Agenda and draft minutes

Venue: Committee Rooms, 2nd Floor, West Wing, Guildhall

Contact: Alistair MacLellan  Email: alistair.maclellan@cityoflondon.gov.uk

Items
No. Item

1.

Apologies

Minutes:

Apologies were received from William Upton, Rachel Evans, Councillor Sally Gimson, Maija Roberts and Graeme Smith.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 1.

2.

Members Declarations under the Code of Conduct in Respect of Items on This Agenda

Minutes:

There were no apologies.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 2.

3.

Minutes

Minutes:

3a

17 July 2017 pdf icon PDF 232 KB

To agree the public minutes of the meeting held on 17 July 2017.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 3a

Minutes:

RESOLVED,   that the minutes of the meeting held on 17 July 2017 were approved as a correct record subject to a typographical correction.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 3a

3b

27 September 2017 pdf icon PDF 7 KB

To receive a note of the inquorate meeting held on 27 September 2017.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 3b

Minutes:

The note of the inquorate meeting held on 27 September 2017 was received. Members noted that the meeting had, in effect, been cancelled due to a number of apologies received after notice of the meeting had been published, and requested that the wording of the note be amended accordingly.

 

RESOLVED, that the note of the inquorate meeting be noted.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 3b

4.

A Community Vision for Hampstead Heath pdf icon PDF 94 KB

Report of the Superintendent of Hampstead Heath.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 4.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Members considered Item 10, a report of the Superintendent of Hampstead Heath regarding a Community Vision for Hampstead Heath, and the following points were made.

 

·         A Member commented that the consultation process followed during the formulation of the vision document had in his opinion worked well.

 

·         In response to a suggestion from a Member that the fact the City of London Corporation both owned as well as managed the Heath be made clearer, the Chairman and Deputy Chairman both noted that it was in their view positive that the local community around the Heath felt a sense of ownership, and therefore the inclusive language of the vision document should be retained.

 

Sam Cooper arrived at this point of the meeting.

 

·         In response to a comment from a Member that initiatives on the Heath often aroused divisive opinions, the Chairman noted that a lot of effort was put into managing and mediating opposing views and groups. For example, a Cycle and Pedestrian Working Group had been convened to ensure that both pedestrian and cycle users on the Heath could use paths and cycleways on the Heath to their satisfaction.

 

·         A Member noted that the vision document was in his view a phenomenal piece of work and an excellent distillation of the City’s aspirations for the Heath over the coming years. He suggested however that a caveat should be placed on the vision to make clear that it was subject to the requisite resources being available from the City of London Corporation.

 

·         A Member agreed, noting that it would be helpful to ensure that financial sustainability was embedded within the vision.

 

·         A Member noted that similar points had been discussed by stakeholders during the drafting process and the view had been taken that the vision document was intended as ‘poetry’ compared to

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

5.

Fees and Charges 2018/19 pdf icon PDF 191 KB

Report of the Superintendent of Hampstead Heath.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 5.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Members considered Item 11, a report of the Superintendent of Hampstead Heath regarding Fees and Charges for 2018/19 and the following points were made.

 

·         The Superintendent noted that the report had been discussed by the Hampstead Heath Consultative Committee at its meeting on 9 October 2017, and the minutes of that meeting were within the papers before Members. The Highgate Wood Consultative Group and the Queen’s Park Consultative Group had been consulted on the proposals by email and no adverse comments had been received.

 

·         In response to a question from a Member, the Superintendent replied that increased charges to deter parking for longer than four hours was intended to discourage ‘commuter parking’ and promote short term parking for those intending to visit the Heath. The Superintendent agreed to provide feedback to Members on whether the charging produced the intended effect.

 

John Tomlinson left at this point of the meeting.

 

·         In response to a question from a Member, the Superintendent replied that the new Block Booking charge was intended to encourage a greater range of sports clubs to use facilities on the Heath.

 

·         In response to a question from a Member, the Superintendent confirmed that he would be considering the use of payment apps as part of the review of improved payments arrangements at facilities on the Heath.

 

·         In response to a request from a Member, the Superintendent agreed to set out the various income streams for the Heath in tabular form.

 

RESOLVED, that Members

 

·         Note the views of the Hampstead Heath Consultative Committee, Highgate Wood Consultative Group, and Queen’s Park Consultative Group.

 

·         Agree the proposed fees and charges for 2018/19.

 

 

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

6.

