Issue - meetings

To agree the public minutes and summary of the meeting held on 11 March 2020.

RESOLVED, that the public minutes of the meeting held on 11 March 2020 were approved as a correct record.

The Chairman advised Members that her three-year term as Chairman had come to an end. Members were advised that due to the current pandemic restrictions, April Court had been unable to go ahead to reconstitute its Committees for the year and there would be no 2020 elections for the Chairman. Subsequently, the current Deputy Chair would become Acting Chair until the elections could take place. The Chairman thanked Members and Officers for their support during her tenure which had been humbling. Members and Officers thanked the Chairman for her great support and leadership over the years.  

The new Chair thanked the outgoing Chairman and noted that she was keen for the elections to go ahead as soon as possible.

To agree the public minutes and summary of the meeting held on 9 March 2020 (copy attached).

The public minutes of the meeting held on 9 March 2020 were approved as a correct record.

Matters Arising

With regards to the minutes of the last Hampstead Heath Management Committee meeting that were circulated to Members separately from the Agenda, a Member (Heath and Hampstead Society) voiced disappointment that the recommendation of the HHCC for Option 2 in the Swimming Review proposals was not taken forward by HHMC who ultimately approved Option 3. The Member felt that HHMC was duty bound to follow HHCC views. The Chairman advised that the HHMC always considered all views expressed by the HHCC with great importance but that the City Solicitor confirmed that HHMC was not duty bound to follow their advice. The HHMC remains the decision-making Committee and did not take the decision lightly taking into account all views expressed by HHCC Members, the Swimming Associations and the written views received from the general public throughout the significant consultation taken.

A Member (Friends of Kenwood) shared her disappointment that the HHMC did not listen to the HHCC’s recommendation concerning Option 2 and noted that this also happened in the use of animals in the circus decision.

A Member (London Council for Recreation and Sport) stated that whilst he did not agree with the decision, HHMC was the decision-maker and the decision was legitimate. The Member felt clarity should be given to the role of Consultative Committee. The Chairman confirmed she was happy that the decision was valid following detailed analysis of all views. Officers agreed to provide Members with clarity on the overall decision-making process of all Committees.