Agenda item

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