Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Steve Ripley (Ramblers’ Association) and John Weston (Hampstead Conservation Area Advisory Committee).

Ray Booth (Barnet Mencap) was represented by Matt Gamble, John Etheridge (South End Green Resident Association) was represented by John Hunt and Dr Gaye Henson (Marylebone Bird Watching Society) was represented by Nick Moore.

There were no declarations.

To agree the minutes of the meeting held on 27 June 2016.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on 27 June 2016 be approved.

Matters Arising

Events Policy

Meetings were being organised to progress the development of the Events Policy, before the draft policy is put before the Consultative Committee. 

Consultation

The Chairman expressed her hope that the Committee had seen an improvement in the consultative process as a result of the changes that had been requested. It was acknowledged that the full effect would not be seen until after the revised meeting timetable came into effect in 2017.

Cross Country Pilot

It was noted that the pilot would be taking place on the 18^th February 2017.

The outstanding actions relating to memorial benches, the Business Plan and the use of Drones were addressed in later items on the agenda.

To note the public minutes and summary of the meeting held on the 18 July 2016.

The Committee received the minutes of the Hampstead Heath, Highgate Wood and Queen’s Park Committee held on the 18 July 2016.

A Member (Heath and Hampstead Society) queried the exclusion of the Heath in the Corporation’s submission to a Select Committee investigation into public parks. The Superintendent confirmed that the submission covered all the Corporation’s Open Spaces.

RECEIVED

To note the minutes of the meeting held on 19 September 2016.

The Committee received the minutes of the Sports Advisory Forum held on the 19 September 2016. The Superintendent reported that the London Borough of Camden had offered a small grant to the Heath for the installation of trim trail equipment. It was to be confirmed whether the grant included ongoing maintenance of the equipment.

A Member (Representative of Sports Clubs using the Heath) tabled a document relating to the installation of a shelter close to the running track, the funding for which could be provided for by the London Marathon Trust. It was agreed that the design would need to be carefully considered to ensure it was suitable for the environment.

RECEIVED

Report of the Superintendent of Hampstead Heath.

A Member (Heath Hands) updated the Committee on the work of the Heath Hands Volunteers. The following points were noted:

·         A celebratory event had been held to mark 100,000 hours of volunteering on the Heath.

·         The most hours in a single month had been completed in July 2016 (1300 hours).

·         A number of volunteer lead sessions now form a regular part of the programme.

·         A Member survey had been completed, the results of which were expected at the end of the year.

·         A strategic plan was being developed to formalise the partnership between Heath Hands and the City of London.

·         The Charity status of the group would be discussed at the forthcoming Trustee meeting.

·         Membership levels had remained steady; however, the level of activity had increased.

Members discussed whether there were an optimum number of volunteers, and whether a drive for new volunteers needed to take place. It was felt that the current level was the maximum that could be accommodated in the number of sessions, the level of which were determined by Officer availability. However, a drive was needed to diversify the demographics of the volunteers. The report to the next meeting of the Committee would include the age profile of the current Heath Hands membership.

The Chairman thanked Heath Hands for their continued work on the Heath.

RECEIVED

Report of the Superintendent of Hampstead Heath.

The Superintendent provided an update on recent operational and management activities that had taken place across the Heath since June 2016. Members considered the following matters:

Business Plan

The Superintendent advised the Committee that the Open Spaces Business Manager would be attending the meeting of the Committee in January to discuss the business planning process and how the Committee could be involved in the formative stages. In response to a query from a Member (Hampstead Garden Suburb Residents’ Association) in relation to the link between the Business Plan and the Hampstead Heath Management Plan, the Superintendent reported that the Open Spaces Business Plan related to wider departmental issues over a period of three years, whereas the Management Plan set strategic objectives for management of the Heath over a ten year period. The Open Spaces Department Business Plan identified large capital projects and department wide programmes and projects, many of which inform management at the local level.

Affordable Art Fair

The Superintendent outlined the outcomes of the recent review of events on the Heath. The proposal to move the Affordable Art Fair to after Easter was supported by the Committee. The withdrawal of GROW London would have an impact on the income from the event, as the change of date and the clash with the Whitsun Fair would not allow for a second event to make use of the tent after the Fair (an early Easter would however allow for further use).

Circus

The Committee discussed the recent representations received regarding the Zippo’s Circus licence to use the Lower Fairground, specifically relating to the use of animals in their shows. Representations had been received for and against the Circus (two letters recently received in support were tabled), however, the petition had yet to be received. Members discussed the arguments for

Report of the Superintendent of Hampstead Heath.

The Committee considered a report of the Superintendent of Hampstead Heath on recent updates on the development of the Management Plan. The Committee were advised that further written submissions were welcome to be submitted prior to the management committee meeting on the 21^st November 2016.

Following a query from a Member (London Council for Sport and Recreation) it was confirmed that the plan had sought to take learning from the last process in the development of recommendations for the 2018 Plan.

A key learning from the review stage was the importance of a “golden thread” through the management framework from the ten year strategic management plan, through the rolling 3-year divisional plan and implemented through the annual work programmes and projects.

