Agenda item

The Superintendent of Hampstead Heath to be heard.

Summer Weather

The weekend of 20/21 July had proved the busiest thus far this year. The recent spell of warm weather had seen a significant increase in visitors and income compared to the same period last year: between April and July 2012 there had been 20,000 ‘swims’ at the Lido and £76,000 of income. During the same period this year there had been 40,000 ‘swims’ and £159,000 of income. The hot period of weather had led to operational pressures, with the need to deal with 12 tonnes of rubbish over busy weekends; the stationing of Constabulary within the Lido; the installation of a knife arch, and random bag searching. The Superintendent noted that overall his staff had had positive feedback from the public about the measures to promote customer welfare at the Lido.

In response to a question from a Member, the Superintendent confirmed that staff were issued with extra water, energy snacks, sun cream and hats during the hot weather. Furthermore he reported that he would be giving consideration to issuing a lighter, summer top in future given that the current polo-shirts were not suitable for long periods of warm weather.

In response to a question from a Member on the impact of increased visitor numbers and the amount of litter left on the Heath, the Superintendent confirmed that some complaints regarding litter had been received but that given staff resources he was satisfied that litter management over the weekend had been satisfactory, noting the helpful comments by the Chairman in his regular Ham & High column and the fact that there were over 60 rubbish bins on the Heath, and to increase their number would begin to impact on the natural character of the Heath.

In response to a question from a Member, the Superintendent confirmed that fire remained a hazard during hot weather given the risk from BBQs and discarded cigarettes. Nevertheless a zero tolerance approach to BBQs had proved successful, with only one minor fire on West Heath that was dealt with promptly by the London Fire Brigade.

The Chairman expressed thanks on behalf of the Committee to the Superintendent and his staff for their hard work and commitment during the recent spell of hot weather, noting that many of them had been on duty every weekend for the last month.

Garden House

The Superintendent informed the Committee that he had appointed a planning consultant to assist in placing an objection against the proposed Garden House application at the current Planning Inspectorate inquiry, noting the policy of replacement develpments not being allowed to be materially larger than their current footprint. In response to a question from a Member the Superintendent confirmed that the footprint of the proposed planning application was in the region of three or four times larger than at present. Furthermore in response to a question from the Chairman the Superintendent reported that he had appointed a consultant given that much of his own time was being given to the Hampstead Heath Ponds Project, and that the consultancy costs were being met out of his local budget.

Sports

The Superintendent noted that Richard Sumray was the new Chairman of the Hampstead Sports Advisory Forum. He updated the Committee on recent events, including the recent Highgate Harriers inaugural ‘Night of 10,000m Personal Bests’, and the Tug of War Championships. He reported that the Duoathlon was forthcoming in September and thus far the event had received over 200 applications.

Stumpery – Golders Hill Park

Following a recent staff visit to Highgrove, the Superintendent noted that staff had been inspired to convert part of the park into a stumpery, which he believed to be the first of its kind in a public park for a century. Its installation has been conducted in partnership with the former Head Gardener at Highgrove and has allowed a formerly under-used area of the park to be opened up and turned into a uniquely attractive habitat.

National Grid Works

Fencing on both the Heath Extension and Parliament Hill had come down, and where fencing is required elsewhere this has been installed as sensitively as possible.

Dogs

The Superintendent noted that he was currently consulting local groups on the outdoor provision for dogs at Parliament Hill Café to ensure the area was welcoming for all users of the Heath, and that a report would come before the Committee in the Autumn.