Agenda and minutes

The Chairman welcomed to the Committee those Members newly elected and thanked those Members attending the meeting in person, who were to be elected by the Court of Common Council on the 16th. In addition those Members who had stood down were thanked for their time on the Committee.

No declarations were received.

To agree the public minutes and non-public summary of the meeting held on 4 May 2022.

The Committee considered the public minutes and non-public summary of the meeting held on 4 May 2022.

RESOLVED - That the public minutes of the Hampstead Heath, Highgate Wood and Queens Park Committee meeting held on the 4th of May be approved as an accurate record.

The Committee agreed to appoint John Foley to the Hampstead Heath Consultative Committee. It was noted that Jason Groves would be appointed to the Highgate Wood Consultative Committee once he was formally elected by the Court of Common Council to the Hampstead Heath, Highgate Wood and Queen's Park Committee.

RESOLVED- That the draft minutes be noted. 

To receive the draft public minutes of the Hampstead Heath Consultative Committee meeting held on 23 May 2022

To receive the draft public minutes of the Highgate Wood Consultative Group meeting held on 24 May 2022

To receive the draft public minutes of the Queen’s Park Consultative Group meeting held on 25 May 2022

Report of the Executive Director, Environment

The Committee considered a report of the Executive Director Environment on the Assistant Director’s Update.

The Chairman thanked the staff for their work supporting the successful events over the jubilee.

RESOLVED - That: -

I.          The report be noted; and

II.         That the content of the Swimming Annual Review 2021/22 be approved. 

Joint report of the Executive Director of Environment & the City Surveyor

6.         The Committed considered a report of the Executive Director Environment regarding the Safety, Access and Security Improvements to the Hampstead Heath Swimming Facilities.

The Committee were informed of the context of the project and noted that the final report on this would be prepared for Member approval in October.

Replying to a Member’s query the improvements to the site were explained and it was confirmed that there would no significant impact to the natural surroundings of the site caused by the works. The Chairman observed that the full details of this potential impact would be provided in the planning application which, as confirmed by Officers, had been completed on the 7th of June.

RESOLVED- That: -

I.          That an additional budget of £30,700 be approved to reach the next Gateway; and

II.         That the revised project budget of £163,700 (excluding risk) be noted; and

III.        That the total estimated cost of the project at £691,245 (excluding risk) be noted; and

IV.        A Costed Risk Provision of £27,000 be approved to reach the next Gateway (to be drawn down via delegation to City Surveyor); and

V.         That the Committee approved Option 2 be progressed as the only viable option; and

VI.        That it was noted that a minor planning application was submitted on 7th June 2022

Report of the Executive Director, Environment

7.         The Committee considered a report of the Executive Director Environment on the Sub-Divisional Plan 2022-25.

Replying to a Member’s query it was confirmed that the enforcement and administration of car parking charges would be continuously reviewed for their effectiveness. The Chairman requested regular updates on this matter going forward.

RESOLVED- That the Hampstead Heath, Highgate Wood & Queen’s Park Sub-Divisional Plan 2022-2025 be approved.

Report of the Executive Director, Environment

8.         The Committee considered a report of the Executive Director on the Proposed sustainable management of the Golder’s Hill Park Zoo. The Chairman observed that the Hampstead Heath Consultative Committee had reacted positively to this report.

The Superintendent informed the Committee that options were being explored to make the Golder’s Hill Park Zoo more financially stable in the long term and that the report’s recommendations were produced to this end. The Chairman noted that the Zoo was a highly valued community asset.

Members encouraged Officers to expedite work on the contactless donations to ensure this was in place for the summer. Following explanation from Officers that there was ongoing issue with the wireless internet at the site the Chairman requested a update on the progress of the contactless donation posts at the next meeting of the Committee.

Replying to a Member’s concern it was explained that the Zoo’s charges were based on the benchmarks of the British & Irish Association 0f Zoos and Aquariums and were at the lower end of these benchmarks.

It was confirmed, in response to a Member’s query, that the Zoo had appropriate links with local schools and the University of London but that communication of these links could be better managed.

