Agenda and minutes

Venue: VIRTUAL MEETING (ACCESSIBLE REMOTELY) - https://youtu.be/4TWJPPzEIXs

Contact: Leanne Murphy tel. no.: 07546524565  Email: leanne.murphy@cityoflondon.gov.uk

Items
No. Item

1.

Apologies

Minutes:

Apologies were received from Christopher Small.

 ...  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 none.

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

3.

ORDER OF THE COURT OF COMMON COUNCIL pdf icon PDF 130 KB

To receive the Order of the Court of Common Council dated 16 July 2020 appointing the Committee and setting its Terms of Reference.

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

Minutes:

Members received the Order of the Court of Common Council dated 16 July 2020 appointing the Committee and approving its terms of reference.

 

 

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

4.

ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN

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

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

Minutes:

In accordance with Standing Order No.29, the Committee proceeded to elect a Chairman for the ensuing year. The Town Clerk stated the Members that had expressed an interest and Anne Fairweather, being the only Member expressing their willingness to serve, was duly elected as Chair.

 

The Chair thanked Members for their support and took the opportunity to welcome new Member Deputy Edward Lord to the Committee.

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

5.

ELECTION OF DEPUTY CHAIRMAN

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

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

Minutes:

The Committee proceeded to elect a Deputy Chairman in accordance with Standing Order No. 30. The Town Clerk stated the Members that had expressed an interest and Karina Dostalova, being the only Member expressing their willingness to serve, was duly elected as Deputy Chairman.

 

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

6.

Appointment of Sub Committees, Consultative Committees and Groups and Representatives on Other Bodies pdf icon PDF 156 KB

Report of the Town Clerk.

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

Minutes:

Members considered a report of the Town Clerk regarding appointments to Committees and Groups for 2020/21.

 

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 Chair 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, but that William Upton QC would be approached to take up one of the vacancies;

 

·         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 Chair to also attend in an ex officio capacity;

 

·         Wendy Mead be appointed to observe meetings of the Open Spaces and City Gardens Committee with the Chair to also attend in an ex officio capacity.

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

7.

Minutes pdf icon PDF 151 KB

To agree the public minutes and summary of the meeting held on 3 June 2020.

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

Minutes:

RESOLVED, that the public minutes of the meeting held on 3 June 2020. were approved as a correct record.

 

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

8.

Hampstead Heath Consultative Committee minutes pdf icon PDF 148 KB

To receive the draft public minutes of the Hampstead Heath Consultative Committee meeting held on 6 July 2020.

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

Minutes:

The draft public minutes of the Hampstead Heath Consultative Committee (HHCC) meeting held on 6 July 2020 were received.

 

Th Chair highlighted concerns from HHCC Members regarding the reduction of the CWP funds which were shared with the City Surveyor. A wider review of the CWP across all Open Spaces was taking place and an update would come to the next meeting.

 

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

9.

Superintendent's Update pdf icon PDF 233 KB

Report of the Superintendent of Hampstead Heath.

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

Additional documents:

Minutes:

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 Superintendent acknowledged the challenges, particularly during July and the August heatwave. Thanks was given to all staff and Heath Hands volunteers for their great work and support.

 

Waste and recycling

 

·         Staff have began withdrawing bins across sites, but recycling remains at all faculties.

 

·         The Chair highlighted the significant challenge and resource implications dealing with rubbish and waste continued to be. Whilst Members were glad people visited the sites, it was wished that visitors took their rubbish with them.

 

·         Members voiced support for the initiative and recommended that this approach be reviewed annually.

 

·         A Member stated that other Open Spaces were experiencing the same issues and queried whether a City-wide communications campaign could be instigated to encourage and put responsibility on individuals to take away their own rubbish.

 

·         The Chairman of the Open Spaces & City Gardens Committee advised that rubbish was the primary concern discussed over the last three months during meetings and stated that the City Corporation simply could not continue as it was as the costs, resources and time of staff were not sustainable. He agreed that there needed to be a complete change of culture and this would only happen through significant education and to completely stop providing a litter collection service.  Support across all Open Spaces was requested.

 

·         The Chair added that the Committee and Officers wanted to spend the budget on facilities not clearing rubbish.

 

·         Members agreed only wider City communications and a programme in collaboration with all Open Spaces Committees and partners, plus the relevant Local Authorities, would bring about the cultural need required.

 

·         The Director of Open Spaces agreed there had been some success with pan-London messaging and

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

10.

Hampstead Heath Swimming COVID-19 Temporary Arrangements - Winter Swimming Season pdf icon PDF 147 KB

Report of the Director of Open Spaces.

