Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Nick Bensted-Smith and Caroline Addy. Tijs Broeke issued apologies for leaving the meeting early in order to make another City Corporation commitment at 11.30.

The Chair of the Board took this opportunity to issue thanks to Alderman Alison Gowman, who would not be seeking re-election to the Board as her current term ended in April 2021.

Alderman Gowman had given twelve years of service to the Police Authority. Throughout, she had shown total dedication, commitment and has constantly strived for improvement within the Force – bringing about real change, most notably, in terms of police professional standards, ethics and integrity, most notably serving 10 years since 2011 on the Professional Standards and Integrity Committee and serving as Chair for the last 6 years since 2015.

Alderman Gowman had also served as Member of the Performance & Resources Management Committee and Police Accommodation Working Party. She had been the Police Authority’s representative on the Streets & Walkways Sub-Committee and had been the SIA Lead for Human Rights, Equality & Diversity, Public Order and Roads Policing.

Alderman Gowman has been a consistent, fair and objective critical friend to the force and the Chair highlighted four areas of significant contribution:

Ethics & Integrity – as Chair of PSI, Alderman Gowman had been instrumental in strengthening the remit of the Professional Standards Committee – bringing early on in her tenure, the focus on integrity to support the implementation of the Policing Code of Ethics in the Force.

She was a regular attendee of the Force’s own Integrity Standards Board to strengthen the joint focus on this important area.

Alongside this, the Alderman had been a strong champion of the Force’s own work on ethics and supporting their engagement with the London Police Challenge Forum bringing together associates from City, British Transport Police  Met and

There were no declarations.

To agree the public minutes and non-public summary of the City of London Police Authority Board meeting held on 17 February 2021.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on 17 February 2021 be approved as an accurate record.

To receive the draft public minutes and non-public summary of the Economic Crime Committee meeting held on 3 February 2021.

The Board received the draft public minutes and non-public summary of the Economic Crime Committee meeting held on 3 February 2021.

To receive the draft public minutes and non-public summary of the Professional Standards & Integrity Committee meeting held on 5 February 2021.

The Board received the draft public minutes and non-public summary of the Professional Standards & Integrity Committee meeting held on 5 February 2021.

Joint report of the Town Clerk and Commissioner.

The Board considered a report of the Town Clerk which set out Outstanding References from previous meetings of the Board.

• 37/2019/P – There had been an outstanding issue on the doors of the exercise yard and the main fault was due to be resolved in the coming days. There was an unrelated closure of the yard planned in the next week and it was anticipated that the project will have been completed when it re-opened.
• 6/2021/P – the Action Plan to support the Equalities & Inclusion Strategy was undergoing the COLP’s internal governance process. It would then be reported to PS&I and the Board at future meetings.

RESOLVED, that the report be noted.

The Chair to be heard.

The Committee received a verbal update of the Chair.

The Chair continued to have significant engagement with the APCC, with all PCCs up for re-election in May 2021. This included the lead for Fraud, which the Chair explained he would be standing for. With a number of incumbents not seeking reappointment, a reasonable level of turnover in membership was expected. Regardless of the outcome of this election, there was a role for the COLPAB Chair prescribed for within the new APCC Fraud Forum.

A report on Fraud and Cybercrime had been published on 22 February by the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI), within which both the COLP and Police Authority had been referenced.

The Commissioner featured as a keynote speaker at an event on the 1 March for the launch of the RUSI report, which had been very well received.

In the week prior to the Board meeting, the Chair and Commissioner attended the very professional Passing Out ceremony held at Wellington Barracks.

On matters of Governance, the Chair flagged the proposal of incorporating the responsibilities of the Cyber Security Steering Group under the umbrella of the Economic (and Cyber) Crime Committee. The intention was that this would help embed fraud and cyber more closely with the Policy and Mayoralty agenda, and would support a close working between the Force, Innovation and Growth, Mansion House and the Policy Team.

The Chair touched briefly upon the Member turnover expected at the forthcoming annual election of Committees by the Court of Common Council and once again thanked Alderman Gowman for her contribution to the Police Authority Board.

RESOLVED, that the verbal update be noted.

The Commissioner and Chief Officers to be heard.

Members received a verbal update of the Commissioner and Chief Officers.

As a result of the events surrounding the tragic death of Sarah Everard, the City of London Police had commissioned a “health check” review of high risk and vulnerability investigations relating to violence against women and girls.  The findings of the review had identified that investigation standards in this area were compliant with the Victims’ Code and National Crime Reporting Standard.  This high standard of investigation was supported by fortnightly performance reviews across all relevant crime types by the Public Protection Unit.

