SWIMMERS are refusing to pay to use Hampstead Heath’s famous ponds until the Corporation of London comes clean over its accounts.
And the Heath’s management committee, chaired by Catherine McGuinness and including Camden councillor John Thane, should be forced to resign for gross incompetence, according to one prominent swimmer.
Peter Cuming, former chairman of the United Swimmers Association, told the New Journal: “The committee has been unable to regulate its funding and budget which has led us to this extraordinary mess. They should resign immediately.
“I will not be putting any money into the machines until I am convinced that they are capable of balancing their budget.”
In a victory for swimmers, cash-strapped bosses have now retreated on proposals to close either one or all of the historic ponds, which they had called an “unsustainable drain” on the Heath’s £5.5m budget.

THE priest at the centre of a police investigation has thanked parishioners for their support through the New Journal.
Father Dominic McKenna, based at Our Lady of Hal in Arlington Road, Camden Town, sent the message to his flock to apologise for his enforced absence while police look into allegations over an incident that took place in 1975.
He said: “I am sorry I have not been able to be with my parishioners.”
Father McKenna, who has built up a reputation for his work with the homeless and vulnerable people suffering from drink and drug addictions, has been suspended from his job and removed from his parish home since allegations were made in January. They are currently being investigated by Hackney Police’s Child Protection Unit.

THE Town Hall’s finance chief has taken a swipe at London Mayor Ken Livingstone, claiming taxpayers would not have to fork out as much if his administration was more efficient.
Councillor John Mills, who will step down as the borough’s treasurer after 12 years at the helm in April, made the comments as he unveiled his final budget yesterday (Wednesday).

A SCHEME to re-lay pavements along the length of Kentish Town Road has come under fire as residents say the plans will make the street look cheap.
Camden Council engineers plan to rip up the tarmac that covers the walkways at the moment and replace it with a veneer-like fake paving.

STRAINED relations between the government and the Town Hall’s housing department sunk to a new low last night (Wednesday) as the Treasury pulled out of a deal to finance major refurbishment works on a crumbling Swiss Cottage estate.