Agenda item

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.