Agenda item

A report of the Superintendent of Hampstead Heath (copy attached).

The Queen’s Park Manager provided a verbal update to the Committee and covered the following points:-

Background

·         The Park continues to be well used with over one million visits in 2012/13.

Ecology and the Environment

·         The amount of seasonal bedding sourced from West Ham Park for use in the Quiet Garden has been reduced for budgetary reasons.

·         A John Deere Gator electric vehicle has been obtained from elsewhere within the North London Open Spaces Division, the use of which will hopefully lead to a reduction in diesel usage this year.

·         The Hampstead Heath Arboricultural Team were regularly surveying the Park for tree disease. In response to a question, the Queen’s Park Manager confirmed that the ash trees in the Park were being monitored for Ash Dieback but that at present this was not present in the Park.

Sports and Recreation

·         A contractor recently treated Tennis Courts 5 and 6 for moss growth.

·         A report on the new advance booking system for the tennis courts would come to the Committee in November.

·         Queen’s Park Rangers have been asked to provide a soccer training school in the Park over the summer.

·         The Park Manager has had discussions with the Brent Council Sports Officer over a programme of sport for 7-14 year olds.

·         The City of London and Queen’s Park are accepting Spice Time Credits for tennis and pitch and putt games on selected days of the week, and volunteers have been sought for the Park. In response to a question, the Queen’s Park Manager stated that to date no-one had cashed in their credits.

Conservation and Heritage

·         A draft leaflet has been produced, for which the Park Manager requested Members to provide feedback.

Landscape Management

·         The Hampstead Heath Arboricultural Team and external contractor ACS Consulting have carried out safety works on 34 trees in the Park, including crown reduction and removal of dead wood. Works were carried out in three tranches during the winter to minimise the impact on the public.

·         The desire line created by joggers and walkers adjacent to Kingswood Avenue has been slit and seeded.

·         130 metres of Common Hornbeam was installed in the area of the new play equipment in April 2013 and the edges softened with natural planting with the help of the local community.

Operational Management

·         A new contract with Enterprise for general waste collection began in January 2013.

·         Recyclables continue to be collected by Veolia on behalf of Brent Council.

·         In response to a question, the Chairman noted two apparent issues with the use of compactor bins in the Park: that they were only available for lease, not purchase and their appearance would potentially not conform with the aesthetics of the Park.

·         Budget reductions will see the loss of one full-time post in the Park in March 2014.

·         Netting and spikes had been installed on the lychgate to deal with pigeon nuisance.

·         Staff had repaired and maintained park benches during the winter.

·         The Park hosted a ‘Winter Gathering’ in December 2012 for over 200 visitors.

·         The Lord Mayor of London and the Worshipful the Mayor of Brent visited the Park in March 2013 to plant a Common Oak.

·         Further events are planned for 2013, including an outdoor cinema.

·         The Park Manager is advertising events through the Hampstead Heath Twitter feed. In response to a question, the Committee agreed that it was worthwhile considering the creation of a dedicated Queen’s Park Twitter feed.

·         New interpretative signage had been installed in the Children’s Farm.

Representation on the Joint Consultative Group

·         The Park Manager has contacted four local residents groups who potentially have an interest in the management of the Park. In response to a question, he agreed to contact the Kensal Rise Residents Group using contact details to be provided by Councillor James Denselow.

·         The Chairman noted that two interested parties could attend the November Committee as observers ahead of a formal request for membership being made to the Hampstead Heath, Highgate Wood and Queen’s Park Management Committee.