A review of the Metropolitan Police’s handling of the recent protests at Clapham Common would be undertaken by Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and the Fire and Rescue Service.  The City of London Police had not been part of this operation but continued to participate in joint operations across London, including the weekend resourcing plan which deal with planned and spontaneous protests within London.  It was anticipated that the number of protests would increase during the course of 2021, and the City of London Police met with the Metropolitan Police on a weekly basis to ensure robust plans were in place for joint operations.  In response to a question from a Member, the Commissioner confirmed that under mutual aid agreements, police officers came under the command structure of the force area to which they were deployed.  Accountability for strategic and command decisions rested with the Gold Commander when officers were deployed; however, individual officers remained accountable for how they chose to exercise police powers.  A briefing on how public order operations were conducted was offered to Members following the meeting (8/2021/P).

RESOLVED, that the update be noted.

The Commissioner and Chief Officers to be heard.

Members received a verbal report of the Commissioner and Chief Officers regarding National Lead Force.

Reports of fraud and cyber-crime to Action Fraud continued to increase, particularly in the areas of pandemic, romance and investment fraud which reflected the priorities of the control strategy.  Action Fraud was also tasked with providing victim care and protective messaging and this had been supported by recent national media coverage which helped raised fraud and cyber-crime awareness.  Work to build capacity outside of London was ongoing and included pilot schemes where officers were seconded to other regions to support the proactive management of fraud.  Work was also underway to review tasking processes and updates on this work would be reported to the Economic Crime Committee. 

RESOLVED, that the update be noted.

Report of the Commissioner.

Members considered a report of the Commissioner concerning the Updated City of London Police Revenue Budget 2021/22.

It was noted that the £5.6m of savings had been fully allocated and that there still remained significant risks, particularly around Action Fraud.

The budget did not include the additional funding and costs for Cyber Lead Force roles, but these would net to £0.  It was unclear whether this would also be the case for Fraud posts and Regional Organised Crime Units (ROCUs), but this would be picked up and resolved by officers outside of the meeting.

RESOLVED, that the 2021/22 Revenue Budget as outlined within the report, be approved.

Report of the Commissioner.

Members considered a report of the Commissioner regarding the draft revised Policing Plan 2020-23.

Members were very complimentary of the final product, which appeared and read much better than previous iterations. There were a few very minor amends which would be communicated to officers after the meeting.

RESOLVED, that the Board:

• Approve and adopt the Draft Policing Plan 2020-23 appended to the report as the Policing Plan for the City of London, subject to any further minor amendments agreed by Members and the Commissioner; and

• Agree for the plan to be published on the internet by 31st March 2021.

Report of the Town Clerk.

Members considered a report of the Town Clerk regarding the City of London Police Authority Board’s Diversity and Inclusion Policy Statement.

The Force had adopted its Equalities and Inclusion Strategy in January and hoped to present a considered action plan to the May Professional Standards & Integrity Committee and Board meetings.

The Board was supportive of proposals for Member training.

It was agreed that any interview panels involved in recruiting for the Commissioner, external Members or otherwise should demonstrate diversity.

RESOLVED, that Members

• agree the policy statement set out in Appendix 1 of the report; and

• agree that the implementation of the policy statement and related Tackling Racism Taskforce recommendations (see Appendix 2) be monitored quarterly by the Police Authority’s Professional Standards & Integrity Committee.

Report of the Commissioner.

NB – to be read in conjunction with a non-public appendix.

Members considered a report of the Commissioner regarding the Strategic Communications and Engagement Plan (SCEP).

This document would need to be updated over time as new operations arose and circumstances changed. The two Assistant Commissioners collectively represented all COLP business and would be responsible for driving activity in support of the plan.

There was a call for greater collaboration between the City Corporation and the Force in the document. The Force would work with colleagues in the City Corporation’s Communications Team and in Innovation and Growth Department, to ensure that the reach of the City’s expertise was being taken advantage of.

Members were pleased that work was underway on the SCEP but requested that the next iteration of the report be provided in April 2021, and was to include some means of measuring achievement, with a reflection on the last 12 months as a baseline (9/2021/P).

It was felt that the SCEP could be clearer in referencing how it might work as a tactical tool to assist in the delivery of the strategic objectives of the City Corporation and COLP.

RESOLVED, that the report be noted.

The Town Clerk to be heard.

Members considered a report of the Town Clerk regarding a collection of governance documents.

A Member requested that it would be helpful to have a greater understanding of what Members can expect by way of support and training.

