Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Marianne Fredericks, Don Randall of the City of London Crime Prevention Association and Helen Isaac of the City of London Police (represented by Hector McKoy).

Before commencing the business on the agenda, all Members gathered in Guildhall Yard for a minute’s silence in order to pay their respects to those who lost their lives in the terrorist attack in Paris on Friday 13^th November.  The Chairman commended the sterling efforts of the City of London Police’s intelligence services and welcomed any further updates during the course of the meeting. 

The Chairman welcomed Julie Mayer, the new Clerk to the Committee and Oliver Bolton, the new Policy Officer. 

There were no declarations.

To approve the minutes of the last meeting.

The minutes of the meeting held on 24 September 2015 were approved.

Members are asked to note the Committee’s Outstanding Actions List.

Before commencing the business on the agenda, all Members gathered in Guildhall Yard for a minute’s silence in order to pay their respects to those who lost their lives in the terrorist attack in Paris on Friday 13^th November.  The Chairman commended the sterling efforts of the City of London Police’s intelligence services and welcomed any further updates during the course of the meeting. 

The Chairman welcomed Julie Mayer, the new Clerk to the Committee and Oliver Bolton, the new Policy Officer. 

Report of the Manager of Community Safety Team – Town Clerk’s.

The Committee received a report of the Manager of the Community Safety Team, which provided an update on the Team’s activities, as follows:

Safety Thirst – the Port Health and Public Protection Director reported on plans for a possible re-brand next year, which sought to promote the scheme and increase engagement, with more direct contract with representatives from larger chains.  Members suggested that City of London Members approach the licence holders in their wards.   

Behind Closed Doors – officers reported on a very successful event and powerful presentation.

Relocation of the Community Safety Team – now on the fourth floor North Wing, Guildhall, to help enable closer working with police colleagues.

Community Remedy – completion expected in December.  Members noted a peak in October, following more direct contact. Officers agreed to investigate why a member of the Committee (also a Barbican resident) had not yet been consulted.  It was suggested that the outcome of the Consultation be reported to the next meeting of the Community and Children’s Services Committee, for information.

Calendar of events – the presentation was being worked on and the London Fire Brigade’s activities would be captured next year.

Report of the Port Health & Public Protection Director – Department of Markets and Consumer Protection.

The Committee received a report of the Port Health and Public Protection Director, which provided an update on the Public Protection Service, as follows:

Late night levy – a report would be presented to the Licencing Committee in January.

Chuggers – Police and Public Protection officers were gauging activity and communicating with the Public Fundraising Association as to what constitutes ‘acceptable activity’.  The Director advised that he had taken Counsel’s opinion and, in 2013, the Policy and Resources Committee had agreed a possible sanction.  The Director agreed to discuss this further with the Remembrancer and to undertake some research into activities and enforcement action taken in other local authorities. 

Fraud – The Team were working with Banks on Operation Broadway; i.e. large scale and sudden withdrawals and investments which were outside usual patterns of activity.  Trading standards were engaging with Community and Children’s Services officers who work with vulnerable residents. 

General – the Team had worked with Southwark to remove nut sellers from London Bridge. The Director agreed to investigate an ice cream van which regularly parks on an iconic site on the Bridge. 

Members are asked to note a Summary report from Health and Wellbeing Board of

18 September 2015.

The Committee received an update from the last meeting of the Health and Wellbeing Board on 18^th September 2015.  Members noted that an updated report on Air Quality had been presented to the Planning and Transportation Committee and the Port Health and Public Protection Director agreed to circulate this to Members of the Safer City Partnership Group. 

Members noted they would receive a report on substance misuse at their next meeting.

Report of the Assistant Director, People - Department of Community & Children's Services. 

The Committee received its first quarterly report since the Annual Report of the Domestic Abuse Forum.  In respect of 2 repeat cases, the Director of Community and Children’s Services agreed to provide an update to the Chairman before the end of the week. 

To follow – Members will receive an oral update at the meeting.

