All members of the KLPA, HMPA, MPA, Highgate Lifebuoys and USA were invited to an emergency meeting on 26 February 2020 to discuss the City of London’s proposals for managing the swimming ponds from 2 May 2020. A summary of the proposals, which will be considered by Hampstead Heath Consultative and Management committees on 9 and 11 March respectively, can be viewed here.
The meeting was attended by 103 members in addition to speakers from the HMPA, KLPA and MPA and the chair of the Winter Swimming Club and Heath and Hampstead Society who acted as moderator.
Following a lively exchange of views, the following motions were put to the vote and agreed by a majority of those attending: –
We oppose enforced charging on principle BUT we are willing to commit to encouraging a culture in which payment of current charges or contributions is normal and easy to do.
We are willing to work with the City to develop systems and communications that enable those who wish to pay to make voluntary payment or contributions, including buying season tickets.
We believe that, even with concessions proposed by the City, compulsory charging will have a disproportionate impact on disadvantaged and vulnerable people and will exclude minorities.
We support the lifeguards and Heath staff and believe they will suffer undue workplace stress under the City’s preferred options. The only way to move forward and preserve the unique ethos and environment of the Ponds is for the City to work with the swimmer groups.
Below are the results of our recent survey of views on charges and charging policy. Top line findings are:
An overwhelming majority (75%) think the current charges are fair, but nearly 70% say that increased charges would affect their ability to swim.
At present 24% of members buy season tickets and more than half of the rest already pay to swim. We infer from this that there is considerable potential to increase the uptake of season tickets if their value is communicated effectively and purchase made easier.
More than 80% of our members would not want to see enforcement of charges.
The figures show consolidated responses from the Kenwood Ladies’ Pond, the Highgate Men’s Pond Association and the Mixed Pond Association. In total 1,192 members were polled and 823 (69%) responded. Opinion was remarkably consistent across the groups.
Yes/
agree
%
No/disagree
%
Prefer
not to say
%
Were you already aware that the City of London is currently consulting
the swimmer user groups on Hampstead Heath about staffing arrangements at the
swimming ponds and charges?
689
84%
134
16%
Do you currently have a season ticket to swim at one or more of the
facilities on the Heath?
199
24%
624
76%
If you do not have a season ticket, do you currently pay to use any of
the swimming facilities on a pay-as-you-go basis?
341
55%
284
46%
Do you consider yourself eligible for a concessionary rate (under 16s,
full-time students, people over 60, people with disabilities and people claiming
state benefits)?
300
36%
486
59%
37
4%
CURRENTLY the charging regime at the ponds is not strictly enforced;
how do you feel about this approach?
688
81%
155
19%
CURRENTLY pay-as-you-go swims cost £2 (£1 concession). Do you feel
these charges are fair?
660
80%
163
20%
CURRENTLY season ticket prices (details here) vary from £33 to £222
depending on facilities used, 6 or 12 month duration and concessions. Do
you feel these charges are fair?
577
70%
246
30%
The City of London is proposing to enforce charges strictly, would
this have an impact on your ability to swim at the ponds?
388
47%
435
53%
The City of London may increase charges but has not yet specified by
how much, would this have an impact on your ability to swim at the ponds?
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – ISSUED ON BEHALF OF THE HMPA, KLPA & MPA
Swimmers’ groups at London’s historic Hampstead Ponds have
hit out at a proposed doubling of charges, saying they are unworkable and will
hit the vulnerable hardest.
The
groups say City of London has failed to listen to them and warn that
heavy-handed plans to enforce the proposed charges are likely to lead to chaos.
Following its review of management of the swimming ponds,
the City of London this week revealed recommendations that charges for adult day
tickets should double from £2 to £4 this summer, with payment to be enforced by
Heath Rangers.
Nicky
Mayhew, co-chair of the Kenwood Ladies’ Pond Association said: “Swimmers are
horrified by the threat of heavy-handed enforcement of payment, which would
destroy the ethos of these unique and incalculably precious places, as well as most
likely excluding those who cannot afford to pay or will be put off by
enforcement.”
