ADD2634 Continuation of Counter-Terrorism Preparedness Network (CTPN)

1.1 CTPN was commissioned by the London Resilience Forum, chaired by Baroness Fiona Twycross as Deputy Mayor for Fire and Resilience and Chief Resilience Officer. It was informally set up by the London Resilience Group in 2017 in response to learning from the Paris terrorist attacks, which highlighted a gap in sharing information about the approach to consequence management of counter terrorism (CT) incidents.

1.2 Since CTPN was formalised in June 2018, it has developed significantly and now spans a wide range of members/organisations/institutions across Europe, North America and Australasia. There are also strategic partners including the UK National Counter Terrorism Security Office, EUROPOL and INTERPOL as well as close ongoing collaborations with the United Nations, the United States Secret Service, and the UK Home Office among others. Baroness Twycross remains a supportive member of CTPN and is London’s lead on the new CTPN Executive Governance Board alongside representatives from Stockholm and Washington DC.

1.3 Under existing arrangements, funding is provided by the lead cities which have been agreed as Stockholm, London and Washington DC. All funding for CTPN is received on a cost recovery basis, to facilitate the core management and activities of the network. On this basis, the cities of Stockholm, London, and Washington DC commit to funding the network.

1.4 From inception, resourcing of CTPN was provided from within the budgets of the London Resilience Group (LRG, hosted in the London Fire Commissioner) and the other European cities. By 2021 CTPN had grown and Stockholm agreed to fund it for two years (2021-23), with LRG absorbing the costs of employing the network coordinator and providing administrative support. CTPN has continued to grow, leading to a need for further and more formalised resourcing. 

1.5 In addition to capital funding, the governing cities agree to rotate the resourcing and costs associated with the production of the CTPN annual report and annual conference and exercise.

1.6 The agreed funding from London to CTPN for the year 2023-24 is £37,875.00. This contribution is shared evenly between the GLA and the LFC. Arrangements for London’s hosting and funding of CTPN past 2023-24 are currently being considered.

1.7 The visibility and positioning of CTPN is now relatively high profile. CTPN delivers annual reports, facilitates unique international training and exercising on average every four to five weeks, and supports/leads specific projects which include participation in European Union consortiums. In addition, CTPN coordinates thematic exchanges and products between expert groups and cities on an eight-week cycle.

2.1 CTPN directly aligns with strategies to combat terrorism at local, national and international levels. This includes the United Nations Global Counter Terrorism Strategy, the European Commission’s Counter Terrorism Agenda (which specifically highlights the importance of strategic dialogue among cities as the backbone of urban security), and the European Union Counter Terrorism Strategy.

2.2 To achieve greater resilience to terrorism, CTPN produces reports bringing together academic literature and official reports with the knowledge and experience of member cities. These are combined with analyses from independent experts to provide case studies and robust recommendations for city authorities.

2.3 CTPN convenes and facilitates international conferences, seminars, and scenario-based exercises to enable exchange of learning and good practice, develop connections, and inform approaches to counter terrorism preparedness.

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​2.4 Projects are determined by the CTPN work programme, report recommendations, and emerging needs as set out in wider strategic partnerships and commissions. It also provides expertise to international expert groups and European consortiums.

3.1 An Equality Impact Assessment was undertaken in December 2019. A full assessment was not required because no potential or actual adverse impacts were identified. Following a review, it is proposed that there are no changes, and this remains proportionate and accurate. The Equalities Impact Assessment is saved on file and available as required.

3.2 The impact assessment found positive impacts including a commitment to supporting the safety and security of cities and communities regardless of any protected characteristic. CTPN’s reports specifically call for cities to frame policies in an integrated manner and within the wider context of diverse multicultural mix of city inhabitants, including consideration of groups not directly affected.

Link to Mayoral strategies and priorities

4.1 The GLA and MOPAC are represented by the Deputy Mayor for Fire and Resilience on the CTPN International Board. This enables alignment with relevant GLA strategies and programmes as well as dissemination of learning and recommendations from CTPN reports.

4.2 CTPN is embedded within the Mayor of London’s City Resilience Strategy. One of the strategy’s actions is to expand city collaboration on counter terrorism preparedness through CTPN. This includes sustaining the network and its deliverables, further expanding its outreach, and ultimately securing long-term funding.

4.3 CTPN delivers against elements of the London Resilience Partnership Strategy (e.g., support London’s reputation and competitiveness as a global, resilient city; work together to prepare, respond, recover, and improve) and the UK Civil Contingencies Act (e.g., duty to train and exercise) while complementing the LFC position as Counter Terrorism lead for the NFCC.

Conflicts of interest

4.4 There are no conflicts of interest to declare from those involved in the drafting and clearance of this Decision form.

Sustainability

4.5 There is some need for travel (UK and international) that comes with working with other cities, undertaking research, delivering projects and events, and facilitating boards and deliverables. This is proportionate to the needs of the network and managed through remote/virtual solutions.

5.1 The Counter-Terrorism Preparedness Network (CTPN) is funded by three cities to facilitate the core management and activities of the network. The cities of Stockholm, London and Washington have agreed to fund the network for 4 years, ending in March 2027. This is on a cost recovery basis and is split 50%, 25% and 25% respectively.

5.2 The £18,938 contribution is 50% of the London portion of costs for the CTPN for the financial year 2023/24. The remainder of the London portion will be funded from the London Resilience Group, part of the London Fire Commissioner. There is sufficient resource within the Fire and Resilience budget in next financial year to cover this cost. The funding in future years will be reviewed following confirmation of the arrangements regarding CTPN’s future commitments.