MPA consultation on the policing priorities 2004/2005

Report: 12
Date: 25 June 2003
By: Clerk

Summary

This paper outlines the specific activities that will be coordinated by the Authority to ‘seek the views of the public’ on the annual policing priorities for 2004/05.

A. Recommendations

That

1. members agree the activities outlined for seeking the views of Londoners on the 2004/05 policing priorities;
2. comment on the proposal in paragraph 20 for feedback to the key pan-London statutory and voluntary agencies; and
3. agree the cost proposed in paragraph C.

B. Supporting information

1. Members have previously (24 April) considered reports from the MPS on the consultation that will be carried out for the policing priorities. A further report was required that would inform members of the Authority’s consultation activities, the framework for the consultation and the way in which this would inform the planning cycle, following discussions between the chairs of the two committees responsible for progressing the consultation to support the annual priorities.

2. It was proposed, and subsequently agreed by the committee, that there were to be a series of on-going activities that would inform the 2004/05 annual priorities for the MPS. This report provides an update on these and the way in which the views sought would be collated to inform the priorities.

Recommendation 61 Monitoring Group in Hackney

3. The specific work of this group was outlined in a previous committee report. The membership of the group is representative of the population in Hackney. Many of those involved also have a detailed understanding of other policing issues at a local level as well as at a London perspective.

4. In addition to the work that is being progressed by this group on Recommendation 61 it is proposed that based on the insight and informed view that they have on policing issues, that this group will also be consulted on the annual priorities. They will be given the same set of questions that are being responded to in the pan–London consultation. The analysis will be carried out internally and will contribute to the overall debate on the emerging priorities.

5. As it is already an established group, there will be the opportunity for feedback as well as be able to continuously monitor the impact of the priorities on the implementation of Recommendation 61 and other policing operations and initiatives in Hackney.

Pan-London focus groups

6. The MPA will be working in partnership with the London Civic Forum to hold eight focus group meetings with different sections of the community between July and September 2003. The format of the programmes will be based on a series of highly successful events that the London Civic Forum organised and facilitated for the London Development Agency. A copy of the initial draft proposal is attached at appendix 1.

7. Members will note that the cost for this activity is likely to be in the region of £24,000 for the full programme, including the reports that will be developed following the events. These will both evaluate the events as well as make proposals for improvements should the Authority wish to continue to use that format for further conversation.

Consultation with faith leaders and faith communities, central London, 31 July 2003

8. The MPA has sought to seek the views of faith communities on varying aspects of its consultation over time. The Chair of the Authority, Toby Harris and the Deputy Chair, R David Muir have held ongoing meetings with different faith leaders and have taken part in a range of events and initiative as a way of demonstrating the keen interest the Authority has in maintaining such relationships.

9. Following one of the regular meetings between Toby Harris, R David Muir and Rev Nims Obunge (Evangelical Alliance) it was agreed that the MPA would host a breakfast consultation to seek the views of key faith leaders on the 2004/05 policing priorities.

10. Since initiating the plans for the event, the Government Office for London (GOL), the Greater London Authority (GLA), the Mayor’s office and the Association for London Government (ALG) have all expressed a keen interest in being part of the event as well as working jointly to secure sustainability in the relationship between the faith community and the key statutory agencies that have responsibility for crime and community safety matters.

11. The event will be held in central London. Detailed plans are already well underway for the event, which is being administered by the Haringey Peace Alliance on behalf of the MPA, based on their established experience in organising such events. A copy of the draft programme is attached at Appendix 2.

12. GoL will contribute approximately £8,000 to the event. The other statutory partners will make in-kind contribution, including the facilitation of the event.

13. Other invitees include the leaders of the major faiths in London, i.e. Muslim, Jewish, Sikh, etc. The outcome from the event will form part of the overall analysis that will inform the process of agreeing the policy priorities for London.

14. The MPS already has long established ways of engaging and working with faith leaders, especially the black majority churches. The MPS will therefore continue to be a partner in both the specific event as well as the development of a pan-London framework for engaging with faith leaders and faith communities.

Launch of Hope for the City

15. The event will be used to launch the Evangelical Alliance/MPS publication ‘Hope for the City’, which is a document jointly researched and funded by the Metropolitan Police Service and the Evangelical Alliance. It is aimed at faith leaders and communities in London to highlight a specific faith response to crime and community safety issues in London.

16. Members will note that the plan is to invite the Home Secretary to launch the ‘Hope in the City’ document. GoL will be progressing this. Other partner organisations will be responsible for progressing other aspects of the event.

Consulting pan–London statutory and voluntary criminal justice organisations

17. Members have previously agreed (24 April) to the online consultation that is being coordinated by the MPS. An agreement has been reached between officers that the key pan–London statutory and voluntary criminal justice agencies should be invited to take part in the online consultation.

18. At the final phase of the exercise when the emerging priorities have been identified, it is proposed to hold a small focus group meeting with the leaders/senior managers if these organisations. Should members agree with the proposals, this event will be held prior to the annual Commissioner’s Seminar to ensure that their views inform that event.

Youth consultation

19. Discussions are underway with the Peabody Trust youth representative to co-ordinate a series of consultations through its youth clubs and summer youth activities on the priorities. These are yet to be finalised. Subject to members’ approval, more detailed discussion will take place to finalise these arrangements.

