Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Helen Payne (Friends of Kenwood), Stewart Purvis (Vale of Health Society), Harunur Rashid Khan (Bangladeshi Social Forum), and Steve Ripley (Ramblers’ Association).

There were none.

To agree the public minutes and summary of the meeting held on 6 July 2015.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the previous meeting held on Monday 6 July 2015 be agreed.

Matters Arising

Outdoor Gym Location Proposal

The Superintendent advised that the London Borough of Camden’s (LBC) application for funding had been reduced by 50%, so they would be focussing on their own sites rather than the Heath. The Superintendent and his staff would continue to maintain a close relationship with the LBC to identify other opportunities in the future.

Report of the Remembrancer.

The Committee considered a report of the Remembrancer that provided a full working draft of the City of London Corporation (Open Spaces) Bill, which was due to be deposited to Parliament on 27 November 2015 subject to the approval of the Court of Common Council for the promotion of the Bill. This would be considered by the Court of Common Council on 15 October 2015.

Members discussed each clause of the draft Bill and the following matters were considered:-

2. Interpretation

·         In response to a member’s (London Council for Sport & Recreation) question, the Remembrancer advised that the purpose of the Bill was to allow for new things which could not currently be done, or over which there was currently some ambiguity.

·         The Ministry of Housing and Local Government Provisional Order Confirmation (Greater London Parks and Open Spaces) Act 1967 already allowed for a wide range of events at the Heath but other Open Spaces managed by the City of London Corporation did not have the same freedoms.

4. General Provision

·         All provisions of the Hampstead Heath Act 1871 had been considered and the relevant sections were referred to in clause 4(1)(a) of the draft Bill.

·         Additional wording could be incorporatedto make clear that the Bill should be read alongside the existing legislation, which members (Hampstead Garden Suburb Residents’ Association, Heath & Hampstead Society) expressed would be helpful.

·         Members (London Council for Sport & Recreation, Hampstead Garden Suburb Residents’ Association, Heath & Hampstead Society) suggested additional sections of the 1871 Act, such as section 15, should also be referred to and that clause 4(3) included reference to ‘duties’ as well as ‘powers’.

·         In response to members’ concerns, the Remembrancer advised that he hoped to address the points about ‘duties’ in clause 4(1) and consideration would be given to how the Bill could iron

Report of the Superintendent of Hampstead Heath.

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

Property

Lido Wall

A pre-start meeting relating to the rebuilding of the boundary walls would take place on 4 October 2015. The Sports Advisory Forum and the Lido User Group would be consulted before this date.

Hill Garden Shelter

A pre-start meeting regarding the tanking works had taken place on 24 September 2015. A contractor had been appointed and the works would start shortly.

Golders Hill Park Zoo Toilets

Temporary toilets had been in use at Golders Hill Park. An additional separation tank would be constructed during autumn/winter as part of the City Surveyor’s Department’s programme of works.

Planning

Athlone House

Whilst the planning appeal was dismissed in June 2015, the applicant subsequently submitted an application to judicially review the Planning Inspectorate’s decision. A member (Highgate Society) added that a date for the applicant’s appeal had been scheduled for 20 October 2015.

Water House

The London Borough of Camden (LBC) Development Control Committee were likely to consider the planning application at their October or November meeting. The Superintendent would continue to represent the City Corporation’s key concerns and reasons why the application should be refused. The Superintendent aimed to attend the LBC Development Control Committee meeting.

Schools – William Ellis and Parliament Hill Girls’

The application for the Parliament Hill School, William Ellis School & La Swap Sixth Form was approved by LBC in July 2015.  Conditions attached to the planning consent required further landscaping details to be submitted for approval, which was of interest in the context of previous representations submitted regarding potential impacts on the Heath.  There was also a condition regarding the submission of a

Report of the Director of Open Spaces.

The Committee received a report of the Director of Open Spaces regarding the delivery of the Open Spaces Learning Programme. Members were advised of the Programme’s learning framework, which would be used to deliver learning outcomes across the Open Spaces.

RESOLVED – That the development of the learning framework and the progress made, be noted.

In response to a member’s (Mansfield Conservation Area Advisory Committee & Neighbourhood Association Committee) question regarding the maintenance of memorial benches and potential damage caused by British Military Fitness (BMF) programme participants, the Operational Services Manager advised that instructors had been informed not to use any structures as fitness aides. The Leisure and Events Manager added that anyone, including non-BMF programme participants, seen using benches or other structures as a fitness aide had been told to stop.

The Chairman reminded members that the Hampstead Heath, Highgate Wood & Queen’s Park Committee dinner would be taking place on the evening of Monday 12 October 2015. Invitations had been issued via post and RSVPs were required by 1 October 2015.

To note that the next meeting will be held on 9 November 2015.

RESOLVED – That the date of the next meeting (Monday 9 November 2015) be noted.