Agenda and draft minutes

Apologies were received from Deputy John Tomlinson, Peter Corley (Tree Trust for Haringey) and Bob Warnock, Superintendent of Hampstead Heath.

There were no declarations.

To receive a resolution of the Hampstead Heath, Highgate Wood and Queen’s Park Committee dated 15 May 2017.

Members noted a report of the Town Clerk detailing the appointment of the Consultative Group.

The Chairman noted that John Barker, a longstanding Member of the Grand Committee, had recently passed away.

To agree the public minutes of the meeting held on 9 November 2016.

The minutes of the meeting held on 9 November 2016 were approved as a correct record.

Matters Arising

Planning – Water House

A Member noted that the appeal concerning the Water House development had been dropped and the house subsequently sold. The Highgate Wood & Conservation Manager noted that he had met the new owner, who had been sympathetic to the issues around the site. Members noted that the Hampstead Heath Consultative Committee had been invited to visit the site.

Hedgehogs

The Highgate Wood & Conservation Manager noted that a survey in early 2017 had produced no evidence of a significant population in the Wood.

Report of the Superintendent of Hampstead Heath.

Members considered an update report of the Superintendent of Hampstead Heath regarding Highgate Wood and the following points were made.

Working Arrangements

The Highgate Wood & Conservation Manager noted that new closing times were working well, in that there had been few complaints and the new routines were easier for staff members.

Roman Kiln Project

The Highgate Wood & Conservation Manager noted that the Comptroller and City Solicitor was reviewing the issues around the role of a charity governing the kiln. In response to a question, the Town Clerk replied that Catherine West, the local parliamentary candidate, had attended the Roman Kiln item on that morning’s walk in a private capacity and had been advised that the visit was not to be used for party political purposes[RGG1] .

Sustainability

The Highgate Wood & Conservation Manager noted that new boilers had been installed in the Wood.

Conservation

The Highgate Wood & Conservation Manager noted that Storm Doris had caused some damage to the Wood, He further reported that work had been conducted on the 2017 Conservation Area between December 2016 - March 2017, which had involved some excellent examples of joint working with colleagues and volunteers across the North London Open Spaces Division. The Highgate Wood & Conservation Manager agreed to note a Member’s suggestion that a resistivity survey be conducted in the 2017 Conservation Area.

Squirrel Traps

The Highgate Wood & Conservation Manager noted that these had been installed at a cost of £60 each and had captured 20 thus far. The reduction in grey squirrel population would help prevent bark stripping of trees such as hornbeam in the Wood.  The Director of Open Spaces noted that the Prince of Wales had set up a House of Lords Group to monitor the control of grey squirrels. The Town Clerk agreed to circulate a weblink on

Report of the Director of Open Spaces.

Members discussed a report of the Director of Open Spaces on the Open Spaces & Heritage Business Plan 2017/18 and the following points were made.

·         In response to a question, the Director of Open Spaces confirmed that his Department had a lot of survey data which gave him confidence that the plan covered all of the open spaces assets managed by the City of London Corporation.

·         In response to a question, the Director of Open Spaces replied that an overarching customer satisfaction survey had not been conducted recently but some specific surveys had been conducted i.e. on cafes.

·         In response to a question, the Director of Open Spaces agreed that the use of ‘outcomes’ and ‘outputs’ was potentially confusing and agreed to review the language used in the plan.

There were no questions.

Timings and venues of meetings

In response to a question from the Chairman, Members agreed to hold both of their annual meetings at the Wood, and to commence the walk at 4.00pm followed by a meeting at 6.00pm with afternoon tea.

Wednesday 1 November 2017 at 1.45pm in the Committee Rooms, Guildhall.

Members noted the next meeting would be at the Wood on 1 November 2017 at 6.00pm, preceded by a walk at 4.00pm.