Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Cllr Eleanor Southwood (London Borough of Brent) and Vicky Zentner (Kensal Rise Residents Association).

There were no declarations.

To agree the public minutes of the meeting held on the 21 June 2016.

The Committee approved the public minutes of the meeting held on 21 June 2016, subject to the following deletion:

Item 6: “A member (London Borough of Brent) added that he would check whether the London Borough of Brent) had been using glyphosate spray at their sites. 

Matters Arising

Policing Issues

It was reported that there had been an increase in assaults against the person reported in the Queen’s Park and Kensal Rise area, some incidents had occurred in roads adjacent to the Park.  Incidents had been reported to have occurred in the Park during hours when the Park was closed. There was some evidence of drug misuse in the park. The Hampstead Heath Constabulary regularly visited the Park and information on criminal activity is shared with the Metropolitan Police.

A Member (London Borough of Brent) informed the Committee that there was uncertainty over the future of Kilburn Police Station. The level of criminal activity in the area was surprising due to the proximity of the Station.   

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 June 2016. Members noted and considered the following matters:

Donation Box

A new design for the donation box was being considered as it was hoped donations would be increased with an interactive design. A Member (Queen’s Park Area Resident’s Association) felt that this was an unnecessary expense. It was confirmed by the Park Manager that the old box would be relocated to another location within the Division.

Café

The Superintendent reported that ‘Minkies’, the proprietor due to take over the lease for the Park Café, had withdrawn their tender. The Corporation had worked with them to assist in the transition and it was not felt that Officers could have done more to ensure the transfer was successful. A thirteen month lease was being recommended by the Superintendent to the existing tenant to allow for user engagement to be carried out, followed by a new procurement process.

Members queried whether the TUPE arrangements were prohibitive for a small business. It was not felt that the business had more staff than was to be expected, and the TUPE of staff was required by law.    

Members further queried the extension of the lease to the existing provider for what was considered a long period of time, given the poor perception of the provision by the community. It was reported that the time frame had been developed to fit in with the work of the Café Working Party, already undertaking a review of the arrangements at Hampstead Heath and Highgate Wood. Officers felt it would be detrimental to the community for the café to be closed while the process was undertaken. It was also noted

Report of the Superintendent of Hampstead Heath.

Members considered a report of the Superintendent of Hampstead Heath outlining the results of the 2016 Events Survey. The results of the consultation would inform an events policy against which applications could be considered. 87 responses had been received.

Members discussed the progression of obtaining a marriage license for the bandstand. Officers reported that an administrative error had delayed the process; however they were confident they would be able to advertise the venue by the end of the year. It was asked that the Queen’s Park Manager liaise with the Member from the London Borough of Brent on the issue of car parking arrangements for weddings.

The Committee considered the type of event desired, and the need for income to be generated from events in the future to cover an income target of £5,000. It was felt that this did not necessitate advertising the park for events, as it was thought the income from weddings and community events advertised locally would generate sufficient income to achieve the £5,000 income target. The potential of the café to tie into events was also discussed as an opportunity in the future.

RECEIVED

Report of the Superintendent of Hampstead Heath.

The Committee received a report of the Superintendent of Hampstead Heath setting out the proposed fees and charges for the facilities and services of the North London Open Spaces.

RECEIVED

There were no questions.

There was no further business.

To note the next meeting will take place on the 14^th July 2017.

The date of the next meeting was noted to be 14 July 2017.