Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Councillor Melvin Cohen, Stuart Fraser, Wendy Mead and Graeme Smith.

Ther were no declarations.

To receive the Order of the Court of Common Council dated 19 April 2018 appointing the Committee and setting its Terms of Reference.

Members received the Order of the Court of Common Council dated 19 April 2018 appointing the Committee and approving its terms of reference.

To elect a Chairman in accordance with Standing Order No.29.

In accordance with Standing Order No.29, the Committee proceeded to elect a Chairman for the ensuing year. The Town Clerk read a list of Members eligible to stand and Karina Dostalova, being the only Member expressing her willingness to serve, was duly elected as Chairman.

The Chairman thanked Members for their support and took the opportunity to welcome Deputy David Bradshaw and Mark Bostock to their first meeting. The Chairman also thanked long standing Member Oliver Sells and Councillor Sally Gimson, who was retiring, for their contributions to the Committee during their tenure.

To elect a Deputy Chairman in accordance with Standing Order No. 30.

The Committee proceeded to elect a Deputy Chairman in accordance with Standing Order No. 30. The Town Clerk read a list of Members eligible to stand and Anne Fairweather, being the only Member expressing her willingness to serve, was duly elected as Deputy Chairman.

To agree the public minutes and summary of the Hampstead Heath, Highgate Wood and Queen’s Park Committee meeting held on 21 February 2018.

RESOLVED, that the public Minutes of the meeting held on 21 February 2018 were approved as a correct record.

Report of the Town Clerk.

Members received a report of the Town Clerk setting out the outstanding actions list and noted the various updates and additions.

In relation to action 5, Members were advised that identification of a person to represent physical disabilities on the Hampstead Heath Consultative Committee was in progress. A survey of relevant charities had been completed by the Town Clerk and engagement with three charities would take place in due course.

With regards to action 7, Members were advised by the Superintendent that the deadline for Zippos Circus to provide an Event Management Plan, their animal welfare arrangements, etc, was 29 May 2018. This would be reviewed and assessed by the Superintendent before bringing a recommendation under the urgency procedures.

To receive the public minutes of the Hampstead Heath Consultative Committee meeting held on 16 April 2018. 

The public minutes of the Hampstead Heath Consultative Committee (HHCC) meeting held on 16 April 2018 were received.

The Chairman highlighted that the City of London Corporation (Open Spaces) Act 2018 had received Royal Assent and thanked Members past and present and the Remembrancer’s team for their support and input over the years to get the act passed.

A Member noted that it would be helpful for the Committee to receive a paper on matters discussed at the walk regarding disability access and inclusivity at the Highgate Men’s Pond.

A Member noted from the minutes that members of staff were verbally and physically assaulted by a swimmer regarding installation of a temporary cycle parking area and that the Superintendent had written to the member of the public regarding their behaviour. It was queried whether this action was strong enough and that it should be known that there was a zero-tolerance policy to ensure the safety of staff and the public. The Superintendent advised that he was comfortable with the action taken regarding this incident and that the staff involved in the incident were supportive of the approach taken.

The Chairman highlighted that the Night of 10,000m Personal Best event on 19 May 2018 had been a great success which saw the Athletics Track completely transformed and thanked Highgate Harriers, Heath Staff and the event volunteers for their hard work.

To receive the public minutes of the Highgate Wood Consultative Group meeting held on 18 April 2018. 

The public minutes of the Highgate Wood Consultative Group meeting held on 18 April 2018 were received.

To receive the public minutes of the Queen's Park Consultative Group meeting held on 24 April 2018 (TO FOLLOW).

The public minutes of the Queen’s Park Consultative Group meeting held on 24 April 2018 were received.

Report of the Town Clerk.

Members considered a report of the Town Clerk regarding appointments to Committees and Groups for 2018/19.

RESOLVED, that:-

·         The terms of reference and composition of the Hampstead Heath Consultative Committee be noted;

·         The terms of reference and composition of both the Highgate Wood Consultative Group and the Queen’s Park Consultative Group be approved;

·         The Chairman and Deputy Chairman to be appointed to the Hampstead Heath Consultative Committee.

·         John Tomlinson be appointed to the Highgate Wood Consultative Group, and the further two vacancies be deferred until the next meeting of the Grand Committee for appointment;

·         Ruby Sayed be appointed to the Queen’s Park Consultative Group, and the further two vacancies be deferred until the next meeting of the Grand Committee for appointment;

·         John Tomlinson be appointed to serve on the Keats House Consultative Committee with the Chairman to also attend in an ex officio capacity;

The decision to appoint a local representative to observe meetings of the Open Spaces and City Gardens Committee be deferred until the next meeting of the Grand Committee.

Report of the Superintendent of Hampstead Heath.

Members considered a report of the Superintendent providing an update on matters concerning Hampstead Heath, Highgate Wood and Queen’s Park. The following points were made.

