Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Keith Bottomley, Councillor Melvin Cohen (London Borough of Barnet), and Maija Roberts (Ramblers’ Association/Open Spaces Society).

The Chairman thanked Philip Wright for his service to the Committee and wished him well in his new role, and welcomed John Tomlinson to his first meeting.

The Chairman welcomed Colin Buttery who will be taking up the post of Director of Open Spaces from 1March 2017.

The Chairman informed the Committee of the sad sudden death of Glyn Roberts, a Duty Lifeguard at Hampstead Heath for the past 25 years. The Committee passed on their condolences to his family and wished his colleagues well.

Clare James declared a non-pecuniary interest in Item 6 of the agenda regarding the proposal for an Eruv.

To agree the minutes of the meeting held on 21 November 2016.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on 21 November 2016 be approved as an accurate record, subject to the following amendments:

Item 3.3 – Amend resolution to read “the minutes of the Highgate Wood Joint Consultative Committee be noted” 

Item3.4 – Amend resolution to read “the minutes of the Queen’s Park Joint Consultative Group be noted” 

Item 4 – The word “appeal” to be inserted to read “The applicant at the Water House has submitted an appeal against the refusal to grant planning permission.”

Item 7 – “Messaria” to be “Massaria”.

Item 16 – The word “budget” to be inserted to read “The provisional 2017/18 budget be approved for Submission to the Finance Committee”.

Matters Arising

Open Spaces Bill

It was reported that there was the possibility that a further meeting of the Opposed Bill Committee would be held to discuss the Kennel Club addition to the Bill.

Special Meetings

It was confirmed that a special meeting of the Queen’s Park Joint Consultative Group had been held on 16 January 2017. A special meeting of the Highgate Wood Committee would be planned for March 2017.

To note the minutes of the Hampstead Heath Consultative Committee held on 9 January 2017.

RESOLVED – That the draft minutes of the meeting held on 9 January 2017 be noted.

Matters Arising

Restructure of Culture, Heritage and Libraries

It was reported that a change had been made to the management structure of the Culture, Heritage and Libraries Department which had resulted in responsibility for Keats House, Tower Bridge and the Monument moving to the Open Spaces Department on 1 February 2017.  The Superintendent of Hampstead Heath will be responsible for Keats House. This would not affect the remit of the Management Committee, as responsibility for its oversight would be retained by the Culture, Heritage and Libraries Committee.

To note the minutes of the special workshop meeting held on 16 January 2017.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the special workshop held on 16 January 2017 be noted 

Report of the Town Clerk.

The Committee considered a report of the Town Clerk concerning their Terms of Reference.  Members discussed the differences between “Committees” and “Groups” and it was agreed the Terms should be amended to allow for flexibility in the naming of the Highgate Wood and Queen’s Park Committees.

RESOLVED – That the Terms of Reference be amended as below

Consultative Committees

(e) Appointing such Consultative Committees as are considered necessary for the better performance of its duties including a

- Hampstead Heath Consultative Committee

- Highgate Wood Joint Consultative Committee

- Queen’s Park Joint Consultative Group

To become

Consultative Committees

(e) Appointing such Consultative Committees and Groups as are considered necessary for the better performance of its duties including, but not limited to, a

- Hampstead Heath Consultative Committee

- Highgate Wood Joint Consultative Committee

- Queen’s Park Joint Consultative Group    

Report of the Town Clerk.

The Committee discussed a resolution from the Policy and Resources Committee concerning the election of Chairman and Deputy Chairman to Sub-Committees.

Members felt that the resolution did not present a democratic method for nominating an alternative Member to become Chairman of the Consultative (Sub-) Committees in lieu of the Chairman, and felt it could be considered as “patronage”. It was noted that the appointment of the Chairman to the Hampstead Heath Consultative Committee was governed by The London Government Reorganisation (Hampstead Heath) Order 1989. The precedent resolved by the Committee appointed the Deputy Chairman to the remaining position on the Committees. It was felt the resolution was too prescriptive and that Committees should be able to determine the best method to build in flexibility.

RESOLVED – That the Committee do not endorse the resolution of the Policy and Resources Committee.

Report of the Superintendent of Hampstead Heath.

The Committee received a report of the Superintendent of Hampstead Heath that provided Members with an update regarding the following management and operational activities across Hampstead Heath, Highgate Wood and Queen’s Park since November 2016:

Staffing

The Director of Open Spaces, Sue Ireland, was due to retire at the end of February, and her replacement Colin Buttery was in attendance at the meeting. The Committee wished to thank the Director for her outstanding leadership and dedication to the Department over her years of service.

