Agenda and draft minutes

Apologies were received from Cindy Galvin (Ian Greenwood attended to represent Heath Hands).

There were none.

To agree the public minutes and summary of the meeting held on 29 October 2018.

The public minutes of the meeting held on 29 October 2018 were approved as a correct record.

Report of the Town Clerk.

Members noted the various outstanding actions and the update provided thereon.

The Chairman advised that all actions were complete or covered on the agenda. With regards to Action 1 to identify a representative to represent people with a physical disability, the Chairman confirmed that Gary Robjent from Leonard Cheshire Disability would be attending the meeting to represent the charity as an observer and an official representative would be appointed to join for the next Committee meeting.  

To receive the public minutes of the Hampstead Heath, Highgate Wood and Queen's Park Committee meeting held on 28 November 2018.

The minutes of the Hampstead Heath, Highgate Wood and Queen’s Park Committee (HHHWQPC) meeting held on 28 November 2018 were received.

Report of the Superintendent of Hampstead Heath.

Members considered an update report of the Superintendent and the following points were made:

·         The Superintendent advised that he was seeking Member’s views on 10 topics.

Hampstead Heath Management Strategy 2018-2028

·         Members were advised that the Strategy was approved but the Superintendent welcomed comments regarding the layout and graphic design of the document. It was noted that there were two versions, one for hard copy and the other for online.

·         Members liked the design but felt the size of the print was difficult to read. It was also felt that the colour of the print made the text difficult to read and a darker shade was recommended. However, a Member (Hampstead Rugby Club) suggested that larger text would resolve

·         A Member (Hampstead Garden Suburb Residents' Association) felt that the Heath Vision needed to state that it was developed by the community and not the City Corporation.

·         A Member (Hampstead Garden Suburb Residents' Association) suggested that an extra page demonstrating the connection between the Hampstead Heath Management Strategy and the Corporate Plan would be beneficial. The Superintendent noted that this alignment was reflected in the Summary of the Hampstead Management Strategy 2018-28 diagram, in the section About this Strategy, and on the last page of the document stating the links. He confirmed that that continued work was happening with the Corporate Strategy Team to link in other documents which would include further development with the Corporate Plan. 

Divisional Plan 2019-22

·         The Superintendent stated that he had been reporting on the progress of the Plan throughout its development. He drew Members’ attention to the Transition Sheet – Project Record Schedule which tracked the transition of numerous projects to alignment with the four Outcomes. 

·         Members were advised that the Divisional Plan would remain accessible to track progress following comments from members at the

Report of the Superintendent of Hampstead Heath.

Members considered an update report of the Superintendent of Hampstead Heath providing Members with a review of the 2018 Events Programme and the provisional 2019 Events Programme. The following points were made:

·         The Leisure and Events Manager advised Members that 115 high-quality events took place at the Heath in 2018. Highlights included the Night of 10,000m PB’s which was a huge joint community event.

·         Members were advised that 2019 would be another big year for events and the newly developed Events Policy Part 1 and 2 would help with the development of new events. 

·         A typo was noted in the proposed 2019 Events Programme and it was confirmed that the Night of 10,000m PB’s would take place on Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 July 2019.

·         The Chairman thanked the Team and the volunteers for their hard work on all of the events in 2018.

·         The Superintendent advised that a transition was still taking place on the Part 2 Events Policy and that two pre-agreed large events (Circus event and London Youth Games) were being prepared and would involve email consultation with the HHCC.

·         The Chairman advised members that there were plans for a smaller scale non-public 30^th anniversary event and encouraged suggestions from Members.

·         A Member (Mansfield Conservation Area Advisory Committee & Neighbourhood Association Committee) suggested developing a unique 30^th anniversary event for 2019 and health and wellbeing was recommended as this was already a big movement at the Heath, e.g. meditation. Members were advised that wellbeing zones were already incorporated into the Give It A Go event and it was suggested that this event could be expanded.

·         A Member (Hampstead Rugby Club) proposed a rugby old legends event. 

·         It was noted that the annual London Youth Games was born from the Queen’s silver jubilee and there might

The Superintendent of Hampstead Heath to be heard.

Members noted a report from Heath Hands regarding providing Members with the volunteering highlights for 2018/19.

·         Members were advised that Heath Hands provides over 10k hours of volunteering per year managing a wide range of tasks.

·         It was noted that the City Corporation and Heath Hands had jointly appointed a new project assistant who will support the work of Heath Hands.

·         The Corporation has funded community walks and the site has exceeded targets with a number of new members since opening.

·         A Member (Heath Hands) advised that volunteers provide a huge wealth of knowledge and skills to tap into including historical records and recommended that a public access database be set up for interested wider users.

·         The Chairman congratulated Heath Hands on their 20^th anniversary and Members echoed the Chairman’s thanks to all of the volunteers for their ongoing hard work.

·         The Chairman was pleased to note that she saw a number of Heath Hands volunteers at the Volunteers Reception at Guildhall in January. Members felt that this reception should become a legacy event going forward.

RECEIVED.

There was one question:

Dog facilities at the Men’s Pond

A member of the public raised a question in advance of the meeting regarding the status of the dog facilities at the Men’s Pond and whether it was possible for the dog pound to be moved to be in view of the lifeguards and the swimming area. If changes to the new layout were not possible, it was queried if the dog ban could be suspended with the public paying a small fee for use of a dog creche.

Members were advised that the ban on dogs had occurred as people were bringing their dogs into the changing areas causing lifeguards to leave their post to intervene. The Superintendent confirmed that based on initial drawings in development, it would be possible to locate a suitable allocated dog tethering area which is safe but not in the changing area.

The Chairman was pleased with the well-attended Hampstead Heath, Highgate Wood & Queen's Park Committee Dinner on 6 February 2019 and highlighted the 30^th anniversary commemorative pins that each Member received. The Chairman welcomed ideas from Members on other ways to commemorate the occasion.

The date of the next meeting is 29 April 2019 at 7.00 pm.

The date of the next meeting on 29 April 2019 at 7.00pm was noted.