Reports from committees

Report: 8
Date: 27 May 2010
By: Chief Executive

At each meeting of the Authority members will receive a report from committees that have meet in recent weeks.

This is the first report from the authority’s committees to the full authority. It provides members with details of the key items considered at each of the committees and their sub-committees.

This report covers the following meetings:

• Joint Strategic and Operational Policing/Finance and Resources Committees – 18 March 2010
• Finance and Resources Committee- 18 March 2010
• Corporate Governance Committee 22 March 2010
• Strategic and Operational Policing Committee – 1 April 2010
• Finance and Resources Committee – 22 April 2010

Joint Strategic and Operational Policing/Finance and Resources Committees – 18 March 2010

Members Present: Steve O’Connell (Chair), Reshard Auladin, John Biggs,, Chris Boothman, Dee Doocey, Toby Harris, Jenny Jones, Joanne McCartney, Neil Johnson and Graham Speed.

The joint meeting considered, but did not accept, the Policing London Business Plan 2010-13. Following further work the plan was due to be considered in revised form at the Authority meeting on 25 March.

Finance and Resources Committee- 18 March 2010

Revenue and capital budget monitoring 2009/10 – period 10

This position at Period 10 (to the end of January) was that the revenue budget is forecast to overspend by £7.2m (approximately 0.2% of budget). The capital programme for the same Period 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.

Treasury Management Strategy Statement and Investment Strategy 2010/11

The committee approved the strategy for consideration at the full Authority meeting on 25 March This had been considered in detail by the Resources and Productivity Sub-Committee where members felt that the approach being recommended appeared to provide an opportunity to obtain an increase in yield whilst being consistent with security and liquidity objectives.

Efficiency plan and efficiency plan monitoring 2009/09 -2010/11

The Committee was advised of the financial aspects of the Metropolitan Police Authority (MPA)/Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) Efficiency Plan for 2010/11, and received 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

Transfer of front counter facilities –Haringey borough

Approval was given to 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 proposal is supported by the MPA link member and the local MP.

Energy Service Improvement Plan - collaborative procurement of gas, oil and electricity (exempt)

It was agreed to enter into a collaborative agreement for the procurement of energy from the UK wholesale energy market using the Purchase-Within-Period flexible approach.

Palace of Westminster Section 25 Special Services Agreement (exempt)

The Committee approved in principle the renewal of the Section 25 Special Services Contract between the MPA and Palace of Westminster for the period 2010/11 to 2014/15 The provision of Policing Services to the Palace of Westminster by the MPS has been provided since 1996 under a Special Services Agreement under Section 25 of the Police Act 1996, although the MPS has been protecting and keeping order on the Parliamentary Estate since 1829. The report described the operational, financial and legal aspects of the proposed revised contract agreement and described a number of key revisions to the existing contract.

STANDARDS COMMITTEE – 19 March 2010

Members Present: Stephanie Caplan (Chair), Toby Harris and Kirsten Hearn

Independent Member Recruitment

Members noted that the two current Independent members of the Standards Committee term of office expired in June 2010 and agreed that the Authority should now undertake a recruitment process for new members. The Committee agreed that the number of independent members on the Committee should be increased from 2 to 3 to reflect the increased responsibility the Committee now had for Code of Conduct matters.

The Committee agreed that applications received as part of the GLA Independent member recruitment process should be considered for suitability for consideration to be shortlisted for interview and that arrangements should also be made to advertise for independent members.

It was also agreed that the Interviewing Panel should consist of a minimum of three members and include at least one Assembly and one MPA Independent member.

Review of members allowances

(a) Recommendation from the GLA

Members considered a report that informed them that the GLA had asked the Senior Salaries Review Board (SSRB) to review its allowances. As part of this review the SSRB had recommended that the Greater London Authority should collectively agree that Assembly members who are also members of the Metropolitan Police Authority should decline to accept the Metropolitan Police Authority supplement; and legislation to be amended so that Assembly members who are also members of the metropolitan Police Authority no longer receive an allowance for their work on the Metropolitan Police Authority.

The recommendation also stated that ‘If neither of these proves possible, then legislation should be amended to enable the salary of Assembly members who are also members of the Metropolitan Police Authority to be abated in full by the amount of the allowance they receive for Metropolitan Police Authority membership.

