Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Barbara Newman, Dr Peter Hardwick, Charlotte Kemp and Martyn Foster.

There were no declarations.

To agree the public minutes and summary of the meeting held on 26 November 2012 (copy attached).

The public minutes and summary from the meeting held on 26 November 2012 were approved as a correct record.

Matters Arising

Dog Control Orders (page 2) – In answer to a question from the Deputy Chairman, the Director of Open Spaces advised that this was still ongoing and that there was no change to the timetable and that a report of the trial at Burnham Beeches would be tabled to the September 2013 meeting of the Committee.

Hampstead Heath Calendar (page 4) – In answer to a question, the Chairman stated that these had been sent out to Members.

In accordance with an Order of the Court of 6 December 2012, the Committee are invited to review their terms of reference prior to their submission to the Court at its meeting in April 2013 (copy attached).

The Committee considered their Terms of Reference prior to their submission to the Court at its meeting in April 2013.

RESOLVED:  That the Terms of Reference remain unchanged and submitted to the Court at its meeting in April 2013.

Report of the Town Clerk (copy attached).

The Committee received a report regarding details of action taken under delegated authority by the Town Clerk in consultation with the Chairman and Deputy Chairman of the Hampstead Heath, Highgate Wood and Queen’s Park Committee, in accordance with Standing Order 41(b) relative to the Hampstead Heath Hydrology – Design Review Method Statement.

RECEIVED.

Report of the Town Clerk (copy attached).

The Committee considered a report of the Town Clerk relative to the Schedule of Visits for 2013.

RESOLVED:  That –

i)  the 2013 schedule of visits, as set out in the Appendix 1 to the report,  be agreed; and

ii)  the various dates that relate to visits for each Committee be noted.

Superintendent of Hampstead Heath to be heard on Hampstead Heath matters.

The Superintendent was heard on matters relating to Hampstead Heath:

Planning Issues– Highgate Neighbourhood Forum had been formally designated and a further Forum was being formed for Dartmouth Park.  On individual planning applications the Superintendent updated Members on The Garden House application that was refused permission by Camden’s Development Control Committee.

Postponement of SEAA Cross Country – Superintendent advised that this had been postponed for safety reasons due to the recent spell of bad weather making conditions treacherous.

National Grid – Works at Kenwood and the Heath extension were almost completed, the major works at Parliament Hill were nearing completion, but inclement weather had delayed the programme. 

Wild about Hampstead Heath – 2 officers had now been appointed by RSPB.  The Superintendent advised that the old football changing rooms was currently being used by the RSPB.

Joint Report of the Director of Open Spaces and City Surveyor (copy attached).

The Committee received a joint report of the Director of Open Spaces and the City Surveyor relative to the Hampstead Heath Hydrology (Strategic Risk 11).

The City Surveyor advised the Committee that with regards to the appointment of the contractors, a number had withdrawn from the tender process.

RECEIVED.

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

The Committee considered a report of the Superintendent of Hampstead Heath reviewing the work carried out by the Hampstead Heath Constabulary during the period 1 January 2012 to 31 December 2012, recording 1,993 occurences/incidents in the year, together with information on the progress made in the development of partnerships with other agencies and achievements on key objectives.

RESOLVED:  That Members note the work of the Hampstead Heath Constabulary during 2012, in particular, the continued effort that is being undertaken to strengthen links with other agencies that helps to ensure that Hampstead Heath remains a safe, appealing and enjoyable place for millions who visit each year, reducing the fear of crime and anti-social behaviour.

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

The Committee considered a report of the Superintendent of Hampstead Heath providing an update on the partnership work, that has been undertaken by the City of London, Hampstead Heath Constabulary and Terrence Higgins Trust during 2012 in providing public sex environment outreach sessions on the West Heath, Hampstead Heath.

RESOLVED:  That Members –

i)          Note partnership work which has continued to be carried out by the Hampstead heath Constabulary, Terrence Higgins Trust and other agencies promotion safety and responsible use of Hampstead Heath during 2012; and

ii)         Support the continued partnership work during 2013.

Superintendent of Hampstead Heath to be heard on Highgate Wood and Queen’s Park matters.

The Superintendent was heard on matters relating to Highgate Wood and Queen’s Park:

Tree Sculpture in Play area – The Committee were advised that the tree sculpture had developed tree rot and may have to be taken down.  The Superintendent stated that signage would shortly be placed around the area advising the public of what was taking place.

Queen’s Park Winter Gathering – The Committee were advised on the success of the annual event held at Queen’s Park.

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

The Committee considered a report of the Superintendent of Hampstead Heath providing an update on the production of the new Conservation Management Plan for Highgate Wood.

RESOLVED:  That  Members –

i)          consider and approve the attached final draft of the Highgate Wood Conservation Management Plan 2013-2023, and authority to be delegated to the Town Clerk in consultation with the Chairman and Deputy Chairman to approve any final amendments; and

ii)         authorise publication as the adopted Conservation Management Plan for Highgate Wood.

Conference – Pests and Diseases – In answer to a question, the Director of Open Spaces advised the Committee that a joint conference with the Forestry Commission had been held at Guildhall on Pests and Diseases that were relevant to trees in London.  She stated that over 200 delegates had attended the event which had been opened by the Chairman of the Policy and Resources Committee and the Head of the Forestry Commission.

The Chairman advised that this had been an interesting conference and that many messages had been received requesting information on what could be done to prevent the diseases spreading.

There were no urgent items.

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

    16                                                                                        3

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 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

    16                                                                                        3

To agree the non-public minutes of the meeting held on 26 November 2012 (copy attached).

The Committee approved the non-public minutes of the meeting on 26 November 2012 as a correct record.

There were no questions.

The Committee considered one urgent items of business relating to Hampstead Heath hydrology.