Agenda item

The Superintendent of Burnham Beeches & Stoke Common to be heard.

The Committee received an update from the Superintendent of Burnham Beeches, Stoke Common and City Commons, and noted the following:

Burnham Beeches

·       Tree safety and post storm inspection procedures had been enacted six times since 1^st January 2014. Significant works were required and this had hampered other work programmes.

·       Heathland restoration and path clearance along Hawthorn Lane and Bedford Drive had been performed to improve access and help reduce long term tree safety issues and support the grazing project.

·       Work around Burnham Beeches café had begun to improve surface condition and drainage.

·       156 volunteers had completed 887 hours of work – 58 of these hours were achieved by under 18’s.

·       Strong winds had forced the cancellation of 3 events. However, 3 school visits, 3 health walks, orienteering, half term woodland wonder days and bird box building events had taken place.

Ashtead Commons

·       Inspection procedures were utilised after each event. It was estimated that 20 small trees had been cut from across paths, and 4 veterans had collapsed with many others loosing major limbs.

·       Two days of emergency tree works had taken place after storms – the work included rebalancing veteran oak and removal of hangers in another veteran oak.

·       Scrub management in the Woodlands Road area was taking place with Epsom volunteers, Eco volunteers and The Lower Mole Project. This project was currently ongoing.

·       Veteran tree management work was completed for this year. Members noted that 70-80 trees aerial work and 120-140 ground based works had occurred.

·       Scrub management work has achieved a 50:50 mix of grass & shrubs in Thorn Field & Pine Field.

·       Volunteers had completed 1204 hours.

·       The New Year Ramble and Roman villa talk events had taken place.

Coulsdon Commons

·       Heavy winds and high rainfall over the past couple of months meant the team had not been able to get onto the Commons. There were a number of windblown trees yet to be cleared up.

·       Volunteers had completed 850 hours working on Kenley grassland & heritage management and Farthing Downs grassland management.

·       A work experience student was also working at Coulsdon Commons two days per week.

·       The 4 Health Walks and Star gazing event had been very successful.

West Wickham Commons

·       A Large mature hawthorn with a canopy of ivy had collapsed but Officers had cleared the path.

·       A small-leaved Lime Project 2013/14 had been completed with installation of a display board. The project had been 90% funded by a grant of £8,000 from the SITA Trust.

·       Volunteers had completed 51 hours.

·       Three episodes of fly tipping had been recorded in West Wickham Commons.

·       Following damage done to the Common by water company contractors, a restoration package had been agreed, including the installation of kerb line to prevent future encroachment.

The Superintendent presented the Committee with the restructure at City Commons & vacancies. In response to a query from Members, the Superintendent agreed to circulate the new team structure complete with the names of managers included.