Agenda item

Members noted the tables listing licenced activity income for Highgate Wood for the periods 2017/18 and 2018/19. The following comments were made:

·         The Highgate Wood, Conservation & Trees Manager noted that there had been a slight increase in income for the period 2018/19 from the previous year.

·         In response to a query regarding the ground rules for birthday parties, Members were advised that birthday parties had a limited area of activity and encouraged to stay on the paths. It was noted that rules were needed on the old railway land regarding parties.

·         A Member felt that clarity was needed in the Events Policy regarding the rules and charges for birthday parties and Forest School birthday parties. Members agreed it was important to allow schools access to the Wood, especially those with no open land.

·         Members discussed the charges for commercial activity and how they were selected; the Highgate Wood, Conservation & Trees Manager noted that they did not wish to increase the numbers and that organisations were already being turned away. Members were happy with the current organisations that worked with the Wood but agreed there needed to be some thought regarding new opportunities, the numbers and how organisations are dealt with.

·         A Member noted that the Alexandra Palace charged much higher fees for filming and photo shoots than Highgate and questioned whether the fees charged was too low. It was noted that it was often students who used the Woods.

·         A Member queried what progress had been made regarding City of London Corporation dog licences. The Director of Open Spaces advised that Local Authorities across London were reviewing dog walking for a consistent approach across all London boroughs with most agreeing to a four-dog maximum policy and licenses for professional dog walkers. Dog licenses will first be piloted at Hampstead Heath and rolled out across all of the Corporation’s Open Spaces. 

RECEIVED.