Minutes

Minutes of the Metropolitan Police Authority held on 28 July 2000 at Westminster Central Hall, Westminster, London SW1.

Present

• Toby Harris (Chair)
• Richard Barnes (Deputy Chair)
• Peter Herbert (Deputy Chair)

Members

Anthony Arbour, Jennette Arnold, Reshard Auladin, Cindy Butts, Roger Evans, Lynne Featherstone, Nicky Gavron, Elizabeth Howlett, Darren Johnson, Nicholas Long, Cecile Lothian, R David Muir, Sir John Quinton, Angela Slaven, Richard Sumray, Graham Tope, Abdal Ullah, Rachel Whittaker

MPA staff:

Peter Edwards (Clerk), Peter Martin (Treasurer), Ian Gaskell (Deputy Clerk), Mike Robinson (Head of Secretariat)

MPS staff:

Sir John Stevens (Commissioner), AC A Dunn, AC I Johnston, K Luck (Director of Resources)

In addition approximately 25 members of the press/public and other MPA/MPS staff were present.

28. Apologies

Apologies were received from John Biggs and the Deputy Commissioner, Ian Blair.

29. Chair’s comments

The Chair thanked the staff of the MPA and MPS for their work in organising a significant number of meetings and workshops during July. It was hoped that in future the authority’s business would be more structured and reports would be received with greater notice.

Members joined with the Chair in welcoming as a new member of the authority, Ms Jennette Arnold, who replaced the outgoing David Lammy who had left the Greater London Authority following his election as MP for Tottenham.

30. Appointment of Jennette Arnold

The Authority agreed to accept the additional tabled paper as urgent under the provisions of section 100 B (4b) of the Local Government Act 1972. The reason for urgency was that Ms Arnold had only been appointed to the authority on 27 July 2000. Members formally noted the appointment of Ms Arnold and agreed to the recommendation that she be appointed to the Human Resources and Consultation, Diversity and Outreach Committees and that the memberships of those committees be increased by 1 each accordingly.

Resolved:

1. that the Human Resources and Consultation, Diversity and Outreach Committees be increased in size by 1 member each; and
2. that Ms Jennette Arnold be appointed as a member of both the Human Resources and Consultation, Diversity and Outreach Committees.

31. Minutes - 10 July 2000

Members received a replacement final page to the minutes that provided an update and further detail on minute number 26 - Proposed Sensitive and Confidential Issues Delegations. In addition, a matter arising was received that advised members that DAC Tariq Ghaffur had been appointed to head up an inquiry into the Lindo case and that terms of reference were currently being devised for the inquiry. Members will be made aware of them as soon as they became available.

Resolved:
that the revised minutes of the meeting held on 10 July 2000 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

32. GLA budget priorities

The Authority noted the extract from a report that had been submitted to the Mayor’s Advisory Cabinet outlining his budget priorities for the police service.

Members discussed the appropriateness of the priorities and the responsibilities of the Mayor and the authority in determining priorities and targets for the service.

The authority concluded that it would it be appropriate for the Mayor to be reminded that it was for the authority to set priorities for the MPS but that the MPA would seek to work constructively with the GLA and Mayor on this issue. The MPA would determine its own priorities in due course but would take into consideration the Mayor’s initial list and seek to work positively with the Greater London Authority over co-ordination between the Policing Plan and other strategies.

Resolved:
that the comments raised in the meeting be passed to the Mayor.

