Chief executive of the council, Katherine Beldon was introduced as the new ex officio clerk to the conservators.
The water main replacement works near the Derby Arms public house have nearly concluded.
We welcomed the revised hack riders’ map, and said that, subject to feedback on some minor details, this would be very useful to hack riders on the downs. A final draft would be presented to the board.
Hack sand track: a response had been received from the Horse Race Levy Board to our enquiries, and a meeting with the chairman of the HRLB was planned.
Consultation on parking outside the Grand Stand enclosure: we asked for our response to be placed in whole before the board.
Signposting/marker posts: officers intend to review the location of posts after completing work on the hack riders’ map.
Vegetation clearance: nothing new had been done during the winter season, because of staff shortage and works to the car parks. We expressed particular concern about the braided paths at the top of Rifle Butts Alley. Agreed to prioritise for next winter, if it could not be done immediately.
Hatched area: currently closed, but will be opened when it dries out. Riders occasionally have been noticed riding too far east or west.
Dog control: the present regime is considered to be much more successful in preventing dog interference with horses. We think dog keepers’ behaviour is improved too.
