Management
The management arrangements are as follows. The Schedule attached to the 1888 Act specifies that Chislehurst and St Paul's Cray Commons shall be “regulated and managed by a body of Conservators” (Clause 1), now termed Trustees. There are sixteen trustees, including an appointee of the Lord of the Manor and additionally a representative of the London Borough of Bromley. The 1888 Act provides for 8 Board members to be elected by the Vestry of the parish of Chislehurst and 7 elected by the Vestry of St Paul's Cray, 4 of whom must be landowners or occupants of properties facing St Paul's Cray Common (now referred to as frontagers). Under the Act the vestries could provide the funds for the up-keep of the Commons.
In 1934 the powers of the vestries passed to Chislehurst and Sidcup Urban District Council and then, in 1965, to the London Borough of Bromley. The Board meets on alternate months. The Act specifies that the Conservators must be unremunerated. There are currently three sub-committees.
The Natural Environment Committee has leading responsibility for the implementation of the Management Plan and oversees the work of the keepers, the volunteer workers and contractors.
The Verge Committee oversees the condition of the Commons roadside verges, local planning matters and liaises with utilities responsible for pipelines and cables under the Commons.
The Fund-Raising Committee deals with sponsorship, fund-raising appeals to local people and relations with the Friends of the Commons.
The Board is a registered charity, number 1028121.
The responsibilities of the Trustees, previously known as the Conservators, are laid down by the 1888 Act in the following terms. They “may execute any works of drainage, raising, levelling or fencing, for the protection and improvement of the Commons …. And may do any work necessary for the proper cleansing of the ponds on the Commons, and shall preserve the turf, shrubs, trees, plants, and grass, and for this purpose may enclose by fences for short periods …. But shall do nothing that may otherwise vary or alter the natural features or aspect of the Commons, or interfere with free access to every part thereof …. The Conservators shall maintain the Commons …. Free of all encroachment, and shall not permit any trespass on, or partial or other enclosure of, any part thereof, and no fences, posts, rails, sheds or buildings …. The Conservators may set apart any portion or portions of Chislehurst Common as they may consider expedient for games, and may form any cricket ground or grounds, and may allow the same to be temporarily enclosed ….” (Clauses 14, 15 and 17 of the scheme of management attached to the Act). The requirement that the Conservators “shall preserve the turf, shrubs, trees, plants, and grass” and “shall do nothing that may otherwise vary or alter the natural features or aspect of the Commons” is an impracticable constraint if taken literally in the present day. It was drafted before natural succession in vegetation was fully recognised (and when the Commons were grazed) and before the need for active management was appreciated.
In pursuance of their duties, “The Conservators shall frame bye-laws and regulations for the prevention of nuisances and the preservation of order upon the Commons. The bye-laws may include all or any of the following purposes, namely: the prevention of encroachments and of the deposit of road-sand, dung, rubbish or other matter on, and the illegal taking, cutting, digging, and selling the turf, sods, gravel, sand, or other substances from the Commons, and of the illegal cutting, felling, or injuring the gorse, heather, timber or other trees, shrubs, brushwood, or other plants growing thereon, and of the removal of ice from the said ponds, and also the regulation of fishing therein …. the prevention of bird catching …. the regulation or prevention of vehicles being driven, or horses being ridden …. the exclusion of …. squatters, vagrants …. The regulation as to place and mode of digging and taking gravel …. the prevention of unauthorised persons from turning out or knowingly permitting cattle, sheep or other animals to graze ….” (Clause 19). In accordance with these provisions, bye-laws were drawn up in 1901, which are still applicable and are posted at key points on the Commons.
For pedestrians there is unlimited right of access. There are some permissive bridleways, which are clearly marked by white and blue stripes on trees. The only motor vehicles allowed on the Commons are those of our keepers and contractors working for the Trustees.