33. MPS performance against targets

The Authority considered a report that gave a commentary on MPS performance in the first quarter of the financial year 2000/2001 against key performance targets. Members discussed in detail these statistics and the issues arising from them. The following is a summary of the key points and decisions made:

• Burglary
  Members welcomed the promising reduction in burglary rates, which was positive and against the national trend. However, while recognising that detection rates were important, members requested more information on analysis behind the statistics. For example, who were the perpetrators, what were their ages and why were they involved? The Commissioner agreed that a more holistic approach to analysis was essential as the Service strove to be more effective.
• Street Crime
  The authority expressed concern over the figures. The trend represented a major challenge for the MPS and its partners. Again, a detailed breakdown of the perpetrators and victims of street crime was requested which would be submitted to a future meeting. The MPS outlined a series of initiatives such as Operation Strong Box that would be used to tackle the issue. In response to a query, it was confirmed that considerable resources were being put into the street crime initiative. However, given that the capital was now on a high terrorist alert, some difficult choices on priorities had to be made.
• Homicide
  The MPS outlined the new initiative for intervention teams and response cars that followed up on the recommendations in the Stephen Lawrence Inquiry report. A re-launch of Operation Trident which targeted drug related killings in the black community was also being examined. It was agreed that information on the new homicide intervention teams be circulated to members.
• Drug related crime
  The Commissioner concurred with comments made that there was no doubt there was a direct link between drugs and crime. The drug testing of individuals in organisations and communities was indeed one of the areas where there needed to be more research.
• Diversity
  In commenting on the figures, members focused on recruitment and retention issues which were clearly significant for the MPS. The Commissioner indicated that he wished to work very closely with the authority on diversity and sought assistance in tackling what was a major issue. The issue clearly needed to be linked with progression through the service and the work of the Positive Action Team. It was noted that the Human Resources Committee was organising a workshop on recruitment and retention issues which could be extended to include members of the Consultation, Diversity and Outreach Committee.
• PACE Stop and Search figures
  Members commented that it was good to see the figures improving but it would be important to understand the perception of communities within London. The Commissioner stated that, although the overall figures were of importance, he was primarily concerned with the quality of the encounter and the perceptions of individuals who had been stopped by the police. The MPS was working on a handbook for officers which would give clear guidance on this issue. It was subsequently agreed that a detailed analysis of PACE stop and search figures and a draft of the handbook would be submitted to the Professional Standards and Performance Monitoring Committee.
• Community and Race Relations Training
  In response to a query, the Commissioner explained that positive feedback from the community and race relations courses had increased from an initial 18 per cent to around 60 per cent. Notwithstanding this improvement, it was felt it would now be timely to undertake a further evaluation of the training. This could be done in consultation with the Consultation, Diversity and Outreach Committee. It was confirmed that, although the overall non attendance rate for training was high, it was not disproportionately higher than for any other training.

Resolved:

1. that a fuller report on the street crime performance indicators and analysis be reported to a future meeting;
2. that information on the new homicide teams be provided to all members of the authority;
3. that the Human Resources Committee workshop on recruitment and retention issues be extended to include Consultation, Diversity and Outreach Committee members;
4. that the report on PACE stop and search performance indicators and analysis be provided to the Professional Standards and Performance Monitoring Committee together with the draft MPS handbook on the issue;
5. that a report on performance indicators be received by the full authority on a quarterly basis.

34. Policing and Best Value Performance Plan

The Clerk introduced a report which sought approval from the authority, as recommended by the Finance Planning and Best Value Committee, to accept the Policing and Best Value Performance Plan as a legacy document which would be used primarily for monitoring the performance of the MPS during the current financial year.

Resolved:
that the MPS Policing and Performance Plan 2000/2001 be accepted as a document principally for monitoring the performance of the MPS.

35. Spending review 2000

The Treasurer introduced a report that outlined preliminary information received from the Government on the analysis of the 3 year spending review for 2000/2001 to 2003/2004. It was highlighted that the report contained overall data only and a fuller analysis would be submitted to the Finance, Planning and Best Value Committee in due course. However, it was clear that there had been a substantial increase in provision for the MPS as a result of the review. An analysis had been undertaken comparing this increase to the expenditure forecasts of the Association of Chief Police Officers and the Association of Police Authorities.

Resolved:
that the broad contents of the spending review 2000 be noted.

