Minutes

Minutes of the an meeting of the Co-ordination and Policing Committee held on 4 July 2008 at 10 Dean Farrar Street, London, SW1H 0NY.

Present

Members

• Cindy Butts (Deputy Chair in the Chair)
• Jennette Arnold (item 1-4)
• James Cleverly
• Dee Doocey
• Toby Harris
• Karim Murji (item 1-9)
• Steve O’Connell
• Aneeta Prem (item 1-4)
• John Roberts
• Richard Sumray
• Rachel Whittaker (item 1-6)

MPA officers

• Catherine Crawford (Chief Executive)
• Jane Harwood (Assistant Chief Executive)
• Ken Hunt (Treasurer)
• Ruth Hastings Iqball (Committee Services)

MPS officers

• Paul Stephenson (Deputy Commissioner)
• Alan Croney (Director, Property Services)
• Tim Goodwin (Assistant Commissioner, Territorial Policing)
• Anne McMeel (Director of Resources)
• Martin Tiplady (Director of Human Resources)
• John Whittaker (Director, Commercial Services) (item 7)

Part 1

20. Apologies for absence

(Agenda item 1)

The members of the Committee formally introduced themselves. Apologies for absence were received from Len Duvall (Chair), Kit Malthouse (First Deputy Chair), Reshard Auladin (Deputy Chair), Faith Boardman, Kirsten Hearn and Richard Tracey (members). In the absence of the Chair, Cindy Butts chaired the meeting.

21. Declarations of interest

(Agenda item 2)

In relation to item 7, Karim Murji stated that he was an employee of the Open University.

22. Minutes – 5 June 2008  (Part 1)

(Agenda item 3)

It was noted that Richard Barnes and Elizabeth Howlett were not members of the Committee and did not attend the Committee on 5 June: Karim Murji however was present. Catherine Crawford was also shown in attendance when she was not.
RESOLVED - That the amendments outlined above the minutes of the meeting held on 5 June 2008 were agreed and signed as a correct record.

23.  MPA/MPS Asset Management Plan - public consultation feedback

(Agenda item 4)

A report was received outlining the results of the public consultation in relation to the Territorial Policing (TP) element of the MPA estate. Assistant Commissioner, Territorial Police, (ACTP) admitted the response from the public had been low despite the best efforts of Borough Organisational Command Unit (BOCU) commanders.

Some members were concerned over the consultation process that had taken place and felt it was not something BOCU commanders should be doing, others were concerned that the cost of the consultation exercise had come out of local budgets. Members highlighted the need for clear division between the roles of the MPA, MPS, Territorial Policing (TP), BOCUs and Property Service Directorate. They also emphasised the need for a cross boundary view. Members also noted that consultation was not the same as a referendum on future plans.

Steve O’Connell, Chair of the Finance Committee, stated that the consultation exercise highlighted the need to explain the relationship between front office, patrol bases, Safer Neighbourhood Teams and the like to the public. During the summer, the Finance Committee would be challenging the assumptions around current estate strategy. (The Finance Committee’s Terms of Reference included “to consider and determine issues in respect of the MPS estate and other resource issues, such as transport and catering.”). The Deputy Commissioner added that the MPS would welcome clarity around the outcome as soon as possible in view of the possible impact on the capital programme

Aneeta Prem, portfolio holder for the MPA estate, asked for an update on signage on Safer Neighbourhood Team bases. The Director, Property Services, provided an update for Stage 1 bases, adding that signage was already included in plans for phase 2 bases.

RESOLVED – The report be noted.

24. Recruitment and retention

(Agenda item 5)

A report was received providing a summary of recruitment performance during the last 12 months against the Deployment Plan and diversity targets. The report demonstrated how the MPS, through its innovative and unique recruitment strategy, had positively impacted upon diversity within the MPS and how it planned to build upon this during the next five years. The Director of HR added that the MPS was experiencing low attrition rates for all types of employee.
The Chair noted that the report was a ‘good news story’ and something for which the MPS should be proud. She added that before diversity could be achieved at higher ranks, it has to be found at lower ranks. Rachel Whittaker, Chair of the HR Oversight Group, agreed, adding that the Oversight Group was continuing to explore how such recruitment could be maintained. However, it was concerned by the fall in graduate police recruitment from 29% to 17% as graduate recruits were required to provide the higher ranks of the future. She added that the HR Oversight Group had commissioned work on the subject. The Director of HR said that the dip in graduate recruitment was due to 680 officers being recruited from provincial police services and the number of PCSOs, who usually did not have degrees, becoming police officers. He added that the MPS had been recognised by ‘The Times’ as being in the 20 top employers of graduates. The High Potential Development Scheme had been refreshed and a positive action schemed for BME and female officers had been launched.

