Agenda item

Report of the Superintendent of The Commons.

The Committee received a report of the Director of Open Spaces which provided an update on issues across the nine sites within ‘The Commons’ division.  The Director of Open Spaces informed the Committee of a number of important subjects across ‘The Commons’ including continuing work with Heathrow on the Heathrow Biodiversity Offsetting project, the Burnham Beeches Management Plan and the Chilterns Hillforts Project.

Replying to a Member’s query the Director of Open Spaces provided further information regarding the staffing concerns at West Wickham and Coulsdon Commons.

In response to a Member’s request for further information on the ownership of the three copper alloy vessels illegally excavated from Ashtead Common the Director of Open Spaces confirmed that the appropriate legal channels would be explored to recover ownership of the items. In addition, it was confirmed that the Commons division did not have a dedicated museum but that items of national historical importance from the Commons were stored at the British Museum, with lesser items stored locally.  The Director of Open Spaces accepted that this position would benefit from review and the possibility of using local museums could be explored.

RESOLVED- That the report be noted.