Agenda item

Questions were raised as follows –

Barbican Highwalk CCTV– a Member queried into the status of CCTV at the Barbican Highwalk, due to concerns around security. Members of the Police Committee, who were also Members of the Barbican Residents Association, stated given the security risks and need to ensure safety they were supportive of this measure.

Members discussed the possibility of a survey to canvas Barbican residents on introducing CCTV on the Barbican Highwalk, but there were concerns raised that from past experience, response rate could be low and it was important that measures be taken to ensure security and safety of residents and the public.

Members agreed to note their support measures for CCTV installation on the Barbican Highwalk and the Town Clerk undertook to explore the possible options for the installation of CCTV on the Barbican Highwalk and provide an update at the next meeting.

Passes for external Members – A Member requested the Town Clerk address the lack of City of London passes for external Members of the Committee.

Economic Crime Member’s Briefing – the Chairman of Policy and Resources, who was also a Member of the Committee, updated Members  on the successful Member’s Briefing held on the Police’s role as lead force for economic crime, which enhanced their knowledge and detail of the Force’s work in this area.

Police Road Closures - Members raised the recent Police closures with the Police with regard to how decisions were taken in implementing road closures and deciding the area affected, given the recent closure at Bishopsgate due to the investigation of a crime scene. Members raised concerns over the cost implications of these closures and the need to ensure wherever possible closures could be minimised, such as the timing of Old Bailey sentencing in instances of high profile trials.

A Member updated the Committee that they had been in discussion with the Commander of Operations on the communication of the road closure with the business community, and would be liaising in the future to ensure good communication to reach all businesses affected by road closures was undertaken.

The Assistant Commissioner informed Members that due to the fluid nature of the crime scene, investigation had been ongoing and had required the whole area to be secure. The Assistant Commissioner would take on board the concerns of Members for debrief within the Force.

The Chairman also raised that road closures had been in effect during a trial recently at the Old Bailey and a Member added that the risk of public disruption could have been minimised if the sentencing had occurred at a different time of day. The Assistant Commissioner advised that due to a particular set of conditions, including many groups assembling outside the Old Bailey meant that it was a unique situation which had required extra security measures.  It was agreed that it would be useful for the Town Clerk to liaise with The Secondary with regard to future court date listings.

Barbican event cancellation – a Member raised the recent decision and communications around the cancellation of an event that had been scheduled to take place at the Barbican Centre, and the Chairman of Policy and Resources advised that the Chairman of the Police Committee and the Chairman of the Barbican Centre Board would be speaking to ensure this situation did not occur in the future. It was noted that the Town Clerk would undertake a review to ensure that lessons were learned.