Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Deputy John Barker, Clare James, Alderman Ian Luder, Deputy Alex Deane, Councillor Melvin Cohen (London Borough of Barnet) and Maija Roberts (Open Spaces Society).

There were no declarations of interest.

To agree the public minutes and summary of the meeting held on 27 January 2014.

RESOLVED: That the public minutes of the meeting held on Monday 27 January 2014 be agreed.

Matters Arising

The Chairman welcomed Mr Alex Sydney, Head of Historic Properties for English Heritage, Philip Everett Director of the Built Environment and Bob Warnock, who had taken over as Superintendent of Hampstead Heath in February 2014.

Highgate Wood Joint Consultative Committee

The Chairman asked for expressions of interest to fill a vacancy on the Highgate Wood Joint Consultative Committee. Anne Holmes agreed to fill the vacancy.

Dog Control Orders (DCOs)

The Director of Open Spaces briefly updated the Committee on the current situation with regard to Dog Control Orders. A report regarding DCOs had been considered and approved by the Epping Forest and Commons Committee and  a report on the introduction of Public Space Protection Orders, part of the Anti–social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act, would be presented to the next meeting.

The Director asked the Committee to noted that she did not expect Dog Control Orders for the Heath to be implemented for at least another 18 months.

Draft minutes of the Hampstead Heath Consultative Committee meeting held on 7 April 2014.

The Chairman noted that all reports considered at the Hampstead Health, Highgate Wood and Queen’s Park Committee, with the exception of the Open Spaces Department Business Plan 2014-17, had been considered at the Hampstead Heath Consultative Committee on the 7 April 2014.

RESOLVED: That the Committee note the minutes of the Hampstead Heath Consultative Committee held on Monday 7 April 2014 as an accurate record.

Draft minutes of the Ponds Project Stakeholder Group meeting held on 24 March 2014.

RESOLVED: That the Committee note the minutes of the Ponds Project Stakeholder Group meeting held on Monday 24 March 2014 as an accurate record.

The Superintendent of Hampstead Heath to be heard.

The Committee heard an update from Bob Warnock Superintendent of Hampstead Heath on Planning, Property, Events and the Hampstead Heath Pond’s Project

Hampstead Heath Ponds

With regards to the Hampstead Heath Pond’s Project the Superintendent told the Committee that reports on the outcome of the Ponds Project Information Sharing and Non-Statutory Consultation and the Education programme were being presented to the Committee today.

The Partnering Contract between Atkins, Capita, BAM Nuttall and the City of London had been signed on 14 March 2014.

The Panel Engineer will be completing his inspection of the Dams on the 16th April 2014.  Following this BAM Nuttall will take on the role as emergency response contractor.

Press Releases have been distributed to provide information about the Ground Investigations.  In addition an interactive map had been made available on the City’s website to show the location and timings of the different investigations.  Work commenced on the 24 March 2014 and staff at the Heath had worked closely with BAM Nuttall in relation to ecology, access and visitor liaison. The Committee heard that bore holes had been completed at the Kenwood Ladies’ Bathing Pond with particular consideration of the impact to nesting birds at the site.  Working with Heath Ecologists a number of bore holes had been moved from the originally planned locations to reduce disruption to wildlife.

Planning – Water House

The Superintendent noted that Camden have just received a copy of a Basement Impact Assessment Audit.  This will be placed on Camden’s website as a public document once they have received a revised Basement Impact Assessment from the Developer in response to the audit.  Camden has indicated further consultation will then be necessary.

Planning – Archway Tower

The Superintendent noted that a planning application has been submitted by Essential Living for a change to

Joint Report of the Director of Open Spaces and the Director of the Built Environment.

The Committee received a joint report of the Director of Open Spaces and the Director of the Built Environment.  The Director of the Built Environment presented the conclusions of the non-statutory consultation and information giving exercise undertaken between 26 November 2013 and 17 February 2014.

