Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Alderman Tim Hailes, Andrew Lentin and Munsur Ali. Deborah Oliver issued apologies but was observing the meeting remotely.

Nick Bensted-Smith issued apologies in advance of the meeting for his lateness.

The Commissioner had given notice of his apologies in order to attend the funeral of James Brokenshire, former Cabinet Minister who was also twice Security Minister with responsibility for overseeing the work of the City Police’s National Lead Force capability alongside its Police Authority. The Chair led Members of the Board in sending its deepest condolences to his family and recorded their thanks for all he did during his work to support the City and national policing.

There were no declarations.

To agree the public minutes and non-public summary of the meeting held on 19 September 2021.

RESOLVED – That the public minutes and non-public summary of the meeting held on 23 September 2021, be approved as an accurate record.

Joint report of the Town Clerk and Commissioner.

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

RESOLVED, that the report be noted.

To receive the draft public minutes and non-public summary of the Professional Standards & Integrity Committee meeting held on 8 September 2021.

RESOLVED, that the draft public minutes and non-public summary of the Professional Standards & Integrity Committee meeting held on 8 September 2021, be noted.

The Chair to be heard.

Members received an update of the Chair on the following matters:

·         The Chair started by recording the Board’s shock following the fatal stabbing of Sir David Amess. The City has reviewed security arrangements for MPs living or visiting the City and the Assistant Commissioner would be providing further information later in the meeting.

·         Following the murder of Sarah Everard, the Chair had written to the Force with the support of the Deputy Chair of the Board and the Chair and Deputy Chair of the Professional Standards & Integrity Committee.  Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) had been given the highest of priorities across forces as well as within the APCC. The Chair expected it to feature fully in the City’s Policing Plan as work in this area develops.

·         HMICFRS had been tasked with vetting and professional standards within a thematic inspection and the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) had identified their own internal review into standards. The NPCC had expressed some concerns about possible cross-over and duplication of effort across these various bits of work, in addition to the likely internal reviews within forces. Noting this, the Chair had been clear that the City of London Police must not delay reviewing possible changes to operating policy, recruiting, vetting and disciplinary action.

·         The Chair had asked the Force to provide an interim report on their work, which featured under agenda item 13. Considerations include how plain clothed officers should be behaving when arresting people (be that on or off duty). Guidance has come out from the MPS that will apply the three forces that police London. This included arrangements for the detainment and transport of women and vulnerable persons, how patrols may achieve a 50/50 gender balance over the course of the current policing plan. The initial implementation of this would commence with

Commissioner & Chief Officers to be heard.

Members received an update from the Commissioner regarding the following matters:

·         There had been NPCC call-ins on safety and security of MPs following the death of Sir David Amess.

·         Two new Assistant Commissioners had been appointed to the City of London Police and would be joining toward the end of the year.

·         On the Policing Plan and Force Strategy – there was a legislative requirement to produce an annual policing plan. Assistant Commissioner McLaren, who had been appointed to take over as Commissioner, informed Members that she would be taking the opportunity of new management and the post-pandemic to redraft the Corporate Plan and rename it the ‘Policing Strategy’. This would be brought forward to Members in due course.

·         The Chair noted that he had discussed with the Assistant Commissioner how the Force might get a similar level of engagement on national policing priorities as it did with local policing.

RESOLVED, that the update be noted.

Commissioner & Chief Officers to be heard.

Members received an update of the Commissioner regarding NLF.

It had been a busy time with efforts being made to develop a strong working relationship with HMICFRS, involving them as the Force carried out its NLF duties. The Programme Board would have an representative from HMICFRS observing meetings on a regular basis.

RESOLVED, that the update be noted.

Members received two reports of the Commissioner regarding Equality and Inclusion highlights.

The Chair advised that the two reports should be considered alongside item 10: Staff Survey 2020 update.

It was clarified that the supplementary report (9b) had been submitted in response to the negative press release made in response to the Inclusive Employers Survey. Since the report was published, it was noted that the Force had met five of the 16 recommendations, with 11 outstanding.