It was noted that the Force had not had an opportunity to input into the role profiles. As a consequence, there were some additional statutory obligations that would need to be added before they could be approved.

RESOLVED, that

• the Special Interest Area (SIA) Guidance Note, COLP Authority Business Plan and COLP Authority Board Risk Register, be approved; and

·         the various role profiles undergo additional consultation before being brought back for final approval (10/2021/P).

Report of the Director of Community & Children’s Services.

Members received the annual Public Health (2019/20) report of the Director of Community & Children’s Services.

RESOLVED, that the report be noted.

There were no questions.

There were no items of urgent business.

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 Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act.

RESOLVED, 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 Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act.

To agree the non-public minutes of the City of London Police Authority Board meeting held on 17 February 2021.

RESOLVED, That the non-public minutes of the meeting held on 17 February 2021 be approved as an accurate record.

To receive the draft non-public minutes of the Economic Crime Committee meeting held on 3 February 2021.

The Board received the draft non- public minutes of the Economic Crime Committee meeting held on 3 February 2021.

To receive the draft non-public minutes of the Professional Standards & Integrity Committee meeting held on 5 February 2021.

The Board received the draft non-public minutes of the Professional Standards & Integrity Committee meeting held on 5 February 2021.

Joint Report of the Town Clerk and Commissioner.

Members received a joint report of the Town Clerk and Commissioner regarding the Board’s non-public outstanding references.

The Chair to be heard.

The Committee received a verbal update of the Chair.

The Commissioner & Chief Officers to be heard.

Members received a verbal update of the Commissioner and Chief Officers.

The Commissioner and Chief Officers to be heard.

Members received a verbal update of the Commissioner and Chief Officers.

The Chair deferred the next item (Transform Programme – Progress Update) to later in the agenda.

Report of the Commissioner.

Members received a report of the Commissioner regarding budget reductions.

Joint report of the Police Authority Treasurer and Commissioner.

Members received a joint report of the Commissioner and Police Authority Treasurer regarding the 2021/22 Budget Context – Workforce & Funding Trends.

Joint report of the Chamberlain and Commissioner.

Members considered a joint Gateway 1-5 report of the Chamberlain and Commissioner regarding the Azure Migration Phase 2 – 2021.

Joint report of the Commissioner and Director of the Built Environment.

Members received a joint Gateway 4C report of the Commissioner and Director of Built Environment regarding the Secure City Programme (SCP) – Video Management System / Video Analytics workstream.

Joint report of the Commissioner and Director of the Built Environment.

Members received a joint report of the Commissioner and Director of Built Environment regarding the Secure City Programme (SCP) – Year 2.

Report of the Commissioner.

Members considered a Gateway 5 report of the Commissioner regarding the COLP Vehicle Fleet – replacement of non-compliant ULEZ vehicles and 2020/21 replacement programme.

Report of the Commissioner.

Members considered a report of the Commissioner regarding the Vehicle Fleet Servicing & Maintenance – Memorandum of Understanding.

Report of the Town Clerk.

Members considered a report of the Town Clerk regarding an update on the funding strategy for legacy and Next Generation Action Fraud/National Fraud Investigation Bureau System.

Report of the Commissioner.

Members received a report of the Commissioner regarding the without prejudice settlement offer regarding all dispute notices currently served on the Action and Know Fraud contract.

Report of the City Surveyor.

Members received a report of the City Surveyor regarding the Middlesex Street, Car Park COLP occupation update.

Report of the Commissioner.

Members considered a report of Commissioner regarding the COLP accommodation strategy: COLP decant update.

It was agreed that item 38 a) would be taken at this point in the agenda.

Joint report of the Commissioner and City Surveyor.

Members received a report of the Commissioner regarding the COLP – Future Police Estate Update.

Report of the Commissioner.

Members considered a report of the Commissioner regarding the national Modern Slavery and Organised Crime Programme S22a Collaboration Agreement.

Report of the Commissioner.

Members received a report of the Commissioner regarding the Transform Programme progress update.

Report of the Commissioner.

NB - Non-public appendix to be read in conjunction with the public report.

Members received the non-public appendix to the Communications and Engagement Strategy.

Report of the Town Clerk.

Members received a report of the Town Clerk regarding Action Taken Between meetings.

There were no questions.

There was one item of urgent business. City of London Police - Future Police Estate Update was taken earlier in the agenda proceedings.

To agree the confidential minutes of the City of London Police Authority Board meeting held on 17 February 2021.

RESOLVED, that the confidential minutes of the meeting held on 17 February 2021, be approved as an accurate record.