Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Nicholas Bensted-Smith, Simon Duckworth, Emma Edhem and Christopher Hayward.

There were no declarations

To agree

The Committee considered the minutes from the last meeting, held on 25 January 2018.

The Chairman noted that there was an error of repetition to be amended under Item 5 – Revenue and Capital Budgets 2018-19.  A Member also noted that the minutes referred to the discussion of a Premium Rate rise in 2020, when in fact it should have been recorded as a proposed rise in 2019.  The Town Clerk confirmed that these amendments would be made.

A Member asked what the outcome of the annual public Ratepayers’ Meeting had been.  The Commissioner explained that the Chairman of Finance had mentioned a possible rise of the Premium Rate the following year.

RESOLVED – That the minutes be approved.

To receive

The Committee received the minutes from the last meeting of the Performance and Resource Management Sub-Committee, held on 1 February 2018.

The Chairman of the Sub-Committee explained that there had been a meeting between the Town Clerk, Chamberlain, Commissioner and himself to discuss proposals for future reporting to the Sub-Committee, as referenced at Item 4 – Outstanding References, with a sight to informing the Grand Committee on matters relating to:

       i.        Financial Performance and Budgets

      ii.        Demand and Value for Money

     iii.        Major Projects/Programmes

The Chairman of the Sub-Committee explained that there was detailed discussion on the Chamberlain’s report submitted to the Audit and Risk Management Committee around Police Funding Risk (CR23).  He explained that there was now an improved collaborative working relationship between the City of London Police and the Chamberlain’s department.  The Chairman agreed and illustrated his approval of this.

The Chairman of the Audit and Risk Management Committee explained that the Chamberlain’s report on the Programme Management of the City of London Police would be on the agenda at their next meeting, at the request of one of its Members co-opted to the Performance and Resource Management Sub-Committee.

RESOLVED – That the minutes be received.

To receive

The Committee received the minutes from the last meeting of the Economic Crime Board, held on 2 February 2018.

RESOLVED – That the minutes be received.

Report of the Town Clerk.

The Committee considered a report of the Town Clerk which summarised the outstanding actions from previous meetings.

OR4 – Medium Term Financial Plan Report

The Chairman requested that the MTFP Report be submitted to the next meeting of the Performance and Resource Management Sub-Committee on 26 April 2018, and then the following Police Committee on 24 May 2018. (1)

OR3 – Premium Increase

The Chairman requested that the note be submitted to the next meeting of Policy & Resources Committee by its publication deadline on Wednesday 7 March 2018. (2)

RESOLVED – That the report be received.

Report of the Town Clerk

The Committee received a report of the Town Clerk that requested Members’ approval of the Committee’s Terms of Reference for the ensuing year.

A Member noted an error under paragraph 4a, where the word “and” required omission.

RESOLVED – That the Terms of Reference be approved, pending the correction of the error highlighted at paragraph 4a.

Joint report of the Chamberlain and the Commissioner of Police

[This report was not available at the time of publication and will be circulated separately]

The Committee received a joint report of the Chamberlain and the Commissioner that provided Members with an overview of the year-end financial position of the City of London Police at Q3.

The Commissioner explained that there was a comprehensive workforce plan in place but conceded that predicting numbers of staff exiting to other Forces remained a challenge.

A Member asked for clarification of whether the repayments from the National Counter Terrorism Policing Headquarters (NCTPHQ) referenced in paragraph five were received or not.  The Commissioner confirmed that the payments were indeed received, but were awaiting clearance.

A Member asked for confirmation that the confidential report mentioned in the table in Appendix 1 had been submitted to the Police Committee.  It was confirmed that this was submitted to Members in 2017.

A Member explained that it would be useful to have a document that illustrated how Police funding is calculated between the Chamberlain’s department and the City of London Police, including the allocation of grants.  He noted that it was often the case that elements of the budget appeared to come as a surprise.

A Member asked the Chamberlain if the Local Authority accounts were accounted on an accruals basis or a cash basis, and the Chamberlain confirmed that the Finance team were recording on an accruals basis.

The Chamberlain explained that if there was an underspend leading to an additional contribution to the general reserve this year, then this could be used in the following year.  He explained that the resilience of the Police finance function remained a concern and illustrated that there was a lack of confidence in the figures.  The Chairman noted his comments and stated that the lack of confidence was concerning.

The Commissioner explained that the CoLP would welcome increased transparency on their budgets in

Report of the Commissioner of Police

The Committee considered a report of the Commissioner of Police that presented the revised draft Policing Plan 2017-20, updated for the 2018/19 financial year.

A Member illustrated his approval of the plan and requested that infographics be provided in digital formats to supplement the report and aid to Members’ understanding.  The Commissioner agreed, explaining that they had been exploring possible options in such formats.

The Chairman reiterated that the perception issue relating to Anti-Social Behaviour remained.

RESOLVED – That Members agree:

              i.        To adopt the Draft Policing Plan 2017-20 (updated for the 2018/19 financial year); and

             ii.        That the plan is to be published on the internet by 31st March 2018.

