Agenda item

Report of the Superintendent of Hampstead Heath.

 

Members considered an update report of the Superintendent and the following points were made:

 

Divisional Plan

 

·         The Superintendent advised Members that the columns “status” and “update” had been added to the Divisional Plan.

 

·         The Superintendent advised that due to a duplication of Project 3.5 in the 2017/18 Divisional Plan, an additional project has been developed (3.14) to separate the events and cultural strategies and develop a broader cultural strategy.

 

·         Other changes to the Divisional Plan included:

o   3.12 (Develop the Hive) – this project is on hold and will go to Gateway 7 for closure due to the cost of the conversion being considerably higher than first planned. Other options would be looked at.

 

o   3.14 (Develop the Cultural Strategy) – this project will be led by the new Principal Curator of Keats House (Rob Shakespeare). The Superintendent advised that the project would take longer than July to complete and he would provide an update along with the project plan at the next meeting.

 

·         In response to a query regarding what the relationship was between the cultural strategy and events strategy, the Superintendent advised that they work together and consequently play, events and culture would be given greater emphasis in the Management Plan. A Member recommended looking again at that the word “culture” as this has a broader meaning than what it is being used for.

 

·         A Member queried what the initial thoughts for the Hive Building were. The Superintendent advised that a wider study looking at capacity of a number of Heath buildings including the Lido, Clubhouse and Parliament Hill Staff Yard, was planned to explore opportunities for providing additional learning spaces, volunteering and information hubs. It was noted that this would be added to Divisional Plan Project 1.12.

 

·         The Superintendent drew Members’ attention to the Hampstead Heath Shared Use Pathways Final Draft Report (Appendix 2) and noted that the Highgate Wood, Conservation & Trees Manager had circulated Member’s feedback from the HHCC walk regarding the different types of surface materials proposed in the report. It was noted that Members would like further information on the surfacing options proposed in the report and an updated report would be circulated to Members.

 

·         The Superintendent welcomed feedback from Members regarding waymarking and the proposed colour scheme of signage. The following comments were made:

 

o   Members discussed the colour scheme and subsequently agreed that it made sense to follow the recognised national colour scheme for cyclists to avoid confusion.

o   Some Members were also mindful of the signage being in keeping with the rural aesthetic of the Heath.

 

o   A Member felt that some clarification was needed regarding the term “prohibited routes”.

 

o   The Deputy Chairman noted that the timber posts were quite low down and easily mud splattered covering the colour on the post. The Superintendent advised that these would need to be cleaned regularly to ensure they remained visible.

 

o   It was agreed “no cycling” painted on the path in yellow was the clearest indicator and Members were pleased the concrete pads would be removed.

 

Planning

 

·         The Water House, Millfield Lane, 2017/3692/P. The Superintendent advised that planning permission had been granted. Ground protection measures would be put in place to ensure the protection of three veteran trees along Millfield Lane.  In response to a question, the Superintendent advised that the project would take approximately 57 weeks, that safe passage for walkers would be maintained and Light Commercial Vehicles with a gross vehicle weight of not more than 3.5 tonnes were being used to facilitate the development.

 

·         Parliament Hill William Ellis School, 2017/5395/P. The Superintendent noted that the Operational Services Manager was a member of the Community Working Group representing the Heath. In addition, the Highgate Wood, Conservation & Trees Manager was engaged in discussions with the constructor regarding the protection of trees, notably a large oak.

 

·         Athlone House. The Superintendent noted that the Highgate Wood, Conservation & Trees Manager was liaising with the developer regarding the impact of the works on boundary trees.

 

·         Capo de Monti.It was noted that this was spelt incorrectly in the report and should read “Capo” not “Capri”.

 

Extreme Weather

 

·         The Superintendent advised that storms and extreme weather in January, most notably Storm Eleanor, David and Georgina, had caused damage to 18 trees across Hampstead Heath and led to a number of closures at Golders Hill Park and the Hill Garden in compliance with the Division’s Extreme Weather Event Protocol.

 

Constabulary

 

·         The Superintendent noted that there have been two recent prosecutions in relation to cycling.

 

·         The Superintendent advised Members that a restructuring of the Constabulary was taking place and was now at the personal consultation stage which would end next month.

 

City Surveyors Cyclical Work Programme

 

·         The Superintendent advised that a new fence at South End Green had been erected and the land was recovering nicely. Members were pleased.

 

·         The Superintendent noted that the final stage of desilting was taking place at the Mixed Pond and that new planting bays would be completed next week, and it would take some time for the remaining silt currently in suspension to settle. Members felt this was a big improvement.

 

·         The Superintendent noted that works to install the Solar Panels at the Lido had been completed and the work to reroof the Men’s changing rooms was ongoing.

 

City of London Corporation (Open Spaces) Act 2018

 

·         The Superintendent was pleased to advise that the City of London Corporation (Open Spaces) Act 2018 had received Royal Assent and thanked Members for their support and work on drafting the Act.

 

·         A Member queried how the Act would assist in setting new policies and its scope. The Superintendent advised that the bill sets out the requirement to consult prior to implementing specific policies relating to the Act.

 

Hampstead Heath Cafés

 

·         The Superintendent noted that three-year leases had been agreed for the Parliament Hill Café, Golders Hill Park Café and Parliament Hill Lido Café.

