Agenda and minutes

RESOLVED, That the minutes of the meeting of 29 November 2023 be approved as an accurate record of the proceedings.

The Committee noted the draft minutes of the meeting of the Hampstead Heath Consultative Committee of 15 January 2024.

Director of Natural Environment to be heard.

The Committee noted the report of the Executive Director Environment providing Members with an update on matters relating to Hampstead Heath, Highgate Wood, and Queen’s Park since the last Committee meeting of 29 November 2023.

Report of the Executive Director, Environment.

The Committee noted the report of the Executive Director Environment providing Members with an update on matters relating to Hampstead Heath, Highgate Wood, and Queen’s Park since the last Committee meeting on 29 November 2023.

Report of the Executive Director, Environment.

The Committee considered the report of the Executive Director, Environment.

RESOLVED, That Members approve the large and major events proposed as part of the provisional 2024 Events Programme for Hampstead Heath, Highgate Wood, and Queen’s Park as set out at Appendix 1.

Report of the Executive Director, Environment

The Committee considered the report of the Interim Executive Director, Environment setting out the risk management procedures in place within the Environment Department and its Natural Environment Division taking into account the requirements of the Corporate Risk Management Framework and the Charities Act 2011.

RESOLVED, That Members confirm, on behalf of the City Corporation as Trustee, that the Summary Risk Registers appended to the report satisfactorily identify the key risks to the charities and that an appropriate risk management process is in place.

Report of the Executive Director, Environment.

The Committee noted the report of the Executive Director, Environment providing Members with an update on officers’ actions to renew the partnership agreement with Heath Hands.

Report of the Executive Director, Environment.

The Committee noted the report of the Executive Director, Environment providing Members with an update on the Hampstead Heath Constabulary (“the Constabulary”) operations since the previous report on 28 November 2023.

Report of the Chamberlain.

The Committee noted the report of The Chamberlain providing an update on the operational finance position as @ period 9 (April – December) 2023/24 for the Committee’s local risk revenue budget to date and projected year-end outturn position, current live capital projects and outstanding debt position together with additional information on the various reserve funds held and other relevant finance information for the divisions of service and Charities which fall within the remit of the Committee.

Report of the Executive Director, Environment.

The Committee noted the report of the Executive Director, Environment that provided Members with an update on the current structure of North London Open Spaces following the implementation of the Corporation’s Target Operating Model.

Report of the Executive Director, Environment.

The Committee received the report of the Interim Executive Director, Environment presenting the Environment Department’s draft high-level Business Plan 2024/25 for the Natural Environment Division and City Gardens (Appendix A).

Report of the Chamberlain.

The Committee noted the report of The Chamberlain that provided an update on the operational finance position as @ period 9 (April – December) 2023/24 for the Committee’s local risk revenue budget to date and projected year-end outturn position, current live capital projects and outstanding debt position.

MOTION: The following matters relate to business under the remit of the Court of Common Council acting for the City Corporation as charity Trustee, to which Part VA and Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 public access to meetings provisions do not apply. The following items contain sensitive information which it is not in the best interests of the charity to consider in a public meeting (engaging similar considerations as under paragraphs 3 and 5 of Schedule 12A of the 1972 Act) and will be considered in non-public session.

Joint report the Executive Director Environment and Executive Director of Innovation & Growth.

The Committee noted the report of the Interim Director, Executive Environment and the Director of Innovation & Growth on the Carbon Removals project, the Natural Environment’s project within the Climate Action Strategy (CAS) Programme. The meeting noted that the City Corporation’s open spaces currently remove 16.23 ktCO2e atmospheric carbon (“carbon sequestration/removal”), contributing to the City Corporation’s reduction in net carbon emissions and 2027 net zero target.