Minutes

Minutes of the meeting of the Finance and Resources Committee held on 18 March 2010 at 10 Dean Farrar Street, London, SW1H 0NY.

Present

Members

• Steve O’Connell (Chairman)
• Reshard Auladin
• John Biggs
• Chris Boothman
• Dee Doocey
• Neil Johnson
• Graham Speed.

Reshard Auladin was in the Chair from Agenda item 14 onwards

MPA officers

• Catherine Crawford (Chief Executive)
• Annabel Adams (Deputy Treasurer)
• John Crompton (Treasury Team).

MPS officers

• Jane Bond (Director Of Property Services)
• Paul Daly (Director of Exchequer Services)
• Karim Mahamdallie (Director of Business Support, Finance Services)
• Diana Marchant (Director of Operational Resourcing, TP)
• Anne McMeel (Director of Resources)
• David Reed (Response and Patrol)
• Nick Rogers (Director of Group Finance)
• Peter Ross (Director, Procurement Delivery PSD)
• Martin Tiplady (Director of HR)

Mark Horsfield from Arlingclose attended for consideration of agenda item 6. Superintendent Chris Barclay from Haringey BOCU attended for consideration of agenda item 9.

128. Apologies for absence

(Agenda item 1)

An apology for absence was received from Faith Boardman.

129. Declarations of interests

(Agenda item 2)

Graham Speed asked that it be noted that his previous employer had been involved in the property transaction referred to in agenda items 9 and 15 .

130. Minutes of the meeting held on 11 February 2010 (Part 1)

(Agenda item 3)

Resolved – That the minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 11 February 2010 be agreed and signed as a correct record.

131. Business considered by the sub-committees

(Agenda item 4)

A report was submitted which contained a summary of the business considered by the Resources and Productivity Sub-Committee and the Estate Panel since the last meeting of the Finance and Resources Committee.

Resolved – That the report be noted.

132. Revenue and Capital Budget Monitoring 2009/10 – period 10

(Agenda item 5)

This report provided an update on the revenue and capital budget monitoring position for 2009/10 at Period 10 (to the end of January). The revenue budget is forecast to overspend by £7.2m (approximately 0.2% of budget). The capital programme as at Period 10 shows year to date total expenditure of £120.9m. This total represents 56.5% of the revised annual budget of £214m. The forecast for the year of £191.3m is £22.7m below the revised annual budget.

Dee Doocey asked to be supplied with details of write offs and other instances where monies had not been recovered.

Resolved – That the year to date and forecast position for the revenue and capital budgets be noted.

133. Treasury Management Strategy Statement and Investment Strategy 2010/11

(Agenda item 6)

A report was submitted which set out the Treasury Management Strategy Statement and Investment Strategy recommended for 2010/11.

Mark Horsfield from Arlingclose, the Authority’s advisers, attended for consideration of this item.

Resolved – That the Treasury Management Strategy Statement and Investment strategy for 2010/11 be approved

134. Efficiency plan 2010/11 and efficiency plan monitoring 2008/09 – 2010/11

(Agenda item 7)

A report was provided which sets out the financial aspects of the Metropolitan Police Authority (MPA)/Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) Efficiency Plan for 2010/11, and provides an update on the monitoring of the MPA/MPS 2008/09 – 2010/11 Efficiency Plan. Overall, the forecast indicates an over-achievement against the 2009/10 cumulative efficiency target (year 2 of the 3 year plan) by £3.9m

Resolved – That.

1. the efficiency plan for 2010/11 be approved;and
2. the forecast position against the 2009/10 cumulative Efficiency Plan as at Quarter 3 be noted.

135. Annual review of the schedule of fees and charges

(Agenda item 8)

A report was submitted which provided information on the MPS fees and charges. It also provided details of charges for the special services of police and an explanation of the current status of charging for the detention of prisoners in MPS cell accommodation.

Graham Speed said that he thought the charging proposal concerning football matches which was set out at paragraphs 24 to 26 was one which the Authority should support.

Dee Doocey referred to the proposals for a national police cell charging framework (paragraph 45) and enquired how many UKBA prisoners were placed in MPS cells each year.

Resolved

1. Members review and approve the attached schedule of fees and charges; and
2. support be given to the Association of Chief Police Officers’ (ACPO) negotiations based upon the proposed charges for the provision of MPS cell accommodation to the UK Border Agency (UKBA). The MPS charges will be used to inform the ACPO discussions with the UKBA on their proposals for a national flat rate within a National police cell charging framework between UKBA and ACPO.

136. Request for authority to acquire a freehold building in Richmond

(Agenda item 9)

This report sought authority to acquire the freehold of a building in Richmond

for use as a multi purpose training facility.

Graham Speed reported that following the Resources and Productivity Sub-Committee he had discussed the proposals with the Director of Property Services and he supported the proposal.

Dee Doocey, MPA link member for Richmond, confirmed that she too supported the proposals.

Resolved-That

1. the proposals developed in regard to the provision of corporate training facilities to support the MPS, and the proposals to support Richmond Borough in regard to the provision of specific Safer Neighbourhood facilities and future front counter facilities in Richmond Town Centre be noted;
2. the acquisition by the Metropolitan Police Authority of a freehold property in Richmond, the location and the terms of which are detailed in Exempt Appendix 2 be approved;
3. the estimated expenditure detailed in Exempt Appendix 3 for contract works and professional fees in connection with the fit out works of these premises be approved;
4. Approval be given to an amendment to the capital programme for the acquisition of, and works to, a freehold building in Richmond and the anticipated additional receipts;
5. Approval be given to a revenue contribution to capital from the Service Improvement Fund totalling up to £7m to support this proposal; and
6. the disposal of the two freehold properties referred to in Exempt Appendix 2; both non- public facing properties be approved in principle.