Cafés

Meetings of the Café Working Party were ongoing, with the next meeting due to be held in February 2017. The Working Party had been presented with the report detailing the results of the engagement and consultation process and were discussing the outcomes from the survey.

Service Standards were being developed against the outcomes and Performance Indicators would be drafted to assist the leaseholders to understand what they are being asked to provide and to establish a mechanism for the City and the leaseholders to jointly monitor performance. The next steps were detailed to be:

-       A workshop in February to develop the Service Standards

-       Service Standards presented to the Consultative Committee in March for discussion

-       A report to be presented to the Management Committee in May on the draft Service Standards and options for the café leases.

The Lido café would be run on a different timescale to allow for a provider to be in place by summer 2017. A separate survey had been conducted, a short-term lease would be offered with flexibility to extend through the winter season. The lease would then be brought into the same timescale as the four other cafés. In response to a query from a Member, it was noted that the tender process should be as simple

Report of the Superintendent of Hampstead Heath.

The Committee considered a report of the Superintendent of Hampstead Heath outlining three projects at Gateway 2 of the project approval process.

East Heath Car Park

The Car Park currently posed a risk to health and safety as the aggregate surface was often washed on to East Heath Road in wet weather. Temporary coir matting rolls also presented a hazard. The project sought to address these issues by resurfacing the area, and options for a suitable material were being explored. Although gravel was seen as a sustainable option it was not thought to be suitable for the site, which has a 1:10 gradient. Members noted the necessity and urgency of the work. The bid for the project would be going to Corporate Priorities Board to seek funding for the works. 

The Committee wished to thank Officers from the London Borough of Camden for their support in managing the encroachment of aggregate on the Public Highway.

Peggy Jay Centre and Outdoor Play Centre

It was reported that the play equipment at the Centre needed updating and several items have had to be taken out of use. A feasibility study would be conducted on new equipment; the focus would be on learning-based and natural play.

The Hive

It was reported that the learning space at the Lido was inadequate for the needs of the Learning Team. It was proposed that two underutilised changing rooms at the Hive be converted to classrooms, and the building upgraded at the same time. A Member asked that the design reflect the character and history of the building.

RESOLVED - That the Committee support and agree the proposed capital projects.

Report of the Superintendent of Hampstead Heath.

The Committee received a report of the Superintendent of Hampstead Heath outlining the design for hard standing and surface water drainage improvements at Kenwood Yard. It was reported that the current surface presented a hazard to the many staff who were based at the Yard and did not allow for efficient water drainage. A new asphalt and reinforced concrete surface would be installed, strong enough to cope with the large skip vehicles required to come on site. The City’s framework contractor had given an initial quote, and the project would now go out for tender. Members acknowledged the need for the work to take place.

RESOLVED – That the Committee acknowledge and support the proposed works to Kenwood Yard.

Report of the Superintendent of Hampstead Heath.

The Committee received a report of the Superintendent of Hampstead Heath updating them on the final stages of the Ponds Project. It was anticipated that better weather in the spring will allow the aquatic planting, marginal planting and wildflower meadows to establish. A petition of 5097 signatures was still being promoted, to prevent public access to the island at Model Boating Pond. The Superintendent would investigate the various options, including dividing the island, and present them to the meeting of the Consultative Committee in March.

The Director of Open Spaces reported that the project would be used as an example of best practice at an upcoming meeting of the Summit Group.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

Report of the Superintendent of Hampstead Heath.

The Committee considered a report of the Superintendent of Hampstead Heath updating them on the 2016 events programme and presenting the proposed 2017 programme. Members discussed the mission statement for the events programme, which currently stated that events should promote health and wellbeing. It was felt the statement should reflect modern preferences for events and determine why events should be held on the Heath. The statement could then be used for publicity purposes.

Members further discussed the future of the Fairs on the Heath, their long history and how they could be adapted to be more attractive to Heath users. Regular meetings were held with the Showmen’s Guild to discuss the issue.

In response to a query from a Member, it was confirmed that the 2017 events diary would be launched at the Easter Fair.

RESOLVED – That the proposed 2017 Events Programme be approved.

There were no questions.

There was no other business.

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.

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 by Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act.  

To agree the non-public minutes of the meeting held on 21 November 2016.

RESOLVED – That the non-public minutes of the meeting held on 21 November be approved as an accurate record.

Report of the Superintendent of Hampstead Heath.

The Committee received the non-public appendix to Item 15 detailing the income from the 2016 events programme and the draft predicted income from the 2017 season.

RECEIVED

There were no non-public questions.

The was no non-public urgent business.