The Hampstead Heath Consultative Committee was scheduled to discuss a range of important matters concerning the future management and development of Hampstead Heath. Key topics included the five-year business plan for the Heath, an overview of fundraising strategies for North London Open Spaces, and updates on the Assistant Director's activities. The committee was also set to consider the recruitment of senior officers and receive an update on the Hampstead Heath Ponds.

Assistant Director's Report

The committee was scheduled to receive an update on matters relating to Hampstead Heath since the last meetings of the Hampstead Heath Consultative Committee and the Hampstead Heath, Highgate Wood, and Queen's Park Committee. This report, authored by Bill LoSasso, Superintendent of North London Open Spaces, and presented by Katie Stewart, Executive Director of the Environment Department, was for information only. It detailed progress across various priorities, including conservation efforts such as the Model Boating Pond project, bat box monitoring, and the installation of leaky dams for natural flood management. Tree management updates were also included, highlighting the remeasurement of the UK Champion Wild Service Tree and training in stability assessment equipment. The report also covered the Camden Nature Corridor initiative, efforts to conserve heritage aspects like the Hill Garden and Pergola, and measures to balance visitor activities with conservation values, such as the use of Parkguard security officers at the Lido and efforts to address problematic cycling. Furthermore, it detailed initiatives to improve physical and mental well-being, including the status of changing rooms on the Heath Extension, updates on swimming facilities, and the ongoing use of the Parliament Hill Athletics Track. The report also outlined efforts to promote inclusivity and welcoming spaces, including signage audits and activities at Golders Hill Park Zoo, as well as addressing ponds access following a public consultation and a judicial review. Finally, it covered initiatives to foster collective ownership and responsible management, such as the London in Bloom awards and maintenance work at various ponds and facilities.

Heath Hands Update

A report from Heath Hands, a registered charity delivering conservation, community, learning, and well-being programmes across Hampstead Heath and other sites, was scheduled for information. This report summarised the charity's main activities on North London Open Spaces (NLOS) between April and November 2025, aligning with its strategic objectives and the partnership agreement with the City of London Corporation. Highlights included over 10,400 hours of volunteering contributed, 49 guided walks and workshops, 40 school sessions, and 56 corporate volunteering days. The report also detailed progress on annual wildlife monitoring programmes, the opening of the Heath Information Hut, and the commencement of a new hedgerow planting programme in the Parliament Hill area.

Five-Year Business Plan (Hampstead Heath)

The committee was scheduled to discuss an updated draft of the five-year business plan for Hampstead Heath. This plan, developed as part of a mandated new and longer-term planning effort, aims to outline the charity's planned workstreams over a five-year period, detailing how and when these will be resourced and delivered. The plan lists proposed prioritised workstreams to fulfil the charitable obligations and ten priorities of the Hampstead Heath Management Strategy, and illustrates how these further relevant goals of the Corporate Plan and Natural Environment Strategies. The report, authored by Bill LoSasso, Assistant Director (Superintendent) of North London Open Spaces, and presented by Katie Stewart, Executive Director of the Environment Department, was for discussion. It acknowledged the complexity of business planning for NLOS due to its multi-site structure, staff allocation, and the involvement of other City Corporation departments. The plan is intended to be updated annually and will focus initially on 2026-27 and 2027-28, with future years to be developed as clarity on resources emerges. The report also noted that the business plan is not an exhaustive list of all activities, with day-to-day business as usual tasks guided by an Annual Work Plan.

Senior Officers Recruitment

A report concerning the recruitment of senior officers was scheduled for information. Authored by Emily Brennan, Natural Environment Director, this report outlined the process for recruiting a new Deputy Director for the Natural Environment Division, following the resignation of the previous postholder. It detailed interim arrangements to ensure leadership continuity and the steps for permanent recruitment, in line with the Senior Officer Recruitment Procedure. The report noted that the job description had been updated to reflect current needs, including line management of the Commons Head Rangers.

Fundraising Overview for North London Open Spaces (Hampstead Heath)

The committee was scheduled to receive an overview of fundraising and partnerships strategy for North London Open Spaces (NLOS), including Hampstead Heath Charity. This report, authored by Susannah Behr, Head of Development and Partnerships, and presented by Katie Stewart, Executive Director of the Environment Department, was for information. It detailed the current context, progress to date, and workstreams required to build the foundations of a sustainable and strategically aligned fundraising function for the three charities managed by the NLOS team over the next 12 months, while developing a longer-term strategy. The report highlighted the challenging fundraising environment and the need for the open space charities to become fundraising ready. It outlined five priority workstreams: Fundraising Readiness, Case for Support, Supporter Mapping & Engagement, Exceptional Stewardship, and Measuring, Evaluating and Reporting. The report also noted that from the financial year 2026-27, all open space charities would receive a fixed, multi-year core grant from the City Corporation, with external income playing a crucial role alongside this.

Hampstead Heath Ponds - Verbal Update

Officers from the Environment Department were scheduled to present a verbal update on the Hampstead Heath Ponds.

Budget 2026/27 - Verbal Update

Officers from the Chamberlain's and Environment Departments were scheduled to present a verbal update on the Budget for 2026/27.

Minutes

The committee was scheduled to agree the non-public minutes of the Hampstead Heath Consultative Committee held on 17 November 2025, and to note the minutes of the Hampstead Heath Sports Advisory Forum held on 18 November 2025. Matters arising from these minutes were also to be discussed.

Questions on Matters Relating to the Work of the Committee

Members were scheduled to have the opportunity to ask questions on matters relating to the work of the committee.

Any Other Business That the Chairman Considers Urgent

Any other business that the Chairman considered urgent was scheduled to be raised.

Date of Next Meeting

The date of the next meeting was to be confirmed.

Exclusion of the Public

A portion of the meeting was scheduled to be held in a non-public session to discuss matters relating to the remit of the Court of Common Council acting as charity Trustee, which involved sensitive information. This included agreeing non-public minutes and a Natural Environment Complementary Land Use Assessment.