Commons Conservators Leadership Remains Unchanged
Board reports back on appointments and progress on levy re-basing
The Board re-elected Mauro Mattiuzzo as Chairman and Sue Bucknall as Deputy Chairman. Picture: WPCC
May 5, 2026
The Wimbledon and Putney Commons Conservators (WPCC) has confirmed the re-appointment of their Chair and Deputy Chair for a further year, alongside significant progress on the long-planned levy re-basing and a series of operational improvements across the Commons.
At their meeting on Monday 9 April, the Board re-elected Mauro Mattiuzzo as Chairman and Sue Bucknall as Deputy Chairman. Both will continue in post for another year, providing continuity as the organisation moves into a period of major financial and environmental planning.
One of the most significant developments for the Conservators is the news that DEFRA has approved the proposed increase to the Commons levy, following a six-week public consultation held in autumn 2023. The consultation reached 44,500 levy-paying households, with nearly 6,000 responses received — 79% of which supported the proposal.
After reviewing the results and stakeholder feedback, the Conservators agreed in December 2023 to proceed with the increase and submitted the proposal to DEFRA for approval. With that approval now secured, the next step is for a Statutory Instrument to be laid before Parliament. The earliest the new levy could take effect is the 2027/28 financial year.
The Conservators say the increase is essential to ensuring the long-term, sustainable management of the Commons, particularly in the face of rising operational costs and the growing demands of environmental stewardship.
WPCC has also confirmed details of its Annual Open Meeting, which will take place on Monday 22 June at 8pm at St John the Baptist Church, Robin Hood Lane, SW15 3PY.
The Conservators will present their annual report and accounts, with levy payers and members of the public invited to attend and ask questions. Staff and Conservators will be available from 7.30pm for informal conversation, and refreshments will be provided.
In line with the organisation’s sustainability commitments, WPCC has introduced its first electric buggy for day-to-day operations on the Commons. The move follows recommendations in the recent Carbon Audit report and marks the beginning of a wider transition away from petrol and diesel vehicles.
Although quieter than traditional vehicles, the buggy has been fitted with a “white noise” safety device — a soft, directional sound that alerts nearby pedestrians without contributing to wider noise disturbance across the Commons.
Environmental monitoring has also been strengthened with the installation of a new solar-powered weather station in March 2026. The project was made possible by an impressive £1,119 raised by Year 6 pupils at Wimbledon High School, whose fundraising efforts fully funded the equipment.
The station records temperature, rainfall and wind conditions, providing both real-time and long-term data to support habitat management and climate-related planning. The information is also shared publicly via Weather Underground, allowing residents and visitors to check live conditions on the Commons.
The WPCC was established under the Wimbledon and Putney Commons Act of 1871. The Commons comprise some 1,140 acres across Wimbledon Common, Putney Heath and Putney Lower Common.
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