Agenda and minutes

There were no apologies for absence received in advance of the meeting.

There were no declarations.

To agree the public minutes of the Strategic Planning and Performance Committee meeting held on the 17^th of November 2022.  

The Committee considered the draft public minutes of the previous meeting of the Strategic Planning and Performance Committee held on the 17th of November 2022.

RESOLVED- The public minutes of the previous meeting of the Strategic Planning and Performance Committee held on the 17th of November 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 regarding the Q3 Policing Plan Performance Measures 2022-23.

The Chair commented that he was happy to see the connection between the performance measures and the Policing Plan evidenced in the report.

In response to a Member’s query Officer explained that comparative analysis was still baselined from pre-Covid statistics however an understanding of the new normal was beginning, established with a decreased daytime worker based footfall and increased night time economy being key factors influencing policing in the City of London. 

Following a Committee member’s request Officers explained the Force’s process for interpreting intelligence data noting the limitation of the current software used and plans to upskill analytical skillset within the Force. In addition an update on joint operations between the City of London Police and Corporation to tackle phone snatching was provided.

The Committee discussed the importance of measuring public perception of the City of London Police. Officers confirmed that this was of vital importance to the Force explaining that work was being undertaken to establish appropriate metrics for measuring performance in public confidence which would be brought to committee in due course.

Following a Member’s concern regarding the adverse effect of staff numbers within Sector and local policing being diverted to police night time economy operations. Officers confirmed that the Force was alive to these concerns and the impact of officer capacity on operational capacity and stated that resources were due to increase in this area from 12 to 18 officers in March 2023.

The Committee confirmed that the City of London Police needed to retain the ambition to meet the agreed diversity targets.

The Committee discussed the Cluster Panel meetings noting that a more formalised and collaborative approach between the Force and Corporation would make these meetings more impactful. The

Report of the Commissioner.

The Committee received a report of the Commissioner on the Policing Plan Measures 2023-24.

The Chair commented that the degree of detail in the report was very helpful however it was important that scrutiny focussed on the high level measures to ensure the Committee had the required scope of oversight. Officers confirmed that tier two officer governance in Force remained focussed on the totality of measures in the Policing Plan.

Following the Chair’s query it was agreed that reference to anti-social behaviour be added to the Policing Plan measures.

It was confirmed by Officers, in response to a question by a Member of the Committee, that the Policing Plan would be assessed against both local and national measures. Further to this the Committee confirmed their consent for the deep dive subjects suggested.

The Committee discussed that improving the Action Fraud satisfaction rates should be targeted as, ultimately, the public perception would be key factor in the success of the service.

 RESOLVED- That the report be noted.

Report of the Commissioner.

The Committee received a report of the Commissioner regarding the Update on Violence against Women and Girls activity. 

In response to a query from the Chair Officers outlined the key issues for tackling violence against women and girls in the City of London noting that the central issue remained the transient population visiting the City as part of the night time economy.

Answering a Member’s concern Officers confirmed they were confident that the current reduction was sustainable with approved resources.

The Committee noted that trust and confidence in policing nationally had been impacted by the recent high profile misconduct cases including one recent case in the City of London Police. It was added that tackling the confidence of the public, with a focus on women and girls, was a priority for the Force with improved representation and reporting being key factors influencing this.

RESOLVED- That the report be noted.

Report of the Commissioner.

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

RESOLVED- That the report be noted.

Report of the Commissioner.

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

Following comments from the Committee, Officers agreed that actions from the HMICFRS Inspection which were not within the Force’s control would not be reported against to make it clear the specific actions to be scrutinised. In addition, it was agreed that a dashboard format report be produced to provide effective oversight of work against the actions in the Inspection.

Following  a request by the Chair it was agreed that an early draft of the City of London Police PEEL report would be provided to the Chair of the Committee and the Chair of the Police Authority Board.

RESOLVED- That the report be noted.

Report of the Commissioner.

The Committee received a report of the Commissioner on the Child Protection Deep Dive.

In repose to the Chair’s query it was confirmed that the issues with the primary provider of Appropriate Adult services were being mitigated by the use of a secondary provider.

The Chair of the Police Authority Board requested that the report be shared with the Professional Standards and Integrity Committee and the Community and Children’s Services Committee as it was important that they were also made aware of the Force’s work regarding child protection. The Committee agreed that the Police Authority Team establish a joined up approach on the Force’s representation at other City of London Corporation committees and boards.

Following a Committee member’s question Officers explained the preventative measures taken by the Force with regard to the crimes described within the report explaining that these concerns were assessed on both a national and regional basis.

RESOLVED- That the report be noted.

There were no questions in the public session.

There was no urgent business considered in the public session.

MOTION - That under Section 100(A) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting for the following items on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Part I of the Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act.

As there were no non-public items of business the Committee agreed to take the remaining items in the public session.

There were no questions in the non-public session.

There was no urgent business considered in the non-public session.