Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Stephanie Beer (Muswell Hill & Fortis Green Association) and Councillor Jonathan Bloch (London Borough of Haringey).

The Chairman noted that Dennis Cotgrove’s term on the Highgate Wood Joint Consultative Committee would be concluding shortly and therefore took the opportunity to thank Mr Cotgrove for his service on the Committee.

There were no declarations.

To agree the public minutes of the meeting held on 20 November 2013.

The minutes of the meeting held on 20 November 2013 were approved as a correct record, subject to 36,000kW being corrected to 6,500kW on page 2 under ‘Sustainability’.

Matters Arising

Sustainability

The Highgate Wood Manager noted that the photovoltaic cells had generated 1,700kW of electricity since September 2013, and that it was expected that the cells would generate half of the power needs for the Machine Shed, rather than half the power needs of the whole Wood as stated at the committee meeting in November 2013.

            The Superintendent of Hampstead Heath added that Amey had taken over the contract for waste management in the Wood from Enterprise on an interim basis and that a full tender exercise for the contract would take place in due course.

LiDar Survey

The Superintendent of Hampstead Heath informed committee members that the City of London was currently in the process of purchasing a copy of a recent LiDar survey of the Wood.

Report of the Superintendent of Hampstead Heath.

Weather­

The Highgate Wood Manager noted that severe weather since November 2013 had caused significant storm damage as well as flooding to areas both within the Wood and on the sports field. He added that flooded areas had now largely dried out and recovered.

Highgate Wood Conservation Management Plan Summary Document

The Highgate Wood Manager noted that a revised Summary Document had been issued following feedback on the version reviewed by the Committee in November 2013. He added that, whilst the format had been revised, issues over poor image quality remained an issue, and that this would be addressed.

Michael Hammerson felt that the section relating to the history and archaeology of the Wood could make greater reference to its wider geographical setting.

Councillor Bob Hare felt that it was difficult to distinguish the compartment areas on the maps within the document – these should be made clearer and their dates included. Moreover it was not clear from the maps which were existing conservation areas and which were proposed. It was also unclear where footpaths were situated. In response to these comments, the Chairman added that this was a summary document only and that it was important to keep diagrams uncongested and easy to interpret.

Councillor Bob Hare and Ann Holmes suggested that black and white maps be produced that could be easily photocopied.

Michael Hammerson noted that there was an error on the timeline.

In response to a query from Councillor Bob Hare, Lucy Roots replied that, unlike the recently flooded area at Onslow Gate, the flood area in Coldfall Wood had plenty of natural light to encourage its biodiversity.

Conservation Management Plan Objectives – Progress

The Highgate Wood Manager noted that the earthwork had been included in a conservation area and would therefore be protected for 10 years,

Report of the Superintendent of Hampstead Heath.

Background and Tree Stock

The Highgate Wood Manager noted that the Wood was home to approximately 5,000 trees, and formed a remnant of ancient woodland that belonged to the medieval 1000-acre hunting estate of the Bishop of London.

            He went on to note that the Wood would be part of a pan-London survey of trees using new woodland management software called iTree, which would see vital statistics of each tree. The data gathered in the survey would be submitted to the developers of iTree in the US and a report generated for publication in 2015.

            In response to a question, the Highgate Wood Manager replied that, whilst the survey would not be directly concerned with air quality, the eventual data set would help establish the extent to which trees affected air quality in the capital.

            In response to a request from Michael Hammerson, the Highgate Wood Manager agreed to consider providing a presentation on iTree at a future meeting. He added as an aside that over 270 volunteers had come forward to take part in the pan-London survey, which was more than was called for.

Veteran Tree Stock

In response to a question from Michael Hammerson, the Superintendent of Hampstead Heath replied that the definition of a veteran tree depended not just on its age, but other factors such as its treatment in the past – e.g. experience of storm events, coppicing etc.

Tree Disease

The Highgate Wood Manger noted that the main issues of disease facing Highgate Wood were OPM and Acute Oak Decline (AOD), and that the proposed response in the event of either being detected was set out within the report. He added that there was some concern over an emerging disease in the Canal de Midi area of France that affected Plane trees – it resembled

Insurance

In response to a question from Ann Holmes, the Superintendent of Hampstead Heath replied that, for insurance purposes, damage and injuries arising from storm damage was attributed to an Act of God.

Publicity of Budgetary Pressures

In response to an observation from Michael Hammerson that the pressures facing the management of the City’s Open Spaces needed to be publicised as widely as possible, the Highgate Wood Manager noted that the issues were well known across the industry, ranging from the Crown Estate, to the London Borough of Camden, which was facing a £70 million reduction in budgets.

Signage and Bins

In response to concerns from Marguerite Clark, the Highgate Wood Manager agreed to consider improved signage for the Pavilion Café and the appearance of recycling bins outside of the café itself.

Highgate Wood Heritage Day

The Highgate Wood Manager noted that the Highgate Wood Heritage Day would take place on Sunday 31 August 2014.

There was no other business.

The next meeting will be held on Wednesday 19 November 2014 at 11:30am in the Committee Rooms, West Wing, Guildhall.

The next meeting of the Highgate Wood Joint Consultative Committee will be on 19 November 2014 in the Committee Rooms, West Wing, Guildhall at 11:30am.