The Overview and Scrutiny Committee is scheduled to meet to discuss its work programme for the coming year, receive updates from the Leader of the Council and various policy and scrutiny committees, and review the council's emergency preparedness and crime prevention strategies. The committee will also consider and comment on the draft annual report of policy and scrutiny activity in the 2024/25 municipal year.

Here's a closer look at the agenda:

• Crime and Disorder in the City of Westminster The committee is scheduled to provide oversight of the council's statutory responsibilities under Section 19 of the Police and Justice Act 2006[^1]. This includes considering the Safer Westminster Partnership, receiving representations from its partners, and examining CCTV and resourcing. According to the Crime and Disorder OS Committee Report - July 2025, the committee will aim to assess the effectiveness of the Safer Westminster Partnership and its partner agencies. [^1]: The Police and Justice Act 2006 aims to improve arrangements for local authorities and the police to work together to reduce crime and disorder.

  The Appendix A SWP Strategic Assessment 2025 notes that Westminster records over 90,000 criminal offences each year, more than double the next highest borough, and that this level has increased in recent years at a far greater rate than across the MPS area. The report also notes that crime continues to be increasingly concentrated in Westminster, with 69.4% recorded in just two wards; West End (42.5%) and St James's (26.9%). The Appendix B SWP Strategy 2024-27 outlines three high-level priorities: West End & Night-time Economy, Serious Violence & Exploitation, and Neighbourhoods.

• Emergency Preparedness The committee is scheduled to review the council's emergency preparedness, receiving an update on recent changes and developments. This includes the London Local Authorities Assurance Process, testing and exercising, the Exercise Icarus post-exercise review, incident overview and learning, and training updates. The Emergency Preparedness - OSC - July 2025 report notes that in April, the Resilience Team delivered Exercise Danny Boy, a multi-agency exercise to test and improve the response to a major incident or emergency and the council's activation of an emergency centre to support impacted residents. The report also notes that the Resilience Team are supporting the HM Senior Coroner with the establishment of a disaster mortuary in support of her role as Incident Coroner for an overseas disaster.

• Leader's Cabinet Update Councillor Adam Hug, Leader of the Council, is expected to provide a written update on the recent work of the cabinet. Key areas mentioned in the Leaders Cabinet Update July 2025 report include the CCTV programme, Oxford Street, the Fair Funding Review, and Public Space Protection Orders[^2] (PSPOs). [^2]: Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPOs) are intended to deal with persistent anti-social behaviour that is detrimental to the community's quality of life.

  The report also mentions that the Cabinet has approved the acquisition of the Beethoven Centre from A2 Dominion Homes, and has agreed to acquire three more properties as part of the council's commitment to help meet the growing demand for Temporary Accommodation (TA).

• Work Programme 2025-26 The committee is scheduled to discuss and shape its work programme for the municipal year 2025-2026, and consider the entire work programme of the Policy and Scrutiny function. The Work Programme Report - OSC - 21 July 2025 asks the Overview Scrutiny Committee to review its work programme and discuss any new topics for scrutiny.

• Draft Annual Report of Policy and Scrutiny Activity in 2024/25 The committee is expected to comment on and approve the draft annual report of policy and scrutiny activity in the 2024/25 municipal year. The Cover Report - draft Annual Report of PS Activity 24-25 notes that the report provides the Overview and Scrutiny Committee with an opportunity to review the work undertaken by the Policy and Scrutiny function and its impact. The Appendix 1 - draft Annual Report of PS Activity 2024-25 summarises the work of each Policy and Scrutiny Committee, as well as the work of Task Groups, use of urgency procedures and call-in.