Agenda item

The Chairman provided a public update on his activity and the following points were made.

·         The Chairman acknowledged the COVID-19 FPN figures that had been highlighted under Minutes – Matters Arising and went on to note that policing the lockdown would grow increasingly complex as guidance changed and in light of the recent 9% increase in tube passenger traffic.

·         The Metropolitan Police and City of London Police Federations were both making representations to the Mayor of London regarding proposed congestion charge exemptions for blue-light workers. It was the Chairman’s understanding that NHS workers were currently exempt given their high risk exposure to COVID-19 patients, and that contrary to reports London Fire Brigade (LFB) staff were not exempt, but that LFB was meeting congestions costs incurred by its staff. The City was able to provide parking for City of London Police at Minories Car Park.

·         A Member was heard, noting that the Chairman of the Planning and Transportation Committee had made a representation to the Mayor of London regarding exemption from the congestion charge for City residents and worshippers at City churches, alongside a commitment to make all key workers exempt. The Chairman of Planning and Transportation had also requested that the Mayor make explicit when a review of the congestion charge increase would be undertaken.

·         The Chairman noted his recent round of engagement, including with Policing Minister James Brokenshire to discuss redefining the Force’s work on Economic Crime; along with meetings with Bob Wigley (UK Finance) and Sarah Pritchard (Director General National Economic Crime Centre). The sense from these meetings was that all parties were keen to pursues a collaborative approach to combating economic crime. Finally, the Chairman had been engaging with the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners where it was clear a stronger approach to combating fraud was being explored.

·         Finally, the Chairman noted the Board’s forthcoming away day on 29 July 2020.