Month: February 2021

On Monday 22 February 2021, the Prime Minister announced a “road map” out of the third national lockdown , setting out the stages by which the economy and wider society would be permitted to reopen. On 29 March 2021, and subject to continuing improvements in Covid-19 infection rates, organised outdoor sports activities including swimming can resume. 

This will allow the Hampstead Heath bathing ponds and the Parliament Hill Lido to reopen under Covid-secure arrangements. There will be a mixture of “capped free flow” sessions to a maximum capacity and online pre-booked sessions at the bathing ponds and Lido.  When we have further details about the booking platform which will be used in 2021, this information will be forwarded to KLPA members. The City of London Corporation’s draft plan for reopening can be seen here. This plan was approved at the Hampstead Heath, Highgate Woods and Queen’s Park Management Committee which met virtually on 24 February 2021 (recording here).

At that meeting the proposed swimming charges for 2021/22 were also debated, at length.  Whilst most charges were to go up by the November 2020 RPI inflation rate, the concession season tickets for the ponds would go up by 21% (6 months) and 15% (12 months) respectively. Several committee members challenged these particular increases, which would most affect the swimmers least able to pay.  Despite compelling arguments from some committee members, including Ruby Sayed and William Upton, the increases to pond concession season tickets were approved by 9 votes to 5. 

Surprisingly, former Management Committee Chair, Karina Dostalova, also voted against these particular increases. The current Committee Chair, Anne Fairweather, had received correspondence before the meeting about the concession season ticket price increases from local MP, Catherine West (also Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Swimming) and from the KLPA. This did not stop Ms Fairweather enthusiastically supporting the increases to the concession season ticket prices.

We will provide further details of the reopening arrangements when these become available.

On 24 February 2021 at 4 pm the Hampstead Heath, Highgate Woods and Queen’s Park Management Committee will meet virtually. The meeting can be viewed here and the full agenda pack for the meeting can be seen here.

The proposed swimming charges for 2021 are in this paper, with most charges increased by the higher RPI inflation rate, except for concession season tickets at the ponds. These are proposed to increase by 21% (6 months) and 15% (12 months). The City of London Corporation is again “levelling up” by increasing concession charges by a much greater percentage than those for full price tickets. Despite feedback from the KLPA they are still refusing to introduce a monthly direct debit for season tickets, to spread the cost.

The proposed re-opening plans for the ponds and Lido are set out here, based on a tentative re-opening date of 29 March 2021, subject to lifting of lockdown restrictions. This will see a return to mostly pre-booked swimming sessions. The City of London has not yet publicised details of a telephone booking line that is promised for those without internet access, but we will share this number when we find out what it is.

Despite recent denials in Ham & High, the City’s Draft Divisional Plan still includes reference to future charging for the use of toilets based on contactless payment (last page).

Recent coverage of the City of London Corporation’s spending priorities, including wining and dining can be seen in the Camden New Journal.

We have been contacted again by the East London Waterworks Park campaign group.  They are now raising funds to develop their plan for an environmental project in Waltham Forest at a former waterworks, including the development of an open water swimming venue.  Details of the Campaign can be found here, and their fundraising page is here.

Last March the KLPA just managed to hold the 2020 AGM ten days before the country entered its first national lockdown.  It was important that we met then to consider the news of the City of London’s 2020 decision to enforce its new inflated charging regime which is set to become more punitive in 2021 when the ponds can re-open.

We had hoped to be able to hold a meeting this spring, but further national lockdowns happened and some Coronavirus restrictions are likely to be in place at least until the summer. We are also mindful that many members will remain cautious about crowded gatherings for some time to come.

It is important however that KLPA members have an opportunity to hold the association to account, to hear from officers, scrutinise the accounts, ask questions and provide feedback. It is also at the AGM that committee members are elected for the forthcoming year and this provides an opportunity for new talent to come forward.

With this in mind the committee is currently working on alternative arrangements for holding a virtual AGM, taking into account we now have over 700 members. It will need to be a manageable format whilst also ensuring accountability. We anticipate that this might be a month later than usual and may only be able to focus on core business. Later in the year we very much hope to be able to hold a meeting or event to make up for the lack of fun, food and debate which the KLPA has been renowned for in the past.

As soon as we have firmer arrangements for our AGM we will let you know.

There has again been extensive coverage of the City of London’s finances, future charging plans and overall management of Hampstead Heath in Camden New Journal (4 February 2021). The fringe benefits available to City of London “elected” members are exposed here and the letters page contains multiple items here and here.