Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Virginia Rounding (Deputy Chairman), Joanne Mould (London Wildlife Trust), David Walton (Representative of Clubs using the Heath), and John Weston (Hampstead Conservation Area Advisory Committee).

Chairman’s Welcome

The Chairman welcomed a new member, Stewart Purvis of the Vale of Health Society to the Committee and noted that Joanne Mould, although not present, would in future represent the London Wildlife Trust.

The Committee also paid tribute to the late Mr Ian Harrison’s outstanding contribution to the Hampstead Heath Consultative Committee and to the Heath in general. He had represented the Vale of Health Society on the Consultative Committee for 25 years.

Simon Taylor (Hampstead Rugby Club) declared a non-pecuniary interest in item 11 on the agenda, a report of the Superintendent of Hampstead Heath regarding Hampstead Rugby Club’s request for a third rugby pitch.

To agree the public minutes and summary of the meeting held on Monday 2 June 2014.

RESOLVED – That the public minutes of the meeting held on Monday 2 June 2014 be approved as a correct record, subject to the following amendments:

Gateway 4c – Detailed Design: Hampstead Heath Ponds Project

Work on the catchpit was being carried out to ensure there was a lesser impact on other areas of the Hampstead Chain of ponds, not the Highgate chain.

Ladies Pond Fatality Report

Richard Sumray supported the way that the City had dealt with issues associated with the induction of new swimmers and the possible installation of a second platform.

Matters Arising

In response to a question from Jeremy Wright, the Assistant Director of Engineering advised that the Design Phase Quantitative Risk Assessment (QRA) would be completed and made available after the detailed design had been finalised.

To receive the draft public minutes of the Hampstead Heath Sports Advisory Forum meeting held on 22 September 2014.

The Committee received the draft public minutes of the Hampstead Heath Sports Advisory Forum meeting held on Monday 22 September 2014.

Richard Sumray advised that a review of differentiated sports charges had been put on hold until the City of London Corporation had reviewed its future financial challenges. He also added that the Sports Advisory Forum had supported Hampstead Rugby Club’s request for a third rugby pitch.

RESOLVED – That the draft minutes of the Hampstead Heath Sports Advisory Forum be noted.

The Superintendent to be heard.

The Committee received a verbal update from the Superintendent regarding the following Hampstead Heath matters:

THE FINANCIAL CHALLENGE

The Superintendent of Hampstead Heath advised the Committee that the Open Spaces Department was required to find £2.189 million of savings over the next three years. Members were advised that savings were weighted to the final year, with £595,000 savings required in 2015/16, £682,000 required in 2016/17 and £912,000 required in 2017/18. A new grant application would be submitted to Bridge House Estates in 2015 to fund education and volunteer programmes within the Department. This represented a significant contribution towards the 2015/16 required savings of £595,000. In response to a question from Susan Rose, the Superintendent explained that of the £2.189 million of savings, £835,000 were required from Hampstead Heath assuming that the application to Bridge House Estates was successful.

The proposals would be developed across three areas: activities, operational efficiencies, and generating income. Activities would continue to be delivered to a high standard, whilst looking at the possibility of using third-party providers for sports facilities, attracting sponsorships for sports events, and increasing the income generated. Fees and charges and the development of new income streams would be reviewed across the Department. A significant area of work would focus on increasing income from the refreshment concessions across the Department as well as looking to develop new concessions.

In response to question from Richard Sumray, the Superintendent advised that further reports would be presented to the Consultative Committee as proposals were developed.

In response to a question from Jeremy Wright, the Chairman advised that the Open Spaces Department had not been required to contribute an undue proportion of savings compared to other departments; the Open Spaces Department was in a position to bid for Bridge House Estates funding, unlike most other departments.

Report of the Superintendent of Hampstead Heath.

