Questions to the Authority

Report: 5
Date: 28 May 2009
By: Chief Executive

Summary

Members are requested, in accordance with the Authority’s Standing Orders, to hear questions from member of the public. The Chief Executive’s response on behalf of the Authority will be given at the meeting.

A. Recommendation

That the Authority hears the questions set out below and responds in accordance with Standing Order 2.7.

B. Supporting information

1. The following question has been received from a member of the public, Julie Lawrence:

Noise from helicopters

“I live and work in central London, and over the last seven years, I have noticed a marked increase in the disturbance caused by the Metropolitan police helicopter. It quite often circles or hovers for long periods at low altitude. On occasions, the noise is so loud that it is impossible to spend time outdoors in any comfort.

"I believe the operational considerations of the Met should be balanced against the considerable disruption caused to local people when deciding on the use of the helicopter. I am therefore asking this question to ascertain whether the MPA considers itself responsible for making sure a balanced policy is in place."

Question

Does the MPA have responsibility for the policy on use of the Metropolitan police helicopters, and if so, does this policy require operational staff to take into account the impact on the public in terms of noise when deciding whether to deploy a helicopter?”

The following questions have been received from Mr Andrew May.

Policing of G20

1. Why did the police forcibly advance at the South end of the Climate Camp at around 7pm without warning if it was simply a matter of needing a containment to “prevent disorderly protestors from the Bank of England from joining” and, in particular, why did a line of officers use force to advance on the right hand side when there was access from Great Helens.
2. Given the evidence of Police ID concealment or accidental obscurement of ID at the G20 and subsequent demonstrations, will the Police Uniform review look into placing numbers on the back and front of uniforms and protective gear rather than the shoulder so that Police ID on future demonstrations is more clearly identifiable and less easily removed.
   The evidence we speak of here is in the video appendix from our HASC written evidence, within that we have 2 examples of ID at the Bank of England kettle (one new example which does not seem to have been publicised yet)
3. Given the evidence submitted to MPA members prior to this meeting about inconsistencies in police statements, how are we as members of the public, and the MPA members, to feel confident in the facts as presented in Metropolitan Police Briefings thus far?
4. Defend Peaceful Protest are aware of five separate bodies investigating aspects of the G20 protests: The Home Affairs Select Committee, the Joint Committee on Human Rights, the IPCC, Her Majesties Inspectorate of Constabulary and the Metropolitan Police Authority itself. What effort is being made to ensure that all bodies are working together to collate evidence from protestors in order to make an effective inquiry into protesting policing at the G20 as possible.

2. Standing Order 2.7 sets out the process for receiving questions at Authority meetings; this is given at Appendix 1.

3. The Chief Executive’s responses to these questions will be given at the meeting.

C. Race and equality impact

None related to the process of receiving questions from the public.

D. Financial implications

None.

E. Background papers

None

F. Contact details

Report author(s): John Crompton, MPA

For more information contact:

MPA general: 020 7202 0202
Media enquiries: 020 7202 0217/18

Appendix 1

2.7 Questions from the public at Authority meetings

2.7.1 Members of the public, who live or work in the Metropolitan Police District may ask questions of the Authority, which are relevant to its business, functions or responsibilities. The Chief Executive must receive the question in writing not less than ten working days before a meeting of the Authority.

2.7.2 A person may not ask more than two questions in a rolling 12 month period.

2.7.3 The Chief Executive of the Authority will, in discussion with the Chairman of the Authority or in his or her absence the Vice Chairman of the Authority, have the discretion to refuse a question. In this event, the Chief Executive shall respond in writing to the questioner outlining the reason(s) for this decision. This letter will be copied to all members, before the Authority meeting. Without fettering that discretion, reasons why a question may not be accepted include the following:

1. The reasons set out in 2.6.3 above;
2.  The question cannot be answered satisfactorily without the disclosure of exempt information (as defined in the Access to Information or Freedom of Information legislation);
3.  In the Chief Executive's opinion, the question has already been answered by another means and contains no issues of wider public interest that require a public answer;
4.  The question actually contains a number of different questions, in which case the Chief Executive will ask for an amended question to be submitted; and
5.  The question is similar to, or on a similar theme to, a question asked by someone else in the preceding three months.

2.7.4 Any question(s) shall be included on the agenda for the meeting, in the order of receipt and must be addressed to the Chairman. The Chairman will then invite the Chief Executive to respond, orally or in writing, on behalf of the Authority. Following the Chief Executive’s response, the person asking the question may speak further for no more than three minutes. Members may also comment on or discuss the issues raised by the question and answer.

2.7.5 The person asking the question can attend the meeting to put the question. If they are not present, the answer as reported to the Authority shall be sent to them following the meeting. If the person asking the question needs some clarification in relation to the answer, this will be given by the Chief Executive or appropriate officer, in person or in writing, within ten working days of clarification being sought.

2.7.6 The Chairman may use discretion to limit the number of questions asked by members of the public in order to avoid the business of the Authority being disrupted. In any event, no more than 30 minutes will be allowed for public questions and answers. Any questions that remain unanswered within the timescale shall receive written responses only.

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