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 Mathew Frith, Cindy Galvin (represented by Dr Merlin Fox), = Harunur Rashid, Steve Ripley, Richard Sumray and Sharlene McGee.

 ...  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 none.

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

3.

Minutes pdf icon PDF 117 KB

To agree the public minutes and summary of the meeting held on 14 October 2019.

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

Minutes:

The public minutes of the meeting held on 8 July 2019 were approved as a correct record subject to additional wording being added to a point made by a Member to provide clarity.

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

4.

Hampstead Heath, Highgate Wood and Queen's Park Committee Minutes pdf icon PDF 99 KB

To receive the draft public minutes of the Hampstead Heath, Highgate Wood and Queen's Park Committee meeting held on 13 November 2019.

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

Minutes:

 The public minutes of the Hampstead Heath, Highgate Wood and Queen’s Park Committee (HHHWQPC) meeting held on 13 November 2019 were received.

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

5.

Outstanding Actions pdf icon PDF 45 KB

Report of the Town Clerk.

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

Minutes:

Members noted the various outstanding actions and the update provided thereon.

 

With regards to action 1, Members were advised that the Superintendent had chased the Head of the Communities for Camden and regarding suggestions for a representative for local schools.

 

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

6.

Superintendent's Update pdf icon PDF 79 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

 

·         With regards to Appendix 1, Members were advised that the updated AWP covered all disciplines and cyclical work and all shaded items were new. Members were invited to provide feedback to the Superintendent via email.

 

·         A Member (Highgate Society) inquired whether there was consideration over the conditions for hedgehogs and the improvement of ecological corridors to renew wildlife at the Heath. The Member felt that Local Authorities and landowners should be engaged on this issue to maximise the value of spaces for wildlife. The Superintendent informed Members that the City Corporation monitored and submitted representations against local planning applications. There was also ongoing monitoring work and an outreach programme led by the Heath’s Conservation Team and Ecologist including local allotments, neighbouring landowners, golf courses, etc. 

 

·         In response to a query (Clubs using facilities on the Heath) concerning the poor condition of the cricket pitch, Members were advised that the cricket squares and grass/turfing had been affected by the particularly wet autumn and winter and improvement works  would take place in spring when the weather improved.

 

City Surveyors Cyclical Work Programme

 

·         The Superintendent updated Members that a major investment had been secured for a 12-week programme of works which would be followed by the toilet refurbishment project.

 

East Heath Car Park (A DP5)

 

·         Members were advised that funding had been secured for this project and tending companies were being approached. Resurfacing work was due to commence following the Whitsun Fair. 

 

Planning

 

·         North Fairground Site 2017/4346/P. Members were advised that the planning application appeal was dismissed by the Inspector. The Superintendent thanked the Heath & Hampstead Society and the London Borough of Camden for their support.

 

·         Officers are investigating land use for clarity in the future as

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

7.

Review of the 2019 Events Programme & Provisional 2020 Events Programme pdf icon PDF 79 KB

Report of the Director of Open Spaces.

 

 

 

 

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

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Members received a report of the Director of Open Spaces detailing the success and learning from the 2019 Hampstead Heath Events Programme and setting out the proposed 2020 Events Programme.

 

Members were advised that it had been a busy and successful 2019 for events with thanks given to the Officer Events Group for their assistance. Members congratulated the Events Team for their hard work and the successful implementation of the new Events Policy.

 

A Member (Highgate Society) noted previous discussions regarding the potential for a heritage/history day similar to the Highgate Wood Heritage Day. it was added that the annual conker event could be expanded to incorporate this idea. Officers confirmed that there had historically been a Heritage Day at the Heath and that such an event would require considerable work and planning. Members were invited to follow up with contacts and ideas for a Heritage Day.  

 

A Member (Mansfield Conservation Area Advisory Committee & Neighbourhood Association Committee) felt there was a missed cultural opportunity for a literary event looking at the huge amounts of literature past and present (not just Keats) with a connection to the Heath. This could include appearances and readings from local writers. The Superintendent noted that there was a Keats 200 programme which included live actors, walks, etc, but agreed to talk to Keats House regarding a ticketed fundraiser. A Member agreed to follow up with the Ladies Pond about assisting. The Deputy Chair noted that Queen’s Park hosted an annual literary event which was coordinated by external, commercial organisers.    

 

A Member (Hampstead Rugby Club) suggested expanding “This Girl Can” to bring in walking groups.

 

In response to a concern raised regarding the popularity of large events and carrying capacity of the Heath (Hampstead Conservation Area Advisory Committee), Members were advised that the Events Policy and

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

8.

Hampstead Heath, Parliament Hill Fields, Golders Hill Park and Hampstead Heath Lido Cafés Tender Timeline pdf icon PDF 70 KB

Report of the Director of Open Spaces.

