Minutes

Minutes of the Metropolitan Police Authority held on 25 October 2001 at Romney House, Marsham Street, London, SW1.

Present

Members

• Toby Harris (Chair)
• Jennette Arnold
• Anthony Arbour
• Reshard Auladin
• Richard Barnes (Deputy Chair)
• Cindy Butts
• Lynne Featherstone
• Peter Herbert (Deputy Chair)
• Elizabeth Howlett
• Darren Johnson
• Jenny Jones
• Nicholas Long
• Cecile Lothian
• R David Muir
• Eric Ollerenshaw
• Sir John Quinton
• Richard Sumray
• Graham Tope
• Abdal Ullah
• Rachel Whittaker

MPA officers

• Catherine Crawford (Clerk)
• Peter Martin (Treasurer)
• Simon Vile (Secretariat)

MPS officers

• Sir John Stevens (Commissioner)
• Ian Blair (Deputy Commissioner)
• Tarique Ghaffur (Assistant Commissioner)
• Bernard Hogan-Howe (Assistant Commissioner)
• David Veness (Assistant Commissioner)
• Keith Luck (Director of Resources)

Approximately 70 members of the press/public and other MPA/MPS staff were also present.

Part 1

57. Apologies

(Agenda item 1)

Apologies were received from John Biggs, Nicky Gavron and Angela Slaven.

58. Minutes: 20 September 2001

(Agenda item 2)

The Authority considered the minutes of the meetings held on 20 September 2001.

Referring to item 47 of the minutes (road safety issues) Jenny Jones said that at the meeting she had expressed her view that the report was misleading. It had been agreed that A.C. Ghaffur should meet with interested Members to discuss these issues further – this meeting had not yet been arranged and she was keen to see it happen before the next meeting of the full Authority. The Chair commented that, having met with Roadpeace, he felt that a members' workshop should be held, probably in January, to discuss the range of issues.

Resolved

1. that the minutes of the Authority meetings held on 20 September 2001 be signed as a correct record; and
2. that the meeting with A.C. Ghaffur on road safety issues be arranged, together with a members' workshop in January.

59. Minutes of committees

(Agenda item 3)

The Authority received the approved/draft minutes (previously circulated) of the following committee meetings:

• Finance, Planning & Best Value Committee 14 September, 4 October and 16 October 2001
• Consultation, Diversity & Outreach Committee 20 September 2001
• Co-ordination & Urgency Committee 9 October 2001

Resolved - That the minutes be received.

60. Chair's and members' update

(Agenda item 4)

The Chair's and Members' update was noted.

61. Commissioner's update

(Agenda item 5)

The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis, Sir John Stevens, and Assistant Commissioner David Veness gave the Authority an update on the following developments and current issues:

The anti-terrorist security operation

The Commissioner commented on the increased police presence in central London since 11 September. He emphasised that the extra 1,500 officers on the street did not represent additional police officers. A large proportion of these officers were attached to the Territorial Support Group rather than to boroughs. Of borough officers drafted in, many were on overtime or had had their leave cancelled so this did not represent a reduction of borough resources as such. The number of officers deployed varied from day to day depending on operational requirements.

Efforts to reassure the community had gone well and would continue. Immediately after the events of 11 September, the number of low level racial incidents had increased. However, these had now reduced to fewer than before 11 September.

Members questioned the longer-term impact of the operation on policing priorities, and the need to look at the strategic implications. The Commissioner commented that it was not yet possible to say what this impact would be, although priorities and the impact on borough policing was assessed on a daily basis. It was clear however that the anti-terrorist squad would have to be strengthened and proposals on this were being worked up.

Reshard Auladin expressed gratitude for the reassurance and protection that had been given to the Muslim community following 11 September.

The Chair proposed and it was

Resolved –

That the Authority place on record its gratitude for the MPS officers' dedication in putting up with often very difficult conditions to maintain the security of the capital, and the Authority's belief that this effort is not sustainable indefinitely.

