Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from the Chair Deputy James Thomson, Nicholas Bensted-Smith, and Alderman Emma Edhem. In the absence of the Board’s Chair the Deputy Chair took the chair for remainder of the meeting.

There were no declarations received.

To approve the public minutes and non-public summary of the City of London Police Authority Board meeting held on the 30th of June.

The Board considered the draft public minutes and non-public summary of the Police Authority Board meeting held on the 30th of June 2022.

RESOLVED – That the public minutes of the Police Authority Board meeting held on 30th of June be approved as an accurate record.

Joint report of the Town Clerk and Commissioner.

The Board received a joint report of the Town Clerk and the Commissioner on the references outstanding from the last meeting of the Board. 

RESOLVED- That the report be noted.  

To receive the draft public minutes and non-public summary of the Professional Standards and Integrity Committee meeting held on the 25th of May.

The Board received the public minutes and non-public summary of the Resource, Risk & Estates Committee meeting held on the 27th of May. 

The Chair of the Committee drew the Board’s attention to the comments in the minutes that there needed to be an effective establishment which was within budget, that it was considered to be a political priority that the budget is balanced and the concern regarding the Committee’s concern over the City of London Police to adequately plan and execute capital spending projects.  

RESOLVED- That the draft minutes be noted.  

The Board received the draft public minutes and non-public summary of the meeting of the Professional Standards and Integrity Committee held on the 25th of May.

RESOLVED- That the draft minutes be noted.

Report from the Chair.

The Board received the Chair’s public update.

RESOLVED- That the report be noted.

Report of the Commissioner of Police and Chief Officers.

The Board received the City of London Police Commissioner’s public update. 

The Commissioner thanked staff at the City of London Police and the Corporation for their support over the period of extreme weather.  

Following a Member’s commented on the press coverage regarding the response to fraud the Commissioner reassured the Board that there was in a strong position on the Government Supportand with the City of London Police’s contribution including its role as the National Lead Force for Fraud, replacement for Action Fraud and the Economic Crime Victim Care unit. Additionally, the importance of the public convivence in the fraud response system was recognised. 

The Board were informed of the Business Crime Centre and noted that a report with more information on this would be provided at the September meeting.  

RESOLVED- That the report be noted.  

Report of the Commissioner of Police.

The Board considered a report of the Commissioner on the City of London Police Revenue and Capital Outturn 2021/22. 

A Member observed that the Force’s workforce management was improving however there were still concerns over the Force’s management of capital projects. The Board agreed that using reserves to resolve funding gaps was not a long-term solution to systemic issues. 

The Deputy Chair highlighted the letter from the Chair and the Commissioner to the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police regarding the impact of the Metropolitan Police’s pay policy to other forces. Replying to the Deputy Chair’s query it was confirmed that a full assessment of the impact of the national pay increases to the medium-term financial plan would be provided at the next meeting of the Resource, Risk and Estates Committee. 

It was confirmed that the impact of the vacancies on the Policing Plan had been completed and would be monitored going forward.  

RESOLVED- That: - 

                     I.That Members noted the report; and  

                    II.That the proposed allocation of the £2m underspend to the General Reserve, along with the consolidation of other earmarked reserves into General Reserve as highlighted be approved.  

Report of the Remembrancer.

The Board received a report of the Remembrancer regarding the Public Oder Bill.   

Following a Member’s query it was clarified that Officers were not aware of any concerns voiced during the Parliamentary processes at this stage but that it would be confirmed if this understanding was not correct. 

The Board noted that whilst the increased powers in the Bill were a useful tool for public order policing appropriate proportionality and caution in their use was important to maintain positive relationship with the public. 

RESOLVED- That the report be noted.  

Report of the Remembrancer.  

The Board received a report of the Remembrancer regarding the Online Safety Bill.  

The Deputy Chairman noted his concern regarding the delay in progressing the Bill.

A Member suggested that the Force build in measures to combat online safety, as far as was possible, without waiting for the Bill to be approved. In response it was confirmed that actions had been in place to disrupt illegal advertising and prevent online fraud.  

Replying a Member’s concern it was confirmed that the Bill does not create new crimes but identifies them in the online space which, whilst it would increase the Force’s workload in the short term, it will require further training and types of response. Members noted that it was important to place the responsibility on the relevant content provider.  

RESOLVED- That the report be noted.  

There were no questions.

There were no items of 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 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.

Item No.                                Paragraph(s) in Schedule 12A

16, 17, 18, 21, 28                                                     1

14, 15, 19, 20, 22, 23, 24, 27                                 3

To approve the non-public minutes of the City of London Police Authority Board meeting held on the 30th of June.

The Board considered the draft non-public minutes of the Police Authority Board meeting held on the 30th of June 2022.

RESOLVED – That the public minutes of the Police Authority Board meeting held on 30th of June be approved as an accurate record.

Joint Report of the Town Clerk and Commissioner.

The Board received a joint report of the Town Clerk and City of London Police Commissioner on the non-public outstanding references from the last meeting.

RESOLVED- That the report be noted.

The Chair to be heard.

There was no further update from the Chair in the non-public session.

Report of the Commissioner of Police and Chief Officers.

The Board received the Commissioner’s non-public update.  

RESOLVED- That the report be noted.  

Report of the Town Clerk.

To be read in conjunction with a confidential appendix at Item 27.

The Board considered a report of the Town Clerk on the External Member Appointment.

RESOLVED- That the report be approved.

Joint report of the City Surveyor and Commissioner of Police.

The Board received a joint report of the Commissioner and City Surveyor on the Future Police Estate Portfolio funding.  

RESOLVED- That the report be noted. 

Report of the Commissioner of Police.

The Board received a report of the Commissioner on the Annual Health and Safety update.  

RESOLVED- That the report be noted. 

Report of the Commissioner of Police.  

RESOLVED- That the report be withdrawn.

Report of the Commissioner of Police.

RESOLVED- That the report be withdrawn.

Report of the Commissioner of Police.

RESOLVED- That the report be withdrawn.

Report of the Commissioner of Police.

RESOLVED- That the report be withdrawn.

There were no questions.

To receive the draft non-public minutes of the Resource, Risk & Estates Committee meeting held on the 27th of May.

The Board received the non-public minutes of the Resource, Risk & Estates Committee meeting held on the 27th of May. 

RESOLVED- That the draft minutes be noted. 

To receive the draft non-public minutes of the Professional Standards and Integrity Committee meeting held on the 25th of May.

The Board received the draft non-public minutes of the meeting of the Professional Standards and Integrity Committee held on the 25th of May.

RESOLVED- That the draft minutes be noted.

There were no items of urgent business.

Joint report of the City Surveyor and Commissioner of Police.

Circulated separately in the Board’s confidential agenda.

The Board considered a report of the Commissioner on the City of London Police Vehicle Fleet Improvement Programme 2022/23.

RESOLVED- That the report be noted.

To be read in conjunction with Item 18.

Circulated separately in the Board’s confidential agenda.

The Board received the non-public appendix read in conjunction with Item 18.

Resolved- That the report be noted.