The Director of HR added that the MPS would have to continue recruiting from provincial police services to obtain the specialist skills required for the Olympics. Whilst this was unpopular with other police services, the MPS was working with these services to mitigate the effect. For instance, 12 firearms officers had been recruited from one police service, but the MPS was staggering their start dates to assist in their replacement. Members asked why officers from provincial police services joined the MPS. The Director of HR said they come from other for opportunity and experience. The free travel also appeared to be an important factor.

Members asked about the numbers applying to become police officers, as oversupply kept the quality of recruits high. The Director of HR stated that the National Police Improvement Agency (NPIA) validated all applications. The rest of the UK accepted officers with a pass mark of 50%, the MPS required 69%. Other police services were now considering using the same pass mark. Members asked questions about PCSOs becoming police officers. They were told that their applications still had to be approved by the NPIA, but PCSOs could be got into training faster. Officers and PCSOs were subject to different vetting, but this was being revisited.

Member asked if the Home Office was still seeking a target of 25.9% black and ethnic minority (BME) police officers in the MPS. They were told that that the Home Office as it had selected this figure was the percentage of London’s population from BME communities. Whilst this had been totally unachievable in the short term (due to wastage rates), it remained an aspiration for the future.

Members asked if the MPS’s attrition rate was benchmarked against other employers. They were told attrition was consistent with or slightly below other organisations. They also asked if satisfaction in the MPS by the public was related to the diversity of the police force. The Director of HR stated that, as far as he was aware, it was not a question asked in public surveys but perhaps it should be.

The Director of Resources added that recruitment and retention in specialist areas such as property, procurement and IT could be problematical.

RESOLVED - That the report be noted.

25. MPS annual Learning and Development Business Plan 2008-09

(Agenda item 6)

All Home Office forces were required to prepare an Annual Learning and Development Business Plan in a format that met the criteria specified in Home Office Circulars 44/2005 and 10/2007. A report was received providing a summary of the document. It had already been considered by the HR Oversight Group in June, which recommended to this committee for formal approval.

The Director of HR stated that although the format was laborious to complete if did provide useful information for the MPS.

RESOLVED – That the MPS Annual Learning and Development Business Plan for 2008-09 be approved for submission to the Home Office.

26. Management of the MPS Historical Collection

(Agenda item 7)

This report presented a further update on the current management and potential of the MPS Historical Collection. The Deputy Commissioner added that the collection had great potential but had to pay for itself. The lead member on the historical collection, Karim Murji, stated that the collection had a national value as well as regional value. Members noted that the collection could be used as a recruitment tool, as were regimental museums. It could also used to remind the public, especially young people, that policing in the UK was by consent.

Members noted that there were three existing museums in New Scotland Yard and asked if these would be integrated into the historical collection. It was suggested that ‘a New Scotland Yard experience’ might be as marketable as the ‘Churchill Museum and Cabinet War Rooms’. The Director, Commercial Services, undertook to look at the synergy between the historical collections and the New Scotland Yard museums.

Members and the Chief Executive felt the recommendation to bring a business case back in October was unrealistic. It was agreed that a report business case should be submitted before Christmas.

RESOLVED – That

1. the further progress made in improving the state of the artefacts held in the collection and their systematic review be noted;

2. Counsel’s advice that the ownership of artefacts and documents held within the collection remain the property of the MPA be noted;

3. the high level vision for the future be agreed;

4. support for the transfer of the collection to more suitable premises for preservation of artefacts, which also allows public access, be re-affirm in principle;

5 the suggestion that suitable and relevant stakeholders are identified, and a working group formed to explore the long-term vision of a Police Heritage Centre in London be supported; and

6. a full business case being brought back to the MPA before Christmas 2008.

27. Any other urgent business (if any)

(Agenda item 8)

Operation Blunt 2 (This item was received after item 3)
The Deputy Commissioner made a statement in relation to Operation Blunt 2 (see appendix 1). He added that the MPS’s Senior Management Team had discussed the Operation that morning. The MPS wanted to reinforce the message that if one carried a knife, one was likely to be stopped and charged.

