Minutes - draft

These minutes are draft and are to be agreed.

Minutes of the meeting of the Equalities & Diversity Sub-committee of the Metropolitan Police Authority held on 2 June 2011 at 10 Dean Farrar Street, London SW1H 0NY.

Present

Members

• Kirsten Hearn (Chair)
• Cindy Butts
• Clive Lawton

MPA officers

• Jane Harwood (Deputy Chief Executive)
• Michael Wadham (Policy Development Officer)
• Shirani Gunawardena (Policy Development Officer)
• Michael Taylor (Committee Officer)

MPS Officers

• Alistair Edie (Property Services)
• Denise Milani (Director of Diversity and Citizen Focus)

Others in attendance

• Doug Lewins
• Harry Landsman (Enfield Community Policing Engagement Group)
• Tracy Hodges (Sutton Police and Community Forum)
• Tayo Disu (Lewisham Community Police Consultative Group)
• Marie Stewart (Taylor-Stewart Associates)
• Carol Demuth (Bexley Community Police Engagement Group)
• Stanley Davies (Lambeth Pensioners Action Group)
• Isis Amlak (Kensington and Chelsea Community and Police Engagement Group)

28. Apologies for absence

(Agenda item 1)

28.1 Apologies were received from Cindy Butts (MPA Member), Fay Scott (MPA),
Joyce Sutherland (Bexley Community Policing Engagement Group), Sandra Flower (Kingston Community and Police Partnership), Andy Garrett (MPS Disabled Staff Association), Tim Fellows (Enfield Community Police Partnership), Councillor Melvin Collins (London Borough of Hounslow), Tim Bennett-Goodman (Waltham Forest Community and Police Engagement Group), Peter Collier (Croydon Community Police Consultative Group), Carole Atkinson (Richmond upon Thames Community and Police Partnership), Ruth Bashall (Stay Safe Project), Anne Novis (UK Disabled Peoples Council) and Mulat Haregot (Hammersmith and Fulham Community and Police Engagement Group)

28.2 The Chair opened the meeting, outlining housekeeping and fire safety procedure. At this meeting standing orders are suspended to allow members of the public to speak on the subjects covered.

29. Declarations of interests

(Agenda item 2)

29.1 No declarations of interest were made.

30. Minutes: Equality and Diversity Sub-committee - 14 April 2011

(Agenda item 3)

30.1 The minutes of the last meeting were agreed, and feedback was received on actions from the last meeting. Members received an update on MPS efforts to advertise their procurements opportunities through CompeteFor, and a Gypsy and Traveller Service Delivery action plan has also been circulated to members. A report on vetting will be received at the Communities, Equalities and People Committee meeting on 7 July 2011, whilst a report on third party reporting has been scheduled as a potential future report for the Sub-Committee.

31. Promoting Equality within the Estates Strategy

(Agenda item 4)

31.1 Alistair Edie introduced the report; which provides an overview of the Estates Strategy, and how equality and diversity issues are considered in order to ensure accessibility of buildings for the public. Currently 92 out of 137 front counter locations have now been made fully accessible to disabled users.

31.2 Members enquired whether there was an ongoing process to review the accessibility of existing buildings, and were informed that assessments are regularly discussed at health and safety meetings, where arising maintenance issues are addressed. Members enquired what action is taken to inform and redirect the public in cases when a building has been identified as having accessibility issues. The MPS provides notices on these buildings, which direct members of the public to the next accessible building, and this information is also provided on the MPS website. Building facilities managers also liaise with borough commanders to ensure the accuracy of the information provided to the public.

31.3 Members relayed information provided by the Stay Safe project; which detailed how one of their disabled staff members was attending a meeting at an MPS building in Barkingside, which also contains a video suite for rape victims. The floor which contains the suite was inaccessible by lift, and relied on a stair lift to allow access to disabled users, which subsequently broke down, thereby leaving the member of staff unable to exit the building. The MPS agreed that the situation was unacceptable, and explained that it is a legal requirement for all building owners to ensure both access and egress is clear; rather than being the responsibility of the MPS, who may rent only one section of a building.

31.4 When considering the location of services such as video suites; members enquired how the MPS ranks the issue of public accessibility against other issues, such a financial constraints. The MPS conduct an Equality Impact Assessment (EIA) in order to assess the accessibility of buildings, and also engages with owners of individual buildings to identify any accessibility issues. Members requested that the MPS explore options to develop an accessibility governance strategy; in order to ensure that whenever possible, no buildings or facilities are located in areas which would cause them to be inaccessible to any members of the public. Where facilities are not accessible there should be signage directing people to their nearest accessible service.

