Mitcham Common is managed and regulated by Mitcham Common Conservators who have been the legal custodians of the Common since 1891.

 

About the Conservators

george-bidderThe Mitcham Common Conservators have been managing the Common since 1891. Prior to that time there had been considerable unrest amongst local people at level of gravel extraction and turf removal which they regarded as the plundering of the Common’s resources. At the forefront of this opposition was George Parker Bidder QC, who lobbied for the Common to be protected. Eventually this led to the Metropolitan Commons (Mitcham) Act 1891, which empowered the Conservators to manage the Common and make byelaws to protect it.

 

bidder-monumentThe Board of Conservators is made up of 13 members nominated by the London Boroughs of Croydon, Merton and Sutton (4 each), and the City of London Corporation.

The Conservators meet quarterly at the Mill House Ecology Centre.

Meeting Agendas and Minutes are available here

Current Conservators

London Borough of Croydon

Mr John Cheetham
Councillor Simon Fox
Councillor Matt Griffiths
Councillor Christopher Herman

London Borough of Merton

Councillor Jenifer Gould
Councillor Natasha Irons
Councillor Dan Johnston
Councillor Martin Whelton

London Borough of Sutton

Councillor Richard Clifton
Ms Alison Dines
Councillor Dave Tchil
Mr Norman Jones

Corporation of the City of London

Ms Anne Fairweather

Also of interest:

Conservators Meeting Papers

Agendas and minutes for the Conservators meetings

Management of the Common

The variety of different habitats on the Common require management to ensure they do not degrade and lose their species diversity

Conservators’ Accounts

Annual financial reports