Agenda and minutes

Venue: Committee Rooms, 2nd Floor, West Wing, Guildhall

Contact: Polly Dunn  Email: Polly.Dunn@cityoflondon.gov.uk

Items
No. Item

1.

Apologies

Minutes:

Apologies were received from Alderman Professor Emma Edhem, Nicholas Bensted-Smith, Deputy Keith Bottomley, Dawn Wright and Andrew Lentin.

 

Alderman Professor Emma Edhem, Nicholas Bensted-Smith and Deputy Keith Bottomley observed the meeting virtually.

 

Members Helen Fentimen and Michael Mitchell, of  the Board’s Sub-Committees, also observed the meeting virtually.

 

THANKS TO THE CHIEF FINANCE AND OPERATING OFFICER

 

 

It was Cecilie Booth’s final meeting and, on behalf of the Board, the Chair thank Cecilie for all her hard work in her three years in the City. Cecilie joined the City of London Police in January 2019, initially as interim Finance Director before then becoming Chief Operating and Finance Officer on a fixed-term contract.  There was much for Cecilie to be proud of in turning around the Force’s financial management and capability during her time with us. The Police Authority is now significantly more assured about budgeting, forecasting and reporting within the Force and she had worked collaboratively with the Police Authority in developing the Force’s MTFP and other strategic finance outputs.

 

Cecilie instituted a more commercial culture in the Force, helping to identify and drive efficiencies, including exploiting opportunities for income generation and implementing more robust recharging arrangements for the Force’s complex web of funded units.

 

Cecilie moves on with the Board’s thanks and best wishes for the future.

 

THANKS TO THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE

 

The Chair led the Board in its thanks to Ian Dyson who was for the last time in attendance as Commissioner of the City of London Police after an incredible 38 years in policing. Ian joined the Metropolitan Police on 10 October 1983 - aged 22 - after graduating from Leeds University with a BA in History.  Ian then followed in his fathers’ footsteps into policing.

 

Ian joined at a time when the police still policed in tunics,

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 1.

2.

MEMBERS' DECLARATIONS UNDER THE CODE OF CONDUCT IN RESPECT OF ITEMS ON THE AGENDA

Minutes:

There were no declarations.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 2.

3.

Minutes pdf icon PDF 165 KB

To agree the public minutes and non-public summary of the meeting held on 22 November 2021.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 3.

Minutes:

RESOLVED, that the public minutes and non-public summary of the meeting held on 22 November 2021, be approved as an accurate record.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.

4.

Outstanding References pdf icon PDF 79 KB

Joint report of the Town Clerk and Commissioner.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 4.

Minutes:

Members received a joint report of the Town Clerk and Commissioner which set out Outstanding References from previous meetings of the Board.

 

The Metropolitan Police Service lead for the long Covid programme had been supportive of the City of London Police (COLP) participating. However, the wider membership was more reluctant. As a result, COLP were looking into whether there was sufficient internal demand. Members suggested that the Force ensure they liaise with the City Corporation.

 

Cluster panels were due to commence in January 2022 but there needed to be further consultation between the Chair and COLP regarding Member involvement and also wider advertising for the positions.

 

Work on the custody suite was ongoing with general facilities upgrades and maintenance. There had been a planned closure of the CCTV provision to implement part one of the solution and a further closure would be expected in the coming month for the delivery of phase two. The Independent Custody Visitors Panel would be informed of this closure and of the plans to utilise the Brewery Street facilities of the British Transport Police.


RESOLVED, that the report be noted.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

5.

Chair's Public Update

The Chair to be heard.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 5.

Minutes:

Members received a verbal update of the Chair.

 

The Chair would represent the Acting Commissioner at a parliamentary event on fraud alongside the Commander for Economic & Cyber Crime.

 

The Chair was working with the Media Team and Remembrancer’s Department to engage fully on the Online Safety Bill – this included a feature within the Telegraph.

 

An update was given on proposals for the Business Rate Premium (BRP) uplift. As reported to a recent meeting of the Finance Committee, a rise of .4p would bridge the MTFP gap as modelled by the Police Authority Treasurer/Chamberlain. Members did not think this was a request that could wait until after the forthcoming elections but noted discussions were ongoing as to when this could be implemented and whether that would be in one step or over a few years.

 

Members were unanimous in their support for a .4p uplift in the BRP and wished to put a resolution to the Finance Committee to this effect. They were content for the final wording of the resolution to be agreed by the Chair, Deputy Chair and Chair of the Resource, Risk & Estates Committee (RREC) following the finance bi-lateral meetings (taking place between the Force, Chamberlain’s Department and Chairs and Deputy Chairs of relevant Committees).

 

RESOLVED, that

 

·         The update be noted and;

·         A resolution be put to the Finance Committee supporting the case for .4p uplift in the BRP, the final wording of which to be agreed between the Chair and Deputy Chair of the Board and the Chair of RREC.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

6.

Commissioner's Update

Commissioner & Chief Officers to be heard.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 6.

Minutes:

Members received a verbal update of the Commissioner.

 

Thanks were echoed for Ian Dyson and Cecilie Booth.

