Agenda item

Report of the Superintendent of Hampstead Heath.

Members considered a report of the Superintendent providing an update on matters concerning Hampstead Heath, Highgate Wood and Queen’s Park. The following points were made:

 

·         The Superintendent acknowledged the challenges, particularly during July and the August heatwave. Thanks was given to all staff and Heath Hands volunteers for their great work and support.

 

Waste and recycling

 

·         Staff have began withdrawing bins across sites, but recycling remains at all faculties.

 

·         The Chair highlighted the significant challenge and resource implications dealing with rubbish and waste continued to be. Whilst Members were glad people visited the sites, it was wished that visitors took their rubbish with them.

 

·         Members voiced support for the initiative and recommended that this approach be reviewed annually.

 

·         A Member stated that other Open Spaces were experiencing the same issues and queried whether a City-wide communications campaign could be instigated to encourage and put responsibility on individuals to take away their own rubbish.

 

·         The Chairman of the Open Spaces & City Gardens Committee advised that rubbish was the primary concern discussed over the last three months during meetings and stated that the City Corporation simply could not continue as it was as the costs, resources and time of staff were not sustainable. He agreed that there needed to be a complete change of culture and this would only happen through significant education and to completely stop providing a litter collection service.  Support across all Open Spaces was requested.

 

·         The Chair added that the Committee and Officers wanted to spend the budget on facilities not clearing rubbish.

 

·         Members agreed only wider City communications and a programme in collaboration with all Open Spaces Committees and partners, plus the relevant Local Authorities, would bring about the cultural need required.

 

·         The Director of Open Spaces agreed there had been some success with pan-London messaging and that Officers continued to work in partnership with Keep Britain Tidy on how to change behaviours.

 

·         A member highlighted the significance of social media messaging to reach younger audiences.

 

Cycling

 

·         People continue to be encouraged to walk or cycle instead of using public transport and the Superintendent advised that Officers had a helpful meeting with the London Borough of Camden to discuss the current position.

 

·         The main change to the current position was: k) The City Corporation committed to undertaking a review of the cycling provision within the mid-term review of the Hampstead Heath Management Strategy 2018 -2028. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic this work will commence ahead of the mid-term review, which will take place in 2024. This process will start sooner than anticipated in the autumn.

 

·         Continued improvements have been made to pathways and signage.

 

·         A Member commended the City's efforts to discuss better cycling provision with Camden. He hoped this might lead to provision of safe cycling routes around the periphery of the Heath, so that there would be no need for the Heath paths to be used for cyclists to commute to work.

 

·         In response to a query concerning electric scooters, Officers confirmed that these had become an increased issue for staff and the constabulary as they were more available and affordable, but there had been no accidents to date. It was confirmed that it was against the byelaws to ride motorised vehicles across the Heath. The Superintendent added that cyclists not riding on paths was a bigger issue.

 

Cafés

 

·         The proposed timeline previously reported for retendering the leases for the Parliament Hill Fields café and Parliament Hill Fields Lido café was delayed by Covid-19. The new proposal was to extend the leases for 12 months to 12 January 2022.

 

·         Members were advised that the current tenant of the Golders Hill Park café had terminated his lease. The tenant, recognising the City Corporation’s difficulty to retender currently and in allegiance to its locals, offered to extend until November 2021. The alternative was to find a temporary tenant and set up a tenancy at will whilst retendering took place.

 

·         A Member observed that there were currently three park cafés in Barnet that were struggling to let and felt that it was best to keep someone in post if possible. It was agreed it made sense to continue with the current tenant whist the tender was carried out.

 

·         It was recommended that Officers proceed with tendering the leases for the Queen’s Park and Highgate Wood café as soon as possible which was also delayed due to the pandemic. Both were currently running via tenancy at will.

 

Establish a temporary Working Group

 

·         Officers sought approval to establish a small temporary Working Group to progress Forest School Licenses and Fitness Training Licenses.

 

·         The Chair highlighted the significant growth in outdoor fitness training and sport and the opportunity for the City Corporation to tap into this trend for income generation.

 

Lido Wall

 

·         Members were advised that the boundary wall was regularly breached during lockdown resulting in the installation of a temporary fence with Officers re-evaluating the height and structure to prevent this risk in future.

 

·         A planning application was prepared but Officers agreed it would need amending to seek additional lighting, removal of the temporary fence and edit the booking system numbers to achieve consent from the London Borough of Camden.  Members were supportive of this approach.

 

Planning

 

·         Members were advised that there were no new updated concerning planning applications and Officers were continuing to follow up on determinations.

 

·         The Superintendent informed that a planning consultant had been appointed to assist with the large number of planning applications coming through.

 

·         A Member noted that violence and ASB had been reported across a number of Open Spaces and enquired if this had been an issue for staff. Members were informed that there had been some incidents, predominantly large gatherings of young people, but the new Government guidance limiting gatherings to six people would provide clarity to and assist staff and the constabulary. The Superintendent highlighted the critical relationship with the MET Police who had continued to provide enforcement support.

 

·         In response to a query concerning Zippos Circus, Officers confirmed that the upcoming event was able to proceed as the company had worked extensively with officials and City Corporation Officers to ensure performances could take place safely.

 

RESOLVED – That:-

 

·         Members agree the preferred long-term option for waste and recycling as set out in para 10;

 

·         Members agree the policy position on Cycling, as outlined in paragraph 14;

 

·         Members agree the Superintendent’s proposal to extend the leases for the Parliament Hill Fields café and Parliament Hill Fields Lido café for 12 months to 12 January 2022 as set out in paragraph 24;

 

·         Members agree the Superintendent’s proposal to proceed with tendering the leases for the Queen’s Park and Highgate Wood cafés as set out in paragraph 25;

 

·         Members agree the Superintendent’s proposal to proceed with tendering the lease for the Golders Hill Park café as set out in paragraph 30;

 

·         Members agree the Superintendent’s proposal to establish a small temporary Working Group to progress Forest School Licenses and Fitness Training Licenses, as outlined in paragraphs 56 & 57;

 

·         Members agree the preferred option (option 1) for the Lido Wall, as outlined in paragraph 74.