Members were keen to maintain momentum and develop clear KPIs to ensure progress is made. Greater community engagement was sought, with quality events being planned so we can then have something positive to report on outside the Force.

It was felt that there were a number of strands of work, such as that of the Tackling Racism Taskforce, that could be drawn together into one comprehensive action plan. The Force confirmed there was a consolidated action plan, which it could bring to the Professional Standards & Integrity Committee (23/2021/P).

In order to prevent a fatigue amongst staff and officers, whilst surveys should be more regular they should be joined up into one good annual survey, with findings directly driving the action plan.

There was a request that the Force consider implementing a policy to combat ‘banter’, to ensure there was a framework around this behaviour that empowers people to speak out against it. This led to discussion on macho culture and how the participation of men in workshops with female employees would help them understand the impact of actions they may have considered harmless. This would be educational and may lead to modified behaviour.

A question was raised on the perception of unfair treatment, with unsatisfactory behaviour and performance, might be tracked and sensibly monitored. This included transparency on process on promotions. It

Report of the Commissioner.

Report of the Commissioner.

Report of the Commissioner.

Members received a report of the Commissioner regarding the Staff Survey 2020 update. Substantive discussion on this report had taken place under item 9 on the agenda.

Members expressed concern over actions shown as ‘Ongoing’ and noted that some of the actions were shown for conclusion in September 2021.

The Assistant Commissioner was looking to address the rhythm of surveys, to be underpinned by regular ongoing conversations with employees. Members requested sight of the plan for the heartbeat of surveys and discussion with the Police Authority Team would decide what Committees they may need to be shared with (25/2021/P).

RESOLVED, that the report be noted.

Report of the Commissioner.

Members received a report of the Commissioner regarding the quarterly community engagement update.

In future the report will go to SPPC then flow up to the Board.

There was discussion on anti-social behaviour (ASB), specifically skateboarding and cycling. Enforcement in this area was difficult but confiscations of scooters had increased. Officers would issue a first warning, which would escalate to confiscation in cases where the individuals concerned were being stopped for a second time. Lease hire vehicles were registered and had identifying numbers, but those users were not the problem. The most effective way of tackling ASB was to be present when it was occurring. COLP often have to risk assess the pursuit of any persons that did not stop when directed. It was felt that a small impact had been made as people were abandoning scooters on sight of officers.

There was a question raised about what qualified as ‘inconsiderate behaviour’. Due to the classifications provided in the CAD crime and reporting system, a more detailed breakdown would require much more resource and as this is a Home Office recording classification the Force was tied by this.

Thanks were issued to the IASG, particularly the Chair, for their commitment and engagement as a critical friend on the Covid Gold Group.

Following a question about the spiking of people via injections, officers confirmed they were aware of the media reports but had not yet seen any of this behaviour reported in the City.

RESOLVED, that the report be noted.

Report of the Commissioner.

Members received a report of the Commissioner regarding the City of London Police volunteer Cadets.

For the first-year’s intake diversity objectives had already been met, with a make up of 60% female and 55% BAME. This would really help in future to diversify the workforce of COLP.

There were many advantages to the programme, including the promotion of good citizenship, career opportunities, contributing to the community and assistance with ceremonial events.

A funding plan had been provided within the report and Members were pleased to note the support from livery companies, who had pledged commitment over the next three years.

From the previous programmes, approximately 30% of cadets progressed into a career within regular policing, with even more signing up for the special constabulary. 

Going forward, updates regarding the volunteer cadets would be reported to the Board on an annual basis.

RESOLVED, that the report be noted.

Report of the Commissioner.

Members received a report of the Commissioner regarding Violence against Women and Girls (VAWG).

The Assistant Commissioner acknowledged the strength of feeling following the murder of Sarah Everard. The Force was shocked, disappointed and angered. She hoped that as a service and as a community, that if properly addressed, policing would come out of this in a better position. This was a national policing priority.

