Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Susan Nettleton (Heath Hands) and Harunur Rashid Khan (Bangladeshi Social Forum).

There were none.

To agree the public minutes and summary of the meeting held on 29 September 2015.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the previous meeting held on Tuesday 29 September 2015 be agreed.

Matters Arising

City of London Corporation (Open Spaces) Bill

Members noted that a revised working draft of the Bill had been circulated to the Consultative Committee for information on 29 October 2015. Following discussions at the previous meeting, Some members (Heath and Hampstead Society,  Hampstead Garden Suburb Residents Association) explained continued concerns about clauses 6 (letting of premises) and 7 (facilities for events), arguing that more contraints were needed. Another member (Highgate Conservation Area Advisory Committee) expressed concern about the breadth of activity which could be permitted under clause 10 (control of commercial activity). Other members (London Council for Sport and Recreation, South End Green Association) considered that the clauses should be widely phrased, with limitations to be determined as a matter of policy.

In response to members’ questions, the Remembrancer advised that the Bill would not alter the arrangements for the management of the Heath as between the Hampstead Heath, Highgate Wood and Queen’s Park Committee and the Consultative Committee. The Director of Open Spaces advised that the views and comments of the Consultative Committee regarding the grant of new leases would continue to be sought and passed to the Hampstead Heath, Highgate Wood and Queen’s Park Committee for their consideration. The Director added that the Open Spaces Society would be providing their comments on the Bill shortly.

A member (Highgate Society) noted his concerns that the use of the word ‘temporarily’ in clause 7 was too vague and suggested that the open spaces suitable for the grazing of animals be specified. The Superintendent advised that policies specific to each open space would be captured in revised Management Plans, which would also include a separate events policy for each site.

In response

To note the minutes of the meeting held on 14 September 2015.

The Consultative Committee received the minutes of the Hampstead Heath Sports Advisory Forum meeting held on 14 September 2015. The Chairman of the Forum (London Council for Sport and Recreation) noted the Forum’s disappointment that the London Borough of Camden were unable to provide funds for an outdoor gym and suggested that funding should continue to be sought from elsewhere.

The Constabulary and Queen’s Park Manager provided details of a recent public consultation regarding a proposed partnership with the Lawn Tennis Association. He had received a preliminary report from the consultants who carried out the consultation and a full final report would be present to the next meetings of the Sports Advisory Forum and the Consultative Committee.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the Hampstead Heath Sports Advisory Forum meeting held on 14 September 2015 be noted.

Report of the Superintendent of Hampstead Heath.

The Consultative Committee received a report of the Superintendent of Hampstead Heath that provided an update regarding management and operational activities across the Heath since September 2015. The Superintendent provided some additional information regarding the following matters:

Property

·         Bricks and sand had been delivered to the Lido and works to the reconstruction of the East wall were due to start.

·         The proposed design for the new railings would require planning consent.

·         A site meeting was due to take place the day after the Consultative Committee meeting to discuss the programme of work to reduce erosion and improve the surface water drainage from the East Heath fairground.

·         Since commencing the tanking works at the Hill Garden Shelter on 13 October 2015, the contractor had discovered voids under the staircase.

·         Designs for the new railings required at the Hill Garden Shelter by health and safety legislation were available from the Operational Services Manager.

Planning

·         Representations for the Water House application regarding the impact on trees, hydrology of the ponds, and access and health and safety issues had been submitted to the London Borough of Camden (LBC), who were meeting in late November to consider the application. A member (Highgate Society) added that the plans could result in a closure of Millfield Lane for up to three years, during which time pedestrians and cyclists would be diverted over Heath land.

·         The LBC had received several representations regarding an application to de-designate 2-3 Heath Passage as Metropolitan Open Land but a date had not yet been set for the application to be considered. A member (Highgate Society) suggested that a map of designated Metropolitan Open Land would be useful for members.

·         A member (Highgate Society) updated the Consultative Committee about the High Court case regarding Athlone House. The applicants’ grounds of appeal had been

Report of the Superintendent of Hampstead Heath.

The Consultative Committee received a report of the Superintendent of Hampstead Heath that provided details of the trial hedgehog monitoring scheme, which took place in Golders Hill Park during September 2015. The Ecologist asked members to advise him of any future hedgehog sightings on the Heath and to inform the national sightings programme of any sightings elsewhere. The Chairman added that the scheme would be publicised in her next Ham and High column. Members suggested that the scheme could be incorporated into the Education Programme and a Golders Hill Park Zoo breeding programme.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

Report of the Superintendent of Hampstead Heath.

The Consultative Committee received a report of the Superintendent of Hampstead Heath that provided details of the progress of the Hampstead Heath Ponds Project.

In response to a member’s (Highgate Conservation Area Advisory Committee) question regarding collateral damage caused by Ponds Project vehicles on paths and walkways, the Superintendent advised that any works required to combat erosion as a consequence of the Project would be added to the appropriate work programmes and management plans. In response to an additional question (South End Green Association), the Superintendent added that areas surrounding the Ladies’ Pond would be considered for wildflowers.

In response to a member’s (Heath and Hampstead Society) request, the Superintendent advised that a progress and forward plan for the whole length of the Project could be presented to the next Community Working Group and Consultative Committee meetings. He added that details would also be provided at the next site walk on 14 November 2015.

RESOLVED – That the Hampstead Heath Ponds Project update report be noted.

Report of the Superintendent of Hampstead Heath.

The Consultative Committee received a report of the Superintendent of Hampstead Heath that provided an update on the Oak Processionary Moth (OPM) population and its management at the North London Open Spaces (NLOS) division, following the discovery of caterpillars and nests at Queen’s Park and Hampstead Heath in June 2015.

