Nonsuch: Final Decision Imminent?

It looks like the argument over who should run Nonsuch Park is, finally, drawing to a close -- well, unless Surrey County Council throw yet another spanner in the works.

For those of you who haven't been watching with steadily-rising levels of Bemusement, Nonsuch Park's management (including that of the mansion house within the park) has, for many years, been down to the Joint Management Committee; as the name implies, this is a joint venture between Sutton Council and Epsom and Ewell Council (the park lies on the boundary between the two boroughs). However, Surrey County Council is the holder of the deeds of the land, and a couple of years back they decided to "get involved" in the park's management. So far, this has involved refusing a lease to the company chosen by the Joint Management Committee to take over catering and other activities at the mansion, and threats of selling off the mansion itself and building a new museum. The closure of the catering facilities (other than the outside cafe) at the mansion, while its future was decided, also made a big difference to its budget.

(While a new museum may not sound like a reason to be up in arms, the County Council rather glossed over the fact that there is already a very good museum at the mansion, run by the Friends of Nonsuch.)

The suggestions by the County Council went down among the area's residents, and the Park's users, like the proverbial lead balloon. Petitions were organised (for instance by the Save Nonsuch campaign). Local MPs spoke out against the plans, Sutton's Paul Burstow and Epsom and Ewell's Chris Grayling both condemning the high-handed attitude taken by Surrey CC.

Bemused and family -- who like Nonsuch Park just the way it is, thank you very much -- look forward to confirmation of a final resolution.