The anthrax threat

A.C. Veness reported that the MPS were currently taking about 100 calls a day from concerned people. The MPS were responding to incidents involving suspect letters and packages. Over 100 officers were equipped with protective equipment. There was a 24 hour a day advisory facility at New Scotland Yard to give advice nationally and the MPS were assisting other forces with additional specialist training. There was close working with the London Ambulance Brigade, the London Fire Brigade and the health authorities. Whilst there had been no actual incidents involving anthrax in the U.K. so far, continued vigilance was essential.

Operation Exchange

A.C. Veness reported on the ongoing work by the MPS, both in the US and the UK, following the 11 September attacks. The family liaison work in New York was continuing. In the UK requests from the FBI were being pursued.

The Authority expressed its appreciation of the work of Special Operations.

Reclassification of cannabis as a class C drug

The Commissioner welcomed the Home Secretary's announcement that possession of cannabis would cease to be an arrestable offence and the increased focus on hard drugs such as heroin and crack cocaine that this represented. He commented that in the last year the MPS had arrested 40% more class A drug suppliers than in the previous year. It was too early to assess the impact of the experiment in Lambeth but results would be brought to the Authority when available. He expected an interim report in six to eight weeks. He could not comment on an article in the Standard stating that the change in classification would free up 74,000 hours of police time but it was clear that there would be a considerable benefit.

Resolved

That the Authority welcomes the Home Secretary's intention to reclassify cannabis as a class C drug.

Public attitude survey

The Commissioner reported on the findings of the survey carried out on behalf of the MPS. These findings contained some very good news, such as:

• a fall in the fear of crime from 44% to 36%
• increased satisfaction in nearly every area of policing
• trust in the MPS remained high at 72%

The most important issues for Londoners were improving patrols and police visibility.

Recruitment and retention

The Commissioner reported that recruitment targets were being met, and nearly 1,000 officers were currently at the Hendon training centre. However, the MPS was still losing officers at a rate of 120 – 150 per month. The proportion of probationers in borough commands was nearing 30% and could increase to 40 – 50% by next April. This would have implications for boroughs, for instance in terms of the demands involved in training probationers.

The Chair and Tony Arbour welcomed the fact that the Minister was prepared to reconsider the decision not to include serving police officers as possible recipients of the Golden Jubilee Medal and it was

Resolved

That the Chair write to the Home Secretary urging him to include serving police officers in those eligible to receive the medal.

62. Budget position 2001/02

(supplementary item)

The Chair agreed to accept two reports on the grounds of urgency as they referred to the current year's projected budget overspend and urgent action that was being taken to address this, together with the continuing costs of the security operation in London. The reports were:

• budget monitoring update 2001/02 – report by the Commissioner
• overall financial position 2001/02 – report by the Treasurer

The Treasurer reported that he had come to the view that, because of the action being taken by the MPS to bring the budget into balance, there were sufficient resources to meet current expenditure. However, this position might change if in November the Home Secretary did not announce adequate funding for the costs of the security operation. The Chair commented that he had had three meetings with the Home Secretary who was well aware of the position and the policing cost that the MPS was bearing on behalf of the country. The Authority needed to be clear that if funding was not made available at the required level this would impact on future flexibility and other policing activity in London.

With regard to the projected budget overspend in 2001/02, the Chair, the Chair of the Finance, Planning and Best Value Committee and other Members expressed concern at the significantly increased projection. They stressed that it was essential for Members to be able to have confidence in the financial information they received and on which they based decisions. It was recognised that this was also a priority for MPS senior management. Members of the Finance, Planning and Best Value Committee were now receiving weekly progress reports on the budget position.

Members asked for more information about the implications of the proposed measures to bring the budget into balance. The Director of Resources commented that this information should be available for consideration at the Finance, Planning and Best Value Committee on 8 November.

