Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Clare James, Alderman Ian Luder, Councillor Melvin Cohen (London Borough of Barnet), and Philip Wright (English Heritage).

There were none.

To agree the public minutes and summary of the meeting held on 25 January 2016.

RESOLVED – That:-

a)    the public minutes and non-public summary of the Hampstead Heath, Highgate Wood & Queen’s Park Committee meeting on 25 January 2016 be approved; and

b)    the draft minutes of the Hampstead Heath Consultative Committee meeting on 7 March 2016 be noted.

Matters Arising

City of London Corporation (Open Spaces) Bill

The Bill had received its second reading on 2 February. Two petitions had been submitted but neither were related to Hampstead Heath. A local MP for Hampstead and Kilburn was making a representation to the Bill, possibly regarding the Bill’s impact on roadways across the Heath.

Hampstead Heath Ponds Project

Archaeologists from the Museum of London Archaeology Society (MOLA) would be carrying out a two or three day investigation of the timber structures in the Model Boating Pond this week, following an initial inspection on Friday 11 March.

Report of the Superintendent of Hampstead Heath.

The Committee considered a report of the Superintendent of Hampstead Heath regarding the award of three-year leases for Catering Services across Hampstead Heath, Highgate Wood and Queen’s Park, commencing on 9 May 2016. The Superintendent began by explaining the tender process for the new three-year leases across the five café sites.

In response to Members’ questions, the Constabulary and Queen’s Park Manager advised that the criteria assessing the quality of each bid included the content and affordability of sample menus, sustainability and locality of proposed produce, and the use of local or existing employees. New bidders received no preference over existing leaseholders and there was no weighting towards large or small companies. Consultation had been carried out with existing users of each Café, including a customer feedback questionnaire at Queen’s Park. The Head of City Procurement added that bidders’ perceived suitability to the location was not considered but could be included as quality criteria during future tendering processes.

Some Members suggested that the award of each lease to the Most Economically Advantageous Tender (MEAT) did not necessarily take into account the political concerns surrounding the decision. Another Member added that financial benefits of each MEAT to the North London Open Spaces outweighed the political concerns.

It was then RESOLVED to continue further discussions during the Non-Public Agenda due to the disclosure of exempt information likely to reveal the identity of individuals and relating to the financial and business affairs of any particular person or authority (in accordance with paragraphs 1 and 3 of Part I of Schedule 12A from the Local Government Act 1972).

Report of the Superintendent of Hampstead Heath.

The Committee received a report of the Superintendent of Hampstead Heath that outlined the progress made with the Sports Projects and Programmes Board; specifically with regard to the development of a strategic partnership approach with the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA). Members were advised that the LTA would assist in the provision of a new online booking system, including a mobile app to be launched in May 2016, and support for the Heath’s tennis coach. Staff would still be available on site to assist users unable to use an online system.

RESOLVED – That:-

a)    the progress made by the Sports Programme and Project Board be noted; and

b)    the partnership approach with the LTA be supported.

Report of the Superintendent of Hampstead Heath.

The Committee received a report of the Superintendent of Hampstead Heath that provided an update regarding the management and operational activities across the Heath since January 2016. The Superintendent provided some additional information regarding the following matters:-

Planning

·         A California Bearing Ration (CBR) survey carried out in January 2016 showed that the road providing access to the Water House was not capable of receiving Heavy Goods Vehicle traffic, which would also cause damage to a veteran oak tree.

·         The planning application for the Water House was due to be considered by the London Borough of Camden’s Development and Control Committee in April or May 2016 and Planning Officers were expected to recommend that the application be refused.

Events

·         A restoration plan for the Southern Counties Cross Country Championships, held on 30 January 2016, had been put in place.

·         Problem areas along the route were being monitored carefully and new repair and recovery techniques involving compaction machinery were being looked into.

·         The route would be incorporated into the next Committee walk of the Heath.

·         In response to Members’ concerns, the Superintendent advised that the possibility of additional funding for ground repair after the popular Cross Country events would be looked into.

Ponds

·         Works at the Kenwood Ladies’ Bathing Pond were due to be completed by 30 April 2016.

·         The Ladies’ Pond would re-open and the Mixed Pond would return to a mixed male and female pond on 7 May 2016.

RESOLVED – That the Superintendent’s update for March 2016 be noted.

Joint report of the Superintendent of Hampstead Heath and the Ponds Project Director.

The Committee received a joint report of the Superintendent of Hampstead Heath and the Ponds Project Director regarding the progression of the Hampstead Heath Ponds Project. The Superintendent provided the following updates:-

·         Earthworks at the Model Boating Pond had recommenced following the recent better weather but they would now be subject to a three day delay whilst the archaeological monitoring was carried out by MOLA.

·         One Alder tree had been removed by MBP to allow for the Kenwood Ladies’ Pond building to be brought onto site.

·         Desilting at Viaduct was halted due to debris in the pond so an excavator would be required to remove the debris before recommencing the desilting process.

·         A legal matter with BAM Nuttall regarding the determination of responsibility for risk was currently going through litigation.

·         Large warning signs had been place along the concrete delivery route for the Kenwood Ladies’ Bathing Pond at the request of the Community Working Group.

RESOLVED – That the progress of the Hampstead Heath Ponds Project be noted.

Superintendent of Hampstead Heath.

The Committee received a report of the Superintendent of Hampstead Heath regarding the development of the 2018-2028 Hampstead Heath Management Plan, which had received support from the Hampstead Heath Consultative Committee. Members noted that the Management Plan review process would also include a review of the wider engagement approach taken during the development of past Management Plans. A Member thanked Officers for engaging with the Committee at this early stage of the process.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To appoint a Member of this Committee to the Highgate Wood Joint Consultative Committee for the remainder of 2015/16.

No Member was able to stand so a vacancy on the Highgate Wood Joint Consultative Committee would remain until the 2016/17 appointment process in May 2016.

There were none.

There was none.

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 on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act.

To agree the non-public minutes of the meeting held on 25 January 2016.

RESOLVED – That the non-public minutes of the meeting on 25 January 2016 be approved.

To consider the Non-Public appendices in accordance with Item 4 of the Public Agenda.

The Committee considered the Non-Public appendices of the report of the Superintendent of Hampstead that sought approval to the award of five three-year leases for Catering Services commencing 9 May 2016, which included the disclosure of exempt information likely to reveal the identity of individuals and relating to the financial and business affairs of any particular person or authority (in accordance with paragraphs 1 and 3 of Part I of Schedule 12A from the Local Government Act 1972).

After lengthy discussions and careful consideration, the Committee proceeded to vote on the award of each three-year lease in the order below. The Town Clerk reminded the Committee that the non-City Corporation Co-Opted Members were able to vote on matters relating to Hampstead Heath only as per the Hampstead Heath, Highgate Wood and Queen’s Park Committee’s Terms of Reference.

RESOLVED – That:-

a)    The award of a three year lease of the Parliament Hill Lido Café to Company III be approved unanimously;

b)    The award of a three year lease of the Queen’s Park Café to Company II be approved unanimously;

c)    The award of a three year lease of the Highgate Wood Café to Company I be approved by seven votes to four;

d)    The award of a three year lease of the Parliament Hill Café to Company I be approved by eight votes to six, with one abstention; and

e)    The award of a three year lease of the Golders Hill Park Café to Company I be approved by eight votes to six, with one abstention.

There were none.

There was none.