A fuller report on actions the Force was taking would come to the SPPC, PSIC and the Board in February 2022 (28/2021/P). Thanks were issued to the Force for providing the interim report in such short order.

From the outset, consideration should be made for how online abuse is dealt with. This was not only a significant area for harassment but could also assist with the prediction of when online abuse will tip into real life. In some cases, women had been driven offline completely, which was a colossal impediment to living in the 21^st Century.

It was clear that this particular area work would not include violence against men. Although it was recognised that there were other areas of policing that were of significant importance, including homophobia. A vulnerability steering group were picking up violent crime more broadly, but the reporting on VAWG needed to not be lost in this wider work.

The City’s own reports of VAWG were smaller in number due to the demographics within the City and so responses to them were comprehensive and thorough.

The City of London Police had been, and continued to be, involved with the Ask Angela Campaign through the Safer City Partnership. Funding in this area had been applied for by the Force and by the City Corporation through the licensing function. 

Conversation linked back to previous discussions on banter and toxic working

Report of the Town Clerk.

Members received a report of the Town Clerk regarding the ICV Annual Report 2020-21.

The name on the report should be corrected to Godfrey Baillon-Bending, not the Chair of the Authority Board. Thanks were given to Mr Baillon-Bending and to Deputy Keith Bottomley for their work in this area.

Deputy Keith Bottomley, as the lead for Safeguarding on the Board, in turn thanked the custody visitors who stepped up to their public service duty throughout the pandemic.

There were ongoing issues with the new exercise yard which had mostly been resolved. However, there were reports of leaks in heavy rain in some of the cells and inadequate CCTV footage. There was also a slight concern for the consistency of resourcing.

The Force confirmed that more focus line-management had been implemented for the custody suite through the implementation of Transform with it now reporting to the Supt Head of Criminal Justice. The Force also confirmed resourcing issues had been addressed with the introduction of a dedicated Custody Cadre.

It was agreed that the Force would check on the CCTV issues to establish whether its an issue with the technology or an issue of coverage. Officers also acknowledged that it was unacceptable to be detained in cells that were leaking and confirmed that should this be the case, detainees would be moved. The matter would be taken up with City Surveyors (26/2021/P).

Work continued through the Safer City Partnership on how to ensure COLP did not become a service of last resort.

It was requested that a letter of thanks be issued on behalf of the Board to the Chair of the ICV Panel and the Custody visitors (27/2021/P).

Report of the Town Clerk.

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

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 and of the meeting held on 19 September 2021.

RESOLVED, that the non-public minutes of the meeting held on 23 September 2021, be approved as an accurate record.

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.

To receive the draft non-public minutes of the Professional Standards & Integrity Committee meeting held on 8 September 2021.

Members received the draft non-public minutes of the Professional Standards & Integrity Committee meeting held on 8 September 2021.

The Chair to be heard.

The Chair provided no further update.

The Commissioner & Chief Officers to be heard.

Members received a verbal update of the Commissioner.

Commissioner & Chief Officers to be heard.

Members received a verbal update from the Commissioner.

Joint report of the Commissioner and Police Authority Treasurer.

Members considered a joint report of the Commissioner and Police Authority Treasurer regarding the COLP Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP) 2022-2026 Mitigation Proposals.

Report of the Chamberlain.

Members received a report of the Chamberlain regarding The NPCC Cybercrime Programme National Framework Agreement for the Provision of Cryptocurrency Storage and Realisation Services - increase in contract value.

Report of the City Surveyor.

Members received a report of the City Surveyor regarding the Police Accommodation Strategy: Phase 3G Mounted Unit.

There were no questions.

There were no items of urgent business.

To agree the confidential minutes of the meeting held on 19 July 2021.

RESOLVED, that the confidential minutes of the meeting held on 19 September 2021, be approved as an accurate record.

Report of the Town Clerk.

Members received a verbal update of the Director of the Police Authority Team regarding the Target Operating Model (TOM).