Agenda and minutes

The Chairman welcomed Susan Nettleton, the new Chairman of Heath Hands, and John Etheridge, who was in attendance in the space of John Hunt.

Apologies were received from John Hunt, John Rogers, Alix Mullineaux, David Walton and John Weston.

There were no declarations.

To agree the public minutes of the meeting held on 9 July 2012 (copy attached).

The minutes of the meeting held on 9 July were agreed as a correct record.

MATTERS ARISING

Hampstead Heath – Public Sex Environment Outreach Work (item 3).

The Superintendent advised that the Constabulary Manager had recently arranged a litter-picking event with ten volunteers from the Terrence Higgins Trust and the Camden Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Forum.

Superintendent’s Update (item 6).

The Chairman advised that the Visitor 1 sculpture would remain on the Heath until 15 November 2012.

The Conservation Manager advised that the team believed the Oak Processionary Moth was not present on the Heath. In response to a request from Michael Hammerson, the Superintendent advised that photos of the Moth would be placed on the Heath website in order to help members of the public identify it.

‘Wild About Hampstead Heath' Project Application Update (item 10).

The Superintendent advised that he had recently met with the new Projects Officer from the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) and that the project initiation, following the successful award of a Heritage Lottery grant was progressing smoothly. It was anticipated that the Football Pavilion would be used as a workspace for volunteers and RSPB officers and the Golders Hill glasshouse would be used as an education resource.

Dog Control Orders (item 11).

In response to a query from Colin Gregory, the Superintendent clarified that he was currently awaiting the findings of the ongoing trial on Burnham Beeches before circulating a report on dog control orders on possible implementation on the Heath. Ian Harrison advised that he hoped to see the report submitted to the Committee by no later than November 2013.

Report of the Director of Open Spaces (copy attached).       

Members considered a report of the Director of Open Spaces that had been considered previously by the Open Spaces, City Gardens & West Ham Park Committee. The report considered the implications of recent amendments to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) for the City’s Open Spaces.

The Superintendent advised that the City did not have the resources to send representatives to sit on Neighbourhood Forums, several of which were currently in the process of being established for neighbourhoods in the Heath vicinity. In response to a query from Richard Sumray, the Superintendent undertook to investigate the possibility of circulating regular update reports to the relevant forums. Ian Harrison advised that it was important for the City to create links with the forums soon after they were established.

The Superintendent advised that it might be helpful to revisit the work undertaken by Urban Initiatives in helping new Forums to shape plans for protection of the immediate environs of the Heath, recognising that the Heath did have statutory protection.

The Superintendent advised that there were many uncertain factors as to how the implementation of the Localism Act would affect local government and it was currently unclear how matters such as “neighbourhood orders” could affect planning policies.

Richard Sumray advised that the City should consider inviting representatives from the local neighbourhood forums to sit on the Committee.

Ian Harrison advised that there were approximately twelve areas of Metropolitan Open Land surrounding the Heath, two of which were currently under threat from development. He believed the approach adopted by the City would help protect the Heath.

RECEIVED

Report of the Superintendent (copy attached).

Members received a report of the Superintendent of Hampstead Heath relative to the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012, which made it an offence to clamp or tow away a vehicle parked on private land without lawful authority, from 1 October 2012.

The report set out the new enforcement model used on Hampstead Heath, which was based upon the arrangements currently operated at Burnham Beeches through an approved external contractor and on-site staff.

The Superintendent advised that the fixed penalty charge would be £100, which would be reduced to £50 if paid within 14 days. There would be a grace period when the new regime was introduced. City staff would issue the notices, which would be processed by the contractor. The contractor would retain 90% of the funds from penalty charges, with the remaining 10% retained by the City.

In response to a query form Michael Hammerson, the Superintendent advised that the Heath was legally classified as private land because it was not managed by the local authority in which it was situated.

In response to a query from Ian Harrison, the Superintendent advised that this scheme was expected to deliver approximately £60,000 of annual savings, which would go a considerable way towards addressing the 10% budgetary reductions required by the City Corporation.

In response to a query from Richard Sumray, the Hampstead Heath Constabulary Manager advised that, if the occasion were to arise, abandoned cars would be managed through Camden Borough Council, but cars were only very occasionally abandoned on the Heath.

The Superintendent advised that there would be a very clear appeals procedure, which would be managed by the City.

RECEIVED

Report of the Superintendent (copy attached).

Members considered a report of the Superintendent of Hampstead Heath, which provided the Consultative Committee with an update on the progress of this project, since the last report in July 2012.

The Superintendent advised that considerable work had been undertaken in negotiating a contract for the appointment of the Design Team and the Strategic Landscape Architect (SLA). The SLA and the Design Team had now been appointed and the selection process for a Construction Contractor had commenced. The Water Management Stakeholders Group, consisting of representatives from local interest groups, had been established and had met monthly since July 2012. A wider consultation to reach Heath visitors and those living near-by had started and would continue throughout the duration of the project.

