Agenda item

Report of the Superintendent of Hampstead Heath.

Members considered a report of the Superintendent of Hampstead Heath regarding the draft Annual Work Programme 2018/19 and the following points were made.

·         The Operational Services Manager noted that the deadline for Members were to provide further feedback on the document providing details of the proposed works for April 2018 – March 2019 was the 9 February 2018.

·         The Highgate Wood, Conservation and Trees Manager advised Members that the structure of the report has changed from looking backwards to looking at the year to come.

·         The Highgate Wood, Conservation and Trees Manager drew attention to the following highlights from the report:

o   A renewed survey of the trees identified as veteran/ancient trees in the last survey ten years ago would be undertaken to update the known numbers across the Heath.

o   Most of the “snagging” items from the Ponds Project have been completed with the remaining items to be addressed in 2018/19.

o   The grassland area, which was not cut last year due to the Ponds Project work, would be finished.

o   Following the shared-use pathways condition survey carried out last year, work would commence as per the priority list of surface repairs.    

o   Work with Heath Hands would continue, including working with the Leisure & Events Manager to promote and assist with a number of events at the Heath in 2018, e.g. Give it a Go Day on 15 July 2018. Heath Hands would also host a music volunteering day on 1 July 2018 at the Parliament Hill Bandstand. 

o   The Ecology Team would be focusing on the monitoring and surveying of the ecological areas around the ponds and the impact of the Ponds Project work.

o   It was noted that a species of damsel fly thought to have been extinct in London had been spotted at the Heath.

o   The Heath Ranger Team would carry out a number of projects throughout 2018-19 including landscape improvements to South End Green, cycle parking spaces at the Mixed Pond and the relocation of the bird feeding platform at Hampstead Number 1 Pond.

·         A Member asked if the clearing up of the mud at the National Cross-Country Championships event could be added as an item to the Annual Work Programme. The Chairman noted that this work was already budgeted for elsewhere.

·         Regarding a query on whether works on the eroded small walkways were included in this programme, it was noted that this was included but the work could not take place until the weather improved.

·         It was noted that a decision on the future of the Model Boating Pond island was due.

·         A Member noted that consideration should be given in the work programme to embedding inclusion on the Heath, and inclusion for girls and women in particular given the girls and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) work that had been undertaken as part of the Ponds Project. Moreover, some thought should be given to ensuring that the whole young person ‘offer’ on the Heath was as holistic as possible.

·         In response to a query, Officers agreed to review what could be done to address the problem of algae in the Vale of Health pond. 

·         A concern regarding the condition of a lower path via the Model Boating Pond which was mostly unusable and dangerous when frosty was noted.

·         A Member raised concerns over the impact of Oak Processionary Moth (OPM) and the collateral ecological damage caused. It was noted that other countries, for example Germany, regularly carry out extensive work to deal with OPM. Members were advised that treatment was planned to take place during the spring.

·         It was noted that the plaque from the Pitt Arch had gone missing approximately seven years ago. Members agreed that it would be good to bring this back, given it highlighted the historic nature of the Heath. The Highgate Wood, Conservation and Trees Manager agreed to work on this.