Developing a Divisional Plan for Hampstead Heath, Highgate Wood, Keats House and Queen's Park pdf icon PDF 91 KB

Report of the Superintendent of Hampstead Heath.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 6.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Members considered Item 12, a report of the Superintendent of Hampstead Heath regarding developing a Divisional Plan for Hampstead Heath, Highgate Wood, Keats House and Queen’s Park and the following points were made.

 

·         The Chairman noted that this was an early draft of the plan that was before Members for comment ahead of the final draft being submitted to the Committee for approval in early 2018.

 

·         The Superintendent noted that the draft plan had been discussed at the Hampstead Heath Consultative Committee at its meeting on 9 October 2017 and that the plan would be updated in light of comments made at that meeting. The final version of the plan would include a three-year forward plan, greater clarity on deadlines for respective workstreams, and a column detailing progress on each item.

 

RESOLVED, that Members note the work being undertaken on drafting the Divisional Plan.   

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

7.

Appointment of a Representative on the Keats House Consultative Committee

To consider the appointment of a representative on the Keats House Consultative Committee.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 7.

Minutes:

Members considered Item 5 next, the appointment of a representative to serve on the Keats House Consultative Committee. Members agreed that the Chairman serve as the Committee’s representative, with the opportunity to serve being made available to any new Members joining the Committee during the course of the 2017/18.

 

RESOLVED, that Karina Dostalova be appointed to the Keats House Consultative Committee.  

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

8.

Revenue & Capital Budgets - 2017/18 & 2018/19 pdf icon PDF 257 KB

Joint Report of the Chamberlain and the Director of Open Spaces.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 8.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Members considered item 6 next, a joint report of the Chamberlain and the Director of Open Spaces regarding Revenue and Capital Budgets for 2017/18 and 2018/19 and the following points were made.

 

·         The Chamberlain noted that the increased figure for cyclical works outlined within the report was subject to approval by the Policy and Resources Committee at its meeting in January 2018.

 

·         A Member noted that the latest revenue budget for 2017/18 should be considered as a proposed budget and not as a ‘latest approved budget’ as described within the report. Moreover, the Member noted that it would be better practice for the two budgets for 2017/18 and 208/19 to be presented to Members as two distinct reports. The Chamberlain agreed to feed this back to the Finance Committee, under whose remit the current format of reporting had been agreed.

 

·         In response to a comment from a Member, the Chamberlain noted that the charity accounts would be reported to Members in February 2018.

 

·         In response to a question from a Member, the Superintendent replied that the Hive was a proposed education space that was currently at Gateway 1/2 in the City’s project process. The project was temporarily on hold as unforeseen costs had been identified thanks to the fact that the building originally intended for the Hive needed to have its roof strengthened so it could bear solar panels. Officers were therefore considering whether other built assets on the Heath could house the Hive instead.

 

·         The Chairman noted that the potential for the Hive, once completed, the generate income would be considered in the forthcoming Hampstead Heath Asset Review.

 

RESOLVED, that Members

 

·           Note the provisional 2018/19 revenue budget and confirm that it reflects the Committee’s objectives.

 

·           Approve the budget for submission to the Finance Committee;

 

·           Authorise the Chamberlain, in

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

9.

Queen's Park Café Tender Delegated Authority Request pdf icon PDF 98 KB

Report of the Superintendent of Hampstead Heath.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 9.

Minutes:

Members considered item 14 next, a report of the Superintendent of Hampstead Heath regarding a request for delegated authority to award a three-year lease for Queen’s Park Café.

 

RESOLVED, that Members granting delegated authority to the Town Clerk in consultation with the Chairman and Deputy Chairman of the Committee to award a three year lease for the Queen’s Park Café following the completion of the tender process.

 

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 9.

10.

Minutes of the Hampstead Heath Consultative Committee

Minutes:

10a

17 July 2017 pdf icon PDF 196 KB

To receive the minutes of the meeting held on 17 July 2017.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 10a

Minutes:

Members considered item 4(a) next, the minutes of the meeting of the Hampstead Heath Consultative meeting held on 17 July 2017.

 

RESOLVED, that the minutes be noted.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 10a

10b

9 October 2017 pdf icon PDF 221 KB

To receive the minutes of the meeting held on 9 October 2017.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 10b

Minutes:

Members considered item 4(b) next, the minutes of the Hampstead Heath Consultative Committee meeting held on 9 October 2017.

 

RESOLVED, that the minutes be noted.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 10b

11.

Superintendent's Update pdf icon PDF 160 KB

Report of the Superintendent of Hampstead Heath.

 

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 11.

