Agenda item

Report of the Superintendent of Hampstead Heath (copy attached).

A report of the Superintendent of Hampstead Heath providing an update on matters relating to the management and enhancement of the Wood was considered.

Highgate Wood Conservation Management Plan

The Highgate Wood Manager informed the Committee that following the January stakeholder meeting, the Conservation Management Plan (CMP) had been amended to include material on Queen’s Wood and had undergone some changes in terms of its timeline.  It is hoped that the current draft is the final version of the plan before it can be published.  The plan would be reviewed again after 5 years. 

The Superintendent stated that Michael Hammerson had been involved in providing comments on the CMP.  Furthermore the Superintendent advised that in consultation with the Highgate Wood Manager that they would produce a  summary document, say 6-8 pages, that would be suitable for public consumption.

Highgate Wood Restructure

The Committee were advised that a new staff roster had commenced that included two playground attendants joining the team in being responsible for closing the Wood to the public at the end of the day.  He stated that this needed to be reflected in their job descriptions.  The Highgate Wood Manager advised that the attendants had been given conflict avoidance training given the likely nature of their interaction with the public in the evenings, and with potential anti-social groups within the Wood, and this training was underlined by mentoring and support from the wider team and the Hampstead Heath Constabulary.

The Superintendent provided context behind the need for the new staff roster, in that 10% budget reductions necessitated the need for staff to be more flexible.  Furthermore as a public body facing a difficult funding climate it is likely further flexibility and new ways of working would be needed in future years.  The Deputy Chairman stated that the budget year 2015/16 is likely to be difficult for the City of London Corporation as a whole.

Sustainability

The Superintendent stated that the new Enterprise waste contract had been live for three months and that he was shortly to attend a site visit of the waste plant at Belvedere in Bexley.  He advised that the estimates of the amount of electricity likely to be generated by proposed photovoltaic units suggest that generation will match demand from the machine shed.  In response to a question from a Member, the Highgate Wood Manager advised that once funding was secured, installation of the photovoltaic system would take around two months.

Heritage and History

The Highgate Wood Manager reported that the five recent Woodland Archaeology courses had been a success and in response to a question from Alison Watson, he stated that it was hoped that the courses would be repeated next year around May or June 2014.

The Highgate Wood Manager advised that the Roman Kiln Project Working Group meetings had been well attended, and that attendees included members of the original excavation in the 1960s.  In response to a question from a Member, the Manager reported that the date of a new Education building being opened depended on the success of the forthcoming Heritage Lottery application.  He noted that budget priority for the current year was the installation of the photovoltaic cell system which meant that the likely the Roman Kiln Project would be deferred until 2014.

Tree Management and Woodland Conservation Work

The Manager stated that usefulness of the new mobile elevating work platform in clearing deadwood from the canopy over pathways through the Wood.  He also noted that coppicing had been carried out on the trees located along the Muswell Hill Road perimeter fence to improve their stability, as many of these trees were located on the old wood bank, a common area for root failure.

The Manager updated the Committee on the new GPS equipment that was being used by staff for inspecting trees within the Wood.  In response to a question from the Deputy Chairman, the Manager confirmed that the GPS technology was being used by other authorities such as Haringey.

At the request of the Director of Open Spaces, the Manager advised that a report on Oak Processionary Moth had been reported in Brent, ten miles from Highgate Wood.  The Superintendent reported that DEFRA had set aside £5m for the eradication of OPM in the London Region.

The Manager suggested that, given the risk of OPM transfer by vehicle, that City of London vehicles transiting between Queen’s Park and Highgate Wood be singled out for disinfection.

Play Area and Recreation

The Highgate Wood Manager reported that the tree sculpture adjacent to the play area may be further reduced in 2015.  He went on to report that the Cricket Season had recently started.  He stated that the recent winter weather, although affecting tree stability, had also attracted visitors to the Wood thanks to picturesque snow scenes.

Dogs in Highgate Wood

The Manager advised that the use of the Wood by dog owners was increasing and the issues arising from this had been highlighted in the local magazine.  The Superintendent stated that complaints were arising around the tethering of dogs outside the café whilst their owners used the facility.  This exacerbated poor dog behaviour and increased noise due to barking and whining.

Councillor Bob Hare suggested that dog tether points be provided on the outside of the café open area fence, at spaced intervals, that corresponded with tables within the fence perimeter.  This would allow owners to have their dog nearby and therefore easier to monitor and control.  Alison Watson advised that this technique was in use at other sites.

The Superintendent suggested that the café open area could be extended to provide more tables and chairs, thus increasing capacity, footfall and revenue.

Community and Events

The Manager advised of the dedication and excellent work of Heath Hands and their contribution to the Wood.  The Manager informed the Committee that a traditional woodworker was in the process of completing a new wooden bench for the use of visitors.  It would be ready for inspection by the Committee on their next visit.