The SLA would report directly to the City, which meant that they would remain fully independent from the Design Team, thus providing assurances as to the protection of the natural aspect of the Heath. Once all other parties had been appointed they would all sign a partnership contract, which had been used in other major projects at the City. This contract would emphasise the importance of parties’ cooperation through dialogue in order to resolve challenges and ensure project success.

Jeremy Wright advised, that during the week preceding the meeting, officers from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) had told him that cascades would not be included in phase one of the implementation of the Flood and Water Management Act 2010 The Assistant Director of Engineering advised that DEFRA had previously advised him that the cascades would be included during phase one. The Assistant Director advised that the project would progress on the basis that cascades would be included, as this presented a more holistic approach in terms of respecting the natural landscape of the Heath and

Report of the Superintendent (copy attached).

Members received a report of the Superintendent of Hampstead Heath that summarised the findings of the Sparrows Project. The Sparrows Project, led by the RSPB, finished this year. The aims of the project were to elucidate whether changes in grassland management in parks could benefit wildlife as well as help reduce the decline in house sparrow numbers in London.

In response to a query form Susan Rose, the Heath Ecologist confirmed that the planting in the wildflower meadows had proven successful; however the meadow had not successfully attracted any sparrows.

Jeremy Wright advised that the Heath & Hampstead Society would support retaining the area as a wild flower meadow, and the creation of further meadows on the condition of the fencing being removed. The Heath Ecologist advised that, wherever possible, the fencing would be removed by the summer following sowing the meadow. Annual meadows would need to be fenced temporarily each year after they were re-sown.

In response to a query from Colin Gregory, the Heath Ecologist advised that it remained unclear as to why the sparrow population had receded both locally and nationally, although several theories had been put forward. It was hoped that this would be clarified by further research.

RECEIVED

Report of the Superintendent (copy attached).

Members received a report of the Superintendent of Hampstead Heath that provided a review of the management operations and activities carried out on Hampstead Heath over the past twelve months as part of the 2012 Annual Work Programme. The report also outlined the new 2013 Work Programme.

In response to queries from Helen Payne and Xohan Duran, the Heath Conservation Officer advised that if the Ash Dieback fungal disease arrived on the Heath there was little that staff could do to restrict its spread. However, the Cabinet Office was currently investigating the recent outbreak and would issue guidance towards a national strategy to inhibit its spread shortly.

Jeremy Wright praised the report and hoped that all scheduled works could be completed over the ensuing year. The Superintendent advised that the programme was flexible and would be amended if any urgent matters required exceptional attention.

RECEIVED

Report of the Superintendent of Hampstead Heath (copy attached).

Members received a report of the Superintendent of Hampstead Heath that set out the proposed fees and charges for a range of facilities and services provided at Hampstead Heath for 2013/14. Bob Slowe, Chairman of the Hampstead Heath Sports Advisory Forum, advised that the Forum had spent a considerable amount of time considering the fees and charges and that he believed the proposed pricing was fair and appropriate.

The Superintendent corrected the car parking charge in appendix 1 of the report as follows:

RECEIVED

To receive the minutes of the Hampstead Heath Sport Advisory Forum meeting held on 2 October 2012 (copy attached).

Members received the public minutes of the meeting held on 2 October 2012. Bob Slowe advised that the Forum was working on a series of robust principles for the Superintendent to use as a standard for setting fees and charges in the future. Bob Slowe congratulated the team on the many sports and leisure achievements seen on the Heath over the summer. In response to a query from Michael Hammerson, Bob Slowe clarified that “peak” times referred to bank holidays and weekends.

Ian Harrison advised that he believed the Croquet Club would have difficulty in surviving on a long term basis unless a second lawn was obtained.

The Chairman thanked Bob Slowe and the Forum for the advice they had provided on pricing.

RECEIVED

The Superintendent to be heard.

The Superintendent of Hampstead Heath updated the team on the following matters:

·       The National Grid works were currently progressing satisfactorily.

·       Affordable Art Fair visitors were up by 9%. A report would be circulated in due course.

·       The “green to gold” campaign was continuing and the winter swim was scheduled to take place on Christmas day.

·       2013 Hampstead Heath Calendars were available to Members for £4.

·       The Hampstead Heath Constabulary recently had been involved in a number of successful convictions, including for the attack by a dog and a cyclist who provided false details.

·       Phase 2 sustainability planting at Golders Hill had recently commenced.

There were no questions.

There was no urgent business.

To be held at 7pm on Monday 11 March 2013

To be held at 7pm on Monday 11 March 2013.