Agenda and minutes

Venue: Education Centre, the Lido, off Gordon House Road, Hampstead Heath, NW5. View directions

Contact: Alistair MacLellan  Email: alistair.maclellan@cityoflondon.gov.uk

Items
No. Item

1.

Apologies

Minutes:

Apologies were received from Ian Harrison (Vale of Health Society). 

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 1.

2.

Declarations by Members of Any Personal and Prejudicial Interests in Respect of Items on This Agenda

Minutes:

There were no declarations.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 2.

3.

Minutes

To agree the public minutes and summary of the meetings held on 11 March 2013 and 8 April 2013.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 3.

Minutes:

3a

Minutes of the Meeting held on Monday 11 March 2013 pdf icon PDF 76 KB

Minutes:

The minutes of the meeting held on Monday 11 March 2013 were agreed as a correct record, subject to John Beyer being listed as representing Jeremy Wright.

 

Matters Arising

Minute Circulation

The Chairman noted that there was now a target to circulate draft Consultative Committee minutes within a fortnight of the Committee meeting. At the request of Colin Gregory it was agreed to include where possible the names of persons making comments before the Committee.

 

National Grid Fencing

In response to a question from Jeremy Wright the Superintendent replied that fencing instituted by the National Grid during repair work was due to be replaced shortly. It is planned that the new fencing will be of the stockproof specification used elsewhere on the Heath, protection was needed to allow germination of vegetation.

 

Gas Leaks

The Superintendent reported that the National Grid had been present on 8 July to carry out gas main repairs outside of the Education Centre. In response to a comment from Susan Rose on the poor state of the path next to the Men’s Pond following gas leak repair works, the Superintendent replied that he was conscious that this needed to be dealt with.

 

Dog Walking

The Chairman informed the Committee that, further to concerns over the use of the Heath by commercial dog walkers, a paper would be presented to the Committee at its next meeting in October.

 

Affordable Art Fair – Second Event Proposal

The Superintendent briefed the Committee over the Affordable Art Fair’s proposal to hold an event entitled ‘Grow London’, a contemporary garden show. He noted that it would need to be dealt with outside of the Committee cycle and that a report would be circulated for the Committee’s views that would then be submitted to the September meeting of the Hampstead Heath, Highgate

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 3a

3b

Minutes of the Meeting held on Monday 8 April 2013 pdf icon PDF 151 KB

Minutes:

The minutes of the meeting held on Monday 8 April 2013 were approved as a correct record subject to:

 

·         Ryland’s being corrected to Rylands on page 13

 

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 3b

4.

Reports of the Superintendent of Hampstead Heath:-

Minutes:

4a

Update on the Hampstead Ponds Project pdf icon PDF 166 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Superintendent introduced the update on the Hampstead Ponds Project, noting the Communication and Engagement Strategy had been revised and that he would welcome the comments of the Committee. He stressed that they key issue was the revised timetable for the project: that it had become clear in mid-April that the initial timetable did not allow for an appropriate level of consultation and therefore the City of London Corporation had worked with Atkins to develop a fresh approach.

 

He continued by noting that as part of this approach Atkins was currently finalising a Constrained Options Report that would be issued to the Committee later that week. It is intended that Atkins will incorporate in the report comments from the Ponds Project Stakeholder Group to date to enable further discussion at the next workshop of the Stakeholder Group on 13 July, at which the proposed height of the dams will be discussed.

 

In relation to the height of the dams, the Superintendent noted that the key factor was the ability of the dams to cope with a worst-case scenario storm event. He stated that earthen dams will prevent the need for more heavily engineered structures and that there was an inherent trade-off between the aesthetics of the dams and heavier engineering elsewhere on the Heath: for example, a slightly larger earthen dam in one location would avoid the need for heavily engineered structures elsewhere.

 

The Superintendent informed the Committee that the ecological and environmental impact of the project would be discussed at the Stakeholder Group workshop on 13 July. He went on to say that preferred options will have been identified by September 2013 and that these would go out for consultation by November 2013. This entire process of the expanded consultation was costing the City of London Corporation a significant

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 4a

4b

Management Work Plan for Sandy Heath Ride pdf icon PDF 138 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Conservation and Trees Manager introduced the Management Work Plan for the Sandy Heath Ride, noting that it followed on from two similar work plans from 2012. He concluded by highlighting the objective of a tiered effect either side of the pathway once the project had been completed.

 

The Committee proceeded to discuss the work plan:

 

In response to an observation from Jeremy Wright, the Conservation and Trees Manager agreed to examine whether there should be different management on opposing sides of the path due to varying sunlight.

 

In response to a question from Michael Hammerson the Conservation and Trees Manager agreed to examine the potential impact on habitat that the cutting of the fringe vegetation would have.

 

In response to a question from Colin Gregory the Conservation and Trees Manager said that the Corporation had tried to introduce heather in the past but these efforts had been subject to arson. Michael Hammerson observed that some heather was present on Sandy Heath.

 

Susan Nettleton remarked that she supported the aims of the work programme.

 

The Chairman requested that the thanks of the Committee be referred back to the report author.

 

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 4b

4c

Progress Report on Enhancement of Landscaping Works to Bull Path and Surrounding Area at Parliament Hill Fields pdf icon PDF 1 MB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Operational Services Manager introduced the progress report on the enhancement works to the Bull Path and surrounding areas, noting that work had commenced in February 2013.

