Issue - meetings

Report of the Superintendent of Hampstead Heath.

The Committee considered a report of the Director of Open Spaces concerning the Hampstead Heath Swimming Covid-19 temporary arrangements and the following comments were made:

·         The Chair acknowledged that the report was late but reminded Members that the Team was extremely busy and working with the Swimming Associations to progress on these complex issues.

·         The Superintendent confirmed that conversations with the Swimming Associations had been helpful and the next step was to engage with swimmers. Officers also continue to work in collaboration with other swimming facilities in London.

·         A key challenge remaining for the facilities was what system to implement to monitor the number of swimmers.

·         The Superintendent stated that there were short and long-term plans in development. In the short-term, an existing platform would be used for online booking and payments and in the long-term an app would be introduced which would link integrated wrist bands and lockers. It was noted that it was currently difficult to trial and test the new technology as site meetings with providers were not currently possible, but that progress was being made and the Team were working with the Director of IT to progress these matters.

·         The Director of Open Spaces confirmed there had been Gold and Silver Group engagement concerning the swimming facilities and advice had been received from the Director of Public Health concerning Government guidance. Leisure centres were expected to open under step 3 and guidance would be announced for step 3 on 4 July. It was noted that this announcement would begin the next steps but opening facilities would be a phased process once the Corporation’s had agreed upon a safe operational model for staff and the public which would need to be tested first. 

·         The Chair stated that whilst this was a challenging process with numerous factors to