Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Karina Dostalova, Virginia Bonham Carter and Vicky Zentner.

There were none.

To agree the public minutes and summary of the meeting held on 24 April 2018.

RESOLVED, that the minutes of the meeting held on 24 April 2018 be approved.

Report of the Town Clerk.

The Group noted the various outstanding actions and the updates provided

thereon.

With regards to Action 1 concerning waste removal, Members were advised that there was an ongoing issue with the contractor who is the London Borough of Brent as a better service is received from the Corporation. The Director noted that Corporation’s contractor was up for renewal in November which would go to the Port Health Committee. he agreed to share the 2019 prices to establish if they were still cheaper than the London Borough of Brent.

Members were advised that Action 2 had not yet been completed as the water fountains had been vandalised. The Constabulary & Queen’s Park Manager agreed to consider adding the locations to the map for the public when they were repaired.

With regards to Actions 6 and 7 concerning the draft Queen's Park Woodland Walk Management Plan, Members were advised that the Constabulary & Queen’s Park Manager was working with a contractor and a report would come to the Committee in April.

All other actions were complete or covered on the agenda.

Report of the Superintendent of Hampstead Heath.

Members considered a report of the Superintendent of Hampstead Heath providing an update on the suggested designs and costs associated with the redevelopment or rebuilding the Queen’s Park Public Toilets adjacent to the Children’s Play Area. The following points were made:

·         The Superintendent explained cracks were identified following the original quotations to repair and decorate the toilets which resulted in seeking assistance for City Surveyors to price up plans and costs to completely redevelop.

·         It was noted that point 11 required updating to better reflect the background of the damage sustained.

·         Members were concerned by the new cost figure of £44k which was now five times more expensive as the original approximate project costs.

·         The Chairman stated that the Committee needed to consider the two options of refurbing the building which would make it fit for service or starting again with a new build which would take much longer. The Constabulary & Queen’s Park Manager advised that the he was engaging with surveyors for both options and had met with members of the community for feedback who preferred Option 2a.

·         A Member felt the building pre-dated 1980 as suggested in the report and was more likely 1960s.

·         Members agreed that the cheapest option was not necessarily the best option and wanted to choose an option which would be an investment for the next 50 years. The Chairman requested that the surveyor comment on the lifespan of each option.

·         A Member recommended starting again to create a building that was better fitting with the aesthetic of Queen’s Park.

·         It was noted that a higher footfall was now visiting the Park with the regeneration of the South Kilburn area and the Chairman queried if there was any funding available. Members were advised that co-funding seal money was a possibility if the toilet were

Report of the Superintendent of Hampstead Heath.

Members considered an update report of the Superintendent and the following

points were made:

·         The Superintendent noted that the first three recommendations were the priority for discussion. 

Projects and Programmes

·         Members were advised that an approach was made by a small group from the local community who have proposed the first-floor office space in the Park be utilised as a community space. It was noted that this was an underused space and the City Surveyor’s Department were in the process of seeking expressions of interest as part of a tender process for the use of this space. A licence would be issued as part of this tendering process.

·         In response to a query regarding how the group found out about the space, Members were advised that they learnt about it from the café owners and subsequently contacted the Team.

·         The Chairman queried whether this was a commercial or charitable organisation. The Constabulary & Queen’s Park Manager advised that it was a commercial community group.

·         A Member advised that the space had previously been park keeper accommodation and did not feel it was a good idea to lose it to a commercial organisation when staff might need it in the future. The Chairman clarified that it was not a forever proposal. The Superintendent noted that the Park had 19 residential accommodation units.

·         In response to a query regarding why the cost of the new toilet block could not be funded by £2m that was recouped from another residential venue, the Superintendent advised that this surplus had gone into a central pot and did not belong to Queen’s Park exclusively.

·         The Chairman stated that the space was not currently needed by staff and that the Park could benefit from the additional income. The Constabulary & Queen’s Park Manager added that these were local meetings

Members noted the draft Open Spaces Departmental Events Policy (Part One). Members were advised that the passing of the City of London Corporation (Open Spaces) Act 2018 had allowed the Corporation to develop a framework to guide its events on its Open Spaces.

It was noted that Part One had already been approved but provided specification for Queen Park events.

RECEIVED.

Members noted the draft Open Spaces Events Policy (Part Two) and the following points were made:

·         Members were advised that event locations are grouped into three broad zones with event applications to be considered based on an assessment of the suitability of a location, including the local character of the location, the potential impacts on the fabric of the site and on the experience of Queen’s Park visitors and neighbours: Zone A - built facilities, Zone B - established activity areas and Zone C - wider areas).

·         The Constabulary & Queen’s Park Manager drew Member’s attention to Table 1 setting out the proposed Event Scale. The Committee agreed that the duration of large events should be changed to up to three days as three-day events were not captured under large or major events.

·         With regards to how decisions were made, Members were advised that the Committee would be consulted on any event proposal referred to the Hampstead Heath, Highgate Wood and Queen’s Park Committee for decision and that he Superintendent may also choose to consult the Committee on medium and smaller events via email or post.

·        Members were advised that the charging policy would differ for community and charitable events which would be assessed to determine an appropriate reduction or waiver of charges.

·         The Director of Open Spaces advised Members that the new Events Policy would encourage applicants to provide plans well in advance.

·         The Chairman stated the need to understand events being hosted at Queen’s Park and what/how they will benefit and in most cases the Park only receives a small rental. It was agreed that event details including the seven criteria to judge events against would be circulated to the Committee via email for Member feedback.

·         The Director of Open Spaces noted that just because an organisation was

Members noted the draft Queen’s Park Event Application Form.

RECEIVED.

Report of the Superintendent of Hampstead Heath.

Members considered a report of the Superintendent of Hampstead Heath regarding the proposed fees and charges for a range of sports facilities and services provided at Hampstead Heath, Highgate Wood & Queen’s Park for 2019/20 and the proposed fees and charges for Weddings and Civil Ceremonies for 2020/21.

It was noted that a new section had been added (Remediation Deposit) which would cover charges incurred by events, e.g. water, electricity, etc, and this was linked to the Events Policy.  

In response to a question regarding trainers and dog walkers, the Superintendent advised Members that the charges incurred would depend on the numbers of people/dogs involved. It was agreed that work was needed to ensure the correct fee structure was implemented to cover these businesses that used the Park.

RESOLVED – That:-

·         The Hampstead Heath Consultative Committee, Highgate Wood Consultative Group and Queen’s Park Consultative Group discuss the proposed fees and charges for 2019/20 and 2020/21, as set out in Appendix 1 of this report;

·         The views of the Hampstead Heath Consultative Committee, Highgate Wood Consultative Group, and Queen’s Park Consultative Group be conveyed to the Hampstead Heath, Highgate Wood and Queen’s Park Committee at their 28 November 2018 meeting.

There was one question:

Pitch and Putt area

The Chairman advised Members that an enquiry had been made by a member of the public for the Committee to review the policy for dogs to remain on a leash in the enclosed "Pitch and Putt" area at the centre of the Park in dedicated time slots (early morning and late afternoon).

Members felt that it was not necessary to amend the policy as owners could safely exercise dogs off the leash at Tiverton Green and favoured people’s safe use of the Park over dogs.

The Chairman advised Members that the Hampstead Heath, Highgate Wood and Queen's Park Committee Dinner would take place on 6 February 2019 at the Apothecaries’ Hall and invites would be sent to the Committee in due course.

The date of the next meeting is 27 March 2019 at 4.00pm.

Members noted that the date of their next meeting would be on 27 March 2019 at 4.00pm.