RUSHMERE COMMONERS COMMITTEE

Registered Charity No. 274900

 

Minutes of meeting held on Wednesday 21st January
 2026 at Rushmere Golf Club commencing at 6.30pm
 

Present

Trustees

Mike Gilson Chairman

Mike Shields Vice Chairman

Alison Pledger

Kev Driver

Diane Grayston

John Adams

Clive Pink

Alan Moore

 

Also present

Chris Kendall (Clerk)

Bob Gosden (Warden)

 

Apologies were received and accepted from Steven Reason.

 

  1. Minutes of the meeting held on Wednesday 26th November 2025

Agreed.

         

  1. Matters arising from the meeting held on Wednesday 26th November 2025

          Signage audit – later in meeting.

          Net biodiversity grants – to be discussed later.

          City Fibre – to be discussed later.

          Gate to pond –Bob will chase, Christopher Green, for the cost of sorting out all the fencing/posts around the pond.

          Pond – to be discussed later.

          Heather – to be discussed later.

          Warden’s role – to be discussed later.

          Ray’s resignation – Mike G has left a message with Ray to try to sort out a date for lunch.

          Warden’s training – Bob has completed the training successfully.

          Dog bags – the trial has one more month to run.

          Logo – Mike G will see if he can find our old logo.

          Cut N Clear It – have been advised about extra signage so that they do not receive abuse when carrying out burns.

          Tree survey – to be discussed later.

 

          Pond report – has been circulated.

          Pond clearance – Clive and Steven are still trying to get some waders, so that they can do some clearance.

          Risk assessment – Mike G is looking at the Government Charities Risk Assessment document, that Mike S produced.

          Greenkeepers Xmas box - this has been dealt with.

          RGC Memorandum of Association – Chris has received it and passed it our solicitors.  Chris will now get a document from RGC to say that they wish to continue with Licence Agreement as a Limited Company.

          RGC tree – Chris has advised RGC that RCC declined their request to remove the oak tree to the LHS of the 15th.

          Hi vi vests – Chris has received these.

          AGM date – Chris was unable to book Tower hall for Thursday 25th June, so the AGM will now take place on Thursday 2nd July.

 

  1. Management of the common

          Gorse maintenance – Steven’s proposals were considered.  It was unanimously agreed, by the trustees, that the gorse clearance in part area 26 and part area 29 should be carried out in February.  Chris to advise Steven that we would like to do this work on Monday 9th February at a cost of £875 for the day, with another day at the same cost, if needed. Cut N Clear will be asked to burn on the day.  Kev will advise the public by way of the In Touch magazine. 

          Expression of interest (EOI) for Natural Environment Improvement Fund – the trustees agreed that, as proposed by Steven, the EOI should be made. We would be bidding for £40K over 4 years to allow us to clear gorse and do maintenance work in areas that have already been identified on our Management Plan.  We will be very mindful of any conditions relating to the funding though.

          Pond – Kev will liaise with Steven about the pond and surrounding area.

          Dog bags – the new dispenser is using approx 250 bags in 3 days.  We will limit the number put out as most responsible dog owners will bring their own bags.

          Signage – we may consider renewing some of the existing green signs.

          Path from 7th to 1st – Clive stated that this path needs to be re-cut.  Area 46. Alison will add to CNCI list.

          Tent on LH – Chris advised that removal of the tent was to take place on 27th January at a cost of £552.

                   

  1. Tree survey

          One month work quote 1 – Tom Lyon will be doing this soon.

          One month work quote 2 – after discussion it was agreed that we should proceed with the quote 2 work as this is a health and safety concern.  This is to dismantle a large sycamore along Woodbridge Rd and as traffic management will be required, the cost will be £2650 plus VAT.

          Six month work – a group of trustees will have a look at this work in April/May.

                   

  1. Heath warden’s report

          Damage to greens – Bob advised that recent damage to the greens had been reported to the police, by RGC.

          Dead fox – Bob reported that there was a dead fox in Area 46.

          Ice warning signs – Bob said that they are being used near the pond in the current icy conditions.

          Trustee – Bob has heard that someone is interested in becoming a trustee.  We have the maximum at the moment but Bob will ask him to nominate himself when the AGM Preliminary Notices go up.

          Role of warden – it was discussed that in the light of the training course etc. the role of the warden should be reviewed.  Kev and Mike S said they were happy to look at the role.  Bob to let them know what he currently does and Chris to forward old Job Description to KD and MS.

 

  1. City Fibre

          Chris to ask our solicitor to check that the wording of the Wayleave document is okay to sign.

         

  1. Golf club matters

          Memorandum of Association – our solicitors have advised that we need a document signed, by the new directors, as agreement to RGC continuing to benefit from the Licence Agreement and accept the responsibilities therein. Chris.

          Tee mats – David has advised that the proposed new borders to the tee mats may not go ahead.

          Next liaison meeting – Chris will sort out a meeting mid March.  Kev, Mike S and Mike G will try to attend.

 

  1. Finance and budget report

          Agreed.

          Investments – as we are not receiving much interest on our reserves, Chris said that she would look into the Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) bank, to see if we can achieve a better rate with them.

 

  1. Any other business        

          Buzzard – it was interesting to hear from Kev that a hunting buzzard has been spotted on the common.

 

  1. Date of next meetings

            Already agreed.

 

 

Meeting ended 8.05pm

 

Mrs Chris Kendall – Clerk to Rushmere Commoners