The Hampstead Heath, Highgate Wood and Queen's Park Committee met on Tuesday 14 July 2026 to discuss a range of operational and strategic matters concerning the management and future of these valued green spaces. Key topics included updates on the City Corporation's Nature Recovery Strategy, proposed improvements to bathing pond facilities, and financial outturns for the past year.

City Corporation Nature Recovery Strategy Development

Officers from the Environment Department were scheduled to provide a verbal update on the development of the City Corporation's Nature Recovery Strategy. This strategy aims to prioritise and streamline work across the City's open spaces, aligning with existing management plans and a strategic reporting framework to track operational delivery. The strategy is intended to create a cohesive vision for the City Corporation's role in enhancing biodiversity across its estates, in line with the London Nature Recovery Strategy.

Facilities Improvements at Hampstead Heath Bathing Ponds

A report was presented outlining the need for improvements to the changing, shower, and toilet facilities at the Hampstead Heath Bathing Ponds. The proposed improvements, estimated to cost between £840,000 and £1.16 million, aim to enhance visitor experience, increase capacity, and improve accessibility, particularly at the Ladies' Pond. A feasibility study, costing £50,000 and funded from the Natural Environment Director's contingency budget, was proposed to develop detailed specifications and costings. The improvements are intended to be modest in scale, focusing on light-touch interventions and refurbishment, while remaining sympathetic to the environmentally sensitive setting of Hampstead Heath. The proposals include additional showers and changing facilities at the Men's Pond, enhanced changing and shower provision, including more private cubicles, at the Ladies' Pond, and new staff welfare facilities alongside refurbishment of public toilets at the Mixed Pond.

Learning Team Session Fees and Charges at Hampstead Heath 2026/27

The Committee was asked to review and approve proposed fees and charges for the Natural Environment Division's Learning Team activities on Hampstead Heath for the 2026/27 financial year. These proposals are part of an ongoing effort to ensure the sustainable management of Hampstead Heath, balancing cost recovery with accessibility and charitable objectives. Fees for facilitated two-hour educational sessions have remained unchanged since 2016. The proposed increase represents an 11% and 12% rise for state and private schools respectively, bringing the fees to £110 for state schools and £145 for private schools per session. This uplift aims to strengthen cost recovery while maintaining affordability and aligning with the broader review of fees and charges across North London Open Spaces.

Assistant Director's Reports for Hampstead Heath, Highgate Wood, and Queen's Park

Updates were provided on matters relating to Hampstead Heath, Highgate Wood, and Queen's Park. For Hampstead Heath, the report detailed ongoing arboricultural works, ecological monitoring, and progress on the conservation management plan for the Hill Garden and Pergola. It also highlighted the installation of new photovoltaic panels at the Parliament Hill Lido as part of the City Corporation's Climate Action Strategy, and the replacement of public drinking fountains. For Highgate Wood, the report noted continued woodland management, progress on the Information Hut, and the installation of new fitness equipment. In Queen's Park, updates included maintenance duties, wildlife surveying, and the sad passing of one of the pygmy goats. The report also detailed progress on the fundraising campaign for a proposed splash pad, with a successful grant application to the HS2's Community and Environment Fund securing £100,000.

Risk Management Updates

Reports were presented on the risk management processes for Hampstead Heath and for Highgate Wood & Queen's Park. These reports assured Members that risk management procedures align with the Corporate Risk Management Framework and meet the requirements of the Charities Act 2011. The summaries of the respective risk registers indicated that the highest risks, rated as 'Red', included the decline in the condition of assets, impacts of anti-social behaviour on staff and sites, and work-related stress. Actions were noted as being in place to mitigate these risks.

Revenue Outturn 2025/26

Reports detailing the revenue outturn for Hampstead Heath and for Highgate Wood & Queen's Park for the 2025/26 financial year were presented. For Hampstead Heath, there was an overall overspend of £93,000 compared to the final budget. For Highgate Wood & Queen's Park, there was an overspend of £16,000. Explanations for significant budget variances were provided, including expenditure on cyclical works programmes and income variations.

Report of Action Taken

A report from the Town Clerk detailed decisions taken under urgency procedures since the last meeting. This included a decision regarding the event fee for Queen's Park Day 2026, where a fixed fee of £3,500 was agreed, along with a contribution of shared income up to 45% of estimated costs. This arrangement was agreed as a one-year agreement, with a commitment from the organisers to review and modernise their business model for future years.

Minutes and Other Matters

The Committee was scheduled to agree the public minutes of the previous meeting and note draft public minutes from the Hampstead Heath Consultative Committee. There were also scheduled updates on the City Corporation Nature Recovery Strategy Development, and reports on Heath Hands activities and Hampstead Heath's 2025/26 outturn. Non-public agenda items included minutes from previous meetings, and discussions on charity funds, cash payments, and licences on Hampstead Heath, as well as charity funds and reserves for Highgate Wood & Queen's Park.