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

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Members considered a report of the Director of Open Spaces setting out the COVID-19 temporary Winter Swimming Season arrangements, updating on the actions taken to implement the outcomes of the Swimming Review 2020 plus an overall 2020 summer swimming season update. The following comments were made:

 

·         The Chair stated that reopening the three swimming ponds and Lido in line with Government guidance had been incredibly challenging.

 

·         The Chair apologised for the late additional documents but felt that it was important for Members to appreciate the large amount of correspondence received from swimmers. A document summarising the feedback/representations from members of the public regarding issues relating to swimming charging, data, concessions, support scheme was circulated along with initial feedback from the Hampstead Heath Swimming Questionnaire. The Chair confirmed that the results to the review of the summer swim season, including costs and revenue, would follow at the next meeting to provide a full picture. A full end of year swim review would also take place and be reported back to the Committee.

 

·         The Superintendent advised that Officers were preparing for the winter season starting 21 September which would include the parallel introduction of season tickets and contactless payment at each facility. Cash would also continue to be accepted and the helpline would remain available to assist the public. It was noted that Lifeguards would remain at the Mixed Pond during the late warm months.

 

·         The Superintendent highlighted commentary concerning the support scheme available and the package on concessions available at the swimming facilities. The scheme offering free swimming for under 16s/over 60s at 7-9.30am had been very successful at the Lido and Officers were keen to explore this offer at the Ponds. It was noted that the timings did not align with free travel.

 

·         With regards to comments concerning prescribed

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

11.

Hampstead Heath, Highgate Wood and Queen's Park Risk Management pdf icon PDF 132 KB

Report of the Director of Open Spaces.

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

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Members considered a report of the Director of Open Spaces providing an update on the management of risks undertaken by the Open Spaces Department and the Hampstead Heath, Highgate Wood, and Queen’s Park Division.

 

Members were advised that risks were reviewed regularly by the Department’s Senior Leadership Team as part of the ongoing management of the operations of the Department and the Hampstead Heath, Highgate Wood and Queen’s Park Management Team. There were currently seven risks were reported amber.

 

RESOLVED – That Members note and approve the Hampstead Heath, Highgate Wood and Queen’s Park Risk Register (Appendix 2).

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

12.

Finance update

Oral update - the Chamberlain and Superintendent to be heard.

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

Minutes:

Members received oral finance update from the Chamberlain and Director of Open Spaces.

 

The Chair, as expressed previously, was keen for the Committee to explore revenue raising opportunities. Since the last meeting, an open spaces mid-year review had progressed with a report going to the upcoming Resource Allocations Sub Committee meeting. As the report was not ready for this meeting and the Committee’s November meeting would be too late for their input before a final decision was made, the Chair considered an extra meeting looking at rebudgeting proposals and impacts to be necessary.  

 

The Director of Open Spaces advised that monitoring of the in year financial position was happening across all open spaces. Some steps had already taken place to overcome the significant loss of income in the first quarter and the Team continued to improve income generation and find efficiencies to manage properties.

 

The Superintendent stated that the Heath’s outline figures for the current year were forecast at £6m with income estimated at £4.6m and an overspend of £123k. Significant costs were incurred dealing with rubbish and recycling, external security at the swim facilities and making the site Covid secure including additional signage. The cancelling/postponement of events was also a significant loss.

 

The expenditure at Highgate Wood and Queen’s was estimated at £1m with an income of £152k leaving a small overspend but it was hoped this would balance by year end. It was noted that the licences for Forest Schools at Highgate Wood had not yet resumed.

 

 

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

13.

Open Spaces Departmental Business Plan 2019/20 - Year End performance report pdf icon PDF 377 KB

Report of the Director of Open Spaces.

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

Minutes:

Members received a report of the Director of Open Spaces providing Members with a review of the Open Spaces Department’s delivery of its 2019/20 Business Plan.

 

RECEIVED.

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

14.

Questions on Matters Relating to the Work of the Committee

Minutes:

There were no questions.

 

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

15.

Any Other Business That the Chairman Considers Urgent

Minutes:

There were no urgent items.

 

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

16.

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 16.

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 16.

17.

Non-Public Minutes

To agree the non-public minutes of the meeting held on 3 June 2020.

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

Minutes:

RESOLVED, that the non-public minutes of the meeting held on 3 June 2020 were approved as a correct record subject to one typo.

 

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

18.

Non-public questions on Matters Relating to the Work of the Committee

Minutes:

There were no questions.

 

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

19.

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

Minutes:

There was one item.

 

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