Wimbledon and Putney Commons Conservators November Update
100 Years of Remembrance, car parking and more
100 Years of Remembrance – Battle’s Over
The Conservators were very honoured to support commemoration events for the
centenary of The Great War on Sunday 11th November 2018. Two candlelit walks, one
from Roehampton War Memorial led by the Rt. Hon Justine Greening MP for Putney and
the other from Wimbledon War Memorial, led by Mr Stephen Hammond MP for
Wimbledon, were very well attended, with over 500 residents joining in the two
processions to the Wimbledon Windmill where they were joined by several hundred other
local residents.
Following the Last Post and a lament played by a piper at the top of the
Windmill, hand bells were rung out in celebration of the armistice that was signed 100
years ago. The illumination of the Windmill tower in red with a poppy lighting up its cap,
together with a roll call of all those who gave their lives in Putney, Roehampton,
Southfields and Wimbledon in The Great War, provided a moving tribute as part of the
Battle’s Over events that took place around the world.
Small Mammal Monitoring
The Board considered a report from the DEFRA Appointed Conservator on a small
mammal trapping survey that had been undertaken in September 2018. Two bank voles
and one field vole were recorded in areas around Hookhamslade Pond and a wood mouse
was found in nearby heathland.
It was agreed that more surveys were necessary to gain a better understanding of the
mammal populations on the Commons and their importance in the food chain, particularly
for kestrels, owls and other birds of prey. It was agreed that a number of traps would be
purchased and staff trained to assist with undertaking surveys.
Car Parking on the Commons
Conservators are keen to promote the voluntary donation scheme for the Windmill Car
Park and as such are pleased to announce that a means of making donations for car
parking via mobile phones and tablets has been introduced. Simply visit
www.wpccparking.co.uk and enter your payment details. In addition to make it easier,
we've included a QR code on notices around the Commons that can be scanned with
mobile phones. This code provides a direct link to the donations website. The voluntary
scheme will be extended to the other car parks located on the Commons shortly.
Investment Managers
Following a tendering exercise, the Board has approved the appointment of CCLA
Investment Management Limited to manage the charity’s investment portfolio on a
discretionary mandate. CCLA is one of the UK's largest charity fund managers.
General Open Meeting
The Conservators are holding a General Open Meeting that will take at 7.00pm on the 3rd
December 2018 at the London Scottish Golf Club, Windmill Rd, Wimbledon, London,
SW19 5NQ. The Windmill Car Park will remain open to permit access.
Governance
The Board was delighted to approve the co-option of Mrs Sarah Wilton, a Fellow of the
Institute of Chartered Accountants, to serve on the Audit and Risk Committee. Mrs Wilton
is a Putney resident and brings a wealth of experience in the charity sector to this
Committee.
A Whistle-blowing Policy presented to the Board the Audit and Risk Committee was
approved.
The Resolutions of the meeting of the Board of Conservators held on the 7th November
2018 have been posted on the Wimbledon and Putney Commons website.
Information Request
A further request for information under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and
Environmental Information Regulations 2004 was received from a levy-payer. The
information requested is in respect of an exchange of use of land between WPCC and the
Royal Wimbledon Golf Club that was agreed in 1979, which enabled the Conservators
serving at the time to build a maintenance centre. (The centre is required to house and
repair the equipment necessary for the day to day maintenance and management of the
Commons, in order to fulfil the charity’s obligations under the 1871 Act of protecting and
preserving the Commons and to provide essential welfare facilities for staff.) WPCC is not
considered a public authority for the purposes of the Freedom of Information Act 2000.
Simon Lee
Chief Executive of Wimbledon and Putney Commons