Action: MPS to explore options for the development of an accessibility governance strategy to ensure that issues identified by EIAs are acted upon.

31.5 Doug Lewins enquired on the MPS policy for the disposal of property, and whether the MPS would consider selling property to community groups for a reduced price. In this way, although the MPS would earn less money from the sale, local charities and the wider communities would benefit from occupation of the building, which they would otherwise be unable to afford. The MPS explained that targets for disposal of MPS property are set by the Greater London Authority; and that although community groups are able to make bids, the property must be sold to the highest bidder, in order to maximise recovery of investment.

31.6 Members enquired on the minimum criteria that the MPS uses to select locations for new buildings housing local Safer Neighbourhood Teams (SNT), and how accessibility issues are considered. In the case of SNT buildings; the main criteria is the availability of buildings which are in a suitable location for the local community. The MPS will then consider the suitability of the size of the building, the value for money represented, and will also conduct an EIA. Public accessibility through facilities such as car parking for blue badge holders and links for public transport will also be considered. Members requesting a briefing note outlining the priority criteria for selecting building locations.

Action: MPS to provide a briefing note on the minimum criteria used when considering the selection of potential SNT buildings.

31.7 Doug Lewins enquired on the level of consultation that is held with the public when considering the potential location of MPS buildings, and whether this takes place prior to an EIA being conducted. The MPS uses EIAs to identify any potential equality and diversity implications for accessibility of buildings, and acknowledged the public perception that EIAs are not being used to full benefit. Members requested a briefing note outlining how EIAs are used and the issues they raise taken forward.

Action: MPS to provide a briefing note outlining how issues and actions from EIAs are taken forward and resolved.

31.8 Marie Stewart enquired how the MPS considers accessibility of buildings for disabled staff members, and how the MPS ensures that disabled staff are not limited in their opportunities to work across the MPS. The MPS conducts EIAs to identify any accessibility issues before any structural changes are conducted in buildings. Members noted that all building modifications require a health and safety assessment as a standard procedure, and that EIAs should also be conducted as standard.

31.9 Members enquired how the MPS progresses building work to improve accessibility, such as installing wheelchair ramps, in listed buildings which cannot have extensive renovations made to them. In these cases, the MPS liaises with local planning authorities to consider options for developments.

31.10 Isis Amlak raised the issue of the new Hillingdon police station; which frequently receives members of the public from Heathrow airport, but which closes at 7pm. Although this is a new building, it is also located in a business park which is not easily accessible to the public, and lacks facilities such as visitor toilets. Members enquired whether such design flaws were typical of new stations being developed in outer London boroughs. The MPS explained that building designs and opening hours of police stations are determined by Territorial Policing. Members noted that the MPS Territorial Policing Public Access Project did conduct a public consultation on access to police stations; although the consultation has now closed. Members requested that the original design brief for the Hillingdon station be investigated, and that the minimum standards for MPS buildings be amended if flaws in the design are found.

Action: MPS to report on lack of facilities at Hillingdon station, and look to see what action can be taken to address any identified issues.

31.11 Members enquired whether there was any accessibility issue which would be considered a ‘deal-breaker’ when the MPS considers the potential for a building. Although the MPS does have minimum requirements, and considers all accessibility issues; there is no one specific issue which would cause the MPS to reject a building for use. Carol Demuth noted that many police stations in Bexley have high counters which are not suitable for use by visitors in wheelchairs, and enquired how the MPS will address this issue. The MPS recently conducted a survey of front counter in all boroughs, with the aim of improving their accessibility. Members requested a briefing note on MPS progress to improving accessibility of police station front counters.

Action: MPS to report on progress made to improve accessibility of police station front counters.

32. Equality and Diversity Sub-committee Annual Report 2010/11

(Agenda item 5)

32.1 The Sub-Committee’s Annual Report was presented, detailing the objectives of the Sub-Committee, along with an overview of reports received and actions taken in 2010-11. In line with the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Bill 2010-11; the MPA is scheduled to be abolished and replaced with the Mayor's Office for Policing and Crime (MOPC) in October 2011. It is therefore likely that this will be the last meeting of the Sub-Committee; although contingency plans have been made for reports for a potential meeting in October 2011, should the change not occur; one of which will be on third party reporting.

32.2 Members commended Kirsten Hearn for her work chairing the Sub-Committee, and for championing equality and diversity issues on a range of topics, which have produced a positive impact on services to the public. Doug Lewins also offered appreciation on behalf of the public, and Denise Milani commended the work of the Sub-Committee on behalf of the MPS, who will continue to progress equality and diversity issues under the MOPC.

The meeting was closed at 3.10 pm

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