“We have asked the City first to make it easy for people who
wish to pay to do so, and then to let us work with them to explore imaginative
and sensitive ways of reducing the gap between costs and revenue. At the
moment, they do not seem to be listening.”
Chris Piesold, chair of Highgate Men’s Pond Association
commented: “We are shocked that the City is attempting such a massive increase
in charges and change in culture. For years swimmers have complained that it is
hard and sometimes impossible to pay, and the City now seems intent on
punishing us for its own ineptitude at collecting money.”
If approved, the move would end the ‘self-policed’ payment
system that has existed since the City first introduced charging at the
swimming ponds in 2005. “There
is massive potential to increase the uptake of season and day tickets at
current prices if the City would just listen to us and sort out proper signage
and payment methods,” said Mayhew.
Earlier this month pond user groups conducted a survey of members which showed that an
overwhelming majority (75%) think the current charges are fair, but nearly 70%
say increased charges would affect their ability to swim.
Margaret
Dickinson of the Mixed Pond Association added, “Doubling admission charges will
be provocative, the City’s attempts to close the Mixed Pond at around the time
they first introduced charges in 2005 turned into a bitter battle that no one
would want to see repeated.”
Swimmers have called an emergency meeting later this week to
discuss their response to the proposals. At present 24% of members buy season tickets and
more than half of the rest pay to swim.
For
more information contact klpamailbox@gmail.com or call Nicky Mayhew on 07773 327392.
NOTES
TO EDITORS
Following its recent consultation with Hampstead Heath swimming groups, the City of London has identified five options for a ‘charging model’ to be implemented at the swimming ponds from 2 May 2020. These will be put forward to the meeting of the Hampstead Heath Consultative Committee on 9 March 2020 for discussion before the HHCC makes its recommendations to the Hampstead Heath Management Committee which meets on 11 March to decide on next steps. A summary of the City’s proposals can be found on the KLPA website: https://www.klpa.uk/news.
The City of London took over ownership and management of Hampstead
Heath and its swimming ponds in 1989 and introduced charges in 2005. Prior to
that swimming on the Heath – like roaming – had been free to all. Since then
charges have been paid on a ‘self-policed’ basis.
After five weeks of consultation with swimmers, the City of London finally announced its proposals for future management of the ponds at the Hampstead Heath Sports Advisory Forum meeting on Monday 24 February.
A summary of the proposals is set out below and these, together with our response to them, will be discussed at the meeting for members of pond user groups (KLPA, HMPA, MPA, Lifebuoys and USA) on Wednesday 26 February at Resource for London, 356 Holloway Road, N7 6PA from 6.30-8.30pm. Please note that these are the City’s recommendations to the Hampstead Heath committees and not a decision.
THE PROPOSALS – CITY OF LONDON OPTIONS FOR THE SWIMMING PONDS
Following its recent consultation with Hampstead Heath swimming groups, the City of London has identified five options for a ‘charging model’ to be implemented at the swimming ponds from 2 May 2020. These will be put forward to the meeting of the Hampstead Heath Consultative Committee on 9 March 2020 for discussion before the HHCC makes its recommendations to the Hampstead Heath Management Committee which meets on 11 March to decide on next steps. Where appropriate we have added annotations in bracketed italics to indicate what we (the swimmers) understand the City of London to intend.
Option 1 – Maintain the existing ‘self-policing’ charges A ‘self-policing’ charge would continue to be operated at the bathing ponds to collect the approved charges (see notes below) and meet the agreed level of subsidy (see notes below).
Option 2 – Adopt ‘applied’ charges – supported by Heath Rangers Collect the approved charges from 2 May 2020 to meet the agreed level of subsidy. It is proposed that charges would be applicable at the point of entry for the bathing ponds. Heath Rangers would support the culture of payment at the ponds [and occasionally attend the ponds], this builds on the existing practice at the Mixed Pond during the summer season. [Non-payers would not be excluded.]