RESOLVED- That the preferred option and ancillary plans, including the change of use of the Butterfly House be approved.

Report of the Executive Director, Environment

The Committee considered a report of the Executive Director Environment on the Registering of Hampstead Heath, Highgate Woods and Queen’s Park for Gift Aid donations.

The Committee noted that the Hampstead Heath charity was the pilot for the use of Gift Aid across the City of London Corporation’s Charites.

Responding to the Member’s question it was explained that the use of third parties was not favoured by the Chamberlain as the Value Added Tax position was not preferable but confirmed that it would be explored further, if the pilot was successful.

RESOLVED- That the Chamberlain be authorised to open dedicated bank accounts in order to register with HMRC the Hampstead Heath charity (803392), and the Highgate Wood and Queen’s Park Kilburn charity (232986) for Gift Aid status.

Report of the Executive Director, Environment

10.       The Committee considered a report of the Executive Director Environment on the Future arrangements for Weddings and Civil Ceremonies and Hampstead Heath and Queen’s Park.

The Committee observed that it was important to balance achieving income through holding events and maintaining public usage of the open spaces. It was confirmed that a report from the City Surveyor would be prepared, and brought to the Committee for consideration accordingly, on the repairs to the pergola.

In response to a Member’s query it was confirmed that income from filming fees paid in relation to the filming at Hampstead Heath was received by the Hampstead Heath Charity.

RESOLVED- That the proposal to engage a specialist wedding contractor on a two year contract with a concession to take over the provision of the service at Golders Hill Park and Queen’s Park through an income share formula be approved.

Report of the Executive Director, Environment

The Committee considered a report of the Executive Director Environment on the Review of Commercial Licensing Scheme Professional Dog Walkers.

RESOLVED- That the Assistant director and relevant officers be authorised to review the commercial dog licencing scheme considering the number of applications received in 2022 as a baseline and to consider a holistic approach that considers the use of the Heath and its sensitive areas.

Joint Report of the Chamberlain and the Executive Director, Environment

The Committee received a joint report of the Chamberlain and the Executive Director Environment on the Hampstead Heath Trustees Annual Report and Consolidated Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2021.

RESOLVED-That the report be noted.

Joint Report of The Chamberlain and the Executive Director, Environment

13.       The Committee received a joint report of the Chamberlain and the Executive Director Environment on the Highgate Wood & Queen’s Park Kilburn Trustees Annual Report and Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2021.

RESOLVED- That the report be noted.

Joint Report of the Chamberlain & the Executive Director Environment

The Committee received a joint report of the Chamberlain and Executive Director on the Revenue Outturn 2021/22 Hampstead Heath, Highgate Wood and Queen’s Park.

RESOLVED- That the report be noted.

15.       The Committee received a report of the Executive Director Environment on the Open Spaces Departmental Business Plan 2021/22 – Year End performance report.

RESOLVED- That the report be noted.

The Committee received a report of the Executive Director Environment on the Risk Management Update Report.

The Committee noted that the report had been completed to satisfy the Charity Commission’s approach to risk management and was compliant with the City of London Corporation’s risk register format. It was added that another risk report would be received by the Committee at its next meeting which would provide further detail on these risks.

RESOLVED-That the report be noted.

There were no questions in the public session received.

18.       There was no urgent business considered in the public session.

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

To agree the non-public minutes of the meeting held on 4 May 2022.

The Committee considered the non-public minutes of the meeting held on 4 May 2022.

RESOLVED- That the non-public minutes of the Hampstead Heath, Highgate Wood and Queens Park Committee meeting held on the 4th of May be approved as an accurate record.

The Committee to receive an update from the Assistant Director

The Committee considered a report of the Executive Director Environment on the Highgate Wood incident. The Committee were updated on the Highgate Wood tree incident and the Coroner’s report.

Report of the Chamberlain and draft minute from the Financial Investment Board meeting on 31 May 2022

The Committee considered a report of the Chamberlain on the Charities Pool and Hampstead Heath Trust Fund: Fund Manager Strategy Change.

There were no questions in the non-public session.

There was no non-public urgent business.