Agenda item

Questions on matters relating to the work of the Committee

Minutes:

The Chairman of the Police Pensions Board asked that the details of the Police Pensions Board be included on the Police Committee agenda.  He explained that a new Pensions Manager had been appointed and a meeting with him had recently been arranged.

 

A Member asked why CoLP were not included in the London Criminal Justice Devolution Agreement, and what the response would be to the process.  The Commander of Operations and Security explained that they were aware of this and would ensure that CoLP would be built in to any future pan-London strategy and this would be explored as part of CoLP Transform.  She explained that they would look at their regional capabilities.  The Member emphasised the importance of following up with this as it seemed as if CoLP had not been included. The Commander agreed to send a briefing note to Members to update them once she had ascertained the current position. (6)

 

A Member noted that a full report on the implementation of ATTRO had been promised, but still had not been received.  The Commissioner apologised for the delayed response, explaining that it had been actioned but not yet concluded.  He confirmed that he would liaise with the Department of Built Environment Director to ensure a report on this would be submitted to the next meeting. The Chairman confirmed that this was disappointing that this had not been addressed, and that the Department for the Built Environment were unable to send a representative to respond to Member queries.  He noted that this report should be a collaboration between the Department of the Built Environment and the Police. (7)

 

The Committee received a question from an absent Member that asked what plans, actions or thoughts (if any) there are, as far as CoLP is concerned, following the reported rapid rise in knife and gun related deaths in London this year?  The Assistant Commissioner explained that the government’s Serious Violence Strategy had only just been published, and CoLP were exploring its role and responsibilities in terms of policing but noted that the Strategy also requires local authority response as well and would seek to work in partnership with the Corporation on this.  He explained that there was great collaboration across the three London forces on knife and gun crime, such as in the cases of Operations Sceptre and Gondola.  He explained that there had been a slight annual reduction of 2% in the City of London, with this area under continued review.  The Assistant Commissioner explained that in a meeting with the Town Clerk on 11 April, a request had been made for a collaboration document to be produced.  He explained that the CoLP’s Major Crime Team had provided support for the MPS following recent homicide events in neighbouring boroughs, enabling the team to gain valuable experience and keep their skills refreshed in this type of investigation.  The Chairman noted that there were a range of contributing factors to the problem, highlighting the pressure placed on Police and schools, but also suggested that the role of parenting should not be overlooked.  The Assistant Commissioner agreed and explained that one of the approaches used in the MPS to tackle serious violence was parental contact groups, for example, helping single mothers remain aware of their children’s activities.  He confirmed that these had received very positive feedback.

 

A Member asked if someone from the CoLP was present at the recent Mayor’s Briefing and the Commissioner confirmed that they had been invited but their representative was unable to attend on the day due to illness.