17 June 2026
Minutes of Meeting
Meeting: COT Board
Venue: Haigh Conference Room, Alverton Court
Date and Time: 17th June 2026, 9:30am – 1:00pm
ITEM 1: ATTENDANCE
CC T Forber - Chair
DCC S Bisset
ACC C Clarke – Local Policing and Safeguarding
ACC B Moseley - Crime and Operational Support
ACO L Stitt – Assistant Chief Officer
L Branford -White – Director of Finance
R Baran – Director of Corporate Development
K Russell – T/Head of Corporate Communications
T/CI D Anderson – Staff Officer to CC
S Gardiner – Governance Support Officer
APOLOGIES
None required
ITEM 2: Review of Minutes
Summary of Discussion:
The minutes of the meeting held on the 10th June 2026, were reviewed and approved.
ITEM 3: Review of Action Log
Summary of Discussion:
No open action for review.
ITEM 4: Neighbourhood Control Strategy
Summary of Discussion:
Superintendent Taylor Local Policing Support and Detective Chief Inspector Wilkinson County Command joined the meeting to provide a briefing to the COT around Drug Deaths and Burglary.
Drugs deaths
Supt Taylor presented the overview and COT noted that delivery of the Neighbourhood (LPS) drugs strategy is focused on harm reduction, early identification of drug threats, and strong partnership working, which has contributed to a 27% reduction in drug-related deaths year-on-year.
This improvement was attributed to measures including expanded naloxone deployment, rapid drug testing and intelligence (e.g. identification of synthetic opioids), and effective multi-agency engagement.
However, it was recognised that drug prevalence remains high, emerging threats such as nitazenes and ketamine continued to present risk, and limited access to timely coroner data constrained the ability to respond quickly to causes of death, requiring continued focus on prevention, treatment pathways, and intelligence-led interventions.
Burglary
The Board received an update on burglary performance, noting that whilst overall burglary levels had reduced and outcome rates have improved (from 33rd to 29th nationally), performance remained below the desired standard.
A strengthened governance framework is now in place, supported by enhanced investigative standards, consistent allocation to detectives, and improved forensic and digital exploitation, with a focus on embedding the basics of investigation.
Further improvement is expected through greater use of digital forensics, regional collaboration (including ROCU activity), and targeted disruption of organised criminality, although challenges remained in relation to outcome rates, offender management, and the impact of wider criminal justice constraints.
The COT noted assurance that the right structures, governance, and investigative standards were now in place to drive improvement; however, sustained focus is required on digital forensics, offender management, and translating activity into improved outcomes.
The CC raised concern around stolen goods identification and a discussion took place around current practices and improvement in current processes and briefing information.
ITEM 5: Taser 10
Summary of Discussion:
The DCC updated the board on Taser 10.
The COT considered the requirement to transition to Taser 10, driven by the current Taser X2 devices will no longer be manufacturer-supported from January 2028, creating both operational and compliance risks.
The programme required significant capital and revenue investment across a five-year contract, covering device replacement, cartridges, storage, and system connectivity. Funding has been identified through reprioritisation of expenditure, with further work required to confirm longer-term affordability and impacts.
The CC noted the importance of timely contract approval to avoid cost pressures, and requested a lessons learned paper regarding capital planning and asset replacement to strengthen future governance. This will be added to the forward planner.
ITEM 6: Corporate Communications Monthly Update
Summary of Discussion:
T/Head of Corporate Communications Kate Russell presented the overview for the month of May.
The update highlighted increased media interest and scrutiny across a range of operational issues, alongside positive engagement and growth in digital channels.
Key themes included significant media coverage following high-profile incidents emerging reputational risks linked to community concerns and strong performance in social media engagement, particularly where operational policing activity is showcased.
Internal communications activity was also noted, including promotion of victim personal statements, reinforcing organisational priorities around victim focus.
ITEM 7: Police Friendly & Met Friendly
Summary of Discussion:
The COT received an external briefing from Police Friendly & Met Friendly on data activity relating to North Yorkshire Police.
ITEM 8: People Management
Summary of Discussion:
The secondment advert requests were reviewed and approved.
ITEM 9: COT Forward Planner
Summary of Discussion:
The forward planner was reviewed. One addition requested for Capital planning and asset replacement.
ITEM 10: Freedom of Information Requests
Summary of Discussion:
FOI’s to be reviewed at the next board.
ITEM 11: Urgent Financial Decisions and Updates
Summary of Discussion:
None raised for discussion
ITEM 12: Any other Portfolio Updates by Exception
Summary of Discussion:
Engagement Strategy
ACO Stitt confirmed planning and development was now progressing.
Vehicle Fleet – Dog vans
ACO Stitt confirmed the decommissioning of the dog unit vans will take place as part of the natural cycle and accommodated the lead time for delivery of the new fleet.
ITEM 13: Chief Officer Team Commitments
Summary of Discussion:
The Chief Officer Team Commitments for the next 2 weeks were noted.
ITEM 14: Any Other Business
Summary of Discussion:
Non raised.
DATE AND TIME OF NEXT MEETING
Date of next meeting: 24th June 2026 Time: 9:30am