Minutes

Minutes of the Counter-Terrorism and Protective Services Sub-committee of the Metropolitan Police Authority held on 27 November 2008 at 10 Dean Farrar Street, London SW1H 0NY.

Present

Members

• Toby Harris (Chair)
• Reshard Auladin (Vice Chair)
• James Cleverly
• Neil Johnson

MPA officers

• Sally Benton (Policy Advisor)
• Jane Harwood (Assistant Chief Executive) (item 1-9)
• Ken Hunt (Treasurer)
• Jane Owen (Head of Planning and Performance)
• Ruth Hastings Iqball (Committee Services)

MPS officers

• Duncan King (SO Lead Accountant)
• Anne McMeel (Director of Resources) (item 1 – 6)
• Robert Quick (AC Specialist Operations)
• Andrew Slater (Staff Officer ACSO)
• Brian Sweeting (SO Business Manager)
• Janet Williams (DAC, Specialist Crime Directorate)

1. Apologies for absence

(Agenda item 1)

No apologies for absence were received.

2. Declarations of interests

(Agenda item 2)

No declarations were made.

3. How the sub-committee's terms of reference might be best achieved - discussion

(Agenda item 3)

The Chair stated that that this Sub Committee had its origins in the MPA Counter-Terrorism (CT) Oversight Group. Now, as a Sub Committee, the meeting would have two sections, the part one would be public and the part two where exempt information would be considered, second in private. He felt that advantage of this arrangement would be to put some Specialist Operation (SO) and national CT activity in the public domain. The remit of the new Sub Committee included oversight of protective services. Some MPS protective service activity was performed by the Specialist Crime Directorate (SCD). Members noted that Strategic and Operational Policing Committee would also look at the work of different Directorates, including SCD, and assured MPS officers that this Sub Committee would only look at the part of SCD that dealt with sensitive material. It was suggested that subject, to ratification by the parent Committee, the Sub Committee’s terms of reference be amended to reflect this. It was also felt the Sub Committee might consider policing issues arising from such issues as the Communications Data Bill.

RESOLVED – That Strategic and Operational Policing Committee be asked to ratify a change in the Sub Committee’s terms of reference.

4. Operations update (oral report)

(Agenda item 4)

The Assistant Commissioner SO (ACSO) reported that the threat level remained high. Following the reported death of Rashid Rauf, security services were reassessing threat levels. ACSO also gave some indication of the number of priority one and priority two operations CT Units were undertaking nationally.

RESOLVED – That oral update be received

5. Exclusion of press and public

(Agenda item 5)

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, paragraph 3.

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

6. Provision of business services to ACPO TAM

(Agenda item 6)

The Sub Committee agreed the development of suitable arrangements for the provision of business support services to ACPO TAM on a cost recovery basis.

7. Development of the police Counter-Terrorism Network – report to ACPO Chief Constables Council, October 2008

(Agenda item 7)

The Sub Committee was asked to consider the report ‘Development of the Police Counter-Terrorism Network’ presented to the ACPO Chief Constables Council in October 2008 from an MPA / MPS perspective and in the light of the agenda item 6.
The Chair informed new members that it had been agreed that the police authorities with CT Units and CT Intelligence Units should have a common approach to their oversight and monitoring and this had led to the formation of the Joint CT Oversight Group. This Oversight Group gave the Home Office assurance that it’s funding was being used as intended.

8. Financial management information

(Agenda item 8)

A report containing financial management information for the month of October for Specialist Operations was considered.

9. Performance data

(Agenda item 9)

Members considered a report containing performance data. ACSO stated that a report suggesting better performance indicators would be received by the Sub Committee in the new year. The Chair suggested that OCU commanders be invited to the meeting to give background to the performance data.

10. IS/IT – update on TAM position (oral report)

(Agenda item 10)

A written report would be received by the Sub Committee at its next meeting.

11. Contest review, Prevent workshops (oral report – HMIC report on Prevent provided as background information)

(Agenda item 11)

It had been planned to hold a PREVENT briefing session for all members in January. The Chair felt that an hour would be insufficient time and asked MPA officers to find another date.

The meeting ended at 3.30 pm

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