Banstead Commons Consultative Group
The Banstead Heath Consultative Group was established in 1998 to provide a valuable two-way conduit for information and exchange of views between the Banstead Commons Conservators (BCC) and the various user groups of Banstead Heath.
In 2023 a review of the group was carried out and it was decided to expand its remit to include all four sites and act as a method for users and interest groups to offer guidance to ensure that the management of Banstead Commons supported the Conservators’ statutory obligation to protect and enhance the natural environment for the benefit of all residents and visitors.
TERMS OF REFERENCE
Purpose
The Banstead Commons Consultative Group includes representatives from the local community and interested parties who, respecting all national and local designations, laws and byelaws, can consider issues related to the Commons and contribute views about the management of Banstead Commons.
Aims and objectives
• To monitor the management, annual work programme and use of Banstead Commons.
• To contribute to periodic reviews and the implementation of Site Management Plans and other projects.
• To provide a forum for interest and user groups to raise the Conservators’ awareness of their specific perspectives.
• To provide a medium to review biological recording and surveying on Banstead Commons.
Membership / Representatives
The BCC will appoint a Conservator as Chair of the Consultative Group at their April Quarterly Meeting each year and invite at least one Council Officer who has the responsibility of overseeing the implementation of the BCC operational grant to join the group.
There will be a membership of no more than 12 representatives. The BCC retains the right to accept or decline new members. The BCC also retains the right to remove any individual who fails to meet the Consultative Group’s Purpose and Aims and Objectives.
| Chair: | A Conservator |
| Secretary: | A BCC Staff Member |
| Reigate & Banstead Borough Council: | Council Officer/Representative |
| Users: | Horse riders, dog walker, ramblers, cyclists |
| Commoners: | Up to four Commoners |
| Interest groups: | Ornithology, entomology, botany, ecology, archaeology, herpetology etc. |
If you would like to join the Banstead Commons Consultative Group, please contact enquiries@bansteadcommons.org.uk
Procedures
Meetings
Organised by BCC, the consultative group will meet four times a year, usually in advance of the Conservators Quarterly Meeting. The Consultative Group members will be invited to join guided walks on the site/s twice a year.
Members’ duties
Members will be expected to attend at least three meetings each year. Group members will notify the Chair of any matter they wish to raise with the Steering Group no less than 14 days before a meeting.
Representatives formally monitoring and recording wildlife on the Common are asked to give an informal report of activities at each meeting and expected to share collected data with the BCC and relevant local/national recording schemes.
Agenda & meeting papers
The BCC will distribute relevant papers including the agenda by email no less than 7 days before the consultative group meeting.
Minutes
Minutes of each meeting will be taken which will include an action list and be circulated no more than 14 days after each meeting.
Terms of reference
The Terms of reference will be periodically reviewed by the BCC and any changes approved by the Chair of the Conservators.