Minutes

Minutes of the meeting of the Communities, Equalities and People Committee of the Metropolitan Police Authority held on 5 May 2011 at 10 Dean Farrar Street,, London SW1H 0NY.

Present

Members

• Cindy Butts (Chair)
• Faith Boardman
• Victoria Borwick
• Valerie Brasse
• Clive Lawton

MPA officers

• Catherine Crawford (Chief Executive)
• Fay Scott (Head of Equalities and Engagement)
• Natasha Plummer (Engagement and Partnerships Manager)
• Hamera Asfa-Davey (Community Engagement and Neighbourhood Policing Officer)
• Michael Taylor (Committee Officer)

MPS officers

• Sharon McCabe (Developing Change)
• Kate McGregor (Organisational Development)
• David Skelton (Diversity and Citizen Focus Directorate)
• Steve Rodhouse (Territorial Policing)
• Sue Rich (Met Volunteer Programme)
• Chris Allison (National Olympic Security Coordinator)

57. Apologies for absence

(Agenda item 1)

57.1 Apologies were received from Reshard Auladin (MPA Member) and Kirsten Hearn (MPA Member)

58. Declarations of interests

(Agenda item 2)

58.1 There were no declarations of interest.

59. Minutes: Communities, Equalities and People Committee – 3 March 2011

(Agenda item 3)

59.1 The minutes were agreed as a correct record

60. Oral update from Head of Equalities and Engagement

(Agenda item 4)

60.1 The Race and Faith Monitoring Group examined the report on the Race and Faith Inquiry recommendations, which will be received at the MPA Full Authority meeting on 26 May 2011. The MPS will be providing updates on the initiatives which have been developed to progress the recommendations.

61. Territorial Policing Development Programme (Human Resources and Equality Implications)

(Agenda item 5)

61.1 Sharon McCabe introduced the report, which outlines the progress of the development programme. In order to conduct a full Equality Impact Assessment (EIA) on the programme, a baseline exercise will be conducted to account for all MPS staff and role types in each London borough. When reallocating staff; each project will have a pool of eligible staff who currently work in similar roles, and therefore meet the skills requirement. Where possible, staff will also be provided with the opportunity to transfer to a new position of their choosing.

61.2 Members noted that the development will represent a cultural change for the ways in which MPS staff will work; and enquired on the level of support that is being offered to staff. The MPS acknowledges the significance of the changes, and has engaged with staff to identify training needs which will help prepare staff for their new roles.

61.3 Members enquired whether the MPS was able to quantify the projected scale of the reduction of staff numbers at the present time. The MPS is examining a number of options to achieve financial savings before staff redundancies need to be considered, and is therefore unable to speculate on the number of possible redundancies. Members enquired on the timescales for gaining approval for the key programme activities. Because some projects require approval from different levels; programme group, chief officer group, and management group; it can take time for approval to be progressed.

61.4 Because the MPS will not have sufficient data to conduct a full EIA until the programme has been approved at a business level; members enquired how the MPS will ensure that equality and diversity issues are addressed. The MPS has conducted initial EIA’s which have identified groups of staff who will be affected by the changes. One issue which has been identified is the fact that staff who are on restrictive and recuperative duties will be less able to transfer to other roles.

61.5 Members enquired whether the MPS will be implementing positive action provision in order to intervene in cases where there are risks that a project will lack diversity in its staff. The MPS Diversity and Citizen Focus Directorate will consider this approach during the development of the selection criteria. Members noted that in the current financial situation, there are a reduced number of job opportunities available for staff who are made redundant; therefore it is important that measures are taken to ensure that Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) staff are not disproportionately affected. Members requested feedback outlining how diversity implications are considered.

Action: MPS to provide a briefing note detailing how diversity implications are considered during the progression of the programme.

Action: MPA and MPS officers to discuss how arising diversity issues can be reported back to the Committee.

62. MPS Community Engagement Interim Report

(Agenda item 6)

62.1 Steve Rodhouse introduced the report, which outlines the MPS action plan and commitment to engage in constructive consultation with the public. The MPS aims to utilise public engagement as a way of informing the public on MPS activities, and for consulting on the establishment of priorities. In this action plan, the MPS also makes a clear distinction between engagement activities and diversionary activity.

62.2 The MPA is currently planning for the transition to the Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime (MOPC); as part of this, a mapping exercise of community engagement activities undertaken by local authorities is being conducted. Before the transition to the MOPC occurs, members requested that the MPA identifies examples of good practice in community engagement which can be utilised. The MPA has liaised with 25 London boroughs, who all confirmed their intention to continue community engagement; although this may take place at more generalised public forums. The MPA is considering a number of engagement processes which can be utilised by MOPC; including public consultation events and social networking media. Members noted that a range of options need to be considered to facilitate public engagement, and that electronic means will need to be a supplement to public meetings.

62.3 It was noted that a report on the MPS review of Safer Neighbourhood Panels was originally commissioned for this Committee; however the MPA and MPS will now be conducting a joint examination of the panels, in order to identify good practice. This work will take the place of a formal committee report.

63. Met Volunteer Programme

(Agenda item 7)

63.1 Sue Rich introduced the report, and outlined the increase in the number of hours being given by volunteers. The upcoming Olympics present an opportunity to raise the profile of the volunteer programme. The roles available for volunteers during the Olympics include working in briefing roles, accommodation centres, and transport hubs, as well as augmenting front counter support across London boroughs as required. The programme is also working in partnership with Jobcentre Plus to support volunteers in finding paid employment.

63.2 Members commended the positive work of the volunteer programme, along with the wide diversity of the volunteers. Members noted the implementation of the formal exit interview process, and enquired on the reason for resignation for the eleven volunteers who are not accounted for in the report.

Action: MPS to provide a briefing note detailing the reasons for resignation for the eleven volunteers not accounted for in the report.

63.2 Because volunteers are not obliged to work any set hours, the MPS is engaging with existing volunteers in order to ascertain those who are willing to volunteer for extra time during the Olympics; volunteers will then be asked to sign a statement of commitment. Volunteers will be offered flexibility for their additional work during the Olympics, with focus groups being held with volunteers during the planning stages.

63.4 Through consultation with staff who are facing redundancy; the loss of camaraderie and team work has been identified as a main factor for redundant staff. The volunteer programme is therefore engaging with MPS Human Resources to offer opportunities for staff who have taken voluntary redundancy to be able to maintain MPS links through volunteering. The MPS recognises that a considered approach will be required when making enquires of staff.

64. Reports from Sub-committees

(Agenda item 8)

64.1 Members noted the report.

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