Venue: Committee Rooms, 2nd Floor, West Wing, Guildhall
Contact: George Fraser
tel. no.: 020 7332 1174
Email: george.fraser@cityoflondon.gov.uk
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Apologies Minutes: Apologies were received from Simon Duckworth, Alderman Ian Luder and Nicholas Bensted-Smith. |
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MEMBERS' DECLARATIONS UNDER THE CODE OF CONDUCT IN RESPECT OF ITEMS ON THE AGENDA Minutes: |
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To agree the public minutes and summary of the meeting held on 13 July 2017. Minutes: The Committee considered the minutes from the previous meeting, and Members agreed that there should be two amendments:
On Page 2, under item 4, Outstanding References, it should be clarified that the reference to the delay of the Annual Report referred specifically to its submission to the meeting of the Court of Common Council, which was postponed until September.
On Page 5, under item 8, Risk Register Update, it was agreed that the reference to the rollout date of the new CAD system as a risk if it remained unknown should be removed. The Commissioner explained that it is not a risk and it is MPS dependent, and if it becomes a risk then will be managed as part of the ACs risk governance process.
On Page 5, under item 9, Special Interest Area Update, A Member asked when the new CoLP lead for Equality and Diversity would be appointed. The Assistant Commissioner stated that it had been advertised and if no one applied then he would post someone in there at the Force Strategic Workforce Planning meeting on 22 September. The Assistant Commissioner would update Members on any progress. (1)
RESOLVED – That the minutes be approved.
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Outstanding References Report of the Town Clerk Minutes: The Committee considered a report of the Town Clerk that provided a summary of all the outstanding reference from the previous meetings of the Committee.
The Chairman stated his dissatisfaction with the prevalence of colour documents being printed in black and white. This comment was made in reference to the fact that some of the items within the table which were not yet marked as complete appeared to be greyed out when viewed in black and white within the agenda pack, thus reducing its clarity. The Chairman mentioned that this was an issue in later items within the agenda, such as items 5 & 8, in which graphs that had been designed to be viewed in colour were rendered ineffective. He requested that this issue be addressed, either by the production of packs in colour, or through the production of graphs with monochromatic printing in mind. (2)
A Member requested, in reference to OR 3, that the updates on the Police Accommodation Strategy that had been circulated to chairmen on behalf of the PAP Programme Director, be circulated to Members of the Police Committee. (3)
A Member requested, in reference to OR 8, that there needed to be an overview of all procurement to ensure that contracts are placed with ethical suppliers. The Chamberlain explained that there was a robust and substantial strategy in place, and agreed to send this to the Member. (4)
RESOLVED – That the report be received.
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Staff Survey Update Report of the Commissioner of Police Additional documents: Minutes: The Committee received a report of the Commissioner of Police updating Members on the progress of the recent Staff Survey that had recently been completed.
The Commissioner explained to Members that this was the first survey that had taken place for a number of years, since 2014-15. He explained that, although it is still very early and the results have not been fully analysed yet, the initial findings have been positive.
The Assistant Commissioner explained that the survey had produced largely good news. He explained that the Survey had taken place in the summer of 2017 on the recommendation of the HMIC, and at the decision of the Chief Officer group.
The Assistant Commissioner explained that Chief Inspector Dave Evans would be putting forth an action plan from the findings, and that this would then be brought back to the Police Committee.
The Chairman illustrated his approval of the Force’s swiftness in bringing this initial report to Committee, and his desire to see the final report at Committee. The Assistant Commissioner agreed that the final report would be submitted to the December meeting. (5)
A Member stated their approval at the conduction of the survey, and stated that the importance of a communication strategy amongst staff could not be underestimated.
The Chairman of the Professional Standards and Integrity Sub-Committee stated their approval of the completion of the survey, and stated that this should feed into the work of the Sub-Committee, playing an important role in informing the integrity plan with regards to important issues such as Code of Ethics and institutional culture.
RESOLVED – That the report be received.
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Joint Report of the Commissioner of Police and the Town Clerk Minutes: The Committee received a joint report of the Commissioner of Police and the Town Clerk that provided an update on the Custody of Vulnerable Persons.
The Chairman stated his dissatisfaction of the presentation of graphs which, when viewed in black and white in the hard copy of the agenda pack, were unclear. (2)
The Assistant Commissioner provided a verbal summary of the report content to Members, and explained that there was a substantial amount of detail in the report, with significant reference to mental health work, noting a rise in reported incidents involving mental health in the period from April 2016 to March 2017.
