Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Michael Hudson, Chris Byers and Adeline Siew Yin Au.

There were none.

To agree the public minutes and summary of the meeting held on 7 January 2021.

RESOLVED, that the public minutes of the meeting held on 7 January 2021 were approved as a correct record.

To receive the draft public minutes of the Hampstead Heath Consultative Committee meeting held on 25 January 2021.

The draft public minutes of the Hampstead Heath Consultative Committee (HHCC) meeting held on 25 January 2021 were received.

Member of the Heath Team to be heard.

Members received a verbal update from David Humphries, Tree Management Officer for Hampstead Heath, Highgate Wood and Queen's Park, providing a front-line worker perspective of the issues experienced concerning trees management.

Members were advised that the pandemic had directly impacted the Trees team, and how they operate and navigate the Heath. The restrictions meant working in smaller groups and the dramatic increase in visitor numbers in all areas was slowing down on tree work and causing logistic challenges moving around the bases. Members were shown pictures of stock fencing around trees.

After 35 years working at the Heath, the Tree Management Officer highlighted that he had never seen the Heath used as heavily as it has been throughout the pandemic. There had also been a noticeable seasonal change in recent years and these issues were having a subsequent impact on the health of the soil and environments.  Compaction on soil was an ongoing issue and Officers did not yet fully understand the legacy of the impact.

It was noted that tree inspection surveys were now up to date and the team had worked on the backlog of emergency tree works. Following the 2002 survey of veteran trees, the new survey indicated an 11% loss in veteran trees from 530 to 470. There had also been an increase in tree failures which traditionally averaged 70 and was now 108. Factors included extreme weather, soil health, compaction and losing light.

On a personal note, the Officer was disappointed to advise that the pandemic had led to a staff loss from Madrid. The role would be replaced but the team had lost the outreach connection sharing knowledge and work across Europe.

A Member questioned if soil compaction and tree failure was a result of climate change or the recent pandemic impact. Members were

Report of the Town Clerk.

Members considered a report of the Town Clerk concerning the Committee’s Terms of Reference.

RESOLVED - That:-

·         the terms of reference of the Committee, subject to any comments, be approved for submission to the Court in April 2021 as set out in the appendix; and

·         any further changes in the lead up to the Court’s appointment of Committees be delegated to the Town Clerk in consultation with the Chairman and Deputy Chair.

Report of the Director of Open Spaces.

Members considered a report of the Superintendent providing an update on matters concerning Hampstead Heath, Highgate Wood and Queen’s Park. The following points were made:

·         The Superintendent recognised the incredible effort from staff since Christmas, particularly in light of the recent mild weather and earlier snow.

·         The recently announced Government roadmap will allow the Team to plan sports activities from 29 March and timetable events from 21 June. It was highlighted that the key role of Open Spaces would remain, especially at Easter and summer, as people were being encouraged not to go on holiday and were likely to stay local.

Contractors & Maintenance

·         Recovery work will operate in parallel to the reopening of facilities. Other major works includes an 8-week programme of gas supply works on Parliament Hill starting in late spring; 7-week health and safety works to replace gravel at the East Heath Car Park  progressing in April; and ongoing toilet renovations finishing next Friday.

·         With regards to the gas supply works, a Member cautioned Officers regarding contractors taking space for storage, etc, as the City Corporation had unhappy experiences with this in past. It was recommended that use to contractors be time and space limited, with potential use cameras and a deposit requested in advance. Officers confirmed the contractor had been made aware the Car Park was vital to the Heath, the use was for 8 weeks only and a fee would be charged.

·         Officers were pleased to report that after years of previous drainage investigations at the Lido, the source of a major leak had been found. It was hoped this would be fully resolved soon and thanks was given to the City Surveyor for their ongoing assistance. 

Planning

·         The Superintendent updated Members on the following planning application:

o   Cranwood Development (Haringey). Officers attended a forum by

Report of the Director of Open Spaces.

Members considered a report of the Director of Open Spaces setting out the proposed fees and charges for a range of sports and services provided at Hampstead Heath, Highgate Wood & Queen’s Park for 2021-22 and the proposed fees and charges for Weddings and Civil Ceremonies for 2022-23.

The Chair noted that an email had been received from Catherine West MP expressing concern regarding the larger concessionary rate in line with the 40% reduction.

