Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Nicholas Bensted-Smith.

The Chair Deputy James Thomson made a declaration as a member of the Bridge House Estates Board.

To approve public minutes and non-public summary of previous meeting of the City of London Police Authority Board held on the 25th of January.

The Board considered the public minutes and non-public summary of the Police Authority Board meeting held on the 25th of January 2023.

The Chair requested that minutes be amended to reflect that the Chair’s thanks for assistance with community engagement were specifically for Portsoken Members and to clarify that a Member was in attendance at the last meeting was as an observer.

RESOLVED – That the public minutes and non-public summary of the Police Authority Board meeting held on the 25th of January 2023 be approved as an accurate record. 

Joint report of the Town Clerk and Commissioner.

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

Following the Board’s discussion on this the Director of the Police Authority confirmed that a streamlined governance process would be established for considering the extension of CCTV coverage in the Barbican estate.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

The Board received the draft minutes of the Economic and Cyber Crime Committee and Resource, Risk and Estates Committee.

To receive the draft public minutes and non-public summary of the Economic and Cyber Crime Committee meeting held on the 27th of January.

The Board received the draft minutes of the Economic and Cyber Crime Committee held on the 27^th of January 2023.

RESOLVED- that the report be noted.

To receive the draft public minutes and non-public summary of the Resource, Risk and Estates Committee meeting held on the 1st of February.

To follow.

The Board received the draft public minutes and non-public summary of the Resource, Risk and Estates Committee meeting held on the 1st of February 2023.

RESOLVED- That the report be noted.

Report of the Chair. 

The Board received the Chair’s public update.

The Chair noted that Board was due to consider the appointment of its committees for the upcoming civic year in April and suggested that Members consider which of these committees they may wish to serve.

RESOLVED- That the report be noted. 

Report of the Commissioner.

The Board received the Commissioner’s public update.

In response to the Chair’s query on the use of Chinese made CCTV cameras on the City of London Police estate it was confirmed that there were no such cameras on the estate but that this would continue to be assessed. In addition, it was explained that the Police Authority Director would be confirming if there was any Chinese made CCTV cameras on the City of London Corporation’s estate.

Member’s requested that a glossary of acronyms and operation names be added to these reports for ease of use.

RESOLVED- That the report be noted.

Report of the Commissioner.

The Board received a report of the Commissioner on the Q3 Revenue and Capital Budget Monitoring 2022/23.

The Chair of the Resource, Risk and Estates Committee noted that the Committee had reviewed the report at its last meeting with the workforce planning, capital planning and property charges being the focus of discussions. The Chair questioned the appropriateness of the property charges for the Force. In response Officers confirmed that these charges needed to be budgeted elsewhere in the City Fund and once the property charges were removed this would be contribute to the underspend.

RESOLVED- That the report be noted.

Report of the Commissioner.

The Board considered a report of the Commissioner on the City of London Police Revenue and Capital Budget 2023/24.

The Chair observed that clarity was needed on the delineation of capital projects between those funded by the City of London Police through loan draw down and those with funding from the Home Office.

Replying to a Member’s query the Commissioner confirmed that the report on the Corporate Services review would be finalised for the next meeting of the Board and thanked the external member of the Board for his assistance with this work.

In response to a Member’s query it was confirmed that majority of the Business Rates Premium was allocated to police funding and that an overview of this funding would be provided to the next meeting of the Board.

A Member expressed concern expressed concern that budgetary concerns could impact recruitment standards. Officers confirmed that budgetary concerns would not adversely recruitment standards.

Following the Board’s discussion on the mitigations required in the Budget Officer’s outlined the actions required to reach these mitigations noting that, whilst there was continued some areas of risk which needed to be managed, they were content that these could be achieved. It was noted that there would be further discussions regarding mitigations in the non-public session.

A member of the Board noted that the Home Office uplift requirement meant that the Force and Authority needed to closely consider the relationship between the staffing numbers and budget. Officers informed the Board that the biggest concern regarding the budget was whether the Home Office would continue to underwrite uplift programme in line with inflationary pressures. The Board noted that it was important to consider how best to engage with Home Office on a range of funding concerns.

RESOLVED- That the report be noted.

Report of the Commissioner.

To be considered in conjunction with non-public appendices included at Item 29.

The Board considered a report of the Commissioner on the City of London Police Income Strategy.

Introducing the report Officers explained that the report presented dealt with the principles for the agreements with a further report to deal with the actuals of these fees and charging positions.

The Chair informed the Board that a report detailing proposals for consideration on all of the relevant funding sources would be prepared for the consideration of the Board and the Resource, Risk and Estates Committee.

RESOLVED- That: -

1. The City of London Police Income Strategy be approved; and
2. It be approved that the fees and charges for 2023/24 remain in line with those set by the Metropolitan Police Services, with the exception of those for the Economic Crime Academy which will be set by City of London Police to recover full economic cost.

Report of the Commissioner.

To be read in conjunction with non-public appendices at Item 30.

The Board received a report of the Commissioner which provided the City of London Police Risk Register Update.

The Chair expressed concern regarding risk 09 Failure to deliver on Change Portfolio Plan and lack of staffing in the relevant team. It was confirmed that the prospective staff had been offered positions and were presently being vetted in order they could begin their roles promptly. 

In response to a Member’s query it was explained that the risk register was now produced in the City of London Corporation format to ensure a standardisation of reporting and added that some mitigation actions were included in the non-public session.

RESOLVED- That the report be noted.

Report of the Commissioner.

The Board received a report of the Commissioner on the Draft refresh of the Policing Plan 2022- 2025, for 2023-24.

The Board were informed that the new performance measures had been included in the Policing Plan with further work on how best to appropriately assess performance against these measures. The Chair commented that all performance measures needed to be against this framework.