36. Corporate planning process 2001/2002

The Authority received a report that outlined the proposed process for the interim year 2001/2002. The proposals outlined the respective roles of the authority and the MPS and explained how the formulation of priorities and targets could be linked into other strategies and plans. The proposal had been endorsed by the Finance, Planning and Best Value Committee that had appointed a small sub-group to look at the detail of developing a process for future years.

Resolved:
that the roles proposed for the MPA and MPS in the report in respect of a corporate planning process be endorsed, and the planning process overall be approved.

37. Mission, vision and values

The Authority considered a report that presented the MPS mission, vision and values and proposed that it be formally adopted as recommended by the Finance, Planning and Best Value Committee. The mission, vision and values statements had been the result of a detailed 9 month consultation period involving the Metropolitan Police Committee, Borough Commanders, and other interested bodies. Subject to approval, the mission vision and values would be professionally copied and circulated to a wide audience.

Members of the authority accepted the statements as a good clear articulation of the organisation’s goals. However, it was recognised that there was still some work to do to ensure authority ownership of the statements and that members fully understood and were able to monitor the associated critical success factors.

Resolved:
that the mission vision and values and associated critical success factors be approved.

38. Vienna Convention and responses to disorder

Members received a report that had been prepared in response to a request from Nicholas Long. The issue concerned the implementation of the Vienna Convention in respect of policing state visits and the controversy that had arisen following the President of China’s state visit to London in October 1999. The MPS emphasised that this was a legitimate area for public interest and one where the service wished to involve the authority and others in the scrutiny process. Lay involvement already existed in the planning for the policing of large scale events but this could also be reviewed with member involvement to be encouraged. Members welcomed the initiative to review the implementation of the convention and proposed that the issue of member involvement in the lay input to the planning process be considered in detail by the Consultation, Diversity and Outreach Committee.

In addition, member involvement in the planning of individual events such as the Notting Hill Carnival and New Year’s Eve celebrations would be welcomed and could be undertaken as an approved duty. It was clear that there were complex issues to consider and that agreed criteria and an agreed policy would assist in the making of such difficult decisions, the interpretation of the Convention and the protection of visiting dignitaries.

Resolved:

1. that the background papers listed within the report be circulated to all members of the authority;
2. that a report on member involvement in the review process of the Vienna Convention issues be put to the next meeting of the Consultation, Diversity and Outreach Committee; and
3. that members also be involved in the lay input to forthcoming major events as an approved duty.

39. HMIC inspection of the MPS

The Clerk tabled a revised paper and highlighted the main change, namely that all references to the Professional Standards and Performance Monitoring Committee within the report had been replaced by references to the Finance, Planning and Best Value Committee. In addition to providing a brief update on the inspection process operated by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC), the report invited the authority to note that a further primary inspection of the MPS would be held in February/March 2001 and that up to 3 members would be invited to accompany the Inspector at any one time during his visit.

It was agreed that a decision on where the ultimate responsibility lay for co-ordinating action on HMI thematic and primary inspections should be taken outside the meeting, following discussion between the Chairs of the Finance, Planning and Best Value Committee and the Professional Standards and Performance Monitoring Committee. All committees should, however, be asked to look at inspections and recommendations as they related to their work.

Resolved:

1. that the intention of HMIC to undertake a follow-up inspection to 'Winning Consent' and the further primary inspection of the MPS in 2000/2001 be noted;
2. that the views expressed by members on the proposed areas for examination in the primary inspection be forwarded to HMIC; and
3. that the appropriate committee be asked to examine the draft proposed inspection process, identify members to take part in the inspections and report back to the authority as appropriate;
4. the Chairs of the Professional Standards and Performance Monitoring Committee and the Finance Planning and Best Value Committees were asked to discuss the Terms of Reference for their committees in relation to HMIC matters.

40. Communication strategy

The Authority received a detailed report, which outlined a significant number of recommendations and issues contained within it. In endorsing the strategy, members highlighted the need to ensure that efforts were made to explain to the community the difference between the MPA and the MPS and their respective roles.