137. Stage 2 of the Safer Neighbourhoods Property Programme-update

(Agenda item 10)

This report provided an update on the progress made in the last six months on the Safer Neighbourhood 2 Property Programme.

Resolved That the report be noted

138. Transfer of front counter facilities in Haringey

(Agenda item 11)

This report sought the approval of the Committee for the transfer of the front counter services on Haringey Borough Operational Command Unit from Wood Green police station to the Safer Neighbourhoods base for Alexandra and Bounds Green wards, known as Fishmonger’s Arms. The Committee is also asked to note the future plans for Wood Green police station site. The proposal is supported by the MPA led Estate Review Panel.

Superintendent Chris Barclay attended on behalf of the Borough Commander for Haringey and spoke in support of the proposals.

Dee Doocey said that as drafted paragraph 4 did not fully reflect the view of the MP which was that her support was on the basis that the new Wood Green site would be retained as a police building .

Resolved That subject to noting the clarification regarding the view of the MP-

1. Approval be given to the transfer of the front counter service from Haringey police station to new accommodation within the Safer Neighbourhoods base for Alexandra and Bounds Green wards, which is supported by the MPA led Estate Review Panel ;and
2. the future plans for the Wood Green police station site be noted.

139. Airwave coverage Westfield Shopping Centre, Stratford

(Agenda item 12)

The Airwave radio system is used by the MPS to respond to all incidents in London. The new Westfield Shopping Centre is due to open in Stratford (Newham BOCU) in early 2011 and currently it has no Airwave coverage. The original Airwave Programme provided for installations in key public access locations existing at that time but not for future construction. Failure to ensure that Airwave is installed will adversely impact on effective policing at the centre and that of the 2012 Olympics. This issue is now time critical as the provision of Airwave can take about nine months to develop and work would need to start before the end of March to be ready for the opening of the centre in 2011.

Members considered that the provision of Airwave at the shopping centre was a legitimate and necessary requirement especially given the proximity of the Centre to the Olympic site. Members felt that it was unfortunate that they were being required to make a decision at short notice and at the fact that there was not a planning obligation in place requiring the developers of the shopping centre to assist in meeting the costs of installing the Airwave equipment at the new centre. The cost seemed very high and there was a particular objection to the cost coming from the Safer Neighbourhood budget.

John Biggs referred to lessons which might be learnt from this case. He pointed out that all major planning applications were submitted to the Mayor’s office. Transport for London was very effective at having transport needs factored into major schemes and receiving monies via –for example Section 106 agreements. He felt that the MPS should examine ways it could get smarter at ensuring that policing needs were recognised in large schemes in this way and suggested that there needed to be closer co-ordination with the Mayor’s office.

In reply to questions from a member on the necessity for a decision to be made by the end of the month, Commander Gore stated that a decision was necessary so that the cabling could be incorporated in the construction works.

The Chair said that in the light of advice received the survey should go ahead. However it was clear that members wished there to be further discussion with the developers of Westfield about the cost and any costs which the MPS had to bear should come from the Safer Neighbourhood Airwave budget.

Following further discussion it was

Resolved That

1. the survey be carried out at the Westfield Shopping Centre (Stratford);
2. the installation of an Airwave radio solution be discussed further with the developers of the Shopping Centre (Stratford) and any cost falling to the MPS is met from the Safer Neighbourhood Airwave budget;
3. a report on the outcome of those discussions to be provided to members;
4. it be noted that this agreement would vary for this specific case the MPS commitment to the MPA that it would make every effort not to spend on Airwave installations on commercial premises. This commitment was made at the MPA Full Authority meeting on 26 November 2009;
5. It be noted that separate provision has been made to enhance Airwave coverage at Westfield Stratford for the Olympics, but this is predicated on an existing ‘basic’ installation being in place; and
6. The lessons which might be learnt from this case concerning the use of Section 106 planning agreements etc be considered further and a further report be submitted in due course.

140. Exclusion of press and public

(Agenda item 13)

Resolved - That under section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they involved disclosure of exempt information as detailed in paragraph 3 of Schedule 12A to the above Act.

Summary of decisions made on exempt items

141. Exempt Report from Resources and Productivity Sub-Committee

(Agenda item 14)

The information was noted in connection with the relevant reports.

142 Exempt appendices to request for authority to acquire a freehold building in Richmond

(Agenda item 15)

Information noted.

143 Energy service improvement plan - collaborative procurement of gas, oil and electricity

(Agenda item 16)

144 Palace of Westminster – Renewal of Section 25 Special Services Agreement

(Agenda item 17)

Recommendations relating to the renewal of this agreement were agreed.

145 Exempt appendix to stage 2 of the safer neighbourhoods property programme-update

(Agenda item 18)

Information noted.

146. Transforming HR

(Agenda item 19)

Report and oral update noted.

147. Report from the Olympic and Paralympic Sub-Committee

(Agenda item 20)

No report submitted.

148. Minutes of the meeting held on 11 February 2010 (part 2)

(Agenda item 23)

Agreed and signed as a correct record.

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