Agenda item

Report of the Chairman of the Serious and Organised Crime Board

The Group received a report of the Chairman of the Serious and Organised Crime Board that reviewed the work of the Board and outlined details of the Board’s strategy, activities, governance arrangements, roles and responsibilities.

The Chairman of the Serious and Organised Crime Board explained that work had begun from understanding government strategy.  He explained that there had been a review of 8 areas in monthly meetings, as summarised by paragraph 7 in the report.  He explained that the strategy focus was on the importance of partnership working, and it was identified that improvements were needed at a local level, as highlighted within paragraph 11 of the report.

The Chairman of the Serious and Organised Crime Board explained that data sharing was a key issue, something that all partners recognise as an area that needs improvement.  The Senior Analyst explained that information sharing was integral to all areas, and in contrast to Westminster where it is not an issue.  The Chairman stated that information sharing should be viewed as the default position, and questioned whether a written agreement would be the solution to overcoming a culture of siloed working.  The Chairman of the Serious and Organised Crime Board agreed that there was a cultural problem that needed to be tackled.  The Director of Community & Children's Services explained that although the “mesh” was not employed by the City of London Corporation, partners need to be ensuring that they are constantly checking their legal right to share information in any instance.  The Chairman gave an example of NHS restricting sharing of patient statistical information over Christmas, an issue that the Community Safety Manager then confirmed had been resolved.

The representative for the City of London Crime Prevention Association noted that there were no private sector representatives on the Serious and Organised Crime Board, but only those from authoritative bodies.  He queried whether one could be added.  The Chairman of the Serious and Organised Crime Board explained that there was always difficulty in defining the Board’s motives, but once this had been solidified, then they could consider this.  The representative for the City of London Crime Prevention Association highlighted the importance of effective sharing, and avoiding saturation of information through sharing a large volume of data.

RESOLVED – That the report be received.