Agenda item

Report of the Superintendent of Hampstead Heath.

Members considered an update report of the Superintendent of Hampstead Heath. The Superintendent provided some additional comments.

Property

The final roof works on the Parliament Hill Lido Café would take place towards autumn 2015.

Planning

The planning application for the Water House had yet to be determined.

Oak Processionary Moth (OPM)

The number of nests detected had increased to 12. A contractor started work on 13 July to remove identified nests. It was likely that more nests had yet to be identified given areas such as West Heath and Sandy Heath had not yet been checked, as the current focus was on popular running routes. Additional resources were being provided to the Tree Team and follow-on spraying of nest sites would take place in spring 2016. The Chairman noted that OPM had long term resource implications for the City Corporation Open Spaces.

Events

Recent events had been successful and had seen good examples of partnership working with the Metropolitan Police and the London Borough of Camden. The Chairman thanked a member for representing the committee at the GROW London event and noted that she wanted all Committee members to feel they were free to be proactive in representing the Committee at events.

Operations

Swimming - The heatwave on 13 June had seen 2,800 swimmers at the Lido, requiring 15 rescues. A further 10 rescues had been made at the Mixed Pond. Heath staff had made additional efforts to monitor swimming in unauthorised areas of the Ponds.

Lavatories –Both public lavatories at Golders Hill Park had to be closed due to blockages on Sunday 19^th June. Temporary toilets have been hired.

Golders Hill Park Zoo

In response to a question, the Superintendent confirmed that a Senior Zoo Keeper and Engagement Officer had been recruited on an 18 month contract. The Officer had made improvements to interpretative boards and increased volunteer engagement with the zoo. The zoo was subject to wider City of London Corporation service based reviews and would be the subject of a full Committee report in due course.

RECEIVED