Revision of the MPA/MPS Community Engagement Strategy 2006 - 2009

Report: 6
Date: 10 September 2009
By: Chief Executive

Summary

The MPA/MPS Community Engagement Strategy 2006 – 2009 needs to be revised by the MPA in partnership with the MPS. The revision provides the MPA an opportunity to build on the work begun earlier this year with the internal review into MPA communication, consultation and engagement activities.

A. Recommendation

1. Members approve the draft project initiation document.

B. Supporting information

1 In May 2009 the findings of an internal MPA review into communication, consultation and engagement activities was presented at the Communities, Equalities and People committee meeting. The review found that whilst the MPA had a wide-ranging communication, consultation and engagement programme this programme of work could be improved. For example, interviewees suggested the MPA embrace new technologies as there was awareness that traditional consultation mechanisms (for examples questionnaires) have not to date elicited responses from a wide range of Londoners. The review concluded that in order for the MPA to hear from those Londoners who are most vulnerable to crime and from those who are disproportionally impacted on by policing practice and policy the Authority will need to be more creative in its communication, consultation and engagement work.

2 At the May 2009 Communities, Equalities and People committee meeting, Members recognised that the review was the first step in a larger examination into the communication, consultation and engagement work that is undertaken by the Authority. Members were keen that communication, consultation and engagement undertaken by the Authority:

• was value for money;
• had synergy with and complimented work being undertaken by the MPS, rather than duplicating work undertaken by MPS community engagement structures;
• that MPA and MPS community engagement structures worked together or at the very least communicated and shared information regularly; and finally,
• informed and impacted on MPA and MPS policy and service provision.

3 Members also suggested a number of next steps including looking at what other police authorities were doing in regards to communication, consultation and engagement work and how this compared to what was being done at the MPA and what lessons could be learned from this comparison.

4 Alongside these suggestions there was awareness that the MPA in partnership with the MPS must revise its current corporate community engagement strategy. By undertaking the revision the MPA can respond to the issues highlighted above by Members and in partnership with the MPS agree community engagement work priorities and commitments for the coming three years.

5 In addition, the revision of the strategy is timely as it will allow the MPA to:

• to take forward the MPA’s commitments in the recently launched Met Forward in order to provide more effective and efficient way of working with the communities we serve
• support the work of the MPS in delivering the Policing Pledge.
• support the work of the Mayor, the Greater London Authority Group and London Councils in developing an effective City Charter and Policing Protocol.

6 A draft PID has been produced. A copy of the PID has been given to DAC Rod Jarman who has suggested that in order to secure buy in across the Territorial Policing business group and ensure that Occupational Command Units can inform the revision of the strategy, individuals from each unit will be identified to support the work.

7 A working group of MPA staff has been set up to take forward the revision of the strategy. DAC Jarman has also agreed to identify a MPS officer through the High Potential Development Scheme to support the work.

8 The PID outlines a provisional project plan which will be built on once the PID has been signed off by Members.

C. Race and equality impact

1 The revision of the community engagement strategy provides an opportunity for the MPA and MPS to be clearer to Londoners about what they can expect from us in regards to community engagement. In addition it provides an opportunity for the MPA and MPS to consider how it can build on and enhance current communication, consultation and engagement activities.

2 In revising the strategy and producing the accompanying action plans the MPA and MPS can assess whether existing consultation and engagement mechanisms provide opportunities for all Londoners to take part. It is imperative that the MPA and MPS provide multiple and accessible opportunities to ‘have their say’ for those Londoners who are disproportionally impacted on by policing practice and policy and those who are particularly vulnerable to crime. However, having heard from Londoners, the MPA and MPS also need to be able to demonstrate how information gathered from Londoners is utilised - how it informs policy development and service provision. Finally, the MPA and MPS must also get better at feeding back to Londoners the results of consultation and engagement exercises.

D. Financial implications

1 The costs for the revision of the MPA/MPS Community Engagement Strategy 2006 – 2009 review will largely be met through existing unit budgets.

E. Background papers

• Version 3: PID Engagement Review

F. Contact details

Report author(s): Hamera Asfa Davey, Oversight and Review officer, MPA

For information contact:

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

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