Members were informed that retail prices would be lifted up by inflation, e.g. carparking was to be more aligned with local benchmarking but still remained slightly lower. It was noted that concessions offered a 40% discount and needed to be lifted for season tickets for the Bathing Ponds as acknowledged in the Swim Review. Weddings and civil ceremonies were being booked two years in advance.

Feedback from the Sports Forum and HHCC was highlighted regarding the additional cleaning charge for the changing rooms who proposed a £5 increase.

Members made the following comments:

·         A Member supported the recommendation and felt the increase was reasonable as all Departments were expected to make 12% savings.

·         In response to a query concerning how full and part time dog walkers were split, Members were advised that the dog walker licence costs would apply to full time dog walkers and a pro rata rate would be applied for part time walkers.

·         A Member was surprised that round numbers were not being used especially since the move from cash to contactless payment. Officers confirmed that whilst they were taking the vast majority by contactless payment, cash was still necessary, and it was agreed to keep precise rates as they were small amounts and would be a greater increase if rounded up.

·         Members considered the 5% charge for Forest Schools to be reasonable.

·         A

Report of the Director of Open Spaces.

Members considered a report of the Director of Open Spaces setting out the draft Divisional Plan 2021-2024 and the Conservation and Ecology Annual Work Programme (AWP) 2021-2022 for Hampstead Heath.

Members were advised that Officers had prepared the AWP in November 2020; however, projects were being reprioritised to focus more on recovery and restoration following the announcement of the third National Lockdown. Similar plans for Queen’s Park and Highgate Wood were also being prepared and would come to the Committee in May.

With regards to the 150^th anniversary celebrations, it was noted that a partnership programme and logo had been agreed to ensure a joined-up approach plus significant social media use. A Member felt that the monoliths that would be used should be used as an opportunity to promote the future and not just past.

The Director of Open Spaces confirmed that the anniversary was being linked with the Hampstead Heath Charity to emphasise the work of charity, better explain gifts/donations and hopefully promote and encourage donations opportunities. The Director noted that people could now donate to particular projects via the website it was hoped local community will get behind work.

The model boating pond environmental improvements to revert the island to keep separate and develop aquatic planting was highlighted as a key project to push for fundraising from the local community and Members were encouraged to help push this forward.

A Member enquired how the City Corporation was supporting SMEs during the café tendering project process to add value to the local community. Officers confirmed the process would start with local engagement looking at social, environmental and economic concerns. All bids would be made on the same process based on a 10-year lease and a number of local cafés would be prioritised.

A Member felt the AWP did

Report of the Director of Open Spaces.

Members received a report of the Director of Open Spaces setting out the high-level Business Plan for the Open Spaces Department for 2021/22.

Members were advised that the Plan identified seven major workstreams for the whole Department together with the actions within various Corporate strategies that the Department was helping to deliver, and setting out the current Departmental risks, financial information and performance measures. The report also identified next year’s key areas of work for Hampstead Heath, Highgate Wood and Queens Park.  

RECEIVED.

Report of the City Surveyor.

Members received a report of the City Surveyor setting out the details of projects which would be undertaken in 2021/22 and delivered within that year forming part of the previous year’s programmes. In addition, the main changes to how the CWP will operate and be delivered in year 2022/23 onwards was also provided.

It was confirmed that Officers remain in discussion with the Chamberlain as there was an option to apply for emergency funding for health and safety concerns and anything in the reserve list would be moved into the next bid year.

RECEIVED.

Report of the Town Clerk.

The Committee noted a report of the Town Clerk updating Members on action taken by the Town Clerk under urgency or delegated authority in consultation with the Chairman and Deputy Chairman since the last meeting of the Board, in accordance with Standing Orders No. 41 (a) and (b).

The Chair provided context for the urgency concerning Departmental and Service Committee Budget Estimates 2021/22 which followed the motion of the Committee at its last meeting resulting in budget approval.

RECEIVED.

There were no questions.

A Member noted that this was the first meeting since the death of local author and Heath resident John McCarry who was a great fan of Heath which featured in much of his fiction. It was agreed some of his work should be included at the 150^th anniversary celebrations.

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 Local Government Act as follows:-

Item No.                                                         Paragraphs in Schedule 12A

RESOLVED - That under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting for the following items on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act.

To agree the non-public minutes of the meeting held on 7 January 2021.

RESOLVED, that the non-public minutes of the meeting held on 7 January 2021 were approved as a correct record.

There were no questions.

There were no items.