The Assistant Commissioner made a reference to paragraph 27, in which 4 young persons remained in Police custody when the local authority was unable to provide them with accommodation, and clarified that this was an example of a common issue taking place across all of London, not just within the City. The Chairman requested feedback on the status of the recovery of costs from the relevant local authority to the CoLP for overnight detention of these individuals. (6)
The Assistant Commissioner noted that there had been a rise in incidents involving the use of force. This was owing to the fact that handcuffs were applied at the scene rather than in the custody suite itself. He explained to Members that the decision to use handcuffs was as a result of a dynamic risk assessment at the time of the arrest / detention of the individual and dependent upon the officer’s discretion. A Member noted that the figures were significantly higher as a percentage than those of other Forces used for comparison. The Assistant Commissioner explained that although CoLP showed a high percentage in the use of handcuffs, there had not been any rise in complaints made |
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Quarterly Community Engagement Update Report of the Commissioner of Police Minutes: The Committee received a report of the Commissioner of Police that updated Members on engagement activities across five main areas: Counter-Terrorism and communications, Safeguarding the Vulnerable, Prevention of Fraud, Anti-Social Behaviour, and Policing the Roads.
The Chairman stated that he was pleased with the work achieved as summarised within the report. He explained that there had been good Counter-Terrorism communications, referencing paragraph 1.14 of the report.
The Chairman requested that Members receive feedback of the results of the street triage scheme for which evaluation is due to be completed at the end of September, as referenced in paragraph 2.4 and 2.5 of the report. (12)
A Member asked for clarification on the “Levy” referenced in paragraph 4.4 of the report. The Chamberlain confirmed that this was in reference to the “Night-time Levy”.
RESOLVED – That the report be received.
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Strategic Threat and Risk Assessment (STRA) Process 2017-18 Report of the Commissioner of Police Additional documents: Minutes: The Committee received a report of the Commissioner that provided Members with details of the Strategic Threat and Risk Assessment (STRA) process that had been undertaken by the City of London Police (CoLP) since 2016-17.
The Assistant Commissioner explained that this process has previously only been used for firearms and community policing, and that the CoLP is the first to use this process on a Force-wide basis. He explained that it was a positive step forward in operation, and that the Home Office has shown its approval.
In reference to paragraph 11 of the report, the Chairman requested confirmation of the date of completion of the Human Resources Workforce Plan. The Assistant Commissioner explained that this was due in October, following review.
RESOLVED – That the report be received.
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Revenue Budget Monitoring Report to June 2017 Report of the Commissioner of Police. Minutes: The Committee received a joint report of the Commissioner and the Chamberlain updating Members on the revenue budget to June 2017.
The Deputy Chairman queried one of the figures in Table 1, under the column for Q1 Actual, referring to the expenditure for ECD – Funded Units. (13)
The Commissioner explained that cash seizures referenced in paragraph 9 of the report led to additional costs to the Force as sums had to be repaid with interest. Although this was a regrettable result, lessons had been learned from this example case. The Chairman emphasised that it was important for the Force to accept that mistakes will sometimes be made, and that these should be seen as opportunities to learn.
The Commissioner explained that the Criminal Finance Act was a positive for the Force, enabling improvements to be made. He stated that as we have seen, following recent unforeseen events that have provided an additional challenge to the Force, making accurate predictions can be difficult.
The Chamberlain explained that the headline from the report was the end of year budget balance but that the numbers were volatile, which limited the confidence we could have in the forecast at this stage. The Chamberlain noted that paragraph 21 referenced a reserve of £3.4m that could then be utilised in the following year.
A Member noted that Risk Management appeared to have been well handled. The Chamberlain explained that the distinction between what were perceived to be costs and what were perceived to be risks had now been clarified.
A Member asked for further information about the funding for investment in innovation. The Commissioner explained that there was funding for 107 projects across policing as part of a large scale transformation. He explained that in the future it was likely that a significant portion of |
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Special Interest Area Updates Minutes: |
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Strategic Policing Requirement Overview Update Verbal update from the Lead for Strategic Policing Requirement Special Interest Area Minutes: The Committee heard an update from the Strategic Policing Requirement Special Interest Area lead on recent developments.
