Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Anne Fairweather, Helen Durnford and Giovanna Torrico.

There were no declarations.

To agree the public minutes of the meeting held on 29 November 2017.

RESOLVED, that the minutes of the meeting held on 29 November 2017 be approved.

Matters Arising

Grant funding opportunities

In response to a query regarding potential funding opportunities from the London Borough of Brent and the Wembley Stadium Trust, the Director of Open Spaces advised that the general approach of the department was to work with all types of organisations and as Director to encourage 50% of funding for all new projects from other organisations providing gearing and mutual support for all projects.

It was noted that no bid had been made to the Wembley Stadium Trust yet and the department were working with all relevant local authorities and in discussion with some for specific funds, e.g. the Brent health and wellbeing pots. The Chairman voiced her disappointment that councillors on the Group rarely attended meetings. Ruby Sayed noted that she had contacts at Brent and agreed to put Mo Butt in touch with the Director. The Director added that Deputy Catherine McGuinness would be meeting with new leaders after May in a programme of visits with leaders across the City.

The Chairman noted that the four Open Spaces Chairs recently met and requested a list of potential grants and their organisations. A list of priority projects was agreed between the Chairmen to be funded in order by importance.

Members were advised that the department/team at Queen’s Park were looking to appoint someone into a new role to write up applications for grants.

Report of the Town Clerk.

The Committee noted the various outstanding actions and the updates provided thereon.

The Town Clerk agreed to add numbers for actions on all actions sheets going forward.

Grant funding for toilet block

Members were advised that Bridge House Estate had qualified for some funding under disability access with the exact amount to be confirmed when there was a better idea of what work would be done and the costs involved.

Report of the Superintendent of Hampstead Heath.

Members considered an update report of the Superintendent and the following points were made.

Projects and Programmes

Play Area Toilets and Sandpit Redevelopment

·         The Constabulary and Queen’s Park Manager drew Member’s attention to the timeline provided for work to the play area toilets and sandpit project. It was noted that as the planned work for the play area alone exceeded £50K, these projects would be joined.

·         In response to a query regarding the high cost of the project, Members were advised that this included instillation and equipment, a water feature, natural rocks, rebuilding of the sandpit, etc.

·         The Superintendent advised that he had met with surveyors again regarding the toilet block to discuss improvements to the existing footprint in an attempt to improve the facility. He noted that there was suspected subsidence and, following CCTV work, a horse chestnut tree had been removed which had resolved the problem. Asbestos checks would take place in the material damaged by subsidence.

·         Photographs of Hampstead Heath Millfield Lane and Great Yarmouth toilet facilities were shown to Members as an example of how the play area toilets could be styled.

·         The Chairman queried whether it would be more cost-effective to knock down the current toilet block and create a new build that was fit for purpose. The Group were advised that surveyors had ruled this out as the building was still fit for purpose. Members disagreed that it was fit for purpose and requested a full explanation from the City Surveyor as to why this was not an option as Members felt that a facility with longevity would be the most cost-effective solution.

·         It was noted that the public community view was that the toilets were past their sell by date and do not fit with the aesthetic of the park.

·         Members were concerned

Members noted the draft Queen's Park Woodland Walk Management Plan and the following points were made:

·         Members were advised that the plan was in very early draft form based on existing information with the aim of formalising a clear plan on how to maintain and enhance this walk area.

·         Members were advised that the team were working with the Hampstead Heath Senior Ecologist to develop the plan and had liaised with local community groups for assistance. A further draft would be presented at the October meeting for comment prior to sign off next year.

·         The Superintendent advised Members that any additional written comments or ideas could be sent to him. 

·         The Director of Open Spaces clarified that the Woodland Walk Management Plan was a subset of the Queen’s Park plan which provided a detailed plan/appendix to the main Conservation Plan and wanted Members to recognise the importance of the hierarchy between the different plans as they would reference each other.

·         A Member noted the importance for people, particularly the elderly or disabled visitors, to have places to rest along the walk, e.g. logs.

·         A Member felt that the Woodland Walk plan was too long and that brevity was important.

·         It was questioned whether the site history explanation could be removed or cut down to contextualise at the beginning of the plan.

·         It was recommended that acronyms not be used at all and that the language be changed to make the plan more cohesive.

·         With regards to the sentence “apply the principles of the City of London’s sustainability framework to all we do on our sites”, a Member recommended adding a weblink to the framework.

·         A Member felt that park’s assets which make it different to other places, e.g. special trees (redwood, elm trees) and habitat, were not highlighted enough in

Members considered a report regarding the proposed Queen’s Park 2018 Schedule of Events.

A Member noted that the Book/Food Festival on 16 June was missing from the schedule which draws a lot of people to the park.

Members noted the 2018/19 Divisional Plan (including 4th Quarter Status & Update for 2017/18 Divisional Plan).

Members noted the Queen’s Park 2018/19 Annual Work Programme for Cyclical Works and Projects.

The Chairman requested that plans regarding the management and timelines for Appendix 3 and 4 be filtered to the Group for their information. The Superintendent advised Members that written comments on both were welcome.    

Members were advised that Queen’s Park would be hosting its first wedding on the bandstand on Saturday. Members were pleased and suggested capturing this occasion on social media as a first for the park. In response to a question, Members were advised that weddings and civil ceremony events in the park would be promoted on the City of London Corporation website and through London Borough of Brent.

There was no other business.

The date of the next meeting is 31 October 2018 at 4.00pm.

The date of the next meeting on 31 October 2018 was noted.