Resolved

1. That the updated forecast and the immediate management action being taken to bring the 2001/02 position into balance be noted;
2. that a comprehensive budget report dealing with the half-year position and resultant forecast be presented to the Finance, Planning and Best Value Committee on 8 November;
3. that the Authority notes that the actions proposed by the Commissioner will free up the general reserve to provide contingency funding for the exceptional security expenditure pending the Government's decision on special funding; and
4. that the MPA contingency be frozen in 2001/02 to provide further cover against the security expenditure.

63. Draft revenue budget 2002/03

(agenda item 6)

The Authority considered a report by the Treasurer and the Commissioner on the draft budget 2002/03 which had to be submitted to the Mayor by 26 October. The report included the recommendations of the Finance, Planning and Best Value Committee which met on 16 October.

In introducing the report the Treasurer commented that, with the likelihood of a low level of reserves coupled with a history of MPS budget overspend, it would be essential to have clarity on where the required savings could be achieved. This work must be completed by the Finance, Planning and Best Value Committee on 26 November so that at its meeting on 10 December the full Authority could decide what level of savings was feasible.

The Chair proposed the basis for a submission to the Mayor and further work on identifying savings, as reflected in the decision below. Graham Tope commented that the process of identifying these savings in the required timescale would be a huge task, particularly on the basis of inadequate information. Some other members were of the view that further savings should be considered, beyond what was required to meet the Mayor's funding intention.

After further discussion, it was

Resolved –

1. To note the recommendations of Finance Planning and Best Value Committee
2. To agree the submission to the Mayor along the following lines:
   1. agree the inflation provision to reflect 3.5% pay awards (£57.1m)
   2. provisionally include all unavoidable expenditure increases (£69.3m)
   3. include provision of £22.7m for 1,000 additional officers, but reassess and discuss with the Mayor, on the basis of evidence to be presented to him, by how much he would increase the precept to cover costs not reflected in the £22.7m provision. The budget to be increased by the amount agreed with the Mayor to reflect the cost of 1,000 officers or the number of officers be reduced if the provision cannot be increased.
   4. include savings, still to be identified, at the level required to reduce the budget to a level consistent with the Mayor's precept proposals (£29.5m).
   5. indicate further expenditure proposals as recommended by Finance Planning and Best Value Committee (totalling £21.3m) which would be included if further savings can be identified.
3. That proposals to achieve the required savings of £29.5m initially and up to a further £21.3m be reported to Finance Planning and Best Value Committee on 26 November (and MPA on 10 December), so that the Authority can then decide what level of savings is feasible for 2002/03 and inform the Mayor accordingly.
4. That the submission be reviewed on 10 December in the light of the grant settlement and any other later information

64. Resource Allocation Formula – progress on review

(agenda item 7)

The Authority considered a report by the Commissioner and the Treasurer summarising progress on the joint review of the formula, including the proposed structure of the new formula, consultation arrangements and the broad timetable for implementation.

The Chair commented that up to now the status of the formula had been an initial draft for consultation. The formula was being reworked and he understood that a revised version would be ready by 9 November. It would then be discussed at a major consultation meeting on 21 November. He emphasised that the Authority wanted a new, clear formula in place for 2002/03 but he proposed that the overriding principle should be that no borough should, as a result of the formula, lose from the level of police numbers (their budgeted workforce target) they would expect to receive as at 31 March 2002. He recognised that this might have implications for the timescale in which the new formula could be introduced.

The Deputy Commissioner expressed concern that this might affect the feasibility of the new formula.

The meeting also recognised that consultation to date had not been particularly well handled and a fair degree of concern and dissatisfaction had resulted. Lessons needed to be learned from this experience for future consultation on this and other issues.

Resolved

1. to note the progress on the joint project and the requirement for formal approval of the project outcome at the 10 December meeting of the full Authority;
2. that no borough should, as a result of the formula, lose from the level of policing (their budgeted workforce target) they would expect to receive as at 31 March 2002.

65. Policing priorities 2002/03

(agenda item 8)

The Authority considered a report by the Commissioner proposing MPA policing priorities for 2002/03.

