Agenda and minutes

Venue: Parliament Hill Conference Room, Parliament Hill Staff Yard, Parliament Hill Fields, Hampstead Heath, NW5 1QR

Contact: Leanne Murphy  Email: leanne.murphy@cityoflondon.gov.uk

Items
No. Item

1.

Apologies

Minutes:

Apologies were received from Cindy Galvin (Heath Hands). Members noted that Tony Ghilchik was attending in place of Colin Gregory (Hampstead Garden Suburb Residents’ Association) and Carol Dukes was attending in the place of Ray Booth (Barnet Mencap). 

 ...  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 pdf icon PDF 221 KB

To agree the public minutes and summary of the meeting held on 9 October 2017.

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

Minutes:

The minutes of the meeting held on 15 November 2017 were approved as a correct record. A Member asked if the word “comprehensive” could be added before the word ecological to bullet point four of item 9. The Committee agreed to this word being added. 

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

4.

Minutes of the Hampstead Heath, Highgate Wood, and Queen's Park Committee pdf icon PDF 179 KB

To receive the Minutes of the Hampstead Heath, Highgate Wood, and Queen's Park Committee meeting held on 15 November 2017

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 4.

Minutes:

The minutes of the Hampstead Heath, Highgate Wood and Queen’s Park Committee meeting held on 15 November 2017 were received.

 

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

5.

New Philanthropy Capital Presentation

Minutes:

Members received a presentation from a representative of New Philanthropy Capital (NPC) on the draft outcomes diagram which had been developed through a workshop on 11 January 2018. Drawing on the Community Vision for Hampstead Heath the workshop identified pathways to achieve four key outcomes (or benefits) arising from how the Heath is managed to benefit communities.

 

A culture of collective care/custodianship of Hampstead Heath would be a key element of the work with the aim of creating a culture of inclusion and encouraging people to feel like they were ambassadors of the Heath who were involved in the decision making affecting its management. It was hoped that the feeling of personal responsibility would be complemented with a programme of engagement.  

 

A Member queried what was new and different about the data in this project from the extensive data collected by previous working groups involved in the Hampstead Heath Ponds Project and the work around developing the Strategic Plan in 2007. The Projects and Management Support Officer advised that the aim of this project was to build on past studies and surveys and to review the various issues affecting the Heath, using previous data as a valuable baseline for measuring progress. On concerns surrounding changes at the Heath, the NPC representative advised that outcomes framework/theory was a more accurate description for the tool used, than theory of change. 

 

It was queried what the average age of the workshop members was. Members were advised that the age range was similar to that of the Consultative Committee. The Member suggested that an older age group be included in future work to ensure the data gathered was as inclusive as possible.

 

Members felt that change was reflected in the emphasis on diversity, shared ownership and the impact on health and quality of life.

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

6.

Superintendent's Update pdf icon PDF 163 KB

Report of the Superintendent of Hampstead Heath.

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

Additional documents:

Minutes:

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

 

Management framework

 

·         The Superintendent advised Members that the first five paragraphs of the report outlined the approach of the Divisional Plan (appendix 1-3) currently in draft form. The Divisional Plan marks a significant achievement.

 

·         The Superintendent drew Member’s attention to the Project Record Schedule (appendix 3) which tracks project progress. This schedule would be updated in order for Members to track progress and provide feedback, which would inform the next three-year programme.

 

·         The Superintendent invited Members to provide written feedback by Friday 9 February 2018. 

 

Shared-Use path surfacing

 

·         Members were advised that the Superintendent and the Highgate Wood, Conservation & Trees Manager met with Heath for Feet, Camden Cycle Campaign, SUSTRANS and representatives from the Consultative Committee in October 2017 to discuss a draft report outlining surfacing options for shared-use paths on the Heath. A final report was in progress and the Superintendent noted he would report back to the Committee once it was finalised. Members agreed the choice of materials were vital.

 

Petition to extend cycle lanes

 

·         The Superintendent noted he had received a petition with 160 signatures for a cycle path leading from Kenwood to the Ladies’ Pond. The Superintendent advised that there were currently no plans to extend the number of cycle paths in the Heath and the emphasis remains to maintain the paths already in existence. He would however review the position when formulating the 2018 Management Plan.

 

·         Members noted the importance of stating in the Management Plan when exactly this will be reviewed to provide clarity and openness.

 

·         In response to a question the Superintendent confirmed that the lead petitioner was a regular user of the Ladies’ Pond. He noted also that the Heath faced a range of pressures as a result

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

7.

Draft Annual Work Programme 2018/19 pdf icon PDF 180 KB

Report of the Superintendent of Hampstead Heath.

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

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Members considered a report of the Superintendent of Hampstead Heath regarding the draft Annual Work Programme 2018/19 and the following points were made.

 

·         The Operational Services Manager noted that the deadline for Members were to provide further feedback on the document providing details of the proposed works for April 2018 – March 2019 was the 9 February 2018.

 

·         The Highgate Wood, Conservation and Trees Manager advised Members that the structure of the report has changed from looking backwards to looking at the year to come.

 

·         The Highgate Wood, Conservation and Trees Manager drew attention to the following highlights from the report:

 

o   A renewed survey of the trees identified as veteran/ancient trees in the last survey ten years ago would be undertaken to update the known numbers across the Heath.