Members asked if the MPS was working with the NHS regarding a discrepancy around statistics. The Deputy Commissioner stated that he was meeting Dr Simon Tanner, Director of Public Health, NHS London, and DAC Fitzpatrick, TP, to a talk about NHS issues. Regular meetings between also took place between the Commissioner and Ruth Carnall, Chief Executive, NHS London. He added that the MPS would cooperate with all agencies in relation to knife crime and was maximising every approach to prevent further murders.

Members asked about the age profile of those arrested, in comparison with those arrested during Operation Blunt 1. They were told the age profile of both victims and perpetrators were getting lower. Charging data for the two operations was difficult to compare as different legislation was being used. Members also asked about the sustainability of Operation Blunt 2. The Deputy Commissioner stated that the task force was planned for three months. If it made a difference, it would be continued. However members had to recognise it would divert police from other targets.

Members asked if legal advice, requested at an earlier Committee, concerning photographing under 16s, had been received. AC TP said the legal advice received was inconclusive, however the use of still photography had stopped as CCTV footage was more effective.

Following comments about parents concern for their children during the summer holidays, members were informed that the MPS was keen to promote the message that the police, working with other agencies, controlled London’s streets.

RESOLVED: -That the urgent business be received.

28. Exclusion of the press and public

(Agenda item 11)

A resolution was put to exclude the press and public from the meeting during remaining items on the agenda as they were likely to disclose exempt information as described in Schedule 12(a) of the Local Government Act 1972, paragraphs 1, 4 and 5.

RESOLVED - That the press and public be excluded from the meeting during discussion of the remaining items on the agenda

Summary of decisions made on exempt items (Part 2)

29. Extension of forensic science contracts and future  commercial strategy
(Agenda item 10)

The report sought agreement to extend current contracts whilst new contracts were awarded. The recommendations were agreed in principle pending consideration by the MPA of legal advice.

30. Purchase of a residential property under the urgency procedure
(Agenda item 11)

Approval was given under the urgency procedure for the acquisition of a residential property. Members agreed with the review that the use of the urgency procedure for the acquisition was appropriate.

31. Any other urgent exempt business
(Agenda item 12)

This item was heard before item 10. The Director of HR gave an update on an ongoing employment tribunal.

32. Minutes: Co-ordination and Policing Committee - 5 June 2008 (Part 2)
(Agenda item 13)

The exempt minutes of the meeting held on 5 June 2008 were agreed and signed as a correct record

The meeting closed at 1.05 pm

Appendix 1

Operation Blunt 2 Statement

Deputy Commissioner Paul Stephenson

Earlier this week we published statistics showing the progress being made by the Blunt 2 operation, which is clearly making an impact on stopping young people carrying knives.

Some 27,000 people have been searched, leading to 1200 arrests and 500 knives seized. Fewer people are being cautioned as we are now charging 95% of those arrested where there is sufficient evidence. Sadly in recent days, two more young people have been stabbed to death. Clearly, the message is not getting through.

To build on the co-ordinated activity already being carried out by all 31 London police borough commands units under Blunt 2, we are increasing the police officer strengths in those boroughs most effected with immediate effect with the establishment of a dedicated 75-strong Blunt 2 taskforce. This is being drawn from resources across the Met – under the leadership of Cdr. Maxine de Brunner – to increase the drive against known gang members and their associates. It will also increase our pro-active capability in relation to supporting our search operations.

In addition, senior officers have been tasked to review all current operations and identify what further numbers of officers can be diverted to support the effort locally in areas where the knife problem is causing the most concern. This reflects that tackling knife crime is the number one priority for the Met at this time.

We recognise that our actions impact on all of London’s young people, the vast majority of whom do not carry knives or have any involvement in gangs. However, we believe we have their support in tackling the scourge of knife crime, as was demonstrated by the young people of Islington on Tuesday.

We are really grateful for the support that our officers are getting from the public, community leaders and local authorities across the capital for the tactic of using section 60 powers, which have significantly increased the number of young people being stopped and searched.

Our success will be seeing an end to these tragic deaths, but we cannot deliver this on our own. Everyone is being affected by what is going on and we all have to work together to get the message across that carrying knives has to stop.

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