In general, the emphasis on having a smaller number of priorities, objectives and targets was supported. Members made a number of points in the discussion of this report. It was felt that to be useful some of the priorities needed to be made more specific. They should also avoid being a statement of what the MPS would do as a matter of course, such as responding to HMIC recommendations. Jenny Jones regretted that an opportunity had been missed to address road safety in the priorities – she would write separately to the MPS with more detailed comments. It was also suggested that numbers 3), 4) and 5) in priority 1 might more relevantly be put under priority 2 "to create safer communities for Londoners". There was some discussion on whether this priority should refer to "safer communities" or "safer neighbourhoods".

A.C. Ghaffur confirmed that there would be a further report in due course on the MPS' internal priorities.

Resolved –

1. that the priorities and objectives be supported, subject to the comments made at the meeting;
2. that the objectives be used to justify the budget submission to the Mayor

66. Membership of the Audit Panel

(agenda item 9)

The Authority considered appointing a replacement for John Biggs on the Audit Panel. There were no nominations at the meeting. The Chair invited any Member interested in joining the membership of the Panel to contact either him or the Clerk.

67. MPA/MPS protocol on compensation cases

(agenda item 10)

The Authority considered a report proposing revised MPA/MPS protocols for compensation cases.

The Deputy Commissioner proposed an amendment to section 4 of Appendix 1 to the report to replace "real damage to the Authority or to the Service" with "substantial damage to the reputation of the Authority or the Service." This change was agreed.

Peter Herbert suggested that, for significant cases, a risk assessment and legal advice on liability and quantum should be reported to the Authority when proceedings are taken out rather than at a later stage. The Deputy Commissioner undertook to consider the feasibility of this.

Nicholas Long commented that the trigger point for the notification of cases needed to be defined.

Resolved

That, subject to the amendment set out above, the proposed changes to the protocol be endorsed.

68. The future direction of youth crime prevention and youth justice in London

(agenda item 11)

The Authority considered a report highlighting the extent and symptoms of the rises in youth crime together with the implications for the MPS and partner agencies and the results of consultations on how to address the problems in a focussed way.

Resolved

That the report be noted.

69. Police reform update

(agenda item 12)

The Authority received an update on the government's proposals for the police reform programme. The Clerk anticipated that the White Paper would be published before the Members' workshop which had been arranged for 12 November. The government had presented to the Police Negotiating Board detailed outcomes which it wished to achieve in respect of police conditions for discussion on how best these could be achieved. The proposal that the MPS should carry out a pilot scheme for police auxiliaries was significant and would require further discussion.

Resolved

1. to note the paper and that a commentary on the forthcoming White paper will be circulated as soon as it is published;
2. that detailed proposals on police auxiliaries be discussed at the Members' workshop on 12 November.

70. MPA accommodation

(agenda item 13)

The Authority considered a report by the Clerk outlining potentially favourable progress in finding new office accommodation for the MPA and recommending a process for making decisions on this.

Resolved

That authority be delegated to the Co-ordination and Urgency Committee to approve "heads of agreement" for a lease on new MPA accommodation, not exceeding ten years, with a full report to be put to the next full Authority.

71. C3i project business case

(agenda item 14)

The Authority considered a report by the Commissioner and the Clerk requesting authority to submit a formal bid to the Home Secretary for funding for the Airwave call and despatch system.

Resolved

1. to note the issue of the C3i outline business case of September 2001;
2. to note that this issue of the business case has been revised in content and consequent cost detail to address the new approach agreed by the MPA in May;
3. that the new funding requirement be agreed; and
4. that the Chair make a formal bid to the Home Secretary for funding for the C3i project on the basis of the agreed business case.

72. Exclusion of press and public

(agenda item 15)

Resolved –

That the press and public be asked to leave the meeting during discussion of the remaining item of business because exempt information as defined in paragraph 1 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 is likely to be made known.

73. Inquiry update

(agenda item 16)

The Chair of the Inquiry Panel gave an update to the Authority on the work required to complete this inquiry and proposed arrangements for publication of the Panel's report.

The meeting ended at 12.42 p.m.

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