Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Doug Barrow, James Tumbridge and Deputy Philip Woodhouse.

There were none.

To agree the public minutes and non-public summary of the meeting held on 16 November 2020.

RESOLVED, that – the public minutes and non-public summary of the meeting held on 16 November 2020 be agreed as a correct record.

Matters arising:

The Chairman noted that the strategic communication and engagement plan would be addressed in the Assistant Commissioner’s Public Update.

The Chairman to be heard.

The Chair provided the following update:

·         The Force had been engaging with Police and Crime Commissioners (PCC) around fraud and cyber-crime, and noted the importance of raising awareness of the Force’s work in these areas;

·         The Home Office had reviewed the strategic policing requirement and recognised that fraud and cyber-crime should be included more prominently;

·         The Chair met with the MP for the City & Westminster to discuss supporting fraud and cyber-crime work more publicly.

The Assistant Commissioner to be heard.

The Assistant Commissioner provided the following update:

·         Given the breadth and ongoing activity related to the Lead Force Plan, it would be beneficial to have a programme to establish a coordination role and report back to the Committee on a quarterly basis;

·         The Force had a proactive communication programme to address scams, particularly those related to romance and investment fraud;

·         The Communication and Engagement Plan is an integral piece of work related  to other policing strategies and would therefore be brought to the Committee at the same time as a refreshed policing plan, to recognise the synergies.

Report of the Town Clerk.

Members considered a report of the Town Clerk in respect of the Annual Review of the Committee’s Terms of Reference.

The Chair emphasised the importance of referencing fraud and cyber together in the Terms of Reference, and to emphasises the Committee’s role in oversight, rather than scrutiny.

RESOLVED, that – Members agree the following changes:

1.    the addition of ‘one external Member, to be appointed by the Police Authority Board’ in the Committee’s composition;

2.    the addition of the following responsibilities in the Committee’s Terms of Reference:

·         a. overseeing the force’s national responsibilities for economic crime, fraud and cyber, having regard to the strategic policing requirement in this area;

·         c. overseeing the delivery of the City of London National Lead Force Plan;

·         d. monitoring the implementation of any external review recommendations related to economic crime, fraud and cyber (including, but not restricted to, Mackey Review, HMICFRS Fraud related inspections, Tori Consultant Review);

·         e. overseeing of the City of London Police’s private sector partnerships with regard to the tracking of fraud, cyber-crime & economic crime as well as the joint Cyber Griffin project;

·         f. overseeing the business strategy, service and financial performance of the Economic Crime Academy;

·         g. overseeing the Force’s national responsibilities of the National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC) lead for the Cyber Portfolio;

·         h. overseeing the work of Cyber Griffin initiative; and,

·         i. making recommendations to the Police Authority Board in other matters relating to economic crime.

Report of the T/Commander.

Members considered a report of the T/Commander relative to the Economic Crime Academy (ECA) update. The T/Commander noted that some courses had been postponed due to the pandemic, however courses would resume once restrictions lift.  A stronger move to online training would increase capacity per course and have wider national and international reach, and a fully online course was in development in partnership with Coventry University and Lloyds Bank for counter fraud qualifications. 90% of forces across the UK were engaged with the programme, and advertising and branding strategies were being employed to expand the ECA’s reach. The T/Commander also reported that discussions were underway with the College of Policing to establish courses for economic crime and policing and this would be reported back to the Committee as discussions progress.

RESOLVED, that – the report be received and its contents noted.

Report of the Assistant Commissioner.

Members received a report of the Assistant Commissioner relative to the National Lead Force (NLF) Implementation plan. The Assistant Commissioner emphasised the importance of taking a programmatic approach in delivering the NLF Plan. The plan is a 2020-2022 and would likely be used beyond this. The measures in the plan would be refreshed every year, and the Committee would receive updates on the plan on a quarterly basis.

RESOLVED, that – the report be received and its contents noted.

There were none.

There was none.

MOTION - That under Section 100(A) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting for the following item(s) 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 item(s) 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 of the meeting held on 16 November 2020.

RESOLVED, that – the non-public minutes of the meeting held on 16 November 2020 be agreed as a correct record.

The Chairman to be heard.

The Chair’s non-public update was heard.

Assistant Commissioner to be heard.

The Assistant Commissioner’s non-public update was heard.

Joint report of the Town Clerk and Commissioner.

Members considered a joint report of the Town Clerk and Commissioner regarding non-public references.

Report of the Commissioner.

Members received a report of the Commissioner relative to the Economic Crime Directorate Performance for Q3 October to December 2020.

RESOLVED, that – the report be received and its contents noted.

Report of the Service Delivery Director.

Members received a report of the Service Delivery Director relative to the Next Generation Service Update.

RESOLVED, that – the report be received and its contents noted.

There were none.

There was one item of urgent business.