Agenda and draft minutes

Apologies were received from Simon Taylor and David Walton.

There were none.

To agree the public minutes and non-public summary of the meeting held on 25 January 2021.

The public minutes and non-public summary of the meeting held on 25 January 2021 were approved as a correct record.

Matters arising

In response to a request from a Member (London Council for Recreation and Sport) for an update regarding the gas works starting in March, the Superintendent confirmed the company carrying out the engineering works for British Gas had changed and Officers awaited an approach from the new contractor regarding new dates.

With regards to a query (Highgate Society) concerning the inspector decision on phone masks, the Town Clerk agreed to recirculate the Spaniards Road Monopole appeal decision.

To receive the draft public minutes of the Hampstead Heath, Highgate Wood and Queen's Park Committee meeting held on 24 February 2021.

The draft public minutes of the Hampstead Heath, Highgate Wood and Queen's Park Committee meeting held on 24 February 2021 were received.

To receive the public minutes of the Hampstead Heath Sports Advisory Forum meeting held on 15 March 2021.

The public minutes of the Hampstead Heath Sports Advisory Forum meeting held on 15 March 2021 were received.

Heath Hands to be heard.

Members were advised that Heath Hands had restarted sessions at the Heath and wildlife monitoring. It was noted that lots of community activity session requests had been received and people were anxious to be back at the Heath.

Highlights included a new Heath Hands website with fundraising opportunities and the introduction of a new trainee programme. Upcoming focuses included more work in the sav bridge area following the recent painting project and for the 150^th anniversary Heath Hands are planning a family fun day for 27 June.

The Chair thanked Heath Hands volunteers for all of their great work.

Report of the Superintendent of Hampstead Heath.

Members considered an update report of the Superintendent regarding Hampstead Heath and the following comments were made:

Corona virus response

·         The Superintendent was delighted at the Team’s efforts to reopen on 29 March which went smoothly but coincided with warm weather. This led to large gatherings, some AOB and significant litter which was challenging, but the work of volunteers had been a huge support to staff.

·         A Member (CG) saw litter to be the primary concern as they moved into summer which was a national problem across all Open Spaces. It was noted the City Corporation was engaging with the Keep Britain Tidy campaign, but the Member queried if there was Government scope to emphasise a wider remit to the public of the benefits of taking litter home.

·         The Superintendent confirmed the City Corporation were linked with the Keep Britain Tidy campaign on initiatives and adopting a poster campaign, plus the Director of Open Spaces continued to link with other national groups. 

Constabulary

·         The Constabulary continue to deal with ASB issues, large gatherings and littering and have developed stronger links with the MET Police and colleagues in the Camden Community Team to manage this. Ran example includes the recent closure of Primrose Hill to manage ASB on Fridays and Saturdays. 

·         Progress is being made regarding the introduction of FPNs with Officers looking at byelaws of focus and deciding on a paper or electronic system. A Member (Hampstead Garden Suburb Residents' Association) recommended including cycling to enforce the cycling rules.

·         An update will come to the next meeting concerning body worn video cameras since it was introduced as an enforcement measure. 

·         A Member (London Council for Recreation and Sport) voiced the need for Officers to use deterrents to make people aware that the Constabulary will clamp down on ASB and has

Report of the Remembrancer.

Members considered a report of the Remembrancer providing an update in relation to raising awareness of the importance of open spaces, specifically linked to the Government’s planning proposals, following discussions concerning the Planning White Paper.

Members were advised that the City Corporation had been active in more activity on metropolitan land issues relating to Hampstead Heath providing comments to Government consultation. Following this, a question was raised by the City’s MP and Officers continued working with officials on metropolitan open land to be included in and protected by White Paper consultation. Further work will continue with pan London groups on planning on all areas, not just protected areas.

The Chair was pleased the Remembrancer was working on this on this vital open space and hoped the Government would take the City Corporation’s representations seriously.

RECEIVED.   

Report of the Director of Open Spaces.

Members received a report of the Director of Open Spaces presenting the high-level Business Plan for the Open Spaces Department for 2021/22. This plan identified seven major workstream for the whole Department together with the actions within various Corporate strategies that the Department is helping to deliver, set out the current Departmental risks, provides financial information and identifies our performance measures 

The update also identified next year’s key areas of work for Hampstead Heath, Highgate Wood and Queens Park.

RECEIVED.   

There were no questions.

The Chair advised Members that this would be Karina Dostalova’s last meeting as Deputy Chairman and gave thanks for hard work and support during her time as Chairman and Deputy Chairman. these thanks were echoed by the Committee.

The 2021 meeting dates are:

-       1 November 2021 5.30 pm

-       6 September 2021 5.30 pm

-       19 April 2021 5.30 pm

The date of the next meeting on 6 September 2021 was noted.