Agenda item

Vote of thanks to be read by the most senior Common Councilman.

Alderman Jones paid tribute to Karina Dostalova, the past Chairman.

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: 

THAT Members of the Hampstead Heath, Highgate Wood and Queen’s Park Committee wish to place on record their sincere appreciation to

KARINA DOSTALOVA

for her outstanding service during the last three years as Chairman of this Committee.

DURING her tenure as Chairman, Karina has dealt with often contentious issues with tact, diplomacy and an unwavering dedication ensuring that Hampstead Heath, Highgate Wood and Queen’s Park have remained among the front rank of London’s public open spaces.

ISSUES that Karina turned her attention to include legislation, namely the promotion of a City of London (Open Spaces) Bill in Parliament, and of course the ever present need to be vigilant to ensure planning applications on the fringes of Hampstead Heath, Highgate Wood and Queen’s Park do not have any adverse impact on the public enjoyment of those open spaces.

PUBLIC open spaces that are so intrinsically important to the communities who rely on them for sport, leisure and relaxation can often provoke strong feelings, and it is the measure of a Chairman that on those occasions when feelings run high that the issue is resolved through measured consideration and appropriate compromise. With that in mind, the Committee wishes to place on record its particular thanks for the way in which Karina handled the development of the Heath Vision and the Hampstead Heath Management Strategy 2018-2028 providing the overarching framework for the Heath for the next ten years. Karina also supported the development of a High-Level Asset Management Plan which has informed the development of capital projects to improve public toilets, swimming facilities and visitor access.

ACCESS to leisure and sports, in support of mental and physical health and wellbeing, have been issues that Karina has championed and she has always encouraged and supported the Sports Clubs using the open spaces. Indeed, Karina was instrumental in the success of the 2020 London Sports Awards being hosted by the City of London Corporation for the first time and demonstrated her support for cross country running at the Night of 10,000m Personal Bests.

KARINA has championed Queen’s Park throughout her tenure and during this time was able to reopen the Children’s Farm after being refurbished by staff from across the Division. Along with the arrival of sheep at Queen’s Park, Karina has also seen Shire Horses on the Heath to help restore grassland following the Cross-Country Championships. In addition to a much-acclaimed appearance on Radio 4’s Farming Today, this heralded the return of sheep grazing to the Heath during the summer of 2019. Continuing the animal theme, she has also supported the Zoo Development Plan including the restocking of the deer enclose and the introduction of wallabies to the donkey enclosure.

KARINA led a series of celebrations to mark the City Corporation’s 30-year custodianship of Hampstead Heath. This included a visit by the Court of Common Council, hosting a dinner at the Old Bailey and a joint walk with Members of the Heath Consultative and Management Committees, which culminated in a ceremonial tree planting at the Model Boating Pond.

IN closing her tenure, Karina led the Hampstead Heath Swimming Review to secure the long-term sustainability of the swimming facilities. The outcomes from the Review will ensure that the Heath’s Swimming Ponds and Lido remain safe, well managed facilities whilst recognising the health and wellbeing benefits of these treasured facilities.

THROUGHOUT her term of office, Karina has managed the Committee’s deliberations with a fair and firm hand to ensure that the Committee executed its duties in a competent manner. In taking leave of their Chairman, Members wish to highlight the robust state of health that the Hampstead Heath, Highgate Wood and Queen’s Park are in, which is due in no small part to the work Karina has undertaken as Chairman.

FINALLY, in congratulating their former Chairman upon a most successful term of office, her colleagues on the Committee wish to convey their thanks for her extremely dedicated service to the Hampstead Heath, Highgate Wood and Queen’s Park during her tenure. It is hoped with continued good health and happiness she can continue to serve the City Corporation for many years to come.