Policing Plan consultation calendar

20. A summary of all the events and activities that will inform the 2004/2005 policing priorities are outlined in a calendar of events at Appendix 3. This information will be posted on the MPA website and will be circulated to stakeholders.

C. Equality and diversity implications

The consultation framework outlined in this report will meet the general and specific duty of the Race Relations Amendment Act to consult a range of groups and communities on key policing issues.

D. Financial implications

1. The Committee has an overall budget of £110,000 that could be allocated to this years policing priories consultation. The budgeted cost of the activities indicated in this report will be approximately £51,000.

2. The cost breakdown is as follows:

E. Background papers

None.

F. Contact details

Report author: Julia Smith, MPA.

For more information contact:

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

Appendix 1

Proposal for MPA engagement sessions – draft 28/04/03

The aim of this programme is to provide an opportunity for the MPA to engage with a range of different communities about their role and work and how best they can work with their stakeholders. The sessions provide an opportunity for the MPA to focus attention on policing priorities and to listen to the experience of these communities and together find out how to make improvements for the future. These events could form part of the Authority’s consultation programme to inform the annual policing priorities.

Content/programme

Possible content of each event might include:

• MPA - short presentation
• Community host organisation– short presentation
• Q&A session – about general issues not covered
• Cluster discussion groups about particular areas of concern and policy topics
• Information exchange via display area – this would provide display stands about MPA and resources packs for groups to take away, as well as opportunities for groups to provide their own information and showcase successful projects.
• Feedback from London Civic Forum & next steps

Target audience

The MPA is keen to engage with different target communities. Groups identified as priority include:

• Asian community
• People with disabilities and those representing the interests of those with disabilities
• Small business
• Women
• Groups and small voluntary and community organisations that have a overview of multiple discrimination issues
• People without permanent homes
• Refugees and asylum seekers

Organisation

Each meeting would be hosted in a Civic Forum member venue or other suitable public place (e.g. library, FE college, internet café…) and organised by the Civic Forum. The MPA would bring appropriate representation and a speaker from the target community with expertise in policing matters would be asked to make a short contribution.

Promotion

The meetings would be set up by London Civic Forum and invites sent to member organisations within the target group, as well as to all interested bodies within London area. They would also be promoted locally through community networks, faith communities and press where appropriate, as well as within the body of the Civic Forum work programme (via the e-bulletin, website and mailings).

Why London Civic Forum?

The Civic Forum membership provides a unique sample of London stakeholder organisations both for gathering and dissemination information. Over 950 member organisations of the Civic Forum (ranging across sectors from large business umbrella organisations, to trade unions, charities and faith community groups.

London Civic Forum currently has over 950 members drawn from London’s private, public, voluntary and faith-based sectors. Its work involves the membership of the Black Londoners Forum. Examples of member organisations include:

• Black Londoners Forum
• Charter 88
• Commission for Racial Equality
• Federation of Small Businesses
• Institute of Directors
• London Churches Group
• London First
• London Housing Federation
• London Recycling Centre
• London Regeneration Network
• London Voluntary Service Council
• Muslim Council of Britain
• The Council of Ethnic Minority Voluntary Sector Organisations
• The London Business Board
• Trades Union Congress

London Civic Forum member organisations:

• Are based in each of the London boroughs,
• Are members of over 190 umbrella organisations
• Are active in over 75 regeneration partnerships
• Are represented in each of the GLA stakeholder groups
• Actively work with a wide range of minority ethnic communities
• Include all of the main faith groups

Experience

London Civic Forum regularly hosts consultation and briefing sessions for the GLA and sends out information from the GLA, the Assembly and the functional bodies. It has established a series of engagement sessions with London Development Agency, focused on target communities and relevant topics of concern (to date we have worked with faith communities, women, and the next two sessions planned are with refugee groups and the Chinese community. The Civic Forum has also run a special programme of work with BME and faith communities across London supporting their engagement and has accumulated expertise in this area.

Timescale

It is understood that the engagement sessions would take place in June/July. Dates and venues would be set according to target communities and locations identified with the MPA.

Monitoring & evaluation

The engagement sessions would be planned and assessed, with input and feedback from the target community and participants at each event, using an evaluation slot in the programme and forms (evaluation and monitoring) at the event itself.

Outcomes

Each event would provide:

• Raised profile for the Metropolitan Policy Authority and London Civic Forum
• Stronger awareness about the MPA within target communities
• Feedback about policing priorities for the MPA to inform the annual priorities for London
• Communities with the ability to take their involvement further (via their own community networks and newly acquired knowledge).
• Identifiable opportunities for future between communities and the MPA (Our experience with the LDA sessions to date has demonstrated further specific policy and consultation initiatives with each community).
• Up to 50 attendees per session

Resources

It would be expected that each event would cost around £5000 to deliver, depending on number of target attendees and level of promotion required, plus an additional resources to set up the programme and deliver a final report. A breakdown budget would be provided once a more detailed specification for the programme was agreed by the relevant MPA committee.

Appendix 2

Faith Leaders Breakfast Consultation Event

31 July 2003
Central London Venue

Programme Outline

Appendix 3

MPA Policing Plan consultation planning diary

June 2003

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