be carried out.

Page 4 Coulsdon Common Thinning of understory vegetation, fence replacement for animal containment, and work in Rydons Wood would be carried out.

Kenley Common Coppicing, replacement of the old fence at Stumps Lane, and work to secure and protect the boundary edge would be carried out.

In response to a member’s question, the Superintendent advised that he would contact the Friends of Kenley Airfield to enquire whether there were any plans to hold an event to celebrate the anniversary of Kenley Common’s ‘aircraft acceptance park’ status. He added that he was currently unaware of any plans for a Kenley Airshow during 2016.

Riddlesdown Common Removal of Birch from the quarry, scrub work, and tree safety work would be carried out. In response to a Member’s question, the Head Ranger advised that access to the quarry site could be arranged for members through him.

In response to members’ questions regarding the sale of logs and wood chippings, the Head Ranger advised that it was a possibility but the work and delivery costs would have to be considered.

RECEIVED.

10. QUESTIONS ON MATTERS RELATING TO THE WORK OF THE CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE In response to members’ questions regarding Tandridge District Council’s Local Plan Review, the Superintendent explained that there were many other similar Local Plan Reviews currently active across the Division, most with extremely short response periods. The Superintendent added that he was not sufficiently resourced to provide full comments to each consultation. Members expressed some concerns that the plan for developments on the green belt and in the towns surrounding the Common would increase footfall, including dog-walkers.

The Superintendent reassured members that the City Corporation would maintain a positive relationship with the surrounding local authorities and deal with Local Plan issues as resources allowed. He added that the Director of Open Spaces was co-ordinating a strategic response to the Government’s latest greenbelt proposals and would continue to influence at this level and as required. A member representing the London Borough of Croydon added that he had responded to the initial consultation on behalf of the local Croydon Councillors.

11. ANY OTHER BUSINESS THAT THE CHAIRMAN CONSIDERS URGENT Members noted that photos and a leaflet about Farthing Downs were now being displayed in the ticket hall of Coulsdon South Train Station, with the largest picture measuring 18 x 4 ft. The Chairman added his thanks the Friends of Farthing Downs for organising the display.

Page 5 The Chairman also took this opportunity to thank all Committee Members for their hard work and support during his term as Chairman, which was due to expire in April 2016. Members thanked the Chairman for his contribution to the Committee and Coulsdon Commons during his term.

12. DATE OF SUMMER WALK RESOLVED – That the date of the summer visit be circulated by the Town Clerk once it had been agreed by the Chairman, Superintendent, and Head Ranger.

The meeting closed at 8.55 pm

Chairman

Contact Officer: David Arnold [email protected] 020 7332 1174

Page 6 Agenda Item 3b

WEST WICKHAM COMMONS CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE

Wednesday, 27 January 2016

Minutes of the meeting of the West Wickham Commons Consultative Committee held at the Metropolitan Police Sports Club, BR2 at 7.00 pm

Present

Members: Barbara Newman Val Polydorou (West Wickham Residents' Sylvia Moys Association) Gladys Edmonds (Wickham Common Cllr Neil Reddin (London Borough of Residents' Association) Bromley) Peter Hodges (Hayes & Coney Hall Police Sam Wheatcroft (Wickham Common Community Advisory Panel) Residents’ Association) Chantal Lane (Bromley Bridleways Access Group)

Officers: David Arnold - Town Clerk's Department Andy Barnard - Superintendent, The Commons Hadyn Robson - Support Services Manager, The Commons Allan Cameron - Head Ranger, West Wickham & Coulsdon Commons Barry Gutteridge - Senior Ranger, West Wickham Commons Maria Traynor - Support Services Officer, West Wickham & Coulsdon Commons

Barbara Newman in the Chair.

1. APOLOGIES Apologies for absence were received from Alderman Gordon Haines (Chairman), Philip Woodhouse, Verderer Peter Adams, Cllr Nicholas Bennett (London Borough of Bromley), Bridget Hogan (West Wickham and Spring Park Volunteer’s Group), and Sue Short (Heartsease Girl Guides Group).