Minutes:

Members considered item 9 next, an update report of the Superintendent regarding matters affecting Hampstead Heath and the following points were made.

 

City of London (Open Spaces) Bill

 

·         The Director of Open Spaces noted that the Bill had been delayed by the June 2017 General Election but had now passed both the First and Second Reading in the House of Lords. It would now be considered at Committee in the Lords, which could take up to a couple of months. He noted that if and when the Bill became and Act, it would enable the City to deliver improved commercial services in its Open Spaces, such as longer term leases for its cafes.

 

Cycling

 

·         The Superintendent noted that the consultant’s report referenced within the report had now been completed, and would be discussed at the meeting of the Pedestrian and Cycling Working Group at its meeting on 28 November 2017.

 

Planning

 

·         Wallace House, Millfield Lane. The Superintendent briefed Members on a new planning application not referenced within the report concerning Wallace House in Millfield Lane. He noted that it was a basement development that would potentially affect drainage from the Ladies’ Pond, and representations would be made accordingly.

 

·         William Ellis School. The Superintendent briefed Members on a planning application not referenced within the report concerning a major £30m development at William Ellis School on Highgate Road. He noted that the Operational Services Director sat on the community consultation group for the development, and representations would be made on the forthcoming planning application.

 

·         The Water House, Millfield Lane. The Superintendent noted that officers would be meeting with the developer to determine how best to protect veteran and mature trees on Millfield Lane during the construction period.

 

·         The Superintendent noted that officers enjoyed effective collaboration with local stakeholders and societies when

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 11.

12.

Superintendent's Update

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

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 12.

Minutes:

The Superintendent was heard on Item 13 next, regarding matters concerning Highgate Wood and Queen’s Park and the following points were made.

 

·         The Highgate Wood Community Day had been held on 3 September 2017, with the dog show and monkey climbing nets proving especially popular.

 

·         The draft Woodland Management Plan for Highgate Wood would be submitted to the Highgate Wood Consultative Group for comment at its meeting on 22 November 2017.

 

·         The Queen’s Park Day had been held on 17 September 2017 and had been well attended.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 12.

13.

Draft Departmental Business Plan 2018/19 - Open Spaces pdf icon PDF 93 KB

Report of the Director of Open Spaces.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 13.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Members considered item 7 next, a report of the Director of Open Spaces regarding the draft Departmental Business Plan for 2018/19 for Open Spaces and the following comments were made.

 

·         The Director of Open Spaces noted that the draft plan was part of a move towards producing a high level plan that better reflected the City of London Corporation’s Corporate Plan. The plan was at draft stage, and officers continued to work on drafting desired outcomes. Members were invited to comment on the current iteration ahead of a final Departmental Business Plan being submitted to Members for approval in early 2018.

 

·         In response to comments from a Member, the Director agreed to clarify the meaning of symbols and acronyms within the plan, and correct some typographical errors.

 

·         The Deputy Chairman welcomed the draft plan but requested that the Director consider simplifying the overall strategic objectives and over time embedding the newly adopted Community Vision for the Heath in the Business Plan. In response, the Director noted that much of the vision would be reflected in the Divisional Plan, rather than that Departmental Plan.

 

RESOLVED, that the draft Departmental Business Plan be noted.

 

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 13.

14.

Year 1 Review of Learning in Open Spaces pdf icon PDF 264 KB

Report of the Director of Open Spaces.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 14.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Members considered item 8 next, a report of the Director of Open Spaces on the Year 1 Review of Learning in Open Spaces.

 

RESOLVED, that Members

 

·         Note the success of the learning programme in the first year of delivery and support its continued delivery into years 2 and 3 of the current funding.

 

·         Note the issue of not achieving funding from external sources and the risk this presents to the programme.

 

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 14.

15.

Questions on Matters Relating to the Work of the Committee

Minutes:

There were no questions.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 15.

16.

Any Other Business That the Chairman Considers Urgent

Minutes:

There was no other business.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 16.

17.

Exclusion of the Public

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.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 17.

Minutes:

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.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 17.

18.

Annual Waivers Report 2016/17

Report of the Chamberlain.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 18.

Minutes:

Members considered an annual report of the Chamberlain regarding Annual Waivers for 2016/17.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 18.

19.

Questions on Matters Relating to the Work of the Committee

Minutes:

There were no questions.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 19.

20.

Any Other Business That the Chairman Considers Urgent and Which the Committee Agree Should Be Considered Whilst the Public Are Excluded

Minutes:

Members considered three items of other business.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 20.