The Committee received an oral update and the London Fire Brigade’s monthly statistics were tabled.   Members noted that next year would mark the 150^th Anniversary of the London Fire Brigade and the 350 year commemoration of the Great Fire of London. 

In respect of the terrorist activity in Paris on 13^th November, Members noted that all responsible personnel had been engaged and equipment checked but there would be no change to the current level of strategic management of the terrorist threat.  The Police representative confirmed the same position. 

Dowgate Ward had met with TfL in respect of the Cycle Superhighway and were confident that this was being planned well, with the contraflow moving further East.  Members noted that there would be a contraflow in Upper Thames Street for some time and a 20mph speed limit had been imposed in the tunnel to mitigate the risk. 

Members noted the imminent 30% budget cuts to the service.  The Brigade were seeking financial support to recruit more cadets.

To follow – Members will receive an Oral Update at the Meeting.

The Committee received an oral update and the City of London Police representative advised that, following the terrorist attack in Paris on 13^th November, the current threat level had not changed and there was currently no intelligence on an imminent attack on the City of London.  However, the public were being asked to remain as vigilant as possible and to report any suspicious activity, as usual.  Members noted that the cancellation of the fireworks following the Lord Mayor’s Show on Saturday had not been based on any threat to the City.  

To follow – Members will receive an oral update at the meeting.

The Committee received the tabled monthly crime statistics and noted the following:

• Sexual offences had increased, as a resulting of growing awareness and confidence in reporting. 

• The incidence of crime in the City was generally very low and there had only been 1 repeat offence at a licenced premise. There were no ‘problem’ licenced premises and Licensing Sub Committee sanctions were very successful. 

• There would be more police presence over the Christmas period and more plain clothes officers within venues.  The Community Safety Team were working on ‘sizing’ the nigh-time economy in order to provide an approximate capacity of existing venues. 

• Licenced premises generally were busiest on Thursdays and Fridays and there had been increased footfall over the past 18 months, possibly due to more affluence at the end of the recession.

• Once fully developed, restorative justice should result in less perpetrators in custody and a more effective way of managing street crime and certain individuals, who are known to the Police.

• More work was required on cyber fraud and, from next month, more data would be available on Operation Broadway. 

• The Lord Mayor’s Show had progressed well, despite the poor weather and without incident.

• Knife crime and gangs were generally not an issue in the City.  Members noted there had been some venues affected about 18 months ago but this had since reduced considerably.

• As the Prevent Strategy was embedded, Members asked for regular updates to the Committee.  The Community Safety Manager agreed to bring a report to the next meeting, redacted for publication. 

Report of the Manager of Community Safety Team – Town Clerk’s.

The Committee received the tabled monthly crime statistics and noted the following:

• Sexual offences had increased, as a resulting of growing awareness and confidence in reporting. 

• The incidence of crime in the City was generally very low and there had only been 1 repeat offence at a licenced premise. There were no ‘problem’ licenced premises and Licensing Sub Committee sanctions were very successful. 

• There would be more police presence over the Christmas period and more plain clothes officers within venues.  The Community Safety Team were working on ‘sizing’ the nigh-time economy in order to provide an approximate capacity of existing venues. 

• Licenced premises generally were busiest on Thursdays and Fridays and there had been increased footfall over the past 18 months, possibly due to more affluence at the end of the recession.

• Once fully developed, restorative justice should result in less perpetrators in custody and a more effective way of managing street crime and certain individuals, who are known to the Police.

• More work was required on cyber fraud and, from next month, more data would be available on Operation Broadway. 

• The Lord Mayor’s Show had progressed well, despite the poor weather and without incident.

• Knife crime and gangs were generally not an issue in the City.  Members noted there had been some venues affected about 18 months ago but this had since reduced considerably.

• As the Prevent Strategy was embedded, Members asked for regular updates to the Committee.  The Community Safety Manager agreed to bring a report to the next meeting, redacted for publication. 

·       The London Fire Brigade representative reported on an incident free Fireworks Night.

·       The Brigade asked for increased parking enforcement activity on Bush Lane, Southwark Lane, Upper Thames Street and Cannon Street due to access problems.

The meeting ended at 12:40