·         The Director of Open Spaces confirmed that meetings with the four Open Spaces Chairmen had taken place to discuss and prioritise a list of improvement projects applicable to a new source of internal funding. It was noted that bids for the top 10 priority projects would be submitted by the deadline at the end of May for consideration by the Chamberlain’s Department.

·         The Chairman saw identifying similar needs across Open Spaces as a great opportunity to form synergies.

Divisional Plan

·         The Superintendent drew Members attention to the 2018/19 Divisional Plan (Appendix 1) and advised that items 1.11, 1.12 and 3.12 were all priority projects that would be submitted for consideration for funding via the Priority Improvement Pot.

·         The Superintendent noted that a Q2 update of the 2018/19 Divisional Plan and the Division’s risk register would be brought to the next Committee meeting.

Shared-use path surfacing

·         Members were advised that a draft report outlining the surfacing and waymarking options for the existing shared-use-paths on Hampstead Heath was discussed by the HHCC in April and their comments were incorporated in the final draft of the report (Appendix 2).

·         The Superintendent sought Members views on the report and, in particular, on the preferred surfacing material, the priorities identified and waymarking.

·         Members were advised that all feedback would be incorporated into the plan and a prioritised programme of surfacing and waymarking works would be prepared and subsequently implemented through the Annual Work Programme.

·         A Member noted that there was scope for softening the impact of the shared use paths.

·         In response to a query regarding which recommendation was being recommended in the report, the Superintendent advised that a

Report of the Superintendent of Hampstead Heath.

Members considered a report of the Superintendent of Hampstead Heath concerning the Hampstead Heath Ponds and Wetland Strategy and the Model Boating Pond Island future access arrangements.

Members requested more information with regard the legal implications of restricting public access. The Chairman therefore deferred the report to the next meeting pending legal advice.

Report of the Director of Open Spaces.

Members considered a Gateway 7 outcome report of the Director of Open Spaces regarding the Hive Learning & Volunteer Centre at Hampstead Heath.

The Superintendent advised Members that the Department were bidding for funding to carry out a feasibility study investigating how to better use the existing facilities at the Heath.

Members were pleased with this robust business-case approach from Officers to review the project and to provide a holistic view of the Heath’s assets and how they can be put to best use.

Report of the Superintendent of Hampstead Heath.

Members considered a report of the Superintendent of Hampstead Heath concerning the Management Framework for Hampstead Heath.

The Superintendent advised Members that the HHCC had requested a further opportunity to provide feedback on the Management Framework and the deadline had been extended for final approval by this Committee in November. 

RESOLVED – That Members consider the Outcomes and Measurement Framework, and feedback on the proposals in paragraph 10 of this report.

Report of the Superintendent of Hampstead Heath.

Members noted a report of the Superintendent of Hampstead Heath regarding the Open Spaces Department Events Policy.

Members were advised that the HHCC had provided feedback on Part 2 of the policy and the Open Spaces Committee had made minor changes to provide clarity to Part 1. Part 2 of the policy will be updated in-line with feedback received from the HHCC and the Events Advisory Group. An updated version of Part 2 will be presented to the HHCC in July 2018, before being presented to this Committee in September 2018 for approval.

In response to a query regarding Section 7, Clause 4(a) (iii) of the City of London Corporation (Open Spaces) Act 2018 and the policy concerning events on unbuilt land, the Superintendent advised Members that infrastructure associated with events such as the Affordable Art Fair are temporary and located on areas classified as built-on, which includes the Fairground at East Heath.

RECEIVED.

Kenwood House General Manager to be heard.

Members received a verbal update from Kenwood House General Manager regarding events at Kenwood House and the following comments were made.

·         The Kenwood House General Manager advised Members that Kenwood House had reviewed its programme and would now be hosting a variety of larger public events.

·         Members were advised that managing noise pollution was a key focus for Kenwood House Team.

·         It was noted that the setup of the House Festival would commence on 27 June not July as stated within the report.

·         The Leisure & Events Manager gave thanks to the Kenwood House General Manager for the Kenwood Event Organisers sponsorship towards the new Heath diary.

----

RESOLVED - With two hours having elapsed since the start of the meeting, in accordance with Standing Order No. 40 the Committee agreed at this point to extend the meeting by up to thirty minutes.

----

There were no questions.

Final Open Spaces Departmental Business Plan 2018/19

Members noted a report of the Director of Open Spaces regarding the Final Open Spaces Departmental Business Plan 2018/19.

MOTION: That under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Part I of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act as follows:-

Item No.                                                         Paragraphs in Schedule 12A

RESOLVED, that under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 the public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Part I of Schedule 12A of the Act.

Report of the City Surveyor.

Members considered a report of the City Surveyor regarding the lease renewal of the St Columba Radio Mast Station on Spaniards Road.

There were no questions.

Land available for acquisition at Hampstead Heath

Members considered a late urgent report of the Director of Open Spaces concerning a piece of land available for acquisition at Hampstead Heath.

The date of the next meeting is 5 September 2018 at 4.00pm.

The date of the next meeting on 5 September 2018 at 4.00pm at Guildhall was noted.