In accordance with the approved programme for the 2018 Plan, the local community would be invited to engage with the development of the plan, particularly around their aspirations for the future of the Heath. In response to a query from a Member (Hampstead Garden Suburb Residents’ Association) about how community aspirations would be used, it was advised that an understanding of community aspirations would inform an outcomes framework to assist future decision making and prioritising, as well as to measure progress and success.

A Member (Highgate Conservation Area Advisory Committee) advised that it was important to capture the good consultation methods that had been developed as part of the Café procurement and the ponds project.

Members further discussed the possibility of holding walks open to the public discussing the management priorities for the Heath and Officers undertook to progress the suggestion.

RECEIVED

Report of the Superintendent of Hampstead Heath.

The Committee received a report of the Superintendent of Hampstead Heath outlining the proposed fees and charges for the North London Open Spaces. It was noted that the report had been carefully considered by the Sports Advisory Forum.

A Member (Hampstead Rugby Club) noted an error in charging for rugby “nets” and queried the adult day ticket price for the athletics track.

RECEIVED

Report of the Superintendent of Hampstead Heath.

The Committee discussed a report on the management operations and activities carried out on the Heath over the preceding 12 months. Feedback on the programme was welcomed in writing prior to the meeting of the Management Committee on the 21^st November 2016.

Members noted the amount of ecological work that had taken place in relation to the restoration of the Ponds Project sites. The area would require a significant amount of ongoing Officer time, however, the speed of the vegetation regrowth was seen as positive.

In response to a query from a Member (Highgate Conservation Area Advisory Committee) in relation to uneven grass coverage following the cross country runs, the Superintendent acknowledged that techniques for the restoration of the routes were still being refined.

Following a discussion on the presentation of locations for the annual work programme, the Chairman summarised the need for information and data to be presented to the Committee and the public in a concise and useable manner. Members suggested embedding reports into the website, and it was agreed that this would be useful addition.

RECEIVED

Report of the Superintendent of Hampstead Heath. Report deferred from last meeting, with updated Policing Plan (Appendix 5)  

The Committee received a report of the Superintendent of Hampstead Heath regarding the policing priorities of the Hampstead Heath Constabulary.

Following a submitted query from the Friends of Kenwood on the prevalence of cyclist using non-permitted paths, the Constabulary Manager reported that prosecutions for byelaw offences by cyclists were increasing, with eleven offences going to court compared to three from the previous year. There were three priorities relating to cycling in the report; however it was felt that some further targeted Constabulary operations could be undertaken.

Members discussed how best to capture the priority of crime reduction through visibility of Officers. It was reported that the completion of the other priorities would require the visibility of Officers.

A Member (Barnet Mencap) asked that attention be paid to leaves covering the no cycling signs on paths, and Officers agreed to monitor this more closely.

RECEIVED

Report of the Superintendent of Hampstead Heath.

The Committee received a report of the Superintendent of Hampstead Heath providing an update on the Ponds Project.

The Superintendent advised the Committee of that an area known as the sports pitch that is used as an informal area for sport by local schools had been restored without the terrace up from the path.  Whilst this has been drawn to the attention of the Ponds Project Contractor it was felt to be advantageous to the landscape giving a more natural appearance to the area. Members felt that a trial of the new alignment should be carried out in 2017, and a review conducted in the spring.

RECEIVED

A Member (South End Green Association) expressed his disappointment at the presence of the causeway to the model boating pond island, and the missed opportunity to create a bird sanctuary on the newly created boating pond island.

A further query was raised on the presence of three footpaths running parallel to the end of the dam, as it was felt only two were necessary.

A Member (Dartmouth Park Conservation Area Advisory Committee) suggested that the previous sign from the Parliament Hill viewpoint should be offered to the Museum of London to demonstrate the changing skyline. This was supported by the Committee.

The Superintendent advised the Committee of a request that had been submitted for the purchase of land adjacent to the Vale of Health. The land is currently occupied by squatters who have been served with a repossession order.  Whilst from the City’s perspective this land doesn’t represent a Strategic Service Related Property Acquisition, there is however an opportunity for the local community to work together to consider acquisition of the site, as well as the opportunities for the long term management of the land taking account of its position adjacent to the Heath.

The Superintendent suggested arranging meetings with representatives of Vale of Health Society and the Heath and Hampstead Society to explore the opportunity in more detail.

An inspection of Golders Hill Park Zoo had taken place and it was expected some written recommendations would be made.

The dates of the next meetings are as follows:

Walk – Sat 7 January 2017

Meeting – Mon 9 January 2017

Walk – Sat 11 March 2017

Meeting – Mon 13 March 2017

Walk – Sat 17 June 2017

Meeting – Mon 19 June 2017

Walk – Sat 7 October 2017

Meeting – Mon 9 October 2017

Dates of upcoming meetings of the Consultative Committee and Management Committee were noted to be as follows:

Hampstead Heath Consultative Committee

Walk – Sat 7 January 2017

Meeting – Mon 9 January 2017

Hampstead Heath Management Committee

Meeting – Mon 30 January 2017

Hampstead Heath Consultative Committee

Walk – Sat 11 March 2017

Meeting – Mon 13 March 2017

Hampstead Heath Management Committee

Walk – Fri 5 May 2017

Meeting – Mon 15 May 2017

Hampstead Heath Consultative Committee

Walk – Sat 17 June 2017

Meeting – Mon 19 June 2017