The Director of the Built Environment informed the Committee that the consultation was a comprehensive exercise which demonstrated that some members of the public felt strongly about the Ponds Project; using the consultation as an opportunity to provide their feedback and opinions.  However the Director remarked that the total number of responses was surprisingly low. The Director summarised that the aim of the consultation was not to ask what the public wanted to happen, but rather was an opportunity to indicate a preference from a number of possible options. It had provided a valuable tool to help understand which issues regarding the Ponds Project were of most concern. The Director said the feedback had been passed onto Atkins and would be used during the design work.

RESOLVED: That the Committee note the report on the Ponds Project public consultation.

Report of the Director of Open Spaces.

The Committee received a report of the Director of Open Spaces regarding the STEM and Policy Education Programme which proposed that an education project be launch parallel to the engineering and landscaping projects.

The Ponds Project & Management Support Officer informed the Committee that the report had been considered by the Hampstead Heath Consultative Committee which were very supportive of the proposed education programme. A Committee Member who was unable to attend the Committee sent, prior to the meeting, an email to voice her strong support for the education programme and which also asked the Committee to note that the proposal could provide an opportunity to work with University Departments on projects regarding soil mechanics at the Hampstead Heath Ponds.

RESOLVED: That the Committee note the STEM and Policy Education Programme report by the Director of Open Spaces.

Report of the Superintendent of Hampstead Heath.

The Committee received the 2013 Tree Management Update from the Superintendent of Hampstead Heath.  The Superintendent informed the Committee that work continued on the Heath to monitor the threat level of tree disease to the Heath’s 20,000 trees.  The Superintendent also noted the hard work of the Arborist Team and mentioned succession issues  within the team.

The Director of the Built Environment also informed the Committee that the design and location of the Ponds Project was heavily influenced by the impact the project would have on the trees in the area.  The Director noted that one dam had been moved from its originally planned location to avoid Category A trees.

A Member asked for further clarification on succession issues and for confirmation that the occupational health of the Arborist Team continued to be supported. The Superintendent responded by confirming that the physical fitness of all the Heath’s climbers was regularly monitored. The Superintendent noted that the Arborists had worked together effectively over the winter. This had increased their capacity to deal with storm damaged trees as well as improving cross skilling and knowledge sharing.  Iit had been proposed that an Apprentice Arborist join the Tree Management Team.  The Chairman asked for this to be investigated further and  took the opportunity to acknowledge the hard work of the Hampstead Heath Arborists particularly during the recent severe weather.

A Member asked whether or not physiotherapy was provided for the Arborists.  The Director of Open Spaces replied that physiotherapy had been provided on a trial basis to raise awareness of the benefits for staff.

RESOLVED: That the Committee note the information in the 2013 Tree Management Update.

Report of the Superintendent of Hampstead Heath.

The Committee received a report of the Superintendent of Hampstead Heath regarding  partnership management of the bowling green at Parliament Hill Fields.  The Superintendent noted that the partnership continued to work very well and the clubs had maintained the bowling green to a very high standard.   A number of key performance indicators have been included in the partnership agreement to encourage the clubs to recruit new members.  The Superintendent recommended to the Committee that the Bowling Green lease be extended for a further five years.

RESOLVED: That the Committee approve the renewal of the lease for a further five-year team, with a mutual breakout clause after three years.

Report of the Superintendent of Hampstead Heath.

The Committee received a report of the Superintendent of Hampstead Heath regarding the work of the Hampstead Heath Constabulary for 2013.  The Superintendent noted the importance of the partnerships between the Constabulary, the Metropolitan Police, Terrence Higgins Trust and the Dogs Trust. The Superintendent also reported that a procedure review of the Constabulary’s access to the Metropolitan Police Airwave Communication System was complete and a new revised protocol agreement was waiting to be signed by the Metropolitan Police.

