Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Deputy John Barker, Professor John Lumley, and Councillor James Denselow (London Borough of Brent).

There were none.

To agree the public minutes and summary of the meeting held on 18 November 2015.

RESOLVED – That the public minutes of the meeting held on 18 November 2015 be approved.

Matters Arising

Ecology and Environment

The Queen’s Park Manager advised that green waste was being removed via skips for £350-400 per skip. Removal figures and costs would be reported to the next Group meeting.

Children’s Play Area

The application for funding for new swings in the children’s sandpit and play area had not been successful but the Queen’s Park Area Residents’ Association were donating £3,000 to fund the new swings instead.

Football Coaching

Discussions regarding a licence were ongoing with Kiddy Kickers and a junior running group. A licence had recently been issued for a weeknight Tag Rugby session.

Report of the Superintendent of Hampstead Heath.

The Group received a report of the Superintendent of Hampstead Heath that provided an update on the operational work and accomplishments of the Queen’s Park Team since November 2015. Members noted and considered the following matters:

Staffing

·         Proposals for changes to staff working arrangements would be report to the Establishment and Hampstead Heath, Highgate Wood & Queen’s Park Committees in July 2016.

·         Staff across the North London Open Spaces Division currently worked flexibly across all three sites and permanent full-time staff at the Park were supplemented by a number of casual staff throughout spring and summer.

·         There were eight full-time equivalent staff positions, including one permanent post that was currently being covered by a casual member of staff.

·         In response to a member’s (Queen’s Park Area Residents’ Association) concerns regarding recent perceived staff shortages at the children’s play area swimming pool, the Park Manager advised that signage had been installed by the pool notifying visitors of who to contact if it was closed.

Operational Management

·         The pentanque area had recently been replaced by new trim trail equipment.

·         The London Borough of Brent had funding available for additional equipment and the Group requested that any additional new equipment had a more natural timber look to it so long as the LBB were able to provide funding for maintenance of such equipment.

·         The Group also noted that there were a number of outdoor gyms at nearby parks so any new equipment at Queen’s Park should be limited in number and similar to the current trim trail equipment, as opposed to moving gym equipment.

·         The Deputy Chairman suggested a new, perhaps more child-friendly design for the donation box in the Children’s Farm to encourage more donations from young people.

·         In response to a question from the Deputy Chairman regarding health and safety reporting following

Report of the Director of Open Spaces.

The Group received a report of the Director of Open Spaces that provided details regarding the aspects of the Open Spaces Department’s Business Plan 2016-19 that related to Hampstead Heath, Highgate Wood and Queen’s Park.

RESOLVED – That the Open Spaces Department Business Plan 2016-19 be noted.

Report of the Director of Open Spaces.

The Group received a report of the Director of Open Spaces that outlined the plans for Oak Processionary Moth (OPM) management across London and the South East during 2016. Members were advised that OPM had been found and removed from the same Oak trees as 2015. The trees had since been sprayed and signage had been erected near them. A member (London Borough of Brent) added that he would check whether the London Borough of Brent had been usingglyphosate spray at their sites.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

There were none.

The Group considered a recent application received by the Park Manager from a company who wished to install a wooden pavilion structure in an area of the Park during summer, with a view to use it for pop-up business and events such as food stalls and music performances. Members noted the negative effect that additional food outlets could have on the new Café leaseholder and concerns regarding increased car travel to the park for regular events. The Group agree to await the outcome of feedback from the event survey to consider this as a future addition to the Park.

In response to a member’s (Queen’s Park Area Residents’ Association) question regarding the toilets by the children’s play area, the Superintendent agreed to consider refurbishment opportunities to create improved access from the play area.

To note the date of the next meeting: Wednesday 9 November 2016.

RESOLVED – That the date of the next meeting on Wednesday 9 November 2016 be noted.