 

The Christmas Campaign (Operation Illuminate) was well underway and proving successful. There had been a 26% reduction in crime from the week prior, which had marked the end of a steady increase. A staffing review conducted half way through the campaign determined that the Force maintain the original levels of resource in order to sustain the results. There had been participation from across the Force including the highest number of specials ever recorded for a shift (14).

 

Work on the MTFP was ongoing alongside continued focus on the accommodation programme. There was a good dialogue across departments so whilst there were still challenges to overcome there were assurances that officers were engaging across the Force and City Corporation.

 

RESOLVED, that the update be noted.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

7.

National Lead Force

Commissioner & Chief Officers to be heard.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 7.

Minutes:

Members received a verbal update of the Commissioner.

 

The Online Safety Bill was to be published on Tuesday 14 December alongside an online press briefing later that day.

 

RESOLVED, that the update be noted.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

8.

Progress report Draft Policing Plan 2022 pdf icon PDF 169 KB

Report of the Commissioner.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 8.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Members received a report of the Commissioner regarding progress on the draft Policing Plan 2022.

 

The Commissioner confirmed that the plan itself would be simplified as much as possible but acknowledged that it was unavoidably complex as COLP have both local and national responsibilities. It was deemed important to only have one plan to ensure the whole Force could see themselves captured within it.

 

Comments were encouraged from Members and could be fed into the process vcia the report author or clerk.

 

The Police Authority Team and Force needed to address the sequencing of the next phases of consultation and committee reporting (33/2021/P).

 

The Force wished to strengthen some of the KPIs and accompanying measurements within the Plan. They also highlighted the importance of being clear what were local and what were national responsibilities.

 

RESOLVED, that the report be noted.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

9.

Provisional City of London Police Revenue and Capital Budget 2022/23 pdf icon PDF 357 KB

Report of the Commissioner.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 9.

Minutes:

Members received a report of the Commissioner regarding the provisional City of London Police Revenue and Capital Budget 2022/23.

 

Members sought clarity in the reporting that distinguished income/expenditure based on whether it was from central and funded units, third-party sources or the Business Rates Premium etc.

 

There were ongoing concerns about the need for staff reductions which it was felt might lead to changes in service delivery. This was, however, unavoidable for the levels of savings that needed to be made.

 

The Chamberlain felt that when communicating to other committees, the Board needed to emphasise the situation the Force finds itself in will prevail for some time. Proposals for three-year plans should be made as the short termism could fetter the Force.

 

RESOLVED, that the report be noted.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 9.

10.

Questions on matters relating to the work of the Board

Minutes:

There were no questions.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 10.

11.

Any other business that the Chair considers urgent

Minutes:

There were no items of urgent business.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 11.

12.

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 Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 12.

Minutes:

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.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 12.

13.

Non-Public Minutes

To agree the non-public minutes of the meeting held on 22 November 2021.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 13.

Minutes:

RESOLVED, that the non-public minutes of the meeting held on 22 November 2021, be approved as an accurate record.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 13.

14.

Non-Public Outstanding References

Joint Report of the Town Clerk and Commissioner.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 14.

Minutes:

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

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 14.

15.

Chair's Non-Public Update

The Chair to be heard.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 15.

Minutes:

16.

Commissioner's Updates

The Commissioner & Chief Officers to be heard.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 16.

Minutes:

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

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 16.

17.

National Lead Force

Commissioner & Chief Officers to be heard.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 17.

Minutes:

There was no further update.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 17.

18.

City of London Police Transform TOM update

Report of the Commissioner.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 18.

Minutes:

This item was withdrawn.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 18.

19.

GW3-4: Secure City Programme (SCP) - CCTV & Telecommunications Workstream

Joint report of the Commissioner and Director of Built Environment.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 19.

Minutes:

Members received a joint report of the Commissioner and Director of Environment regarding the Secure City Programme (SCP) CCTV & Telecommunications Workstream.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 19.

20.

Report of Action Taken Between Meetings

Report of the Town Clerk.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 20.

Minutes:

Members received a report of the Town Clerk regarding the report of action taken between meetings.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 20.

21.

Non-Public Questions on matters relating to the work of the Board

Minutes:

There were no questions.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 21.

22.

Any other business that the Chair considers urgent and which the Board agrees should be considered whilst the public are excluded

Minutes:

There were no items of urgent business.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 22.

23.

GW1-4: Covert Surveillance Equipment - Replacing end of Life equipment

Report of the Commissioner.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 23.

Minutes:

Members considered a report of the Commissioner regarding Covert Surveillance Equipment – replacing end of life equipment.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 23.

24.

City of London Police's Target Operating Model: Police staff establishment and its alignment to City of London Corporation's Organisational Design principles

Report of the Commissioner.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 24.

Minutes:

Members considered a report of the Commissioner regarding the City of London Police's Target Operating Model: Police staff establishment and its alignment to City of London Corporation's Organisational Design principles.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 24.

25.

Proposals for the Organisational Design of the Police Authority Team

Report of the Town Clerk.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 25.

Minutes:

Members considered a report of the Town Clerk regarding proposals for the Organisational Design of the Police Authority Team.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 25.