Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Anne Fairweather (Deputy Chairman), Ray Booth (Barnet Mencap), Joanne Mould (London Wildlife Trust) and David Walton (Representative of Clubs using the Heath).

Members noted that Carol Dukes was attending in place of Ray Booth.

There were no declarations.

To agree the public minutes of the meeting held on 17 July 2017.

The minutes of the meeting held on 17 July 2017 were approved as a correct record.

To receive the draft public minutes of the meeting of the Hampstead Heath, Highgate Wood and Queen’s Park Committee held on 17 July 2017.

The draft minutes of the Hampstead Heath, Highgate Wood and Queen’s Park Committee meeting held on 17 July 2017 were received.

RECEIVED

To receive the public minutes of the Hampstead Heath Sports Advisory Forum meeting held on 11 September 2017.

The minutes of the Hampstead Heath Sports Advisory Forum meeting held on 11 September 2017 were received.

Richard Sumray (London Council for Recreation and Sport) noted that the Forum was supportive of proposed sports fees and charges for 2018/19 in general terms, and that the Forum would welcome the adoption of a theme for proposed events in 2018, e.g. ‘Women in Sport’.  

To receive a summary report from Heath Hands.

Members considered the Heath Hands Summary Report for September 2017 and the following points were made.

·         The Superintendent of Hampstead Heath noted that Heath Hands would its Annual General Meeting (AGM) on 19 October 2017. He added that going forward the City of London Corporation would review its relationship with Heath Hands, under the partnership agreement. Heath Hands was currently in receipt of City Bridge Trust funding to increase community engagement with the Heath, in particular among communities living south of the Heath. The Superintendent closed by noting that Members would receive more information on the work of the Hands at their next meeting in January 2018.

Report of the Superintendent of Hampstead Heath.

Members considered an update report of the Superintendent and the following points were made.

Events

·         The Superintendent noted the positive coverage of the Heath arising from the BBC Countryfile ‘One Man and His Dog’; the successful 16^th Annual Conker Championships held on 1 October; and the forthcoming 10,000m event on 19 May 2018.

Shire Horses

·         Two petitioners were heard in support of the use of shire horses on the Heath in the place of motor vehicles.  The petitioners noted that shire horses were an integral part of Richmond Park and had great potential to be part of the Heath as an open space. As well as activities such as moving timber, the horses had been shown to have a positive therapeutic role, through initiatives such as interaction sessions with bullied children.

·         Ellin Stein (Mansfield Conservation Area Advisory Committee) welcomed the idea and suggested that consideration be given to stabling the horses at City Farm.

·         Colin Gregory (Hampstead Garden Suburb Residents’ Association) welcomed the proposal and noted the heritage aspect of bringing horses back to the Heath – for example, Whitestone Pond was a former horse pond. He noted that the economics of employing the horses on the Heath full time looked to be too expensive but welcomed the idea of more limited working patterns, and the participation of horses in the Heath events programme.

·         Michael Hammerson (Highgate Society) suggested that the horses be employed in Highgate Wood.

·         Richard Sumray (London Council for Recreation and Sport) supported the proposal but noted that the heritage aspect was not reflected in his view, in the wider Heath strategies.

·         Helen Payne (Friends of Kenwood) supported the proposal and noted that she could raise it with her organisation to see if there was any potential for synergies between the Heath and Kenwood. She added

Report of the Superintendent of Hampstead Heath.

Members considered a report of the Superintendent of Hampstead Heath regarding Fees and Charges 2018/19 and the following points were made.

·         Simon Taylor (Hampstead Rugby Club) noted that the City of London Corporation needed to be clear that an increase in charges was being proposed at a time when the shower provision at the Athletic Track changing rooms was unsatisfactory, and the incidence of dog mess on rugby pitches on the increase. The Superintendent acknowledged those two issues and noted that the shower issue was being managed, and that staff would inspect pitches prior to games.

·         In response to a comment from Michael Hammerson (Highgate Society) the Superintendent agreed to review whether some flexibility could be applied to the charges for skips.

·         In response to a suggestion from Helen Payne (Friends of Kenwood) for residents’ parking tickets, the Superintendent noted that the proposed charges were in his view commensurate with charges levied for parking elsewhere.  

·         In response to a question from Nick Bradfield (Dartmouth Park Conservation Area Advisory Committee) the Superintendent noted that the Affordable Art Fair was not included in the schedule as the fair was granted an annual licence. The Superintendent agreed to explore the potential for an event on the Heath similar to the Battersea Park Affordable Art Fair.

·         The Superintendent noted that he was proposing a new block booking charge for the Parliament Hill Athletics Track designed to reflect the cost of running the building.

RESOLVED, that

·         The views of the Hampstead Heath Consultative Committee be conveyed to the Hampstead Heath, Highgate Wood and Queen’s Park Committee at its November 2017 meeting.

Report of the Superintendent of Hampstead Heath.

Members considered a report of the Superintendent of Hampstead Heath regarding the development of a Divisional Plan for Hampstead Heath, Highgate Wood, Keats House and Queen’s Park and the following points were made.

·         Richard Sumray (London Council for Recreation and Sport) felt that the number of projects scheduled for delivery in 2017/18 was overambitious. He also felt that some of the terminology in the plan needed to be harmonised with terminology in other City documents such as the Corporate Plan. He also felt that issues such as staff training and the Affordable Art Fair could be usefully included.

·         Colin Gregory (Hampstead Garden Suburb Residents’ Association) agreed that the language could be harmonised with other City documents. He noted that neither the Heath vision nor the Corporate Plan were scarcely referenced in the Divisional Plan. He also felt that tree health and health and wellbeing should feature in the Plan.

·         Nick Bradfield (Dartmouth Park Conservation Area Advisory Committee) felt that electric vehicles should be referenced within the Plan.

·         Michael Hammerson (Highgate Society) requested that a detailed archaeological survey be included within the Plan, alongside an ecological survey of the ponds. He also queried whether there was any potential clash of charitable objectives within the Plan.

·         Richard Sumray (London Council for Recreation and Sport) noted that the Plan should be reviewed in tandem with the Heath’s ten year plan and requested that both plans come to a future meeting.

·         Susan Rose (Highgate Conservation Area Advisory Committee) noted that some of the projects outlined within the plan had been completed and queried what process there was to include projects during the year.

·         In response to comments from Members, the Superintendent agreed to include a status column (e.g. red, amber, green) in future reporting.

·         The Projects and Management Support Officer noted that the

There were no questions.

There was no other business.

The next meeting is on 29 January 2018 at 7.00pm in the Parliament Hill Conference Room, Parliament Hill Staff Yard, NW3.

The date of the next meeting on 29 January 2018 at 7.00pm in the Parliament Hill Conference Room was noted.