Agenda item

Report of the Executive Director, Environment

8.         The Committee considered a report of the Executive Director on the Proposed sustainable management of the Golder’s Hill Park Zoo. The Chairman observed that the Hampstead Heath Consultative Committee had reacted positively to this report.

The Superintendent informed the Committee that options were being explored to make the Golder’s Hill Park Zoo more financially stable in the long term and that the report’s recommendations were produced to this end. The Chairman noted that the Zoo was a highly valued community asset.

Members encouraged Officers to expedite work on the contactless donations to ensure this was in place for the summer. Following explanation from Officers that there was ongoing issue with the wireless internet at the site the Chairman requested a update on the progress of the contactless donation posts at the next meeting of the Committee.

Replying to a Member’s concern it was explained that the Zoo’s charges were based on the benchmarks of the British & Irish Association 0f Zoos and Aquariums and were at the lower end of these benchmarks.

It was confirmed, in response to a Member’s query, that the Zoo had appropriate links with local schools and the University of London but that communication of these links could be better managed.

RESOLVED- That the preferred option and ancillary plans, including the change of use of the Butterfly House be approved.