Agenda item

To agree the public minutes of the meeting held on 31 May 2017.

RESOLVED, that the minutes of the meeting held on 31 May 2017 be approved, subject to some typographical amendments.

Matters Arising

Squirrel Traps

In response to a question from Cllr Bob Hare (London Borough of Haringey), the Conservation & Trees Manager replied that it was difficult to give an estimate of the overall squirrel population in Highgate Wood. In response to a further question, he noted that the traps were likely having a small impact on the overall population, but that judgement on the effectiveness of the traps would be reserved until their introduction was reviewed after one year. Other sites, such as Kenwood, had introduced squirrel traps many years ago and therefore it was worth persevering with the traps in the Wood. He noted that it would not be possible to introduce pine martens into the Wood as a natural deterrent – in line with a successful pilot in Ireland – as the Wood was too small an area to be a sustainable habitat for the animals.