The Chair observed that it was important that the Policing Plan was appropriately communicated to the public.

A Member suggested that the membership of the Police Authority Board be detailed in the Policing Plan.

RESOLVED- That the report be noted. 

Report of the Commissioner.  

The Board received a report of the Commissioner which provided an update on the Violence against Women and Girls Activity.

The Chair observed that there was a huge amount of good work being undertaken by Officers regarding this area of policy particularly noting Operation Reframe as an example of the Force’s work to support policing the night-time economy. In addition, the Chair commented that it was important that outcomes and not just activity were included in these reports and communicated to stakeholders.

Officers confirmed that the Force was not currently white ribbon accredited and that this accreditation would be pursued expeditiously. The Town Clerk highlighted his role as a white ribbon ambassador and gave his support to the Force following up on this accreditation.

A Member noted the importance of a diverse and representative police force in improving the trust and confidence in policing from women and girls.

The Chair requested that the survey analysis also focus on the work of the City of London Corporation in addition to the City of London Police.

Replying to a query from the Chair, Officers outlined the process for public engagement including joint working with strategic partners.

RESOLVED- That the report be noted.

Report of the Commissioner.

The Board received a report of the Commissioner which provided the Quarterly Equality and Inclusion Update.

In response to a Member’s query on the engagement with children and young it was confirmed that the Force’s dedicated school engagement policy would be addressing this directly.

The Chair commented that it was important to recognised the achievements but also where there was work to be done in this area noting that progression was as important as recruitment when improving the diversity of staff. Officers confirmed that the target was for the City of London Police to be top performer in the diversity of the Force observing that this may take a relatively extended period of time to achieve.

RESOLVED- That the report be noted.

Report of the Commissioner.

The Board received a report of the Commissioner which provided the Quarterly Community Engagement Update.

The Chair noted that the Strategic Planning and Performance Committee had focused on the outcome measures of the Force’s Community Engagement and the need to tailor cluster meetings effectively to the specifics of the ward in question.

Following the Board’s discussion on the engagement plan regarding Cyber Griffin Officers confirmed that the Economic and Cyber Crime Committee received regular reporting on this performance measure and that proposals for offering this service nationally would be brought to the Board once finalised.

RESOLVED- That the report be noted.

Report of the Commissioner.

The Board received a report of the Commissioner regarding the Protect Duty (Martyn’s Law).

In response to a Member’s query it was confirmed that a once full details of the Force and Corporation’s responsibilities under Protect Duty were confirmed a detailed plan would be provided on how to best resource and delivery these responsibilities. The Chair highlighted the importance of proactive action from the Corporation as the local authority and proper communication with business on the relative responsibilities within Duty.

RESOLVED- That the report be noted.

Report of the Town Clerk.

The Board received a report of the Town Clerk on the Crime and Disorder Scrutiny Committee Terms of Reference and Constitution.

The Board commented that this Committee would be a useful body for discussions across various areas across the Corporation and to effectively scrutinising the work of the Safer City Partnership. It was agreed that the Committee needed to meet on a quarterly to properly discharge its scrutiny role.

In response to a Member’s question it was explained that the format of the Committee’s scrutiny was mandated by the relevant legislation but that the methodology would likely be established over time as the Committee begins to meet regularly.

RESOLVED- That the report be noted.

There were no questions.

The Police Authority Board approved the appointment of Ray Eaglesmith to the City of London Police Pensions Board on the recommendation of the Board’s Chairman. 

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

21-32                                      3

To approve non-public minutes of previous meeting of the City of London Police Authority Board held on the 25th of January.

The Board considered the non-public minutes of the Police Authority Board meeting held on the 15th of February 2023.

RESOLVED – That the non-public minutes of the Police Authority Board meeting held on the 15th of February 2023 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 Commissioner on the non-public actions from the previous meeting of the Board.

RESOLVED- That the report be noted.

The Board received the draft minutes of the Economic and Cyber Crime Committee and Resource, Risk and Estates Committee.

To receive the draft non-public minutes of the Economic and Cyber Crime Committee meeting held on the 27th of January.

The Board received the draft non-public minutes of the Economic and Cyber Crime Committee held on the 27^th of January 2023.

RESOLVED- that the report be noted.

.

To receive the draft non-public minutes of the Resource, Risk and Estates Committee meeting held on the 1^st of February.

To follow.

The Board received the draft non-public minutes of the Resource, Risk and Estates Committee meeting held on the 1st of February.

RESOLVED- That the report be noted.

The Chair to be heard.

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

RESOLVED- That the update be noted.

The Commissioner & Chief Officers to be heard.

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

RESOLVED- That the update be noted

Report of the Commissioner.

The Board considered a report of the Commissioner on the City of London Police and Rail Delivery Group Contract Award report.

RESOLVED- That the report be approved.  

Report of the Commissioner.

The Board received a report of the City of London Police Ethnical Partnership Update 2022-23.

RESOLVED- That the report be noted.

Joint report of the Commissioner and City Surveyor.

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

RESOLVED- That the report be noted.

Non-public appendices to be considered in conjunction with Item 10.

The Board received the non-public appendices for Item 10.

RESOLVED- That the appendices be noted.

Non-public appendices to be read in conjunction with Item 11.

The Board received the non-public appendices for Item 11.

RESOLVED- That the appendices be noted.

There were questions in the non-public session.

Report of the Commissioner regarding FCCRAS Delegation to appoint Technical Implementation and Resource Capacity Partner for SIAM Services.

There were was one item of urgent business considered in the non-public session.

The Board received a verbal update in the confidential session.

RESOLVED- That the report be noted.