Agenda and minutes

Apologise were received from the Deputy Chairman Andrew Lentin, Alderman Timothy Hailes and Helen Fentimen.

There were no declarations received.

To agree the public minutes and non-public summary of the meeting of the Strategic Planning and Performance Committee held on 5th of May 2022.

The Committee considered the draft public minutes and non-public summary of the previous meeting of the Strategic Planning and Performance Committee held on the 5^th of May 2022.

RESOLVED- The public minutes of the previous meeting of the Strategic Planning and Performance Committee held on the 5th of May 2022 be approved as an accurate record.

Joint report of the Town Clerk and Commissioner.

The Committee received a joint report of the Town Clerk and Commissioner on the public actions from the previous meeting of the Committee.

RESOLVED- That the report be noted.

Report of the Commissioner.

The Committee received a report of the Commissioner which provided the HMICFRS Inspections Update.

The Police Authority Board Chair requested further information on when the Force would be reporting on issues relating to vetting to the Professional Standards and Integrity Committee. Officers highlighted that the issues regarding the vetting of prospective staff was a national issue which had not been highlighted in the City of London Police but that a report would be prepared for the Professional Standards and Integrity Committee in November. It was added that, whilst the report had not been finalised, early indications from the Serious and Organised Crime Inspection were positive.

Replying to a Member’s query Officers provided an update on the actions arising from the HMICFRS’s recommendations noting that the direction of travel on most actions was positive. In addition, the Committee were informed of continuing issues regarding the provision of Appropriate Adult services.

Officers confirmed, in response to the Committee’s discussion, that a continuing assessment process was in place to ensure ongoing improvement.

Following a request from the Chair it was confirmed that the deep dive on child protection services would be presented to Members in 2023.

RESOLVED- That the report be noted.

Report of the Commissioner.

The Committee received a report of the Commissioner on the City of London Policing Plan 2022-25 Annual Refresh 2023-24.

The Chair highlighted the Policing Plan workshop for Members which was due to be held before the Police Authority Board meeting on the 12^th of December and requested that community feedback be incorporated into the plan for this session. In addition, the chair requested that a senior member of the Community and Children’s Services Department attend the next meeting of the Committee to report on the cooperation between the Corporation and Force, adding that the proper constitution of the Crime and disorder Scrutiny Committee was vital for Member oversight of this work.

In response to a Member’s query the engagement plan for the policing plan was outlined.

Replying to a comment from the Chair it was agreed that a rationalisation of the performance measures and better articulation of the proactive engagement on trust and confidence in the Force was required in the Policing Plan.

The Town Clerk confirmed that an invitation to the Policing Plan Workshop would be forwarded to those Members of the Police Authority Board’s Committees that did not also serve on the Board.

RESOLVED- That the report be noted.

Report of the Commissioner.

The Committee received a report of the Commissioner on the Q2 Policing Plan Performance 22-23 and an appended Performance Framework. The Chair commended Officers for the response to the incident at Bishopsgate and commented on the importance of the public seeing that crimes are responded to appropriately. 

The Chair requested that grading criteria and analysis be added to this report where ‘no grading’ was shown when it is next presented to committee.

In response to a Member’s query Officers explained the established processes for ensuring appropriate reaction to the reported data but noted that the relatively low numbers in the City meant that percentage changes were not always illustrative of wider trends.

A Member expressed concern that the Force’s diversity statistics were not trending in a positive direction.

RESOLVED- That the report be noted.

Report of the Commissioner.

The Committee received a report of the Commissioner which provided the Quarterly Community Engagement Update.

The Chair commented that it was vital to ensure there was the required collaboration between the City of London Corporation and Police adding that he would be writing to the Town Clerk requesting the urgent work on the Crime and Disorder Scrutiny Committee and the Safer City Partnership Board. Officers confirmed that work was being undertaken to agree an updated terms of reference for the Crime and Disorder Scrutiny Committee to facilitate correct Member oversight of the Safer City Partnership Board which, it was added, would be meeting on at least a quarterly basis, with the next meeting due on the 30^th November.

Replying to a Member’s question Officers explained the methodology used to achieve the appropriate balance between daytime and night policing concerns.

The anti-social behaviour data was highlighted by the Chair of the Police Authority Board and requested further information on the specifics of policing in the Barbican. It was confirmed that Officers would report back to a future meeting of the Committee to provide this detail. It was noted that the Barbican Estate had introduced its own reporting system which may not align with formal reporting of incidents to the police.

Following a Member’s enquiry it was confirmed that the Force was engaged with the Business Improvement Districts in the City of London.

RESOLVED- That the report be noted.

Report of the Commissioner.

The Committee received a report of the Commissioner which provided the Deep Dive on Victim Services Update.

In response a question from the Chair Officers undertook to explore how best to record victim services relating to Action Fraud noting the importance of maintaining a distinction between the local and national policing work. It was noted this was reported to the Economic and Cyber Crime Committee.

Following a Member’s comment Officers confirmed that, given the relatively low levels within the City of London, the highest level of service should be provided to victims of domestic abuse.

The Chair requested that short update be provided to the next meeting of the Committee on the progress against the Policing Plan measures with regard to victim services.

RESOLVED- That the report be noted.

Report of the Commissioner.

The Committee received a report of the Commissioner which provided an update on Violence against Women and Girls Activity.

The Chair highlighted that he and the Chair of the Police Authority Board would be attending the operation Reframe the Night operation on the 3^rd of December.

Following a query from the Chair on the engagement with women and girls from minority groups the Officers explained the work that was being undertaken to especially engage with these groups noting that this had proven to be a difficult issue for many forces. It was agreed that an update on this work would be provided to the Committee when appropriate.

Officers confirmed, in response to the Chair’s enquiry it was confirmed that the Year 2 Plan would be presented to the Committee in February 2023.

In response to a Member’s concern it was confirmed that the Professional Standards and Integrity Committee would be the appropriate body to consider concerns regarding culture within the Force.

RESOLVED- That the report be noted.

There were no questions in the public session.

There was no urgent business considered in the public session.

To agree the non-public minutes of the meeting of the Strategic Planning and Performance Committee held on 5th of May 2022.

The Committee considered the draft non-public minutes of the previous meeting of the Strategic Planning and Performance Committee held on the 5^th of May 2022.

RESOLVED- The non-public minutes of the previous meeting of the Strategic Planning and Performance Committee held on the 5th of May 2022 be approved as accurate record.

There were no public questions.

There was no non-public urgent business considered.