Agenda item

Report of the Town Clerk

The Group received a report from Gary Griffin detailing the outcomes of Information Sharing Workshops in reference to the sharing of information within the City of London Corporation’s internal departments, with its external partners, and also with the City of London Police.

He explained that the key areas of focus at the last workshop were vulnerability and anti-social behaviour.  It was explained to the Group that the topics were deemed too wide ranging, and that the workshops developed into a format of one-on-ones as a result, which proved significantly more productive.  It was explained that the topic of anti-social behaviour and its relationship with issues surrounding housing provided noteworthy discussion points.  It was also explained that crimes such as shoplifting were linked to vulnerability through patterns of behaviour.

It was also explained that one of the perceived lessons learned from the workshop was that the use of “scenarios” format led to a relatively narrow focus, producing a limited range of practical solutions.

The Chairman asked if there was an information sharing protocol currently in place.  The Safer Communities Project Manager explained that although there was a protocol in place, though this does not necessarily confirm that information gets shared.  It was explained that there is an initial difficulty in identifying the information that needs to be requested, which in turn leads to a lack of information sharing even if there is nothing explicitly prohibiting it.  The Safer Communities Project Manager explained that there was currently an information sharing agreement that has been drawn up and sent to solicitors for editing.  Once this has taken place, the agreement will provide the necessary mandate to question any refusal to share information that takes place.

A member of the Group asked for confirmation of who had been assigned to complete the recommendations as mentioned within the report.  The Safer Communities Project Manager explained that they were currently going through the list closing down recommendations and confirming in each case with the relevant team being notified.  The Safer City Partnership Group would be updated on the progress of this. (2)

[RESOLVED] – That the report be received.