The Tree Officer advised that nests were being dealt with swiftly as and when discovered. 15 nests had been discovered across the NLOS so far which was a relatively small amount compared with the high number of nests at Richmond Park, for instance. The Director of Open Spaces added that a detailed analysis and review was taking place across North London, in consultation with the Forestry Commission and relevant London Boroughs, and a decision regarding long-term future action was expected next summer, which may include a risk-based approach towards the eventual eradication of OPM.

In response to a member’s (Vale of Health Society) question regarding the associated health concerns, the Tree Officer advised that no staff had been affected at the NLOS. Since the first nest was discovered at Hampstead Heath, no members of the public had been affected either, thanks to clear signage and protective fencing at and near nest sites before and during removal. He added that contractors will use misting techniques for future prevention.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

Report of the Superintendent of Hampstead Heath.

The Consultative 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. The Superintendent advised that the report would be considered for approval by the Hampstead Heath, Highgate Wood and Queen’s Park Committee on 23 November 2015 and the fees and charges would come into effect from April 2016.

A member (Hampstead Rugby Club) noted that some fee increases could cause sports clubs and organisations to start looking elsewhere for facilities if they continued to increase at the same rate. He added a letter would be sent to the Superintendent shortly detailing his club’s concerns.

RESOLVED – That the proposed fees and charges for 2016/17 be noted.

Report of the Superintendent of Hampstead Heath.

The Consultative Committee received a report of the Superintendent of Hampstead Heath that reviewed the 2015 Annual Work Programme and provided details of the 2016 Annual Work Programme.

In response to a member’s (Highgate Society) question regarding the location of the Poplar project, the Superintendent advised that the focus would be around the Catchpit area. The Superintendent added that any additional comments regarding the proposed 2016 Annual Work Programme should be sent to him and his staff before the Hampstead Heath, Highgate Wood and Queen’s Park Committee considered the new Programme for approval on 23 November 2015.

RESOLVED – That:-

a)    the work undertaken during 2015 to enhance the natural aspect and designed landscapes within the Heath be noted; and

b)    the proposed 2016 Annual Work Programme be noted.

Report of the Superintendent of Hampstead Heath.

The Consultative Committee received a report of the Superintendent of Hampstead Heath regarding the proposed landscape works at the Swain’s Lane entrance to Parliament Hill Fields. Members were supportive of the proposed works and, in response to a member’s (Dartmouth Park Conservation Area Advisory Committee) question, the Operational Services Manager advised that improvement works to the hedge along Highgate Road would be looked into.

RESOLVED – That the proposals to improve the hard and soft landscaping works at the Swain’s Lane entrance to Parliament Hill Fields be noted.

Report of the Superintendent of Hampstead Heath.

The Consultative Committee received a report of the Superintendent of Hampstead Heath regarding the proposed landscape improvement works at the Millfield Lane entrance to the Heath. In response to a member’s (Mansfield Conservation Area Advisory Committee) question, the Superintendent advised that a phased approach would be taken and finer details of the works to be carried out would be decided at a later date. In response to an additional question (South End Green Association) regarding views to the Model Boating Pond, the Superintendent advised that a meeting would take place shortly to discuss various options and relevant consultees would be invited to attend.

RESOLVED – That the proposals to improve the hard and soft landscaping works at the Millfield Lane entrance onto Hampstead Heath be noted.

Report of the Superintendent of Hampstead Heath.

The Consultative Committee received a report of the Superintendent of Hampstead Heath that set out the collective risk register for the two separate charities within the NLOS division. Members were advised that the final register would be updated and considered for approval by the Hampstead Heath, Highgate Wood and Queen’s Park Committee.

Members noted that risks such as tree disease could prove more significant than currently stated. A member (London Council for Sport and Recreation) suggested that financial risks could be included in a more comprehensive risk register. The Deputy Chairman added that the addition of a ‘direction of travel’ for each risk could be useful.

RESOLVED – That the NLOS Risk Register be noted.

Report of the Superintendent of Hampstead Heath.

The Consultative Committee received a report of the Superintendent of Hampstead Heath regarding the increase in permitted maximum number of guests and the introduction of a charge for the provision for a toast to be taken following weddings and civil partnership ceremonies at the Hill Garden and Pergola.

In response to a member’s (Hampstead Conservation Area Advisory Committee) suggestion, the Superintendent advised that it would be possible to approach past and future couples regarding an additional fee for a commemorative sign to mark the site of their wedding or civil partnership. The Director of Open Spaces added that a discrete commemorative sign would be more appropriate than a plaque.

In response to a member’s (Friends of Kenwood) question, the Superintendent advised that oak beam replacement works to the Pergola scheduled for summer 2016 had resulted in a slight reduction in bookings for the peak wedding period but increased numbers and income were still predicted for the future.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

Report of the Superintendent of Hampstead Heath.

The Consultative Committee received a report of the Superintendent of Hampstead Heath that provided details of the success of the Hampstead Heath Events Programme 2015. Members were advised that the 2015 Programme has comprised 106 events, including two national sporting events, which had engaged with approximately 72,800 members of the public.

RESOLVED – That the continued success of the Hampstead Heath Events Programme in engaging with audiences, attracting new visitors to the Heath, and working with partners to provide a valuable service for the local community and beyond, be noted.

There were none.

Members were advised of the sad news regarding the recent death of Mrs Alex Mullineaux, who had previously represented the Marylebone Birdwatching Society as a member of the Consultative Committee.

A member (Highgate Society) also advised the Consultative Committee of an upcoming film about Hampstead Heath that was to be filmed partly on the Heath. He would be contacting the production company for more information.

To note that the next meeting will be held on Monday 7 March 2016.

RESOLVED – That the date of the next meeting, to be held on Monday 7 March 2016, be noted.