The GLA, through a corresponding ‘Mayoral Decision’ had agreed that this recommendation be referred to the MPA respectively, without comment or recommendation.

In considering this the Committee resolved that the Greater London Assembly be informed that the MPA Standards Committee supported a recommendation that the Greater London Authority should collectively agree that Assembly members who are also members of the MPA should decline to accept the MPA supplement and that legislation be amended so that Assembly members who are also members of the MPA no longer receive an allowance for their work on the MPA;

(b) MPA Members allowance Scheme

Members of the Committee were also asked to consider the current MPA members’ allowance scheme which did not reflect the role of Vice Chairman of the Authority, if the Mayor is not Chairman of the MPA. In doing so, the Committee felt that the role of Vice Chairman of the Authority should be reflected to recognise an acceptance of an additional commitment of this position. The Committee therefore made the following recommendation to the full Authority to amend the current members allowance scheme:

Recomendation

‘2. the full Authority be recommended that the members allowance scheme be amended to:

(a) provide an SRA allowance for the position of Vice Chairman of the Authority and that that allowance be the same as that of a chairman of a committee (currently £11,641); and

(b) the position of Vice Chairman can claim one further SRA if also a chairman of either a committee or a sub-committee’.

Corporate Governance Committee 22 March 2010

Members Present: Toby Harris (Chair), John Biggs, Valerie Brasse, Joanne McCartney and Caroline Pidgeon.

Directorate of Audit, Risk and Assurance 2010/11 annual plan

The annual plan for 2010/11 .reflects the new strategic direction for the Directorate which was approved by the Committee in December 2009. There is a greater emphasis on risk based audit activity, providing risk and control advice to major change programmes and a focus on high risk/cost areas of the business. The plan will enable the Director of Audit, Risk and Assurance to provide the required annual opinion on the adequacy of the internal control framework and give greater assurance on the effectiveness of risk management in the MPA and MPS. The opinion will form part of the MPA annual governance statement for the 2010/11 published accounts.

Directorate of Audit, Risk and Assurance 2009/110 annual plan –progress report

The Committee was advised that fourteen final reports have been issued since its December meeting, a further 30 reports are at draft report stage and 31 reports are in progress. The overall assurance score to date for 2009/10 based on the final reports remains at 2.5 with first time reviews scoring 2.7 and follow ups 2.3. This is a notable improvement on the overall score of 2.8 (3.1 first time reviews and 2.4 follow ups) for 2008/9. The report also outlined the progress made in implementing recommendations, including those from the previous year.

Outstanding high risk audit recommendations

This report updated members on the outstanding high risk Directorate of Audit, Risk and Assurance recommendations as at 25 February 2010. Details were provided of the present status of accepted high risk recommendations and of the work which had been carried out in parts of the business to implement some of the older outstanding high risk recommendations.

Update on Audit Commission Police Use of Resources Evaluation PURE 2008/09 and 2009/10

The report sets out progress report for each of the 23 Audit Commission recommendations set out in the 2008/09 PURE report. The Commission started the 2009/10 PURE assessment in January 2010 and it is anticipated in April.

Ronnie Flanagan’s report into the award of the contracts to Impact Plus

The report contained a response to the report made by Sir Ronnie Flanagan following his investigation into the award of contracts to the company Impact Plus. There is a response to each of the 12 recommendations made which Sir Ronnie made to improve processes and practices.

Business Charge cards

The Committee received a report on the completed review of business card (Barclaycard) process and procedures which incorporated the lessons identified in relation to the previous Amex scheme. The processes and procedures are kept under constant review and revisions made where necessary. A detailed report was also submitted on the investigations which are being carried out by the Directorate of Professional Standards into misuse of Amex cards.

Updates

The committee received updates in respect of a number of issues including a report from the external auditor on progress on their action against the 2009/10 audit plan, the MPS Corporate Governance Framework, the Treasury Management action plan, Annual Governance Statement –quarterly update and on implementing International Financial Reporting Standards.

MPS Risk Management Update (exempt)

The Committee reviewed the current MPS risk register and a summary of the ongoing work to improve the quality of the risk analysis and information contained in the register.

