Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Ade Adetosoye the Director of Children and Community Services, Jon Averns the Port Health & Public Protection Director, Wayne Chance a Commander of the City of London Police, Barbara Gough a City business representative, Don Randall of the City of London Crime Prevention Association and Jocelyn Griffith of the Court Service.

There were no declarations.

To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 8 June 2015.

The minutes of the meeting held on 8 June 2015 were approved as a correct record.

Note of the Town Clerk, including dates of future meetings.

The Town Clerk’s note of outstanding actions was noted, together with the scheduled dates of future meetings.  

It was further noted that a report would be submitted to the October meeting of the Planning and Transportation Committee on the 20mph speed limit in the City informing Members of a reduction in the average speed of traffic in the City of 1.5mph.

Joanna Davidson’s valuable contribution to the work of the Group was noted.

The Group agreed to take Item 15 at this point in the meeting.

15.     SAFER CITY PARTNERSHIP PLAN 2015-18

The Group noted the report of the Manager of the Community Safety Team attaching a first draft of the Safer City Partnership Plan 2015-2018 which would guide and direct the work of the Partnership over the next three years. It was noted that the plan would be refreshed annually and the Members of the Group were requested to consider and agree the stated ambitions and priorities set out within the draft report.

It was suggested that:-

- health issues for City Residents, including measures to increase GP registration by ex-offenders be included within the plan;

- greater emphasis be given to road safety and fire safety as a priority areas;

- reference be made to new Police operations (Operation Fennel and the Operation relating to homelessness and rough sleeping);

- information on the relationships between the Group and the City and Hackney Safeguarding Board be included in the plan; and

-  further information be provided in plan on the night-time economy, smoking cessation, alcohol related and economic crime and chugging.

RESOLVED – That the ambitions and priorities set out within the draft Plan be approved, subject to further information being provided on the matters referred to above and that Group Members be requested to submit any further comments

Report of the Community Safety Team Manager.

The Group noted a report of the Community Safety Team Manager providing information on the activities and work of the team not covered in other agenda items.

Reference was made to the pro-active approach being taken in licensing applications with particular reference to the Safety Thirst Scheme and reference was also made to the use of the Late Night Levy Fund and the Hotel Tool Kit.

It was agreed that this success be highlighted to Members of the Court together with information on the forthcoming calendar of events and that reference to the Safety Thirst Scheme be included on the licensing renewal forms.  

Report of the City of London Police (To Follow).

Quarterly Statistical information (April to June 2015) provided by the City of London Police in a new format was laid round the table, welcomed, interpreted, discussed and trends identified.

It was agreed that, where possible and appropriate, information be made available to the Licensing Committee, the Health and Wellbeing Board and residents meetings. It was suggested that geographical mapping of incidents be considered together with the possibility of differentiating between residents and non-residents.  

Note of the Community Safety Team Manager.

A report of the Community Safety Team Manager providing an update on the Community Safety Project was noted.

Report of the Projects Officer, Community Safety Team.

An update report of the Community Safety Team Projects Officer on the statutory responsibility of the Corporation to do all it reasonably could do to prevent crime and disorder in its area, was noted.

Summary report of the Health and Wellbeing Board of 19 June 2015.

A summary report of the Health and Wellbeing Board on its work was noted.  

Verbal report of the Commissioning and Performance Manager, Public Health.

In the absence of the Commissioning and Performance Manager of the Community and Children’s Services Department, the Community Safety Team Manager gave a verbal update on the new substance misuse and tobacco control service, reporting that the service had been procured and the new provider, Westminster Drug Project, would start on 1 October 2015 with the tobacco control services being sub-contracted to Queen Mary University of London and pharmacies in the City.

NOTED.

Verbal update of the Borough Commander of the London Fire Brigade.

A monthly statistical bulletin, provided by London Fire Brigade, concerning fires in the City was noted.

It was further noted that:-

- information on preventative work that had been undertaken with licensed premises would be produced and submitted to the next meeting of the Group; and

- a current government consultation exercise on enabling closer working between the emergency services would conclude on 31 October 2015 and group members were encouraged to submit a response.

Report of the Port Health & Public Protection Director, Markets & Consumer Protection (To Follow).

The Group noted an update report of the Port Health and Public Protection Director in the Markets and Consumer Protection Department on their recent activities.

Members voiced their objections to charity collectors obtaining bank details or requesting some form of electronic payment on the street, known as chugging, and indicated a wish for it to cease in the City. The only legislation preventing such activity in the City related to cash collections so it was unable to be controlled by this. The Group accepted that further information on the size of the problem was required and the possible regulation of the activity was discussed. It was noted however, that regulation could lead to a tacit encouragement of chugging as regulation was likely to require it be allowed in a specific area, or areas, of the City.

Report of the Assistant Director of People, Department of Community and Children’s Services.

Members noted the first of, what was anticipated would be, quarterly reports of the Director of Community and Children’s Services detailing the activities of the Domestic Abuse Forum since June 2015.

Report of the Director of Community and Children’s Services (To Follow).

WITHDRAWN.

Report of the Community Safety Team Manager.

Considered earlier in the agenda.

Questions were asked relating to the following issues, as follows:-

1) Women Cyclists - Road Safety event was confirmed as being held in Guildhall Yard on 23 September 2015.

2) Consultation - Doug Wilkinson asked Members to provide him with any comments they may have relating to a consultation exercise being undertaken by the Police Performance Management Group. He undertook to circulate the request electronically.

3) Public Transport Crime – The London Assembly had announced that they would be undertaking a review of crime on public transport and Doug Wilkinson stated that he may need to contact the Group members to provide information to support the investigation. 

4) The establishment of a City of London Compliance Officer for the City, to control pollution, litter, noise and construction was suggested and whilst this was currently an aspirational possibility, it was some way off at the moment. 

5) Engine Idling – It was noted that the drivers of vehicles parked with their engines idling could only be prosecuted if they had been asked to turn their engines off and had not done so.

6) Taxi Protest – 24 September – It was noted that there would be a taxi drivers’ protest affecting the Bank junction that evening.