Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Wayne Chance, Superintendent Norma Collicott, Yannik McKenzie and Kate Cinamon.  

There were no declarations of interest.

Minutes of the meeting held on 14^th November 2014.

RESOLVED: That the minutes of the last meeting held on the 14^th November 2014, be approved as a correct record subject to the following amendment:

Bob Benton was not present at the last meeting.

The Group marked their respect for the people who had lost their lives in the recent Paris attack with a minute silence. 

The Assistant Director for Street Scene and Built Environment, informed the Group that a Domestic Violence report would be presented at the next meeting in March.

RECEIVED.

A report of the Assistant Director Street Scene and Strategy, Built Environment.

The Group discussed a report on progress against targets by the Safer City Partnership for the period Q2 2014/15. The Assistant Director of Streetscene and Strategy noted that rough sleeper performance had improved, and that a report on Domestic Violence as well as a report regarding events and initiatives held by the Community Safety Team would be presented to the next meeting. He added that the Hotel Toolkit was close to being signed off, this would provide hotel staff with comprehensive information on crime prevention and action to take if there were any incidents. A copy of the toolkit would be circulated at the next meeting. In response to a question, he confirmed that that the Emergency Planning Team was involved in the development of the Hotel Toolkit. 

The Assistant Director of Streetscene and Strategy concluded by noting that the 20 MPH speed limit was working well, motorist found to be exceeding the limit were being given tickets and would be given the opportunity to attend a course on speed awareness. In response to a question, he confirmed that statistical data for 20MPH offenses would be provided to Members at the next meeting by the City of London Police.

RESOLVED: That:

·         the Hotel Toolkit be circulated at the next meeting;

·         statistical information regarding 20MPH offenses be provided to Members at the next meeting by the City of London Police; and

·         the report be noted.

A verbal update from the Borough Commander, London Fire Brigade.

The London Fire Brigade Borough Commander provided an update on recent work by the London Fire Brigade in the City, noting that there had been no significant change in incident levels since the last update to the Group. He concluded by noting that many of the Fire Brigade Cadets would finish their training which was prevention based at the end of this financial year and would bring a report to a future meeting on their performance.

RESOLVED: that the report be noted.

A report of the Community Safety Manager.

The Community Safety Manager introduced the Community Safety update, noting that the Terms of Reference for the Anti-Social Behavior Working Group had been amended which were for the Group to agree. This would ensure that Members of the working group were held accountable for the work they agreed to undertake during the meeting and provide an audit trail. She added that the Christmas Campaign to promote crime prevention and personal safety had been well received with 70 targeted visits to premises and 1,500 promotional bags being distributed within the City. In addition, the Behind Closed Doors event targeting businesses was held on the 28^th November which had been well attended. Positive feedback had been given with 100% of attendees saying they would recommend the event to other people within their organisation, with a further 70% of attendees saying that they did not have a Domestic Abuse policy in their work place. As a result of feedback, the Community Safety Team was looking to standardising the way in which organisations can respond to Domestic Abuse. In response to a question, the The Assistant Director of Streetscene and Strategy agreed to provide statistical information regarding the number of Domestic Abuse cases received by the City of London Corporation broken down by area of residence.

The Group wanted to thank the City of London Corporation Lord Mayor, Linklaters and the Royal Bank of Scotland for their financial support for the Christmas initiatives.

RESOLVED: That,

·         the Terms of Reference for the Anti-social Behavior Working Group be agreed;

·         statistical information regarding the number of Domestic Abuse cases received by the City of London Corporation broken down by area of residence was provided at the next meeting; and

·         the report be noted.

A report of the City of London Police.

The City of London Police Superintendent Hector McKoy provided an update for the Group, noting that there had been an increase in violence without injury. The increase was a trend that was reflected in boroughs across London and included activity such as harassment and cybercrime. The City of London Police and the Community Safety Team had set up the Cybercrime Governors Board to deal with this. He went on to note that City Police Officers were looking at the problem of organised crime gangs stealing motor vehicles to order. The thefts were occurring within borderline areas and the City of London Police was working with the Metropolitan Police to combat this. In addition, he noted that there was an increase in pedal cycle thefts, the City of London Police had responded by creating a week-long event focusing on the safety of pedal cycles, activities would include bike marking and the Police were looking to employ Smart Water to invisibly mark property. A Member noted that there were a number of other businesses that provided similar services and emphasised the need for any contract to be value for money. The City of London Police Superintendent concluded by noting that it had been a good Christmas in terms of crime within the City of London.

In response to a question, the City of London Police Superintendent assured the Group that although violent crime was on the increase this was a national trend and the City of London rate was still relatively low compared to surrounding boroughs.