2. MEMBERS' DECLARATIONS UNDER THE CODE OF CONDUCT IN RESPECT OF ITEMS ON THE AGENDA There were no declarations.

3. MINUTES RESOLVED – That the public minutes of the meeting held on 20 January 2015 be agreed as an accurate record.

4. THE COMMONS DIVISIONAL PLAN 2015-18 The Committee received a report of the Superintendent of The Commons, accompanied by a presentation that outlined The Commons’ Divisional Plan

Page 7 2015-18. Members were advised that the Plan would be updated at three year intervals. The Superintendent added that the collective name for the Division had recently changed ‘The Commons’ for communication purposes to help provide a unified identity across all commons. Members noted that the names of the individual Commons, i.e. Coulsdon or West Wickham, would continue to be used locally at each site.

The new member representing the Bromley Bridleways Access Group would be added to The Commons newsletter circulation list.

RECEIVED.

5. OPEN SPACES BILL The Committee received a verbal update and presentation from the Superintendent of The Commons regarding the City of London Corporation (Open Spaces) Bill. Members were advised that the Bill had been deposited to Parliament in November 2015 and it had already had its first reading. The second reading was due to take place on 1 February 2016 and the petition period had been extended until 15 February 2016. The Superintendent added his thanks to Consultative Committee members for the helpful and constructive feedback received during the consultation process in 2015.

In response to members’ questions regarding enforcement, the Superintendent advised that City Corporation Officers would be trained and authorised to issue penalty notices for certain offences.

RECEIVED.

6. SERVICE BASED REVIEW The Committee received a verbal update and presentation from the Superintendent of The Commons regarding the financial savings to be delivered as part of the City Corporation’s Service Based Review. Members were advised that £162,000 worth of savings per annum were currently anticipated to be delivered by the Division by 31 March 2018 through increased operational efficiencies and income generation.

Projects to deliver savings across the Division included a reduction in the use of consultants to save £17,000 per annum; the rationalisation of the vehicle fleet, machinery and equipment to save £15,000 per annum; increased income generation through voluntary donations, wayleave charges; and the letting of office premises. In response to members’ questions, the Superintendent advised that it was possible to block access to the Common if wayleave charges remained unpaid.

RECEIVED.

7. PROPOSED ALTERATIONS TO CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE MEETINGS AND SITE VISITS The Committee considered a report of the Superintendent of The Commons that examined the impact of the re-merger of the West Wickham and Coulsdon

Page 8 Commons Consultative Committees upon the frequency and nature of consultative meetings/site visits and sought to reduce demand on the Members and Officers involved, whilst ensuring that effective governance and community engagement was maintained. The Superintendent advised that the Burnham Beeches and Stoke Common Consultation Group had agreed to reduce the frequency of its meetings, as per the recommendations in the report, for a one year trial period. Members of the Coulsdon Commons Consultative Committee had supported the re-merger and suggested a two year trial period.

Members supported the proposed re-merger and requested that meetings and site visits alternate between West Wickham and Coulsdon Commons. Members also noted that they would be consulted regarding the agenda items in advance of each meeting to ensure that the most important issues at each site were considered.

RESOLVED – That the re-merger of the West Wickham and Coulsdon Commons Consultative Committee be supported, subject to a review two years after the re-merger.

8. MANAGEMENT ISSUES AND PRIORITIES The Committee received a presentation from the Head Ranger of West Wickham and Coulsdon Commons regarding the upcoming management issues and priorities for West Wickham Commons. Members received updates regarding the following matters:-

Pedestrian Crossing on the A232 at Hartfield Crescent The principle of dedicating a small part of Commons land to Public Highway alongside Hartfield Crescent and the A232 was approved by the and Commons Committee in March 2015. Transport for London (TfL) proceeded to carry out a formal public consultation on the crossing proposal, which 155 out of 168 respondents were in favour of.