Option 3 – Adopt ‘applied’ charges – managed by Heath Rangers Collect the approved charges from 2 May 2020 to meet the agreed level of subsidy. It is proposed that charges would be applicable at the point of entry for the bathing ponds. Heath Rangers will oversee and ensure payment. [Non-payers would be excluded.]
Option 4 – Adopt ‘applied’ charges – managed using a gate entry system Collect the approved charges from 2 May 2020 to meet the agreed level of subsidy. It is proposed that charges will be applicable at the point of entry and managed using a [locked] gate entry system to ensure payment. This option would require Capital Investment and implementation would need to be phased. [Heath Rangers would still be on duty; non-payers would be excluded.]
Option 5 – Reduce the swimming offer to reduce expenditure Introduce a morning ‘members only’ swimming club to reduce Lifeguard hours in the winter. Applying annualised hours to the Lifeguards’ work arrangements and reducing the number of swimming hours to align with the agreed subsidy and income from charges.
[N.B. For Options 3 and 4 a City of London administered ‘hardship fund’ is proposed for swimmers who cannot afford a season ticket.]
City of London officers recommend Option 3. They say: ‘This option establishes clear and fair arrangements to collect the agreed charges, in-line with the Hampstead Heath Swimming Regulations. The current self-policing model has not proved an effective mechanism to collect the approved charges. However, recognising the unique environments of the Bathing Ponds, this option to collect the approved charges without installing significant infrastructure should be trialled in the first instance. The City of London welcomes the opportunity to continue to collaborate with the Swimming Associations to establish a culture of payment to meet the agreed level of subsidy.’
City of London also say: ‘The Swimming Associations have robustly indicated their support for Option 1 and that the City of London implement an effective payment collection system based on voluntary contributions. In support of this approach the Associations have indicated their willingness to promote a culture of payment at the Ponds and to encourage the purchase of Season Tickets.’
NOTES Approved charges: The City of London has proposed a range of options for charging from 2 May 2020 and recommends:
Adult day ticket: £4.00 (100% increase) Concession day ticket: £2.40 (140% increase) Season ticket (existing and new): frozen at current rates until April 2021 Free morning swims until 9.30am for over 60s and under 16s.
The City of London proposal is based on projected expenditure of £1,061,000 on the ponds in 2020/21. At these rates they expect to generate income of £618,000 and provide a subsidy from City of London of £443,000 (42%).
Agreed subsidy: Based on the charges suggested above, the City of London is recommending an agreed subsidy of £443,000 (42%) for 2020/21. With current rates of swimmer payment and charges remaining at £67,000 their subsidy of the projected costs of £1,061,000 would amount to £994,000 (94%).
This week we expect a clearer indication of the City of London’s proposals for managing the swimming ponds this summer and in the future. There is very little time between the announcement of the options the City is presenting to the Heath Consultative Committee and the Heath Management Committee meeting at which plans will be decided.
We are therefore inviting members of all the pond user groups (the KLPA, HMPA, MPA, Lifebuoys and USA) to a meeting this Wednesday, 26 February at Resource for London, 356 Holloway Road, N7 6PA, 6.30-8.30pm, to share views and discuss our response.
Apologies for the short notice, but do join us if you can and RSVP ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ to klpamailbox@gmail.com.
For those of you who haven’t yet seen it, here is an article from yesterday’s Observer. The KLPA chairs will report back on progress with the consultation as soon as there is more news.
The weather forecast warns of continuing storms tonight, so the swimming ponds will not open until at least 08.00 tomorrow (Sunday 16 February). Please check for further email updates before travelling to the pond.
You may be aware that the City of London, which manages Hampstead Heath, is currently reviewing its management of the swimming ponds. This includes the possibility of increasing charges and enforcing payment which has, until now, been ‘self-policed’.
The KLPA is aware that there are varied views amongst swimmers about charging arrangements: from those who believe that swimming in the ponds should remain free, to others who routinely and willingly pay to swim. To inform our discussions with the City we would like to capture the opinion of our members on key issues.
The KLPA is mindful of wishing to ensure that swimming remains accessible and affordable for everyone who wishes to visit the ponds. Current charges can be found on the Hampstead Heath website here. Please note that the City has not yet indicated by how much they would increase charges in either the short or long term.
