14 Draft Code of Conduct for Dog Walkers and Licensing Scheme for Professional Dog Walkers PDF 108 KB
Report of the Superintendent of Hampstead Heath (TO FOLLOW).
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Minutes:
Members considered a report of the Superintendent of Hampstead Heath providing Members with an update regarding the introduction of a Code of Conduct for Dog Walkers and a Licensing Scheme for Professional Dog Walkers to regulate this commercial activity using the powers available through the City of London Corporation (Open Spaces) Act 2018. The Superintendent now seeks wider discussion and engagement with Members on the draft Dog Walkers Code of Conduct, Professional Dog Walker Application Form and accompanying Terms & Conditions.
The Chair thanked Members for their feedback throughout development of the scheme which hit the news this week. Members were advised that their feedback would be included in the final versions of these documents for consideration by the Hampstead Heath, Highgate Wood and Queen’s Park Committee at their November meeting. Following approval, the licences would be implemented and go live in April 2021.
A Member (London Council for Recreation and Sport) noted that there was nothing regarding the number of times a dog walker could come onto the land per session. Officers confirmed the finer detail of the terms and conditions would be presented to the HHMC including the implications of the am/pm session and how this impacted dog walkers and their income. Members regarded four to be a sensible number.
A Member (Hampstead Conservation Area Advisory Committee) queried why the low limit of 20 licences had been set. Members were advised that 20 licences equated to 800 professional dogs per day whereas 30 licences would be 1,200 professional dogs. The decision was made to start smaller on the side of caution and increase if appropriate.
A Member (Hampstead Garden Suburb Residents' Association) recommended that wording be included in the Code to state that dogs should be kept on leads in all sports areas.
In response to a query with
11 Draft Sport and Physical Activity Strategy for 2020-25 PDF 219 KB
Report of the Head of Corporate Strategy and Performance.
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Minutes:
Members received a report of the Head of Corporate Strategy and Performance concerning the City of London Corporation’s Draft Sport and Physical Activity Strategy for 2020-25. The following comments were made:
· The Chairman was pleased that the Strategy had been significantly revised and strongly advocated for a working party to give oversight for this important area.
· A Member (Highgate Society) felt the Strategy was not sufficiently clear that walking is exercise and was a main reason for people visiting the Heath. It was added (Hampstead Garden Suburb Residents' Association) that this could be expanded to promote the Heath’s benefit to people’s health and wellbeing. Members were advised that the links between the Heath and physical activity were covered in the Heath vision.
· A Member (Representative of Clubs using facilities on the Heath) noted that there was new strategic planning sport guidance had been released by Sport England and recommended incorporating the recommended process as this could help to secure grant aid. Members were informed that Sport England guidance and data had already been used but the new guidance would be reviewed, and stakeholders consulted.
· It was noted that sport featured heavily throughout the Strategy which was a turn-off some people and a Member (Representative of Clubs using facilities on the Heath) recommended that the Strategy make a steer towards using physical activity as an inclusive concept.
· A Member (Hampstead Garden Suburb Residents' Association) felt that it was not clear where funding for this Strategy was coming from which was needed for prioritisation of projects in the Fundamental Review. It was recommended that the wording be changed to say Open Spaces and beyond.
· It was noted that there was no mention of the future or looking at trends and a Member (Hampstead Rugby Club) queried whether there was scope to introduce