The Committee received a report of the Superintendent of Hampstead Heath regarding the Hampstead Heath Ponds Project. The report advised Members that progress towards a final scheme for the Ponds Project was continuing alongside Camden’s consideration of the planning application and the Judicial Review.

The Ponds Project and Management Support Officer advised that the remaining Ground Investigations (GIs) at Hampstead No.1, Catch Pit and Stock Pond, which had been delayed due to nesting birds, were carried out successfully in early September 2014. Members were also advised that an underwater assessment of the 1950s slab supporting the Ladies’ Bathing Pond changing facilities found that it was not in good condition and a future report would likely recommend its replacement.

In response to questions from Helen Payne and Jeremy Wright, the Ponds Project and Management Support Officer advised that tree works would be scheduled for early 2015 ready for enabling works to start in April 2015, subject to successful outcomes to the Judicial Review and the planning application in November and December respectively. Jeremy Wright added that the Judicial Review would take place on 13 and 14 November 2014 at the Royal Courts of Justice and noted that the hearing was open to the public.

In response to a question regarding the Ponds Project Stakeholder Group, the Superintendent advised that arrangements for sharing information during the works had been discussed with the PPSG. He also explained that the consultation phase had been completed and the next priority was to share information with visitors, neighbours and stakeholders about what was happening on the Heath and to promote routes around the work sites. Updates and tours of the site would be available to members.

The Chairman concluded this item by advising members that the Ponds Project and Management Support Officer would provide a further

Report of the Superintendent of Hampstead Heath.

The Committee received a report of the Superintendent of Hampstead Heath that provided a review of the Management Operations and activities carried out on the Heath over the past 12 months as part of the 2014 Annual Work Programme, and considered the new 2015 Annual Work Programme.

The Conservation and Trees Manager advised that the control of tree disease had been well maintained despite the difficulties of having to deal with an extensive clean-up operation following the unusually wet winter in 2013/14. He added that all four members of the Heath’s Tree Team were now qualified as LANTRA Professional Tree Inspectors.

The Conservation and Trees Manager reported that the Conservation Team had successfully trialled the use of a widely used vegetable die to control algae growth at the Whitestone Pond. As a result, work to control algae growth was now a monthly instead of a weekly process. In response to a question from Mary Port, the Ecologist advised that the Highgate No. 1 pond would be re-opened as soon as they were satisfied that the level of algae was safe for dogs. He added that they would continue to check that discarded fishing tackle had been removed from all of the fishing ponds regularly to reduce the risk of harm to wildlife, especially to swans and water fowl.

Members were advised that a wildflower strip was to be introduced next to the rugby pitch on the heath extension, which a member had suggested on the recent Consultative Committee walk. In response to a question regarding the control of bramble, the Ecologist reported that it had extended recently but no attempt would be made to eradicate it as it was a useful habitat on the Heath. In response to a question, the Ecologist agreed that dog faeces tended to be deposited

Report of the Superintendent of Hampstead Heath.

The Committee received a report of the Superintendent of Hampstead Heath regarding a Management Work Plan for the Hampstead Heath Fleet Stream compartment. The Assistant Ecologist advised members that the compartment had been divided into nine distinct sections for easier description of the site and more structured management aims.

With regards to the works required as part of the Ponds Project that would have some influence on the ecology in the Lime Avenue-Catchpit section, John Hunt noted that the unusual flora in this area would need to be protected. He and Michael Hammerson added that the areas adjacent to the Hampstead Fleet Stream that were of importance to fungi should also be protected.

The Chairman advised members that the Management Work Plan was at final draft stage so any further comments would be welcomed by the Superintendent.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

Report of the Superintendent of Hampstead Heath.

The Committee received a report of the Superintendent of Hampstead Heath regarding the adoption of a ‘per session’ charging structure for the Hampstead Heath Schools Programme, which was approved by the Hampstead Heath, Highgate Wood and Queen’s Park Committee in September 2014.