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

Minutes:

Members received a report of the Director of Open Spaces providing an update on the proposed timeline for the tendering of the Parliament Hill Fields, Golders Hill Park and the Parliament Hill Fields Lido Cafés.

 

Members supported the proposed timeline.

 

RESOLVED – That Members:-

 

·         Note the report, including the proposed timeline, as set out in paragraph 7;

 

·         Give feedback on the content of the report, the views of this Committee will be shared with the Hampstead Heath, Highgate Wood and Queen’s Park Committee.

 

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

9.

Dog Walker Code of Conduct and Licence Consultation Report

Report of the Superintendent of Hampstead Heath.

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

Minutes:

Members received a verbal update from the Superintendent of Hampstead Heath concerning the dog walker code of conduct and licence consultation.

 

The Superintendent confirmed that the report from the consultant with the draft scheme had not been finalised and would now come to the April HHCC meeting for feedback. The next step was to form a small working party looking in detail at the draft code of conduct and the licensing scheme consultation. Key issues to address was providing clarity between private and commercial gain and defining the byelaw for effective control.

 

A Member (Hampstead Garden Suburb Residents' Association) felt that the current wording was constrictive for non-commercial dog walkers and recommended a change in tone.      

 

Members agreed that the number of dogs that could be walked at one time was the key issue and that it needed to be explicit that dog waste was a health hazard. A Member (Highgate Society) also recommended changing the wording “dog social skills” to “well behaved and social”.

 

In response to a question (Hampstead Rugby Club) concerning how to identify a commercial dog walker from a normal dog walker, Members were informed that commercial walkers would wear something identifiable (?) but walkers would stand out from how regularly they visited the Heath if they did not have a licence. This would be defined in the code of conduct.

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

10.

Hampstead Heath Extension Consultation pdf icon PDF 104 KB

Report of the Superintendent of Hampstead Heath.

 

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

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Members received a report of the Director of Open Spaces providing an update and the outcome of an engagement and consultation process regarding the use of the Hampstead Heath Extension Annex Room that is attached to the public toilet building.

 

A Member (Hampstead Rugby Club) noted that there was a lack of facilities on the extension and welcomed a kiosk over a café. In response to whether the Rugby Club would be able to use the facility to prepare tea and coffee, the Superintendent confirmed that it would be written into the specs to allow provision for the Cricket and Rugby Clubs to use for refreshments. The Superintendent also agreed to explore possible menu options for the Clubs.    

 

A Member (Hampstead Garden Suburb Residents' Association) was concerned that a café would create an environmental impact and would only support a flagship environmentally friendly kiosk facility with non-permanent furniture that could be put away. With regards to the annex room, the Member suggested an interpretation centre.   

 

RESOLVED – That Members:-

 

·         Provide feedback on the report findings (appendix 2);

 

·         Provide feedback on the Superintendent’s recommendation to proceed with a tender for the lease of the Annex Room as a refreshment room, as set out in para 20.

 

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

11.

Draft Sport and Physical Activity Strategy for 2020-25 pdf icon PDF 219 KB

Report of the Head of Corporate Strategy and Performance.

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

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Members received a report of the Head of Corporate Strategy and Performance concerning the City of London Corporation’s Draft Sport and Physical Activity Strategy for 2020-25. The following comments were made:

 

·         The Chairman was pleased that the Strategy had been significantly revised and strongly advocated for a working party to give oversight for this important area.

 

·         A Member (Highgate Society) felt the Strategy was not sufficiently clear that walking is exercise and was a main reason for people visiting the Heath. It was added (Hampstead Garden Suburb Residents' Association) that this could be expanded to promote the Heath’s benefit to people’s health and wellbeing. Members were advised that the links between the Heath and physical activity were covered in the Heath vision.    

 

·         A Member (Representative of Clubs using facilities on the Heath) noted that there was new strategic planning sport guidance had been released by Sport England and recommended incorporating the recommended process as this could help to secure grant aid. Members were informed that Sport England guidance and data had already been used but the new guidance would be reviewed, and stakeholders consulted. 

 

·         It was noted that sport featured heavily throughout the Strategy which was a turn-off some people and a Member (Representative of Clubs using facilities on the Heath) recommended that the Strategy make a steer towards using physical activity as an inclusive concept.

 

·         A Member (Hampstead Garden Suburb Residents' Association) felt that it was not clear where funding for this Strategy was coming from which was needed for prioritisation of projects in the Fundamental Review. It was recommended that the wording be changed to say Open Spaces and beyond.

 

·         It was noted that there was no mention of the future or looking at trends and a Member (Hampstead Rugby Club) queried whether there was scope to introduce

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

12.

Questions

Minutes:

There were none.

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

13.

Any Other Business That the Chairman Considers Urgent

Minutes:

There was no urgent business.

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

14.

Date of Next Meeting

The date of the next meeting is 9 March 2020 at 7.00 pm.

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

Minutes:

The date of the next meeting on 9 March 2020 at 7.00pm was noted.

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