Working guidelines for link members

Report: 7
Date: 23 January 2001
By: Clerk

Summary

The role of link members is still evolving. Revised draft guidelines reflecting discussion at the full Authority meeting are attached for consideration. It is proposed that further revisions to this paper should be considered by the Chair’s Coordinating and Urgency Committee which will be responsible for ensuring that the guidelines developed will reflect all relevant considerations.

A. Supporting information

1. Members of the CDO Committee first commissioned a paper on draft guidance for the role of link member in September 2000 (CDO/00/15). The report proposed a number of loosely linked functions which were presented for discussion. At the time members considered that the role was still in its infancy. They recommended that a further review should be undertaken once members had had the opportunity to test out the new role, and the varying responsibilities that it was likely to entail. A list of the link members is attached at Appendix 1.

2. The link member role applies to all MPA members. The draft guidelines therefore need approval by the full Authority so that other members can have the opportunity to consider the report and comment as appropriate. This paper was discussed at the Authority meeting on 14 December.

3. The comments and suggestions made concerning the link member role were wide ranging and not unanimous and it became apparent that this subject required further more detailed consultation

Links with Chairs Coordinating and Urgency Committee (CCU) business

4. The CCU has, for some time now been considering a paper on the role and relationship that MPA members could effectively establish with a range of MPS internal committees as well as external organisations. The conclusion of this paper will have an impact on the role of link members.

5 In view of the above, it is proposed that further development of the guidance should be remitted to the Chair’s Coordination and Urgency Committee that has the responsibility to consider crosscutting matters that pertains to the full Authority.

6 The CCU, having considered this matter together with other linked reports, will be better informed to give direction and guidance to all members on the role that it expects them to perform. It will also ensure that all members and Committees are fully involved in the development process, and will see that the Authority approves the final draft guidelines for the link member role.

7 The development of the link member role is clearly an iterative process, and the guidelines will need revisiting in the light of individual experience. But in order to inform the paper to be produced by for the CCU it would be helpful for members to consider a revised version of the draft guidelines, attached at Appendix 2.

8. Members may want to consider whether the guidelines should attempt to stipulate a minimum - or indeed - maximum amount of involvement with link communities.

B. Recommendations

That CDO members approve the proposal outlined in paragraph 5, that this further consideration and development on the role of link members be delegated to the CCU Committee.

C. Financial implications

There are no financial implications associated with this report.

D. Review arrangements

None proposed in this report.

E. Background papers

The following is a statutory list of background papers (under the Local Government Act 1972 S.100 D) which disclose facts or matters on which the report is based and which have been relied on to a material extent in preparing this report. They are available on request to either the contact officer listed above or to the Clerk to the Police Authority at the address indicated on the agenda.

• Guidelines to assist in the role as a Link Members CDO/00/15 and MPA/00/57

F. Contact details

The author of this report is Julia Smith.

For information contact:

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

Appendix 1: MPA geographical link members

Appendix 2: Draft guidelines for members to assist in role as link members

Context

All MPA members, whether GLA members, magistrates or independents, already have a great deal of experience in interfacing with key stakeholders and partners in the local community. The draft guidelines presented here are intended to contribute to a consistency of understanding and approaches in a way that link members undertake their role.

Link members are just that: a two way link with geographical areas within the Metropolitan Police District. They do not represent, in any constitutional or democratic sense, the interests of the area or group with which they liaise. But they do, importantly, ensure that the local perspective and local needs are fully taken on board as strategic policies are put together .

Functions of link members

1. To promote and publicise the role and responsibilities of the MPA.
2. To bring back messages/information/concerns to the Authority where these are considered to be broader than a borough specific issue.
3. To highlight specific borough concerns to the appropriate channels within the MPS.
4. To forge links with key partners in the local crime and disorder partnerships.
5. To monitor and influence the policies and practices of stakeholders, partners and others in the implementation of equal opportunities and diversity in relation to policing in accordance with the MPA ‘statutory duty to
   • promote equality of opportunity for all persons.
   • eliminate discrimination and promote good relations between persons of different racial groups, religious beliefs and sexual orientation.
6. To identify and (where appropriate) meet with hard to reach groups in order to assist the Authority in its implementation of appropriate consultation mechanisms.
7. To monitor lay visiting practices and to inform the Authority of key issues arising from contacts made.

Aims

• Improved understanding and expertise in policing matters.
• Fuller understanding of a wide range of local community and policing issues.
• The capacity to identify and feed key messages (and intelligence) to the Authority and other key partners and players.
• The capacity to identify and contribute to best practice that could inform the work of the other policies, regionally, nationally and internationally.
• Access to press, educational establishments, local businesses, for example, to promote the work of the Authority and the police service (where appropriate)
• Credibility with local communities.

Secretariat role

• To maintain a calendar of local activity on behalf of link members.
• To arrange briefing and background material for visits and meetings as requested.
• To formalise links with crime and disorder partnerships and PCCGs.
• To disseminate to members, and where appropriate, within the MPS the outcome of members’ activities locally.
• To distribute to members publicity and marketing materials about the MPS for use locally.
• To arrange media coverage of local activities to enhance the credibility and profile of the Authority.
• To ensure that the balance of commitment of individual members between their strategic oversight and local link roles does not become blurred.

Send an e-mail linking to this page

Feedback