Agenda item

Report of the Superintendent of Hampstead Heath.

The Committee considered a report of the Director of Open Spaces concerning the Hampstead Heath Swimming Covid-19 temporary arrangements and the following comments were made:

·         The Chair acknowledged that the report was late but reminded Members that the Team was extremely busy and working with the Swimming Associations to progress on these complex issues.

·         The Superintendent confirmed that conversations with the Swimming Associations had been helpful and the next step was to engage with swimmers. Officers also continue to work in collaboration with other swimming facilities in London.

·         A key challenge remaining for the facilities was what system to implement to monitor the number of swimmers.

·         The Superintendent stated that there were short and long-term plans in development. In the short-term, an existing platform would be used for online booking and payments and in the long-term an app would be introduced which would link integrated wrist bands and lockers. It was noted that it was currently difficult to trial and test the new technology as site meetings with providers were not currently possible, but that progress was being made and the Team were working with the Director of IT to progress these matters.

·         The Director of Open Spaces confirmed there had been Gold and Silver Group engagement concerning the swimming facilities and advice had been received from the Director of Public Health concerning Government guidance. Leisure centres were expected to open under step 3 and guidance would be announced for step 3 on 4 July. It was noted that this announcement would begin the next steps but opening facilities would be a phased process once the Corporation’s had agreed upon a safe operational model for staff and the public which would need to be tested first. 

·         The Chair stated that whilst this was a challenging process with numerous factors to overcome, the first steps had begun with new lifeguards in place and staff training and qualifications up to date.

·         A Member noted that paragraphs 41-43 concerning finance suggested the costs would come solely from the Heath’s Local Risk Budget and highlighted the resolution from the Establishment Committee emphasising their “support for any Open Spaces Department bid that goes to RASC that requests funds related specifically to improvements for health and safety at the bathing ponds”. The Member felt that the recommendations should be changed to allow for requests for additional money from elsewhere as these were safety issues and the local budget was already significantly constrained.  

·         Members agreed that a fourth recommendation be added giving delegated authority to the Chair and Deputy Chairman to progress matters in light of the ever-changing regulations caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.

RESOLVED – That Members:-

·         agree the temporary arrangements relating to online booking and session swimming as set out in paragraphs 13-17;

·         agree the temporary arrangements around introducing additional control measures as set out in paragraphs 18-21;

·         agree the temporary arrangements around charges and concessions as set out in paragraphs 22-28;

·         agree that the Town Clerk in consultation Chair and Deputy Chairman be given delegated authority to make decisions on behalf of the Committee as necessary to ensure matters are not delayed during this developing public health pandemic - Not sure what the exact wording of this added recommendation should be?