Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Councillor Jonathan Bloch and Lucy Roots.

There were none.

To agree the public minutes of the meeting held on 21 November 2012 (copy attached).

The public minutes and summary of the meeting held on Wednesday 21 November 2012 were approved as a correct record, subject to the following amendment:

Page 3, paragraph 1 to read – Members asked officers to acknowledge that this decay would continue in their newsletters and to include the information on work being performed to prevent it.

Matters Arising

Local Nature Reserve Status – The Superintendent stated that he felt an application by Highgate Wood for Local Nature Reserve Status was superfluous and could potentially undermine the legal guarantees currently provided by the 1886 Act.

Sustainability – The Highgate Wood Manager stated that the new waste contractor was conducting their first visit on 25 April.  The Superintendent stated that, whilst costs were slightly higher given the expense of incinerating waste versus sending it to landfill, this was offset by the fact incineration is more sustainable in the long term and that there was potential for cost savings on future contracts.

Infrastructure and Buildings – The Highgate Wood Manager reported that one remaining section (30-40m in length) of fencing remained to be installed along the Muswell Hill Road and that this would be completed this year.

Report of the Superintendent of Hampstead Heath (copy attached).

A report of the Superintendent of Hampstead Heath providing an update on matters relating to the management and enhancement of the Wood was considered.

Highgate Wood Conservation Management Plan

The Highgate Wood Manager informed the Committee that following the January stakeholder meeting, the Conservation Management Plan (CMP) had been amended to include material on Queen’s Wood and had undergone some changes in terms of its timeline.  It is hoped that the current draft is the final version of the plan before it can be published.  The plan would be reviewed again after 5 years. 

The Superintendent stated that Michael Hammerson had been involved in providing comments on the CMP.  Furthermore the Superintendent advised that in consultation with the Highgate Wood Manager that they would produce a  summary document, say 6-8 pages, that would be suitable for public consumption.

Highgate Wood Restructure

The Committee were advised that a new staff roster had commenced that included two playground attendants joining the team in being responsible for closing the Wood to the public at the end of the day.  He stated that this needed to be reflected in their job descriptions.  The Highgate Wood Manager advised that the attendants had been given conflict avoidance training given the likely nature of their interaction with the public in the evenings, and with potential anti-social groups within the Wood, and this training was underlined by mentoring and support from the wider team and the Hampstead Heath Constabulary.

The Superintendent provided context behind the need for the new staff roster, in that 10% budget reductions necessitated the need for staff to be more flexible.  Furthermore as a public body facing a difficult funding climate it is likely further flexibility and new ways of working would be needed in future years.  The Deputy Chairman stated that the budget

Compaction – In response to a suggestion from Councillor Bob Hare, the Manager stated that the use of concrete stepping stones to create pathways through areas prone to compaction was a possibility that could be investigated.

Mobile Elevated Working Platform – In response to a question from Councillor Bob Hare, the manager confirmed that MEWP would continue to be used to remove deadwood from above woodland paths, to fulfil health and safety requirements.

Impromptu Noticeboard – Muswell Hill Road – In response to a question from Marguerite Clark, the Committee agreed on principle that the fence adjacent to the bus stop on Muswell Hill Road continued to be used as an informal noticeboard for the local community, provided it could be cleared on a regular basis to ensure the area did not become cluttered or prone to litter.

Deputy Chairman

The Chairman informed the Committee that this was the Deputy Chairman’s last meeting as he would be stepping down.  The Chairman, on behalf of the Committee thanked the Deputy Chairman for his 6 years work on the Committee and wished him well in his other City of London duties.

To be held at 2pm on 20 November 2013 at Guildhall.

RESOLVED:  That the next meeting would be held at 2pm on 20 November 2013 at Guildhall.