 

·         In response to a question, the Superintendent advised that lessons had been learnt and that moving forward the role of the Café Working Party would be focused on the Parliament Hill, Parliament Hill Fields Lido and Golders Hill Park Cafés, as the Consultative Groups covering Highgate Wood and Queen’s Park would be involved in the discussions relating to these cafés. The Terms of Reference for the Café Working Party would be updated to reflect this change in focus. Members requested an update on timelines and the methodology.

 

Swimming

 

·         The Superintendent advised that there were a number of ongoing issues at the Men’s Pond regarding inclusivity, access, improved signage and the routes to payment. These issues were being discussed with both the Swimming Forum and the Sports Advisory Forum.

 

·         At the Swimming Forum on 6 March 2018 outline proposals were presented for the Men’s Pond to create a fully accessible facility.

 

·         A further meeting has been arranged with representatives of the Highgate Men’s Pond Association to discuss the proposals. The Superintendent advised that the intension was to engage with the summer season swimmers and a further update will be provide to Members at their meeting in July.

 

·         The Superintendent noted that the changing cubicles at the Mixed Pond had been repaired.

 

·         The Superintendent advised that there were a number of ongoing issues relating to the buildings at the Ladies’ Pond that were being addressed.

 

·         Following a written complaint from a member of the public regarding dogs being permitted in the changing compound, the Superintendent undertook an investigation where it was found that a past member of staff working at the facility had informally allowed a number of swimmers to bring their dogs into the changing compound, in contravention of the site notices, bylaws, and without authority from the City of London. The investigation also revealed that Lifeguards often received verbal complaints from swimmers regarding the presence of dogs within the changing compound. The City of London acknowledged that the previous arrangements were wrong and would be working to ensure that the bylaws were correctly upheld at this facility maintaining consistency across the Heath’s facilities.

 

·         The City of London Constabulary undertook a two-week period of informal information sharing at the Men’s Pond and during this time Constables spoke to many swimmers at the facility.

 

·         Following the information sharing, the Constabulary commenced the process to enforce the bylaw at this facility, in line with enforcement arrangements across other facilities at the Heath, including the playgrounds, cafés, Parliament Hill Lido and the Ladies’ and Mixed Bathing Ponds.

 

·         It was noted that there was a small number of swimmers who felt very strongly that dogs should be permitted within the changing compound. The Superintendent, Constabulary and the Senior Swimming Supervisor have sought to work with these individuals and the Highgate Men’s Pond Association to resolve this matter.

 

·         A Member advised that they had been contacted by a swimmer proposing a range of alternative arrangements to manage swimmers bringing their dogs into the facility. The Superintendent confirmed that a number of alternative arrangements had been considered including the introduction of a permit system. This had previously been discussed with representatives from the Highgate Men’s Pond Association, and with the wider group of Swimming representatives at the Swimming Forum on 6 March 2018. Following careful consideration, it was concluded that a permit system would not be appropriate and would not resolve the issues.

 

·         In order to help resolve the issue, the City of London has installed a temporary cycle parking area inside the entrance to the Men’s Pond, where swimmers may tether their dogs. This is a temporary measure whilst wider consultation on the proposals for improving access is undertaken. These proposals include an area for cycle parking and dog tethering closer to the pond.

 

·         Unfortunately, two members of staff working to construct this temporary cycle parking area were verbally and physically assaulted by a swimmer. The Superintendent has since written to the swimmer to inform them that this behaviour will not be tolerated by the City of London.

 

·         The Chairman of the United Swimmers Association has emailed the Superintendent to formally protest to the changes at the facility and the enforcement of the bylaw preventing dogs from entering the changing compound.

 

·         The Constabulary will continue to visit the facility on a regular basis and generally the bylaw is being complied with, although it is understood a petition is now being promoted.

 

·         In response to queries regarding why this decision had been made, the Superintendent advised that a complaint had been received regarding dogs being in the Men’s Pond changing compound and following this the City of London was working to ensure that the bylaws are correctly upheld at this facility to maintain consistency across the Heath’s facilities.

 

·         A Member noted that the bylaw did not ban dogs but rather allowed for a sign to be implemented. The Queen’s Park & Constabulary Manager confirmed the bylaw allowed for signage to be installed prohibiting dogs from an area. Signage to this effect has been in place at a number of facilities across the Heath, including playgrounds and the swimming facilities for many years.

 

·         A Member questioned the resource and reputational implications of enforcing this bylaw. The Superintendent advised that the Lifeguards had reported difficulties in managing swimmers with dogs and felt that this presented an unmanageable issue for staff. It was agreed that a consistent approach across Hampstead Heath was necessary.

 

·         A Member noted that the tethering area for dogs needed to be in eyesight of the pond to ensure safety/calmness of the dog and alleviate swimmer’s concerns of dognapping.

 

Events

 

·         The Leisure & Events Manager encouraged members to attend the upcoming Highgate Harriers Night of 10,000m Personal Best event on 19 May. For the first time in Britain, the event also hosts the European 10,000m Cup competition. Other highlights include a Q&A with sports stars.

 

·         The Leisure & Events Manager noted that the English National Cross-County Championships on 24 February had been hugely successful with a record number of participants. The two shire horses brought onto the Heath to undertake chain harrowing to aid the ground recovery following this event had been successful and received a positive response from the public.

 

RESOLVED – that:-

 

·         Members note the contents of this report;

 

·         Members provided feedback in relation to the recommendations presented in the Shared Use paths report (appendix 2) as outlined in paragraph 5.