Agenda item

To agree the public minutes and summary of the meeting held on 25 November 2013.

RESOLVED – that the minutes and summary of the meeting held on 25 November 2013 be approved as a correct record.

Matters Arising

Oak Processionary Moth (OPM)

The Director of Open Spaces noted that the City of London was sponsoring an artistic display at the 2014 RHS Chelsea Flower Show (20-24 May), and that it would be visited by the Lord Mayor on 20 May. The display would aim to highlight the danger of OPM to the UK oak population should the disease not be dealt with effectively. The Superintendent of Hampstead Heath added that indications suggested that the direction of travel of OPM had changed and was now moving away from sites owned by the City of London in north London.

All-Member Visit to Hampstead Heath – 20 January 2014

The Chairman noted that both the All-Member visit to Hampstead Heath on 20 January and the visit of the Audit & Risk Management Committee on 24 January had been a success.

Fatality

The Superintendent of Hampstead Heath noted that the inquest into the tragic Summer 2013 fatality in the Kenwood Ladies Pond had taken place before Christmas, and that several members of Heath staff had been called before it. He reported that the coroner had been very fair in her summation of the circumstances around the fatality, in that she had noted the individual in question’s underlying heart issue and requirements for medication. Moreover she had noted that, had the lifeguards on duty been informed of the individual’s heart condition, the outcome of the incident may have been different.

Parliament Hill Athletics Track Showers

The Superintendent reported that there had been no further indication of legionella present in the Athletics Track showers and that works were currently being progressed, in conjunction with the City Surveyor’s Department, to install new pipework and heating systems.

New Superintendent – Bob Warnock

At this point the Chairman introduced the new Superintendent, Bob Warnock, to the Committee, noting that Bob Warnock would be replacing Simon Lee from the end of February 2014.

Hampstead Heath Ponds Project – Ponds Project Stakeholder Group

The Chairman informed the Committee that West Hill Court – to the east of the Highgate Chain of Ponds – was now represented on the Ponds Project Stakeholder Group.

NOTED - That West Hill Court was now represented on the Ponds Project Stakeholder Group.