Agenda item

To receive a presentation on the work of the Banstead Commons Conservators

The Committee received a presentation from the Banstead Commons Conservators (BCC) delivered by Lucy Shea, Clerk to the BCC, Vic Broad, Chair of the BCC and David Hatcher, member of the BCC.

Several advance questions had been asked relating to the presentations. The advance questions and responses can be viewed here:

Document Advance Questions OS 9 November 2022 | Reigate and Banstead Borough Council (moderngov.co.uk)

Following the presentation, Members asked additional questions:

Litter - Members noted that there are two litter bins, maintained by the Council, on the commons and asked whether there are any bins to dispose of dog waste and whether there is a problem with dog waste bags being left in trees and on the ground. It was reported that there are no bins provided for dog waste and that visitors were generally very respectful. Discarded dog waste bags, although an issue, were not a significant problem. The BCC were also fortunate that local residents were willing to clear any litter they found on the commons.

Damage from vehicles - Members asked what action is taken to support recovery from damage made by vehicles on Banstead Downs. It was reported that although BCC had attempted to arrange a meeting to discuss the problem with partner organisations such as Natural England, Plantlife, RBBC, the Police and the Jet Enforcement Team, this had not been possible, and BCC did not have the resources to deal with the problem alone. Working with Surrey Police has meant that there is a Police presence on some Saturdays and Section 59 notices can be issued to owners of vehicles found on the Commons. The Section 59 means that a repeat offender can have their vehicle seized.

Members asked what measures are in place to prevent vehicles accessing the commons. It was explained that fencing cannot be erected, but boundaries are built up and inspected on a regular basis, making them prohibitive to four-wheeled vehicles. Preventing access for motorbikes is more challenging. BCC work together with the Police to tackle the problem of motorbikes.

Site Management Plans - Members asked whether any of the sites other than those attributed the title Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) had special status and whether all the sites had site management plans and to what standard the management plans need to be produced. It was confirmed that Banstead Heath has Historic Landscape Value (HLV) status. The BCC believe that all sites should have site management plans and have applied for funding to produce site management plans next year, as the current plans are out of date. Work programmes which address the tasks across the four sites are in place; each site has a schedule of work which is carried out each year and the work is reviewed depending on how the habitats are evolving and what work needs to be carried out in terms of scrub maintenance and woodland maintenance. The SSSI sites are under Higher Level Stewardship with Natural England, which attracts a grant and prescribes specific management.

Members asked whether RBCC, as the landowner, would sign off the site management plans when they have been produced and would the site management plans specify a minimum level of required work or a target level. It was confirmed that the site management plans would contain a geological and ecological background to each site, with a ten-year management programme to help maintain and improve the habitats. Each site would be split into compartments detailing works to be carried out for each separate habitat annually as well as less frequent projects, which would require additional funding.

Members asked whether all areas were in favourable condition for Higher Level Stewardship or whether there were areas in need of improvement. It was confirmed that the units under BCC management are judged as favourable under the Higher Level Stewardship; the favourable condition is achieved by having the correct ratio of scrub to grassland and the number of herb species in existence. Areas of High Level Stewardship are managed in the same way as those without it. There are also Limited Intervention Zones where no work is carried out and the woodland is in control. Additional habitats improvements could be made across all four sites, and this could be explored and costed in the site management plans.

Shared lesson learning - Members asked what opportunities exist for shared lesson learning with the Council regarding operational practices in green spaces. It was confirmed that quarterly liaison meetings are held with the Countryside and Woodlands Manager which present an opportunity to examine and question the work of the BCC. BCC also planned to work collaboratively with the team to develop the site management plans and it was hoped that this would provide an opportunity for the Council to better understand the four areas under BCC’s care, which would also help with the management duties. The Greenspaces Team have been working more closely with BCC over the last twelve months and supported BCC’s CIL funding application for management plans.

Use of cattle - Members asked whether the use of cattle had been considered, as on Colley Hill. It was confirmed that the use of cattle had been discussed with Natural England but would not be suitable due to the steep slope and size of the site. However, it was hoped that with the development of the new site management plans, the use of cattle might be explored on Banstead Heath, however temporary fencing would need to be erected and moved with the cattle, which would be problematic and would have cost implications.

Ash Dieback - Members asked whether some trees are more resilient to Ash Dieback. It was confirmed that some trees, but not a great number, were showing resilience; the more mature trees showed resilience for a longer period but then deteriorated quickly. Only those trees that would cause a risk to the public or buildings, paths and roads should they fall, were felled, or treated. Members further asked if a replacement programme was in place to replace affected ash trees with resilient ash trees. It was confirmed that this was likely to be put in place if a resilient species was identified.

Challenges - Members asked what the biggest challenges are to BCC and how they are being addressed. BCC confirmed that the biggest challenges are finances and resources. BCC are limited in how they raise funds; as they are a statutory body rather than a charity, they rely heavily on funding from the Council and from bodies such as Natural England. The lack of resources makes it difficult to deliver the work programme. The wildlife and habitats, such as ground nesting birds, are disturbed by dogs and large numbers of visitors to the commons. There is a need for additional funding and the Chair of BCC called for a specific budget to be attributed to BCC.

The Chair of Overview and Scrutiny Committee thanked the Banstead Commons Conservators for their presentation. He would encourage the BCC and the Executive to work together to examine resources.

RESOLVED that the Committee:

Noted and commended the work undertaken by the Banstead Commons Conservators.