Please help us to respond to the City of London by completing the survey here by no later than 10.00 on Wednesday, 19 February. It should take no longer than two minutes and your replies will remain anonymous.
THE KLPA AGM WILL TAKE PLACE ON FRIDAY 13 MARCH 2020
PLEASE JOIN US AND BRING A CONTRIBUTION TO THE USUAL ‘POT LUCK’ SUPPER
TIME: Doors open at 6.30pm; the meeting will start promptly at 7.00pm VENUE: Highgate Literary & Scientific Institution, 11 South Grove, Highgate N6 6BS
Elections for the committee will be held and we welcome new nominations. Nomination forms can be printed out here; printed copies are also available from the lifeguards’ office.
Annual subscriptions for 2020-2021 are due by the end of this month. To renew your membership at the AGM please bring your money (£5 in cash or a cheque payable to Kenwood Ladies Pond Association) in an envelope on which your name and email address are printed clearly. Better still, renew online by paying your subscription direct to our bank account but PLEASE use your surname as the reference and email klpamailbox@gmail.com to tell us. If you don’t do this we won’t know you have paid and you may be removed from our membership list. Bank details appear on the membership form which you can download here.
The press release below has been issued today on behalf of the Highgate Men’s Pond Association, the Highgate Lifebuoys, the Kenwood Ladies’ Pond Association, the Mixed Pond Association and the United Swimmers’ Association, membership groups representing swimmers at the ponds on Hampstead Heath.Consultation with the City of London will resume tonight, Tuesday 11 February 2020.
The City of London is about to
railroad through changes at the world-famous swimming ponds on Hampstead Heath that
will hit the most vulnerable, including those for
whom access to the ponds is vital for their mental and physical health, say
swimmers’ groups.
The
groups say the City of London appears to have decided to enforce payment and
increase charges even though it is in the middle of a consultation.
Frustrated
swimmers say they have been asking the City for years to improve payment
options but nothing has happened. The City’s decision, they say, is not only
damaging to those who rely on the ponds, it is against the City of London’s own
‘Heath Vision’ of 2019.
If
allowed to go through, the move has potential implications for wild swimmers
across the country, say the groups representing regular swimmers at the Men’s, Women’s
and Mixed ponds.
Swimming in the ponds was free for
centuries until the City of London took over ownership of Hampstead Heath and,
in 2005, decided to introduce charges. Some swimmers maintain there is a
historic right to swim free of charge, but many others are willing to
voluntarily pay a reasonable contribution towards the running costs and
staffing of the ponds.
User groups point to the City of
London’s extreme inefficiency in collecting payment from those who are willing
to pay. They say that for years they have been asking the City to make payment
easier, but they have failed to introduce contactless
payment, replace ticket machines that don’t work or make it possible to renew
season tickets online.
Swimmers
also believe that the introduction of mechanised gates or turnstiles and staff
charged with ‘enforcement’ would destroy the peaceful and natural environment
that attracts people to the ponds in the first place. In addition, they fear
that people deterred by charges would be tempted to swim in non-lifeguarded
ponds on Hampstead Heath at considerable risk of injury, illness or even death.
Chris Piesold, chair of the
Highgate Men’s Pond Association commented ‘It would be tragic if the City of
London, one of the wealthiest local government authorities in the world, was
allowed to destroy the unique character of Hampstead Heath and its ponds.’ He
continued, ‘we stand ready to work with the City to find imaginative and
sensitive ways of achieving sustainability in the current financial climate.’
Julia Dick, co-chair of the Kenwood
Ladies’ Pond Association, added ‘we believe we have a duty to ensure that
swimming in the ponds remains affordable and accessible to all.’
The review follows advice to the
City of London from the Health & Safety Executive that it should increase
lifeguard provision at all its swimming facilities at a time when the budget
for all its open spaces, including Hampstead Heath is frozen. The user groups
say they recognize the financial pressures but want the Heath management to
work with them to achieve an increase in revenue and find ways of making the
ponds more sustainable.
