Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Deputy Doug Barrow, Robert Duffield, Deputy Keith Knowles, Alderman Ian Luder, and Deputy Richard Regan.

The Chairman took the opportunity to advise Members that he had recently spoken with the Commissioner, who it was hoped would be able to return to work shortly. On behalf of the Committee, the Chairman expressed his best wishes to both the Commissioner and his wife, wishing them both a speedy recovery.

There were none.

To agree the public minutes and summary of the meeting held on 1 June 2012 (copy attached).

The public minutes and summary of the meeting held on 1 June 2012 were approved and agreed as a correct record, subject to one minor typographical error.

MATTERS ARISING

(1) Charity Collections (p2) – It was noted that a report on the issue would be considered at item 16 on today’s agenda.

(2) Cyclists in the City (p2) – The Assistant Commissioner confirmed that a report would be coming to the December meeting of the Committee.

(3) Letters to ICVs (p3) – The Chairman advised that letters of appreciation had been sent to the Custody Visitors.

To receive the public minutes and summary of the meeting held 25 May 2012 (copy attached).

          The public minutes and summary of the meeting held on 25 May 2012 were received.

          The Chairman noted that Kenneth Ludlam had now been appointed as the Audit & Risk Management Committee’s representative to the Sub-Committee.

To receive the public minutes and summary of the meeting held on 13 June 2012 (copy attached).

The public minutes and summary of the meeting held on 13 June 2012 were received.

Report of the Commissioner (copy attached).

The Committee received a report of the Commissioner providing an update on recent community engagement activities, community priorities and forthcoming events.

With regard to the recent murder in the City, a Member expressed disappointment that it had taken quite some time for a message to go out to the local resident and business communities, adding that they hoped this would be done quicker in future.

A Member made reference to the section detailing engagement with business, observing that no feedback from the businesses was listed and asking that this be included in future, even if it was just a line to say none was received.

The Chairman expressed surprise that the report stated there were no concerns in the East Area (Portsoken Ward), stating that he had been made aware by the Ward’s Alderman of concerns around officer visibility in the area. The Commander advised that he had met the Members for Portsoken Ward earlier that week to provide reassurance over this issue, giving detail about the new patrolling plan which had been implemented and adding that the Force would be including information in the next Ward newsletter to provide reassurance to the community.

In response to queries about the Volunteer Police Cadets, the Commander felt that the initiative was developing well and confirmed that they had been involved in policing operations at the Diamond Jubilee celebrations. He also advised that the numbers of Cadets the Force was able to have was limited only by the capacity within the organisation to manage them, as it was dependent on staff volunteers.

RESOLVED: That the report be received and its content noted.

Report of the Commissioner (copy attached).

The Committee received a report of the Commissioner providing an update on progress made in the combined areas of Quality of Service & Equality, Diversity and Human Rights.

The Lead Member advised that the full action plan appended to the report would not be presented in its entirety to this Committee in future, adding that there was a need to show the impact associated with each action more clearly and succinctly. A Member expressed concern that many of the actions listed as “amber” should in fact be marked as “green” by the definitions provided; officers were asked to update the action plan accordingly.

RECEIVED.

Report of the Town Clerk on behalf of the Post Implementation Governance Review Working Party (copy attached).

The Committee considered a report of the Town Clerk on behalf of the Post Implementation Governance Review Working Party seeking comments, if any, from each Committee on the governance arrangements introduced last year and the impact that they may have had on the operation of the Committee.

Given that the only change made to the Police Committee as part of the Governance Review was to extend the length of time for which a Chairman could serve, combined with the fact that the Police Committee’s governance had been reviewed as part of a discrete and more recent process, Members were in agreement that there was nothing they wished to report back to the Working Party.

RESOLVED: That no representations be made to the Working Party on the revised governance arrangements in respect of this Committee.

Report of the Remembrancer (copy attached).

          The Committee received a report of the Remembrancer summarising the provisions of the Protection of Freedoms Act which are of potential interest to the work of the Committee.

          RESOLVED:  That the report be received and its content noted.

Joint report of the Chamberlain and Commissioner (copy attached).

          The Committee received a joint report of the Chamberlain and the Commissioner of Police relative to the revenue and capital outturn for 2011/12.

          Previously, it been anticipated that a transfer from reserves of £4million would be necessary for the 2011/12 financial year; however, the Chamberlain was able to advise that a transfer of only £400,000 has ultimately been required owing to a variety of factors including higher than anticipated savings arising from unfilled posts and greater Dedicated Security Post funding than had been budgeted for. The extra cushion created by this smaller transfer would undoubtedly be useful in the coming years, as indications were that the next Comprehensive Spending Review period would be just as tight as the current one.

          RECEIVED.

Report of the Commissioner (copy attached).

The Committee considered a report of the Commissioner of Police representing the achievements of the City of London Police for the past financial year.

          The Chairman thanked Members for the comments received to date and asked that any further feedback be relayed to the Town Clerk by Friday 20 July.

A Member noted that the usage of tenses in the document made it read somewhat confusingly, with the fact it was written as if it were 31 March 2012 meaning that it referred to events which had since passed as if they were still in the future.  Whilst it was easy to understand why this was the case, it nonetheless lessened the impact of the document as it made it appear out of date. The option of shortening the timetable of production and presenting it to the Court of Common Council at an earlier date to minimise this was discussed, as was the possibility of writing the foreword from the point of view of the date of presentation to achieve a similar effect. The Assistant Commissioner took Members comments on board, commenting that a review of the process surrounding the production of the Annual Report would be undertaken.

          RESOLVED:  That:-

a)    the contents of the draft Annual Report be noted, and that any comments upon them be forward as stated in the report; and,

b)    authority be given to the Town Clerk, in consultation with the Chairman and Deputy Chairman, to approve the final draft for publication.

