Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Helen Payne (Friends of Kenwood) and Susan Rose (Highgate Conservation Area Advisory Committee). Nick Fielding was in attendance for Friends of Kenwood.

Before continuing with the main items of the agenda, the Chairman placed on record the Committee's thanks and congratulations to Richard Gentry who had recently moved to a new role within the Corporation.

There were none.

To agree the public minutes of the Hampstead Heath Consultative Committee meeting held on 23 May 2022.

The Committee considered the minutes of the previous meeting of the Consultative Committee, held on 23 May 2022.

A Member (Highgate Society) suggested that under item 5 (5.1 Draft Divisional Plan 2022-25) the conversation concerning archaeological interpretations had been raised by them rather than the Member erroneously referred to.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the Hampstead Heath Consultative Committee held on 23 May 2022 be agreed as a correct record, as corrected.

To note the public minutes of the Hampstead Heath, Highgate Wood and Queen’s Park Committee meeting held on 15 June 2022.

Members noted the draft minutes of the Hampstead Heath, Highgate Wood & Queen’s Park Committee meeting held on 15 June 2022.

Matters Arising

·        A Member (Hampstead Garden Suburb Residents' Association) suggested that any financial papers received by the Hampstead Heath, Highgate Wood & Queen’s Park Committee should also be received by the Hampstead Heath Consultative Committee, as appropriate. The Chairman will consider the request and appropriate information will be made available.

To receive the draft action points of the Hampstead Heath Sports & Wellbeing Forum meeting held on 21 July 2022.

The Committee received a report of draft action points of the Hampstead Heath Sports & Wellbeing Forum.

RESOLVED – That Members receive the report and note the contents.

Report of Executive Director, Environment.

Members received a report of the Executive Director, Environment, providing the Assistant Director’s Update.

The Assistant Director reported that corporate projects were progressing well. The Committee heard that a corporate review of all projects within the City of London Corporation was taking place, including the athletic tracks and the ponds projects. It was noted that the pond project was progressing well with procurement and design now finalised. The Committee was advised that good progress had also been made on the pond and wetlands conservation plan and work had also begun on building a brand new pond. Members noted that the London Cricket Trust had confirmed funding for several improvements to the cricket facilities and the environment department continues to liaise with stakeholders and users to ensure funding continues to progress.

The Assistant Director highlighted to the Committee a correction regarding a project involving the Royal Free Hospital, noting the project was funded not by the Hospital but by the Royal Free Charity.

Queen’s Green Canopy

A Member (Marylebone Birdwatching Society) queried whether the trees being proposed for planting on the Tumulus site would be in a line or group. An officer confirmed that the plan was to recreate the field boundary that once existed across the field and the trees would be placed as naturally as possible and would be positioned in such a way that they would mark the field boundary and will be irregularly spaced. They added that, should Members of the Consultative Committee wish to be involved in the placing of the trees, this would be welcomed.

A Member (Representative of Clubs using facilities on the Heath) said the location for the trees around the Tumulus site looked to be on the route where the large cross-country races followed and asked that this be considered. An

Report of Executive Director, Environment.

Members received a report of the Executive Director, Environment, providing a concept plan for Parliament Hill Lido. The Assistant Director explained that the proposed concept plan is not the final proposal but initially developed to visually highlight development opportunities and that the final design will need to be developed with users and stakeholders.

A Member (Representative of Clubs using facilities on the Heath) said it was important that the essence of the Lido was not forgotten in the blueprint for Parliament Hill. They also suggested that the customer journey can be improved. The Assistant Director agreed to take these comments back for review.

A Member (London Council for Recreation and Sport) said it was important to understand what the financial envelope for the changes being proposed might be and asked how the blueprint would be taken forward after being brought to the Consultative Committee. The Assistant Director confirmed that an initial analysis had been conducted on the capacity and penetration rate, it was estimated that with the current population and a basic model and basic improvements, subsidies could be potentially decreased by half but this can change according to final design and model  For the next steps, the Assistant Director noted that it was important that the vision and capacity of the changing rooms be clarified together with the users to ensure there was a vision that was achievable to funding.

RESOLVED – That Members receive the report and provide feedback.

Report of Executive Director, Environment.

Members received a report of the Executive Director, Environment, setting out a series of proposals for future grassland management on Hampstead Heath in response to the City of London’s 2020 Climate Action Strategy, nature recovery and the biodiversity emergency.

A Member (Hampstead Garden Suburb Residents' Association) asked in what circumstances would less than annual cutting be considered appropriate and whether grazing was an issue. An officer commented that there was some overlap with some areas concerning grazing and the cutting regime would be dependent on the strength of the grass as some areas were in enriched zones. Members were informed that the annual cutting of grass would also produce a saving on fuel.

A Member (Heath Hands) said the initiative was excellent and in line with the City of London agreeing to reach net zero by 2027, it was suggested that the department may want to consider implementing the 7.2 hectares across the Heath for lowland meadow creation. An officer noted that strategy implementation had already started, and an audit had been completed from scopes one and two which showed emissions were already down from 2020’s levels, however, this was still a big challenge.

A Member (London Wildlife Trust) advised that Consultative Committee be mindful concerning fires and that decisions may need to be taken were there to be extended periods of high temperatures. They felt that cuts may need to be taken earlier in advance than may have been preferable. The Member asked what monitoring would take place as referred to in the report. The Assistant Director confirmed monitoring would be done by the City of London’s ecologist with methodology yet to be agreed upon surrounding species diversity.

A Member (Highgate Society) suggested that rotational cutting could address the issues raised with fire risk. Concerning diversity, the Member

Report of Executive Director, Environment.

Members received a report of the Executive Director, Environment, setting out proposed changes to the Booking System used at the Bathing Ponds and Lido on Hampstead Heath.

A Member (Friends of Kenwood) suggested that it would be good to create a user account on the system so data did not have to be entered multiple times. This would also help to enable data gathering, which had the Members' full support.

RESOLVED – That Members receive the report and provide feedback.

Report of Executive Director, Environment.

Members received a report of the Executive Director, Environment, providing a vision for improvement to Parliament Hill.

A Member (Hampstead Garden Suburb Residents' Association) asked to what extent the proposals involved possible changes to the staff yard including Heathfield House and relocation of the education team. The Assistant Director said a formulated strategy for buildings had not yet been done but work was ongoing with surveyors in terms of improvements and maximising opportunities for the staff yard.

A Member (Highgate Society) said focusing on the concept of the visitor hub was a particularly important issue and was glad to see it had been given serious consideration. The Member suggested that a better program of public information about the Heath was needed to enable informative information to give greater feedback. The Assistant Director said the points raised would be picked up by separate projects and initiatives.

RESOLVED – That Members receive the report and provide feedback.

Members received a report updating the Consultative Committee of the work of Heath Hands from September 2022.

A Member (Marylebone Birdwatching Society) said they were grateful for the work done by Heath Hands for filling up feeders as well as being impressed with the activities involving school children birdwatching. A question was raised as to why there had been a drop in volunteer activity for Highgate Wood. The representative from Heath Hands agreed to report back to the Member on the issue.

There were no questions.

There were no items of urgent business.

7 November 2022

16 January 2023

The date of the next meeting was noted by the Consultative Committee.