The SIA Lead explained that CoLP was the first Force to employ the STRA process, before it became widely adopted. He stated that full credit must go to the senior management team, with particular mention of the T/Commander of Operations, Jane Gyford for her work in its execution.
The SIA lead emphasised the importance of not overlooking any actions and outcomes from the process which will lead to the evolution of Policing. He gave his approval of the process and gave thanks to the CoLP Head of Strategic Development, Stuart Phoenix for updates, illustrating that, since the last HMIC feedback recommended that there were areas requiring improvement, progress has been made.
RESOLVED – That the SIA Lead for the Strategic Policing Requirement Special Interest Area be heard.
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Counter-Terrorism Update Verbal update from the lead of the Counter-Terrorism Special Interest Area Minutes: RESOLVED – That the SIA Lead for Counter-Terrorism be heard. |
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Questions on matters relating to the work of the Committee Minutes: There were no questions. |
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Any other business that the Chairman considers urgent Minutes: The Committee considered a report of the Town Clerk that requested their approval for the appointment of a new member, Mia Campbell, to the Professional Standards & Integrity Sub-Committee.
A Member noted that the reference to the expiration of the term of Lucy Sandford within the report should refer to Helen Marshall.
RESOLVED – That approval be given to the appointment of an external Member to the Professional Standards and Integrity Sub Committee, for a four year term commencing 22 September 2017, to reflect the decision of the selection panel made on 8 August 2017.
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Exclusion of the Public 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. Minutes: Members of the public were excluded. |
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Non-Public Minutes To agree the non-public minutes of the meeting held on 13 July 2017 Minutes: The Committee considered the non-public minutes from the last meeting on 13 July 2017.
RESOLVED – That the minutes be approved. |
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Report of Action Taken Since the Last Meeting Report of the Town Clerk Minutes: The Committee received a report of the Town Clerk that updated Members on decisions taken under delegated authority or urgency powers since the last meeting on 13 July 2017.
RESOLVED – That the report be received. |
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Action Fraud Interim Service Provider Waiver Report Document Reference Number: WLOF0052 Report of the Commissioner of Police Minutes: The Committee received a report of the Commissioner of Police regarding the Action Fraud Service.
RESOLVED – That the report be received and the recommendations be approved |
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Action Fraud Hosting Infrastructure Contract Extension 22 August 2017 to 22 January 2018 Document Reference Number: WLOF0050 Report of the Commissioner of Police Minutes: The Committee received a report of the Commissioner of Police updating them on the approval of a waiver to extend the Virgin Media Action Fraud Infrastructure Hosting contract.
RESOLVED – That the report be received. |
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Deloitte Demand and Value for Money Review - Outcome Update Report of Commissioner of Police Minutes: The Committee received a report of the Commissioner of Police providing Members with an update on the outcomes of the Deloitte Demand and Value for Money Review that looked at the balance of resources against current and future demand.
RESOLVED – That the report be received. |
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Demand and Value for Money Review - Short Term Recommendations and Next Steps Report of the Commissioner of Police. Minutes: The Committee received a report of the Commissioner of Police that sought Members’ approval of action on short-term recommendations from the Deloitte Demand and Value for Money Review as outlined within the report.
RESOLVED – That the report be received and the recommendations be approved. |
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Annual Update Rail Delivery Group (RDG) Concessionary Travel Arrangement Report of the Commissioner of Police Minutes: The Committee received a report of the Commissioner of Police that updated Members on the Rail Delivery Group (RDG) Concessionary Travel Arrangement.
RESOLVED – That the report be received. |
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Ring of Steel and Secure City Programme (Formerly One Safe City) Update Report of the Commissioner of Police Minutes: The Committee received a report of the Commissioner of Police that updated them on the Ring of Steel and Secure City Programme (Formerly One Safe City) Update.
RESOLVED – That the report be received.
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Police Accommodation Verbal Update The Police Accommodation Programme Director to be heard Minutes: The Committee heard a verbal update from the City Surveyor on the progress of the Police Accommodation Strategy.
RESOLVED – That the City Surveyor be heard. |
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Commissioner's Updates Commissioner to be heard. Minutes: The Committee heard a verbal update from the Commissioner of Police on the recent activity since the last meeting.
RESOLVED – That the Commissioner be heard. |
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Non-Public Questions on matters relating to the work of the Committee Minutes: There were no questions. |
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Any other business that the Chairman considers urgent and which the Committee agree should be considered whilst the public are excluded Minutes: There were no further non-public business. |