Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from the Chair Deputy James Thomson. In the absence of the Chair the Deputy Chair took the Chair for the meeting.

There were no declarations of interest made.

To agree the draft public minutes and non-public summary of the Police Authority Board meeting held on the 28th of June.

The Board considered the draft public minutes and non-public summary of the previous meeting of the Police Authority Board on the 28^th of June 2023.

RESOLVED – That the draft public minutes of the previous meeting of the Police Authority Board on the 28^th of June 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 which set out the Outstanding References from the previous meeting of the Board.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

Report of the Chair.

The Board received the Chair’s public update.

The Deputy Chair highlighted to the Board the Home Secretary’s visit to the City of London Police on the 17^th of July. Following a Member’s query it was confirmed that the visit concentrated on counter terrorism and specifically a demonstration of Operation Servator.

The Deputy Chair updated the Board on a meeting he had attended between representatives of London boroughs and Baroness Casey and encouraged Members to circulate the advertisement for the external members of the Board’s committees, once finalised, to any individuals interested in these positions.  

Responding to a Member’s query it was confirmed that the next passing out parade would be held on the 30^th of September and that all Members of the Board would be invited.

RESOLVED- That the report be noted.

Report of the Commissioner.

The Board received the Commissioner’s public update.

The Board discussed the trial of the City of London Police cycle team which began on the 26th June 2023 will continue for the next 3 months. The Board commented on the positive perception of the cycle teams by City residents and workers as the issue of cyclist and e-scooter users behaviour was a concern for these groups. Further to this a Member highlighted that a Wardmote resolution regarding this issue had been received by the Planning and Transportation Committee but should also be received by Police Authority Board to note the enforcement considerations. A Member observed that it was important to ensure that a coordinated response on this issue. Members further expressed the view that the Force should consider making the cycle team a permanent measure. In response to these views Officers explained that the measures need to be assessed as to whether the continuation of the Cycle Team represents an effective return on resources. In addition, Officers agreed that at coordinated response was required and added that the Safer City Partnership would be addressing this issue. Officers also undertook to produce a report for the Board regarding the Force’s Cyle Team. ACTION

The Board were informed of the associated communications plan regarding the Force’s work to policing the behaviour e-scooters and cycling.

RESOLVED- That the report be noted

Report of the Commissioner.

The Board received a report of the Commissioner which provided the City of London Police Uplift Programme Closure report.

The Deputy Chair observed that it was important to see the impact of the officer uplift numbers in the policing of the City of London.

The Board noted the issues regarding the officer retention. Officers explained the factors influencing the retention of officers and the mitigations being utilised, noting that the need to improve this further was recognised.

Replying to Member’s concern it was confirmed that there would be no relaxing of any vetting standards in the police uplift programme and reaffirmed the view that vetting remained the first line of defence in ensuring inappropriate individuals do not  enter the Force.

The Deputy Chair’s requested further information on the impact of the uplift programme to the diversity of the Force. Responding to this Officers explained that was an increase from fifty-seven to nighty eight in officers from an ethnic minority background representing a seventy two percent increase and an increase from hundred and eighty-two to two hundred thirty-seven female officers representing a thirty one percent increase. In was added that whilst there was progress in the diversity of the Force lessons learnt from both recruitment and retention would be considered to continue improvement.

Resolved- That the report be noted.

Report of the Remembrancer.

The Board received a report of the Remembrancer regarding the Public Order Act.

The Deputy Chair noted that the Public Order Act included controversial powers and requested information on the Force’s policy regarding the policing of protest. Officers explained that the Force would be working partners to ensure best practice and key learnings on the policing of protest adding that the new legislation provided key clarification on the application of section 12.

A Member highlighted the controversy regarding the policing of the king’s coronation noting that there was a difficult balance to achieve in practice when policing protests. The Deputy Chair requested that the Force update on the impact of the Public Order Act in the autumn. ACTION

Resolved- That the report be noted.

There were no questions.

Report of the Town Clerk Police Authority Director Programme Funding.

The Board received a report of the Town Clerk on the Police Authority programme funding.

Resolved- That the report be noted.

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

12-21, excluding 15                                3

15                                                          3 and 7

To agree the draft non-public minutes summary of the Police Authority Board meeting held on the 28th of June.

The Board considered the draft non-public minutes of the previous meeting of the Police Authority Board on the 28^th of June 2023.

RESOLVED – That the draft non-public minutes of the previous meeting of the Police Authority Board on the 28^th of June 2023 be approved as an accurate record.

The Chair to be heard.

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

The Commissioner to be heard.

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

Report of the Commissioner.

The Board considered a report of the Commissioner on the Fraud and Cyber Crime Reporting and Analysis Service Delegation to extend the existing Contracts.

Resolved- That the report be approved.  

Report of the Bridge House Estates Managing Director.  

The Board received a report of the Bridge House Estates Managing Director which provided Updated Corporate Charities Review Recommendations for the City Of London Police Widows and Orphans Fund (208175) and the Vickers Dunfee Memorial Benevolent Fund (238878).

Resolved- That the report be noted.

Report of the Commissioner.

The Board received a report of the Commissioner on the City of London Police Health, Safety and Wellbeing Annual Performance Update 2022-23.

Resolved- That the report be noted.

Report of the City Surveyor.  

The Board received a joint report of the City Surveyor and Commissioner on Middlesex Street Car Park Middlesex Street.

Resolved- That the report be noted.

There were no questions.

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

The Board considered one item of business in the confidential session.

RESOLVED- That the item be approved.