Resolved:
that the recommendations contained within the Communication Strategy be endorsed and actioned accordingly.

41. Petitions and public questions

The Authority considered a detailed report containing proposals for the possible receipt and consideration of both petitions and public questions at the full meetings of the authority. Members welcomed the proposals as useful methods of increasing the accountability of the authority and providing it with mechanisms to engage directly with the community. However, following detailed discussions, some minor amendments to the proposed procedures were agreed in respect of the time limit available for questions, the number of questions each individual would be allowed to ask during the year, and mechanisms for validating petition signatories. Arising from the discussion, it was also agreed that the Clerk should ensure that all staff associations were invited to meetings of the Authority and that the Commissioner should have a standing update report on each authority agenda.

Resolved:

1. that all staff associations of the MPS be invited to meetings of the Authority;
2. that there be a standing "Commissioner’s Update" item on each authority agenda;
3. that the proposed procedure for receiving petitions be approved and that the Secretariat consider mechanisms for validating petition signatories;
4. that the proposed procedure for receiving public questions be approved subject to allowing supplementary questions, extending the time limit to 30 minutes and introducing a maximum of 3 questions per person per year; and
5. that the revised proposals be incorporated into the standing orders of the authority, with draft standing orders for this purpose being presented to the September meeting.

42. Geographical link member scheme

The Authority received a report containing information designed to provide a basis for the appointment of individual members to take a lead on local matters relating to each individual borough within the Metropolitan Police District. Following discussion, each of the individual 32 boroughs was allocated at least 1 authority member.

Resolved:
that the geographical link members as detailed within Appendix 1 to these minutes be appointed.

43. Members access to information technology

The Clerk explained that this item had been withdrawn from the agenda because officers had concluded that members merely required access to the authority’s website and email and therefore no issue of substance need be put to the Authority.

Members concurred with the Chair that this issue should be delegated to officers to progress as a matter of urgency.

Resolved:
that it be noted the item was withdrawn from the agenda and that the Clerk be delegated to arrange for members’ access to information technology.

44. MPA protocols

The authority considered a report which updated members on the latest position in respect of various working practices and protocols which were being developed.

Resolved:

1. that the draft protocols be presented to the relevant committee and Committee Chairs for comments and observations in September 2000 prior to being presented to the October meeting of the authority; and
2. that further, as yet unidentified protocols, are presented to the relevant committees and Chairs as they are developed prior to presentation to the authority for approval.

45. Association of London Government membership

The Authority considered the report that provided further information about the Association of London Government and the services that it could provide for the authority if it chose to join. It was confirmed that the authority was permitted representation on all of the ALG’s bodies with 3 members being allowed on the most relevant, the Community Safety and Policing Panel. Further, that the Greater London Employment Association issues were considered by the Leaders Committee on which the Chair of the Authority would be represented.

Resolved:

1. that in the light of the additional information presented the authority’s membership of the Association of London Government be confirmed;
2. that the Chair of the authority be appointed to the ALG’s Leaders Committee and that 3 members be nominated for membership of the Community Safety and Policing Panel by the Consultation, Diversity and Outreach Committee; and
3. that continuing discussions be pursued at officer-level to agree working arrangements and protocols between the two organisations.

46. Appointments to the Association of Police Authorities

The Authority considered a report that presented the recommendations of the recent Chair’s Co-ordination and Urgency Committee in respect of nominations to the Association of Police Authorities.

Resolved:
that the recommendations of the Committee in respect of appointments to the Association of Police Authorities be confirmed.

47. Update on briefing familiarisation and training

The Authority received a report that provided an update on the briefing familiarisation and training received by members of the authority. It was noted that the Member Services Unit would be preparing and circulating a training needs analysis.

Resolved:

1. that the report be noted; and
2. that a training needs analysis of authority members be undertaken.

Appendix 1

Metropolitan Police Authority
Geographical Link Members

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