In response to question from Jeremey Wright, the Leisure and Events Manager advised that they were confident the new structure would be effective. Ninety-seven percent of users of the Hampstead Heath Schools Programme responded positively when asked in daily surveys if the sessions represented good value for money.

In response to a question from Michael Hammerson, the Leisure and Events Manager advised that the London Metropolitan University had carried out some research relating to the Ladies’ Bathing Pond and there would be scope for further University-led research in the future.

RESOLVED – That the adoption of the new charging structure be noted.

Report of the Superintendent of Hampstead Heath.

The Committee received a report of the Superintendent of Hampstead Heath that set out the proposed fees and charges for a range of facilities and services provided at the Heath for 2015/16.

In response to a question from Richard Sumray, the Superintendent advised that the cost of the weekly two hour tennis coaching sessions had increased by more than 2.4% because benchmarking of other tennis coaching providers in the area showed that the previous charge was very low. He added that the reason for the increased adult all-swimming facilities six month season ticket charge was due to the fact that the six month season ticket for the Lido only was the same price, which was an oversight. In the past, customers had been reluctant to buy a Lido season ticket when they could get more usage from the all-facilities ticket.

In response to a question from Simon Taylor, the Operational Services Manager advised that there was little difference between the proposed charges for the Athletics Track compared with Ealing Council’s charges for Perivale Park Athletics Track. Simon Taylor suggested that a quarterly season ticket be considered for the Athletics Track at the Heath. The Operational Services Manager explained that the administration cost of introducing another ticket would outweigh the benefits.

In response to a question regarding the charges for swimming at the mixed ponds, the Superintendent advised that the daily charge would remain the same but swimmers would not be excluded if they chose not to pay. From time to time, staff would be required to manage crowds queuing to enter the facilities and would use these opportunities to encourage swimmers to pay if they had not done so already.

RESOLVED – That the proposed fees and charges for 2015/16 be noted.

Report of the Superintendent of Hampstead Heath.

The Committee received a report of the Superintendent of Hampstead Heath that set out a request received from Hampstead Rugby Club to create an additional third rugby pitch on the Hampstead Heath Extension. Members were advised that the request met the guidelines set out in the Hampstead Heath Management Plan for alterations to existing sports provision or the creation of new sports facilities in designated sports areas.

In response to a question from David Walton submitted before the meeting, the Operational Services Manager explained that slitting and vertidraining would be carried out as sports provision was now included in the Annual Work Plan.

The Committee expressed broad support for the creation of the additional rugby pitch on the Heath Extension and wished to highlight the excellent work carried out by Hampstead Rugby Club.

RESOLVED – That the request for a third rugby pitch on the Hampstead Heath Extension be noted and supported.

Report of the Superintendent of Hampstead Heath.

The Committee received a report of the Superintendent of Hampstead Heath that detailed the success of the Hampstead Heath Events Programme from January to October 2014. Members were advised that the 2014 Programme consisted of over 110 sports, wellbeing, and cultural events, which would have engaged with over 80,000 members of the public by the end of 2014. It was also noted that the England National Cross-Country Championships would be returning to the Heath on Saturday 21 February 2015.

The Leisure and Events Manager advised that paid events had so far generated income of over £160,000 before costs, which was important during current financial challenge. He thanked his staff for their commitment during this busy event period which was echoed by the Committee, who also thanked the Leisure and Events Manager for his important contribution.

In response to a question from Michael Hammerson, the Leisure and Events Manager advised that courses on the ecology of the Heath could be provided in the future as part of the Education Programme. This may also be an extra source of income for the Heath.

RESOLVED – That the success of the Hampstead Heath Events Programme in engaging audiences on the Heath through sports, wellbeing, and culture, be noted.

There were none.

There was none.

To note that the next meeting of the Hampstead Heath Consultative Committee will be held on Monday 9 March 2015.

RESOLVED – That the date of the next meeting of the Hampstead Heath Consultative Committee on Monday 9 March 2015, be noted.