A Member asked for clarification as to why there had been a significant increase in the number of Byelaw 32 offences (Public Decency and Propriety) between 2009 and 2013.  The Superintendent responded that he was not able to answer, but would email the Member in due course with an explanation for the rise in offenses.

Report of the Superintendent of Hampstead Heath.

The Committee received a report of the Superintendent of Hampstead Heath which provided an update on the continued partnership between the City of London Corporation, Hampstead Heath Constabulary and the Terrence Higgins Trust in 2013.  The Superintendent asked the Committee to continue to support the partnership working between the City of London Corporation and the Terrence Higgins Trust.

The Superintendent informed the Committee that the main concerns regarding the West Heath was drug use and litter on the Heath.  The issues regarding litter will be tackled by the increased provision of bins on West Heath, as well as by the two existing staff removing waste from West Heath each morning.

After the Superintendent’s briefing a Member asked for clarification about evidence of homophobic crime on West Heath to which the Superintendent noted that occurrences of homophobic crime were very rare.  A Member also asked the Superintendent if there had been an increase in the level of staffing required to remove waste from West Heath.  The Superintendent responded to say that two members of staff had always been employed on West Heath and these staff had a number of responsibilities, but the removal of waste had become a priority.

A Member also queried the financial implications section of the report and asked whether the Terrence Higgins Trust had incurred any cost due to their partnership with the City of London Corporation, to which the Superintendent confirmed that the City make a contribution of £6,000 to the Trust to fund the outreach works, leaflet production and diversity training.

RESOLVED: That the Committee approves the continuation of the partnership between the City of London, Hampstead Heath Constabulary and the Terrence Higgins Trust. 

Report of the Superintendent of Hampstead Heath.

The Director of Open Spaces introduced a report on the proposal for a temporary installation at Parliament Hill of the Jake and Dinos Chapman sculptures currently on display at St Mary Axe.  She noted that the proposal had attracted mixed views when considered by the Hampstead Heath Consultative Committee on 7 April 2014, primarily regarding the proposed location, issues of health and safety and the vulnerability of the sculptures to graffiti.

Officers had not yet determined if a location on Hampstead Heath would be the first occasion on which the sculptures had been displayed outside an urban setting such as the present location in the City, with its attendant natural surveillance by crowds and formal surveillance by CCTV to deter activities such as graffiti and climbing.  She expressed concern that, given the sculptures were made of corten steel,  persons climbing them would be at risk of cuts, abrasions and potentially tetanus.  She added that there had been instances of the sculptures being climbed upon in the City and this activity would  be more likely on the Heath.  The Director noted that graffiti arising on the sculptures could not be cleaned quickly or effectively without potentially damaging the uniformly-rusted appearance of the sculpture.

Given these concerns, she noted that Officers had decided to revisit the option on siting the sculptures in Golders Hill Park.  She cautioned that the planning application process for siting the sculptures on Parliament Hill had already commenced with the London Borough of Camden, and that it was not clear if an installation at Golders Hill Park would require similar planning permission to be sought from the London Borough of Barnet.

The Chairman thanked the Director for her update and added that Golders Hill Park, unlike Parliament Hill, was an enclosed site that was locked at night,

Report of the Superintendent of Hampstead Heath.

The Committee received a report of the Superintendent of Hampstead Heath regarding the Hampstead Heath Education and Play Services.  The Superintendent noted that in 2013 over 25,000 young people benefitted from the Heath’s play programmes and a total of 50,000 individuals engaged with the Education and Play services provided.  The Committee were also told of the impact the funding from the City Bridge Trust had on the development of three zoo based learning programmes which totalled 8% of programme bookings in 2013.

RESOLVED: That the Committee note the content of the report, particularly the success of the 2013 education and play programmes.

The Superintendent of Hampstead Heath to be heard on Highgate Wood and Queen’s Park matters.