TfL and the contractor were currently consulting with Commons staff to reach an agreement regarding the final detailed design and Commons land dedication, which would be submitted to the next appropriate Epping Forest and Commons Committee meeting for consideration. If approved, it was hoped that construction would be carried out during summer 2016. The Senior Ranger advised that the final design that he was currently consulting on would suit the needs of the Commons. In response to a member’s question, he added that TfL funds for the project were secured beyond March 2016.

Volunteering Volunteers from the West Wickham and Spring Park Volunteer Group (WWaSPs) had contributed 227 hours of work during 2015. Volunteer days were held approximately twice a month and a Ranger was always present to provide supervision and expertise.

In response to a member’s request, the Superintendent advised that he would ask the Information Ranger to incorporate a six week rolling events programme into the monthly e-newsletter to improve the amount of notice given for certain

Page 9 events. In response to a member’s question, the Head Ranger added that the content of all on-site interpretation boards were currently being reviewed with a view to update during summer 2016.

RECEIVED.

9. REVIEW OF ANNUAL WORK PROGRAMME 2015/16 AND PRESENTATION OF THE 2016/17 PROGRAMME The Committee received a presentation from the Head Ranger of West Wickham and Coulsdon Commons that reviewed the 2015/16 Annual Work Programme and previewed the upcoming 2016/17 Programme. Members noted the following matters:-

Conservation The first five years of the ten year Environmental Stewardship Scheme to enhance certain habitats with agricultural benefits had been successfully completed. The Small Leaved Lime Project to conserve and protect the national rarity at Spring Park had entered into its third and final year. Chestnut and hazel coppicing was also being carried out at Spring Park as part of the Woodland Code.

West Wickham Common was home to the only area of heathland habitat within The Commons Division, so restoration was being carried out to increase heather seed spreading and collecting.

Events 40 educational events had taken place during 2015, including guided walks, stargazing events, Fungal Forays, and Meet the Ranger events. The frequency of Meet the Ranger events would look to be increased to engage further with the local community and develop local users’ knowledge about who owns, manages and funds the site.

Awards West Wickham Common and Spring Park had both achieved Green Flag Awards and West Wickham Common had achieved a Green Heritage Award.

Incidents A traveller community had moved onto an area of Spring Park on one occasion during 2015, whilst incidents of fly-tipping, abandoned cars and fires continued to occur across both sites. Dragon’s teeth would be added to the City Corporation / London Borough of Bromley (LBB) land boundary at Spring Park to prevent travellers from moving vehicles from one side to the other. The Head Ranger added that the LBB currently took responsibility for the removal of abandoned cars in the Spring Park Car Park but he would investigate whether or not it would be more cost-effective for removals to be carried out by City Corporation staff.

Oak Processionary Moth (OPM) Surveys were continued to be carried out and further monitoring for OPM would be led by the Senior Ranger during summer 2016. There had been no

Page 10 infestations found during 2015 but Spring Park was within two kilometres of an OPM nest site. Close contact was being maintained with officers from LBB and the Forestry Commission, who were coordinating the response to the threat of OPM across London. Information notices would be installed at the Commons soon.

Spring Park 2016/17 Chestnut and Hazel coppicing would be carried out in the Park.

West Wickham Common 2016/17 Heathland restoration, hazel planting, and holly and tree clearing would be carried out across the Common.

The lumps, bumps and ditches on West Wickham Common were last excavated in 1931 but their origin was unable to be determined. The Head Ranger advised that he planned to invite local amateur archaeologists to re- open the case in an attempt to confirm their age and purpose. A member noted that she would provide Rangers with the details of a local archaeologist who may be interested in taking part.

RECEIVED.

10. QUESTIONS ON MATTERS RELATING TO THE WORK OF THE CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE There were no questions.

11. ANY OTHER BUSINESS THAT THE CHAIRMAN CONSIDERS URGENT There was no other business.

12. DATE OF SUMMER WALK RESOLVED – That the date of the summer visit be circulated by the Town Clerk once it had been agreed by the Chairman, Superintendent, and Head Ranger, following the proposed re-merger of the West Wickham and Coulsdon Commons Consultative Committees.

The meeting closed at 8.20 pm

Chairman

Contact Officer: David Arnold [email protected] 020 7332 1174

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