A Member sought clarification over what the threat level was in the City of London. The Group was informed that everyone should remain vigilant and that the City of London Police would be meeting later on that evening to clarify what the message to the public

The City of London Police Detective Sergeant provided the Group with an update on the work that was being undertaken to prevent Female Genital Mutilation and Honour Based Violence. She informed Members that there was a national focus on these two areas with the City of London Police taking a full self-assessment which found no reports of either Female Genital Mutilation or Honour Based Violence within the City. Both these issues had now become standing items on the City of London Domestic Abuse Group. In addition she noted that there were a number of internal and external educational campaigns taking place around the City of London on both the issues. She concluded by informing the Group of the City of London Police working with the Vulnerable Victims Co-ordinator to deliver awareness days regarding Female Genital Mutilation, educating people on the offense and the different ways to report it to the Police.

RESOLVED: That the report be noted.

A report of the Director of Community & Children's Services.

The Health and Wellbeing Executive Support Officer updated the Group on the London Health Commission report: Better Health for London. The report set out an ambitious plan to improve the health and wellbeing of Londoners, the City of London Corporation welcomed the findings. 

The Director of Port Health and Public Protection provided an update on the air quality within the City of London. The Mayor of London had held a consultation on the quality of air within London which had closed the week before. The City of London Corporation also had a similar consultation ongoing which would close in February. He noted that this issue would only be resolved with partnership working and that the City of London Corporation would work with Transport for London, Greater London Authority and the Mayor of London to tackle this.

In response to a question, the Group was informed that issues of external lighting could only be addressed by the Environmental Health if it concerned flood lights. The issue of 24 hour lighting of premises was an industry issue that could be addressed through the Planning Department.

RESOLVED: That the report be noted.

The Assistant Director of Community and Children Services provided an overview of Child Sexual Exploitation, the report had been the product of a partnership exercise which had focussed on seven areas. This had resulted in the development of a Child Sexual Exploitation Action Plan which was specifically for the City of London Corporation and could be brought to the next meeting if requested.

He went on to note that within the City of London there were no reports of child sexual exploitation. However, there was a risk from transport hubs and the night time economy due to cross border movement such as with Tower Hamlets. He added that raising awareness of child sexual exploitation continued to be an issue and multi-agency work continued to combat this.    

The group discussed gang activity within the City of London with Superintendent McKoy assuring the Group that rigorous checks were undertaken when events were booked to ensure that unscrupulous promoters were reduced.

The Deputy Chairman thanked Children and Community Services for the report and the assurance that the situation was being monitored.

RESOLVED: That the report be noted

A verbal update from the Substance Misuse Partnership Manager, Community & Children's Services.

The Assistant Director of Community and Children Services provided an update on Substance Misuse.

RESOLVED: That the report be received.

A report of the Port Health & Public Protection Director.

The Director of Port Health and Public Protection provided an update on public protection service activity, noting that the late night levy was working well. He went onto inform the Group that he would be meeting with the Chairman of Licensing to discuss how to spend the funds accumulated. He added that Operation Broadway continued to be successful in addressing boiler room frauds. He concluded by informing the Group that he would be happy to include any other items on his update that Members felt were important.

RESOLVED: That the report be noted.

A report of the Assistant Director Street Scene and Strategy, Built Environment.

The Assistant Director for Street Scene and Built Environment updated the Group on the progress of the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014. The report had been to various Committees within the City of London Corporation and would be going to the Court of Common Council on the 15^th January 2015. He informed the Group that the Community Trigger website was live and that the City of London Police was drafting the Community Remedy which would be brought to the next meeting in March. The aim of the legislation was to streamline processes and ensure that all parties worked collaboratively.

In response to a question, the Group was informed that the Community Safety Team would receive a report every quarter on the use of the Community Trigger. It was expected that its usage would be low, in Oxford where the initiative was piloted there had been only 2 triggers in 12 months. 

RESOLVED: That:

·         the City of London Police produce the Community Remedy document and present it to the next meeting; and

·         the report be noted.

A report of the Town Clerk.

The Town Clerk provided Safer City Partnership Group meeting dates for 2015.

The Chairman requested that the meeting in March was changed to the afternoon and the meeting in June was changed to the 8^th June 2015. The Town Clerk agreed to look into this.

RESOLVED: That the dates be agreed, subject to the meeting in March being changed to the afternoon and the meeting in June being held on the 8 June 2015.

Counter Terrorism

The Director of Community and Children Services updated the Group regarding the Counter-Terrorism Security Bill. As a result of the legislation a Counter Terrorism form was being formulated and would be brought to the next Policy and Resources Committee and would also be going to the next meeting of the Group. 

Resident Update

Barbara Gough informed the Group that since she started attending the Safer City Partnership she had been impressed by the collaborative working of the Group. She noted that before she became a Member she was concerned with her general safety. However, since becoming a Member she was more aware of the work that both the City of London Corporation and the City of London Police did and she felt much safer. She concluded by inviting the Assistant Director for Street Scene and Built Environment and Superintendent McKoy to the next Barbican Estate Annual General Meeting.

Street Pastors

The Community Safety Manager informed the Group that she had been working with Superintendent McKoy to educate people on the role of Street Pastors. They hoped to provide a report to the next meeting on their work.