Minutes - draft

These minutes are draft and are to be agreed.

Minutes of the meeting of the Communities, Equalities and People Committee of the Metropolitan Police Authority held on 1 September 2011 at 10 Dean Farrar Street,, London SW1H 0NY.

Present

Members

• Cindy Butts (Chair)
• Reshard Auladin
• Victoria Borwick
• Kirsten Hearn

MPA officers

• Jane Harwood (Deputy Chief Executive)
• Natasha Plummer (Engagement and Partnerships Manager)
• Lynne Abrams (Public Protection Policy Officer)
• Michael Taylor (Committee Officer)

MPS officers

• Richard Gittings (Head of Customer Service, Territorial Policing)

13. Apologies for absence

(Agenda item 1)

13.1 Apologies were received from Faith Boardman (MPA Member), Valerie Brasse (MPA Member), Clive Lawton (MPA Member) and Fay Scott (Head of Equalities and Engagement).

14. Declarations of interests

(Agenda item 2)

14.1 There were no declarations of interest

15. Minutes: Communities, Equalities and People Committee – 7 July 2011

(Agenda item 3)

15.1 The minutes were agreed as a correct record. The Safer London Foundation is collating information on the financial savings arising from SLF projects.

16. Oral update from the Head of Equalities and Engagement

(Agenda item 4)

16.1 The MPA has approved the development of a Multi-Point Entry scheme for the MPS, which will be overseen by a joint MPA/MPS panel led by a senior MPS officer. Initially this will seek to appoint candidates into specialist areas, with candidates being selected from existing MPS talent programmes. The MPA is consulting with Tom Winsor on this scheme, who is scheduled to meet with Kit Malthouse to discuss the developments. Members requested a briefing note outlining the development of the scheme.

Action: MPA to provide a briefing note the developments of the Multi-Point Entry scheme.

16.2 Because some Multi-Point Entry developments will require legislative changes; the MPA has been liaising with the Home Office on the feasibility of the proposals. Although the government is supportive of Multi-Point Entry, it was noted that some members of the Association of Chief Police Officers have less favourable views. A senior MPS officer was chosen to lead the oversight panel in order to demonstrate ACPO support for the scheme.

16.3 Following the disorder that occurred across London; the MPA took part in extensive community consultation activities. Members and senior officers attended Gold Group meetings in Tottenham and at New Scotland Yard, which were crucial in gathering community intelligence, and for relaying reassurance messages. The MPA also attended the Independent Police Complaints Commission community meetings in Haringey and liaised with individual boroughs to relay intelligence. Independent Custody Visitors (ICV) also conducted additional visits and no formal complaints were received from those held in custody as a result of taking part in the disturbances.

16.4 In order to process compensation claims under the Riot Damages Act; a consistent process has been adopted for Police Authorities to manage claims, and the MPA will shortly be making decisions on which claims are accepted. The MPA will be processing uninsured claims, and will delegate the MPS to make payments. A report on the implications of the Riot Damages Act will be received at the Strategic and Operational Policing Committee.

16.5 Members noted that during discussions on the potential causes of the disturbances, it is important to consider equality and diversity issues. Members also noted that community engagement was a factor; as community groups had predicted that problems would arise if the MPS did not engage with the public in Tottenham. Acting Commissioner Tim Godwin has outlined his commitment for a full review of the causes of the disturbances. The causes of the disturbances will also be discussed at the Home Affairs Select Committee, the London Assembly and the Independent Inquiry established by the Government.

17. Victims code of practice update

(Agenda item 5)

17.1 Richard Gittings introduced the report, which highlighted overall high levels of compliance with keeping victims informed of progress in their cases. However, due to the Crime Reporting Information System which is being updated constantly; it is difficult to accurately monitor compliance. It was noted that the Victims Code of Practice (VCOP) is an indicator of quantity of contact with victims, not of the quality; and that User Satisfaction Surveys (USS) are used to calculate satisfaction. The MPS reported that by combining an analysis of VCOP, USS and other initiatives; the MPS would be able to comprehensively monitor victim satisfaction.

17.2 Members were advised that a new VCOP Strategy will be presented to the Victim Satisfaction Board on 6 September 2011; with proposals to improve victim satisfaction through improved communications with the public. As an example; in order to ensure communications with victims whose first language is not English, the MPS produced a satisfaction survey in 47 languages. An Equality Impact Assessment would also be conducted on the new strategy. Members were informed that budgetary constraints in the Territorial Policing development programme may lead to the closure of the Victim Focus Units. It was noted that this would shift the responsibility for maintaining contact with victims to the individual case officers, which would improve the quality of contact.

17.3 Members noted that some victims feel that their crimes are not being sufficiently investigated, and that they are dissatisfied at only receiving a letter informing them as such. The MPS reaffirmed that all crimes are recorded and investigated, but that in some cases there is insufficient evidence to progress the cases. The new VCOP Strategy proposes that letters are supplemented by phone calls and visits by Safer Neighbourhood Teams, which will assist in managing the expectations of victims.

17.4 Members requested that this report be circulated to all MPA members, so that they can identify how their link boroughs perform on satisfaction ratings. Members also requested that the MPS provide an accompanying briefing note, detailing which aspects of the new VCOP Strategy were approved by the Victim Satisfaction Board.

Action: MPS to provide a briefing note on the new VCOP strategy. MPA to circulate briefing note to all MPA members along with the VCOP report.

18. MPA Domestic and Sexual Violence Board final report

(Agenda item 6)

18.1 Lynne Abrams presented the report and provided an overview of the activities of the Domestic and Sexual Violence Board (DSVB) during the five years it operated. During this time the DSVB received presentations from all 32 London Boroughs, and also examined wider strategic themes across London. Although the DSVB will have no further formal meetings, partners are still able to network on developing policies. The report also offers recommendations for how the Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime (MOPC) can continue oversight of domestic and sexual violence issues.

18.2 Members noted that the DSVB has been successful in instigating improvements to services to domestic violence victims across London, and that the MOPC should maintain oversight of these matters. Members commended Kirsten Hearn, Valerie Brasse, Cindy Butts and Lynne Abrams for their work in coordinating the DSVB.

18.3 In preparation for the implementation of the MOPC, the MPA is developing a MOPC policy framework which will identify key business areas which will require oversight. The MPA is also developing a model for how borough engagement and Joint Engagement Meetings will be conducted under MOPC. There is also the potential for the London Assembly Police and Crime Panel to provide oversight of domestic violence issues; although this would not be as in depth as the DSVB was able to provide.

19. Communities, Equalities and People Committee annual report

(Agenda item 7)

19.1 Natasha Plummer introduced the report, which provides an overview of the work of the Committee during the 2010-11 committee year, along with recommendations for the MOPC to continue oversight of key matters.

19.2 In order to further promote the work of the Committee; members requested that a report examining the legacy of CEP be produced for the Full Authority meeting. This report will provide an overview of the following key issues examined by the Committee: community engagement, equality and diversity, MPS Human Resources developments, the Domestic and Sexual Violence Board, and the Hate Crime Forum.

Action: MPA to produce a report on the legacy of CEP for Full Authority.

20. Appointments to sub-committees

(Agenda item 8)

20.1 Members noted the report.

21. Exempt minutes: Communities, Equalities and People Committee – 7 July 2011

(Agenda item 10)

21.1 The exempt minutes were agreed as a correct record.

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