 

o   Most of the “snagging” items from the Ponds Project have been completed with the remaining items to be addressed in 2018/19.

 

o   The grassland area, which was not cut last year due to the Ponds Project work, would be finished.

 

o   Following the shared-use pathways condition survey carried out last year, work would commence as per the priority list of surface repairs.    

 

o   Work with Heath Hands would continue, including working with the Leisure & Events Manager to promote and assist with a number of events at the Heath in 2018, e.g. Give it a Go Day on 15 July 2018. Heath Hands would also host a music volunteering day on 1 July 2018 at the Parliament Hill Bandstand. 

 

o   The Ecology Team would be focusing on the monitoring and surveying of the ecological areas around the ponds and the impact of the Ponds Project work.

 

o   It was noted that a species of damsel fly thought to have been extinct in London had been spotted at the Heath.

 

o

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

8.

Policy for Bench Dedications and Sponsorships at Hampstead Heath pdf icon PDF 93 KB

Report of the Superintendent of Hampstead Heath

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 8.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Members considered a report of the Superintendent of Hampstead Heath regarding the draft policy for bench dedications and sponsorships at Hampstead Heath and the following points were made.

 

  • The Projects & Management Support Officer advised Members that the draft policy followed the recommendations put forward in a report in March 2017 setting out a clear framework for the management of benches at Hampstead Heath.

 

·         It was highlighted that it was special to have a memorial bench and that there was currently a ten-year waiting list to get one. Members were also advised that the City Corporation had no plans to extend the number of benches but would consider re-positioning of benches in the Heath.  

 

·         In response to a query over whether sponsorship of benches was limited, the Projects & Management Support Officer advised that benches could be sponsored for ten years at which time they would be replaced (if damaged) or offered to another person on the waiting list if the current sponsor did not reply to the notice from the City Corporation. She added that this approach had been very effective in the pilot to date.

 

·         A Member queried what the percentage of people wishing to renew existing bench sponsorship was. Members were advised that this would become evident once the renewal cycle has been successfully working for at least a year.

 

·         It was noted that there were clear spots within the Heath where a bench would be useful and likewise spots where benches were poorly situated. Members were advised that each bench was tagged and the record of its location updated annually which allowed for benches to be tracked and historical data for past sponsors stored centrally. 

 

·         Members discussed the emotional element connected to getting a memorial bench and felt that it was important to keep people on the waiting

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

9.

Review Events Programme 2017 & Provisional 2018 Events Programme pdf icon PDF 118 KB

Report of the Superintendent of Hampstead Heath.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 9.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Members considered a report of the Superintendent of Hampstead Heath regarding the review of the 2017 Events Programme and the provisional 2018 Events programme. The Leisure & Events Manager provided his highlights for 2017 and an update on what was coming up for the year to come. The following comments were made.

 

·         It was noted that 2017 was a great year for events at the Heath and there were 101 events in total. Particular highlights for the Committee included the “Give it a Go”, “One Man and his Dog” and the Night of 10,000m events.

 

·         The 2018 National Cross-Country Championships would take place on 24 February 2018 at Parliament Hill. It was highlighted that this event encouraged lots of young people to come to the Heath.

 

·         The Highgate Harriers Night of the 10,000m Personal Bests international event would return to the Heath on 19 May 2018. This had extensive media coverage and would bring 40 world class athletes to the track to compete in the Europa Cup.

 

·         Following discussion at the Committee’s last meeting, it was proposed that two Shire Horses would attend the Heath to carry out restoration works following the Cross-Country Championships. Members were also advised that funding was being sought from the English Cross-Country Group to fund the involvement of Shire Horses at the Heritage Day.     

 

  • The Chairman drew Members attention to paragraphs 18-20 and asked for feedback regarding the use of animals at the annual circus event at the Heath. Members felt that that there was a clear movement against the use of animals (domestic or exotic) within circuses over the last 20 years and took the strong viewpoint that this was an outdated practice in 2018 and were unanimous against the use of any domestic or wild animals at future circus shows at the Heath. It
 ...  view the full minutes text for item 9.

10.

Heath Hands pdf icon PDF 2 MB

The Superintendent of Hampstead Heath to be heard.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 10.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Superintendent drew Members’ attention to a report from Heath Hands regarding the volunteering highlighted for 2017/18. The Superintendent applauded the excellent achievements of Heath Hands, and welcomed the changing demographic of the group.

 

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 10.

11.

Update on Secondary Schools Programme pdf icon PDF 58 KB

The Ponds Project Education Officer to be heard.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 11.

Minutes:

Members considered a report providing an update on the Secondary Schools Programme 2018. In response to a question about the funding of this programme, the Superintendent advised that this was secured on a three year plus one-year basis. This additional year would allow the programme to be embedded and made sustainable. A Member recommended recirculating the survey to pupils as the last circulation clashed with the exam period resulting in a low response.

 

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 11.

12.

Questions

Minutes:

There were no questions.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 12.

13.

Any Other Business That the Chairman Considers Urgent

Minutes:

There was no other business.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 13.

14.

Date of Next Meeting

Minutes:

The date of the next meeting on 23 April 2018 at 7.00pm in the Parliament Hill Conference Room was noted. All 2018 Committee dates will be circulated to Members by the Town Clerk. 

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 14.