The Committee heard from the Superintendent of Hampstead Heath regarding Highgate Wood and Queen’s Park matters.  The Superintendent noted that Golders Hill staff had helped staff at Queen’s Park with a recent planting project.  He also told the Committee that phase 2 of the Queen’s Park playground had commenced and the playground would open that afternoon. The Committee were also asked to note that a space had been allocated to house the additional play item to be purchased in phase 3 of the project.  The additional play item was expected to cost £24,000 and the funds would be raised in an appeal campaign.  The Committee was also informed that woodchips which cost £4,000 had been purchased for the playground area, to which a Member queried whether the City could make woodchips and save the cost of purchasing the item.  The Superintendent explained the woodchips could not be made by the City Corporation because they were made of a particular type of wood and by a particular process in order for the woodchips to be safe to use in play areas.

The Superintendent also asked the Committee to note that Queen’s Park Day would take place on 14 September 2014 and arrangements for the summer outdoor cinema were complete.

RESOLVED: That the Committee note the Highgate Wood and Queen’s Park update.

Report of the City Surveyor.

The Committee received a report of the City Surveyor regarding the additional works programme, a provisional list of cyclical projects being considered for the Hampstead Heath, Highgate Wood and Queen’s Park in 2015/16.  The, Assistant Director Building Surveying told the Committee that the 2015/16 list included 120 projects and represented a significant budget increase from 2014/15.

The Assistant Director continued to explain that projects are ranked  by priority level after having conducted an initial assessment on the basis of condition. The initial assessment placed individual projects on to a works list for the appropriate year, after which other factors were considered such as property status, health and safety and reputational impact.  The Assistant Director also explained that the level of funding provided to carry out the works programme depended entirely on the views of the Resource Allocation Sub-Committee, to which the Chairman noted that previously 100% of the required funding had been granted by the Committee.

Following the Assistant Director’s introduction a Member queried whether the cost of works quoted in the report were received from contractors. The Assistant Director replied that there had not been a tender process but the costs were estimated using the professional judgement of Officers in the City Surveyor’s Department.  The Assistant Director also reassured the Committee that there was flexibility within the budget to meet costs if after the tender process the estimated cost was not correct.  The Director of Open Spaces asked the Committee to note that there may be some impact to the works programme following a strategic review of the budgets, which could result in reviewing the method by which some works projects would be conducted.

A Member also asked for clarification on how the projects were prioritised and asked whether Members were involved in deciding which projects were priorities.  The

Report of the Director of Open Spaces.

The Committee considered a report of the Director of Open Spaces regarding the Open Spaces Department Business Plan 2014-2017.  The Business Plan had been agreed by the Open Spaces Committee and was now being seen by the Hampstead Heath, Highgate Wood and Queen’s Park Committee.  The Open Spaces Departmental Business Manager noted two key objectives were the Hampstead Heath Ponds Project and The Queen’s Park Playground Project. The Departmental Business Manager also asked the Committee not to note the financial information included in the report, as it was undergoing revision.

RESOLVED: That the Hampstead Heath, Highgate Wood and Queen’s Park Committee noted the Open Spaces Business Plan 2014-2017.

A Member queried whether the City’s Open Spaces could produce its own charcoal to be sold to the public, similar to that sold by Kew Gardens.  The Superintendent of Hampstead Heath responded to say that making charcoal at Hampstead Health, Highgate Wood or Queens Park was impractical because the process of making charcoal was a labour intensive manual operation and produced a large amount of thick smoke.  The Superintendent also informed the Committee that the production of charcoal would not be on a large enough scale to be cost effective.

There was no urgent business.

MOTION - That under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Part I of Schedule 12A of the Act.

RESOLVED: That under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Part I of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act:

Item(s) 16-21            Section(s) 3

To agree the non-public minutes of the meeting held on 27 January 2014.

RESOLVED: That the non-public minutes of the meeting held on Monday 27 January be agreed.

There were no questions.

There was no other business.