 

Mary Port expressed her support for the works and her congratulations for the achievements to date. She raised some concerns over the hedge along the Highgate Road and hoped that the entrance sketch on page 75 would become a reality.

 

The Superintendent added that further consideration would be given to the Swains Lane entrance, and that mowing would be relaxed behind the tennis courts to promote the overall aims of the enhancement works.

 

Jeremy Wright added his congratulations and noted he used the Bull Path around four times per day, meaning that the enhancement works were, for him, a marked improvement. He expressed the hope that seating would be soon be made available.

 

Colin Gregory noted that there was currently an initiative to plant wild flower meadows to mark the 60th Anniversary of The Queen’s Coronation and that this may be something to consider for the Heath.

 

In response to a remark by Ellin Stein, the Superintendent noted that the shrubbery by the tennis courts had been taken out in 2012 with a view to promoting a meadow. Jeremy Wright noted that until a few years ago three types of buttercup had been present on the grass alongside the Bull Path, and that a return to such wildflower diversity would be welcome.

 

In response to concerns raised by Jeremy Wright and Mary Port, the Superintendent said that he would discuss the issue of new cycle stands with them outside of the meeting, noting in the meantime that it was important for the stands to be visible in order for them to provide security for the cycles.

 

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 4c

4d

Review of Sustainable Planting pdf icon PDF 2 MB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Operational Services Manager introduced the Review of Sustainable Planting, noting that he had received favourable comments from members of the public to date and that he hoped the Committee would similarly agree that the project had been a success.

 

In response to a question from Colin Gregory, who stated his support for the project, the Superintendent replied that the evergreen oaks would be trimmed during the winter, but that the geometric pattern envisaged in the project would likely not become apparent for at least five years.

 

Richard Sumray similarly welcomed the project, noting in particular the addition of the Stumpery.

 

In response to comments from Helen Payne and Colin Gregory the Superintendent agreed that the sustainable planting represented ongoing educational value and that there was potential for a weekend tour in 2014 and tuition during Autumn 2013. Furthermore, after a suggestion by Susan Nettleton, he agreed that a leaflet could be made available.

 

In response to a question from Michael Hammerson the Superintendent agreed that the Stumpery would be a unique deadwood habitat that would be worth monitoring to gauge the species that it attracted. He noted that the idea for a Stumpery had arisen after a Staff Visit to Highgrove and that the former Head Gardener there had agreed to come and help install the Golders Hill Park Stumpery.

 

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 4d

4e

Sports Update pdf icon PDF 129 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Leisure and Events Manager introduced the Sports Update to the Committee, highlighting some of the major events that had taken place on the Heath. These included the recent 10,000m athletics event, the City Dip, and the second Hampstead Heath Tug of War. He concluded by welcoming the new Hampstead Rugby Club representative Simon Taylor and  noting that Richard Sumray had taken over as Chairman of the Sports Forum

 

Richard Sumray updated the Committee on current sports issues, suggesting that the contract with British Military Fitness be continued. He noted that the last Sports Forum had had a verbal presentation from the London Orienteering Klub and that a presentation on the future use of the Lido was forthcoming.

 

The Superintendent briefed the Committee on the proposal to use portable battery powered floodlights on the Heath for sports. He noted that it was proposed to use them two nights a week to allow teams such as Hampstead RFC to train on more than one pitch, to prevent pitches from being damaged through over-use.

 

In response to a question from Michael Hammerson, the Operational Services Manager noted that staff dealt with imprints in the soil arising from sports by power harrowing. Richard Sumray added that despite widespread concern over damage to turf in Greenwich Park prior to the Olympics, the ground there had recovered very quickly.

 

The Leisure and Events Manager noted that large events such as the London Youth Games and the South East Cross Country Championships had a long affiliation with the Heath and it was hoped that this would continue. Nevertheless, recognising the potential of these events to damage the Heath in the event of poor weather he suggested that the practice of inviting Committee members on pre-event walks be revived.

 

In response to a question from Michael Hammerson

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 4e

5.

Questions

Minutes:

In response to a question from Colin Gregory it was agreed that the Town Clerk’s Department would circulate 2014 and 2015 meeting dates to the Committee. 

 

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

6.

Any Other Business That the Chairman Considers Urgent

Minutes:

Annual Dinner

The Chairman noted that the Annual Dinner of the Management Committee would take place on Tuesday 22 October in Saddlers’ Hall. Members of the Consultative Committee would be invited and it was expected that invitations would be issued at the beginning of September.

 

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

7.

Date of Next Meeting

The next meeting will take place on Monday 4 November 2013 at 7:00pm in the Education Centre, the Lido, off Gordon House Road, Hampstead Heath, NW5.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 7.

Minutes:

The Chairman noted that the next Hampstead Heath Consultative Committee meeting would take place on Monday 28 October at 7:00pm in the Education Centre, the Lido, off Gordon House Road, Hampstead Heath, NW5.

 

He added that the next Hampstead Heath Consultative Committee Walk would therefore take place on Saturday 26 October.

 

These dates replace the walk and meeting originally scheduled for Saturday 2 November and Monday 4 November respectively.

 

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.