Report of the Commissioner of Police

The Committee received a report of the Commissioner of Police that presented the Corporate Plan 2018-23 of the City of London Police.

The Commissioner explained that there was a desire to ensure that the Corporate Plan remained linked closely with the strategic direction set out within Policing Plan.

The Commissioner explained that the Police had been proactive in seeking out opportunities, and that a plan for delivery would follow once funding arrangements had been finalised.

The Commissioner advised that the aim was to publish the Corporate Plan 2018-23 on 1 April 2018.

RESOLVED – That the report be received.

The Committee heard verbal updates from the leads of Special Interest Areas.

Alderman Alison Gowman to be heard.

The Committee heard a verbal update from the Special Interest Area Lead for Road Safety and Casualty Reduction.

The SIA Lead explained that the Chairman of Planning had been working in collaboration with the Commissioner on some initiatives in this area recently.

The SIA Lead advised Members that a change in protocol meant that no penalty notices would be issued by Police Officers on the street from now onwards.  This would allow for more consistent decision making to be made following due consideration of an initial incident report.

The SIA Lead explained that there had been a significant effort to improve education in Road Safety, particularly around the Bike Safe campaign.

The SIA Lead explained that the Road Safety Reduction Plan was available in the public domain.  The plan utilised Project Servator, and increased manpower available in traffic enforcement.

The SIA Lead explained that there was a shortage of forensic officers available to investigate Road Traffic Accidents.  She raised the concern that outsourcing these roles to the Metropolitan Police would lead to longer road closures.  However, she also confirmed that a new Member of staff had begun in January.

RESOLVED – That the SIA Lead be heard.

Simon Duckworth to be heard

The SIA Lead for Economic Crime/Fraud was unable to attend the meeting and this item was omitted.

Andrew Lentin to be heard

This item was deferred to a later date, pending introductions between the Member and the Force lead.

The Committee heard a verbal update from the SIA Lead for Anti-Social Behaviour and Community Engagement.

The SIA Lead explained that there were still perception issues relating to the change in ASB recording, and that consistency was being sought.  She explained that there had been a reduction in Ambulance call-outs over the Christmas period.

The SIA Lead advised that the City had identified the requirement for a Corporate ASB Strategy.  The Assistant Commissioner confirmed that possible improvements around joint working with the Community Safety Team were being investigated.

The Chief Superintendent explained that a deep dive investigation into Anti-Social Behaviour had been commissioned.

RESOLVED – That the SIA Lead be heard.

There were no questions.

The Committee received copies of thankyou letters sent to the Police Authority in response to the Police Property Act Fund donations made.

The Chairman explained that he had recently attended the Passing Out Parade and recommended that any Members do so if they get the opportunity in the future.

A Member explained that they would also be attending the swearing in of new transferees and Specials in March/April.  A second Member requested that the dates for the swearing-in ceremony be circulated to Members.  (5)

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 Committee considered the non-public minutes from the last meeting, held on 25 January 2018. 

RESOLVED – That the non-public minutes be approved.

To receive

The Committee considered the non-public minutes from the last meeting of the Performance and Resource Management Sub-Committee, held on 1 February 2018. 

RESOLVED – That the non-public minutes be approved.

To receive

The Committee considered the non-public minutes from the last meeting of the Economic Crime Board, held on 2 February 2018.

RESOLVED – That the non-public minutes be approved.

Report of the Town Clerk

The Committee received a report of the Town Clerk that summarised the non-public outstanding actions from previous meetings.

RESOLVED – That the report be received.

Report of the Commissioner of Police

The Committee received a report of the Commissioner of Police relating to the National Enabling Programme

RESOLVED – That the recommendations be approved.

Report of the Commissioner of Police

The Committee received a report of the Commissioner of Police relating to the National Enabling Programme

RESOLVED – That the recommendations be approved.

Report of the Town Clerk and the Commissioner of Police

This item was moved to the Members only session, following Item 25

Report of the Commissioner of Police

The Committee received a report of the Commissioner of Police that sought Members approval of changes to the Rail Delivery Group (RDG) Concessionary Travel Arrangement.

RESOLVED – That the recommendations be approved.

Report of the Commissioner of Police

The Committee considered a report of the Commissioner of Police relating to the Action and Know Fraud Centre.

RESOLVED – That the recommendations be approved.

Report of the Commissioner of Police

The Committee considered a report of the Commissioner of Police relating to the Action and Know Fraud Centre.

RESOLVED – That the recommendations be approved.

Report of the Commissioner of Police

The Committee received a report of the Commissioner of Police that provided Members with an update on the Police Accommodation Strategy.

RESOLVED – That the report be received.

Report of the Commissioner of Police

The Committee considered a report of the Commissioner of Police relating to the Police Accommodation Strategy.

RESOLVED – That the recommendations be approved.

Commissioner to be heard.

The Committee heard a verbal update from the Assistant Commissioner summarising the latest developments of the CoLP since the last meeting, held on 25 January 2018.

RESOLVED – That the Commissioner be heard.

The Chairman made a request to the Commissioner of Police for information to be brought to the next meeting.

There were no items of urgent business.