Report of the Commissioner (copy attached).

The Committee considered a report of the Commissioner of Police relative to a proposal for a National Police Air Service.

The report referred to a new legal requirement for all police forces to formally collaborate in the National Police Air Service by means of an agreement under section 22a of the Police Act 1996.

RESOLVED:  That:-

a)     the legal requirement for all police forces to enter into a collaboration agreement for the National Air Service be noted; and

b)     the Comptroller and City Solicitor be instructed to sign the Section 22a Collaboration Agreement on behalf of the authority.

Report of the Commissioner (copy attached).

The Committee received a report presenting a specific update on the collaboration elements of the City First Change Programme, the City of London Police change programme, and outlining the next steps.

          RESOLVED:  That the report be received and its content noted.

Report of the Commissioner (copy attached).

The Committee received a report of the Commissioner of Police considering the progress made from the 2010 Anti-Social Behaviour Inspection.

          It was noted that the fuller report had been scrutinised by the Performance & Resource Management Sub-Committee in May, hence the report presented here was a more concise document.

          RESOLVED:  That the report be received and its content noted.

Report of the Commissioner (copy attached).

The Committee received a report of the Commissioner of Police relative to national changes recommended for the recording of Stop and Search and Stop and Account by the Home Office.

          The Assistant Commissioner noted that a smaller number of stop and accounts were being done than previously, adding that efforts were also underway to make the process less bureaucratic and more consistent with the stop and account procedures used by the Metropolitan Police and British Transport Police. The Equalities, Diversity and Human Rights Manager stated that she was encouraged to see that the issue was continuing to be monitored as it helped with reporting with regard to equality duties, as well as increasing transparency.

          RESOLVED:  That the report be received and its content noted.

Report of the Commissioner (copy attached).

The Committee received a report of the Commissioner of Police relative to the risk register for the City of London Police.

          Members expressed surprise and concern at the “High” likelihood ratings at SR04 and SR05, observing that the assessment was clearly incorrect, as if the likelihood for these things was indeed high then the Force would be in a very bad position – for instance, if the likelihood of a drop in staff morale was indeed high, then this would demand immediate action and significant attention would be being devoted to preventing this; accordingly, the ratings used must be incorrect. The Assistant Commissioner gave assurances that the Force would look again at the risk profile in line with Members’ comments to correct the register and would re-submit the report in September.

          RESOLVED:  That the Committee note the position of the risks listed within the register and their current assessment levels.

Report of the Director of Markets & Consumer Protection (TO FOLLOW).

The Committee received a report of the Director of Markets & Consumer Protection

outlining the legislative requirements for charitable collections and how it affects the

increasingly common practice of charities stopping people in the street.

The Environmental Health & Public Protection Director drew attention to the legal advice received from the Comptroller & City Solicitor and Leading Counsel which, unfortunately, made it clear that the current legislation did not provide for any action to be taken in respect of the practice of “chugging”.

In view of this, the Chairman suggested that one way to approach the issue could be to contact relevant charities to highlight the nuisance which aggressive charity collections cause. It would be important to stress that the practice can affect businesses, particularly small retailers.

This view was echoed by other Members, including the Chairman of the Policy &

Resources Committee, and it was agreed that, being an issue within that Committee’s remit, the matter should be referred to the Policy & Resources Committee for consideration.

RESOLVED: That the Policy & Resources Committee be asked to consider what action could be taken to discourage charities from the practice of aggressive charity collections.

Economic Crime Board: Co-opted Member

A Member enquired as to the progress made to date in co-opting someone on to the

Economic Crime Board; the Chairman of the Board advised that it had been agreed the

appointment should be a Member of the Court of Common Council and that an individual

had been identified, whom it was hoped would be appointed at the Board’s next meeting.

There were no urgent items.

MOTION - That under Section 100(A) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting for the following items on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Part I of the Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act.

Item No.                                                                     Exempt Paragraphs

          20                                                                                                 7

          21 – 22                                                                                        3

          23 – 24                                                                                        4

          25                                                                                                 4

          28                                                                                                 1

RESOLVED--That under Section 100A of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be

excluded from the meeting for the following items on the grounds that they involved the

disclosure of exempt information as defined in Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local

Government Act.

            Item No.                                                                      Exempt Paragraphs

                             20                                                                                     7

                             21-22                                                                                3

                             23-24                                                                                4

                             25                                                                                     4

                             28                                                                                     1

SUMMARY OF MATTERS CONSIDERED

WHILST THE PUBLIC WERE EXCLUDED

To agree the non-public minutes of the meeting held on 1 June 2012 (copy attached).

The Committee approved the non-public minutes of the meeting held on 1 June 2012.

Commissioner to be heard.

The Commissioner was heard on various issues.

Report of the Commissioner (copy attached).

The Committee received a report of the Commissioner of Police updating the Committee on Olympic activity since June 2012.

Report of the Commissioner (copy attached).

The Committee agreed a report of the Commissioner of Police relative to the future provision of information technology to the City of London Police.

Report of the Commissioner (copy attached).

The Committee agreed a report of the Commissioner of Police informing Members on the progress that has been made in awarding contracts for the Occupational Health, Safety and Welfare Service of the City of London Police.

Report of the City Surveyor (copy attached).

The Committee agreed a report of the City Surveyor relative to the use of the office

accommodation at Bishopsgate Station by the British Transport Police.

There were no questions.

There were no urgent items.

To agree the confidential minute of the meeting held on 1 June 2012 (copy attached).

The Committee approved the confidential minute of the meeting held on 1 June 2012.

There was one urgent item.