Strategic and Operational Policing Committee – 1 April 2010

Members Present: Reshard Auladin (Chairman), Tony Arbour, Jennette Arnold, Chris Boothman, Cindy Butts, Toby Harris, Joanne McCartney, Caroline Pidgeon, Richard Tracey.

Urgent Actions and Urgent Operational Issues

Following the concerns expressed by members about the lack of tangible targets in the policing plan at the full authority meeting on 25th March 2010, the Chair of SOP agreed to receive a revised plan. Members agreed to accept the revised set of targets and endorse the policing plan. The chief executive was asked to inform Members of the decision and to bring the plan to the April police authority meeting.

Headline Performance Report

Members received the headline performance report. Concerns were raised about performance against burglary and serious violence targets. Members were also concerned to know what was being done to address the apparently poor performance in Waltham Forest BOCU. Further information about the proportion of BME officers in the special constabulary was requested.

Specialist Crime Directorate (SCD) Performance Report

The committee received a report on the performance of SCD. Members noted the work of the Central E-crime Unit with interest. The committee was particularly interested to hear about the significance of e-crime in general policing, and the need to ensure that all officers have some basic skills in this area. The committee was concerned about the increase in ‘Trident’ gun crime and were updated on the work being done by SCD in response to the increase in activity.

‘Taylor’ Reforms – One year on

Members were updated on the impact of the changes to the complaints and discipline system. Local resolution has not been as successful as hoped, but it is anticipated that changes to statutory guidance issued by the Independent Police Complaints Commission on 1st April 2010, should deliver improvements. Members were told that the MPS are using data about types of complaints and volumes across boroughs to target training and develop improvement plans. The paper also prompted a discussion about the effectiveness of organisational learning systems within the MPS. Members noted the rationale behind the decision to disband the Taylor Implementation Team, but urged against complacency.

Professional Standard Performance Indicators

Members discussed the latest performance indictors on professional standards within the MPS.

Exempt items

The committee dealt with three requests for funding for legal representation.

Finance and Resources Committee – 22 April 2010

Members present:

Steve O’Connell (Chairman), Reshard Auladin, Faith Boardman, John Biggs, Chris Boothman, Dee Doocey and Graham Speed

Revenue and capital budget monitoring 2009/10 – period 11

As at period 11 (to the end of February) the revenue budget is forecast to overspend by £3.9m (approximately 0.1% of budget). The capital programme as at Period 11 shows year to date total expenditure of £137.9m. This total represents 64.4% of the revised annual budget of £214m. The forecast for the year of £186.1m is £27.9m below the revised annual budget.

Treasury Management policy statement 2010/11

This report was a requirement under the Code of Practice of the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy. There are some minor changes in the policy statement that reflect arrangements to cover current post vacancies and new reporting requirements. When the statement was considered by the Resources and Productivity Sub-Committee members discussed the cover for any future post vacancies and were advised that when vacancies occurred, interim arrangements would be agreed between the MPA and the MPA and these would formally be reported through the next update report made to members.

The Committee approved the statement for approval at this meeting of the Authority

Police Property Act Fund

The annual report was considered. It provided a summary of the 2008/09 annual accounts, the 2009/10 grant budget outturn and proposals for the allocation of the 2010/11 grants budget. The Committee asked that in future years the annual accounts be submitted sooner after the end of the financial year.

Transfer of front counter facilities – Greenwich borough

Approval was given for the transfer of the front counter service from Thamesmead police station to new accommodation within the Safer Neighbourhoods base for Thamesmead Moorings and Abbey Wood wards, known as Joyce Dawson Way. The current pre-fabricated built police station does not offer adequate or appropriate front counter facilities. The building is in a poor state of repair and there are inadequate IT facilities available in the front counter area. The proposal is to hold over on the lease until such a time as the Borough is in a position to transfer the front counter facility.

Award of contracts (exempt)

Approval was given to the award of contracts in respect of:

• Pay and pensions services contract extension;
•  Procurement, contract action and governance for multiple projects at New Scotland Yard;
•  Framework contract for digital CCTV image presentation and control systems - in respect of two identified projects;
•  General purpose body armour; and
•  ICT services agreement extension.

Olympic and Paralympic Games –business cases (exempt)

Business cases were approved in respect to the International Relations Unit, meeting demand (firearms) and site and venue security (advice).

Send an e-mail linking to this page

Feedback