Report on the sub-committees of the Finance and Resources Committee

Report: 4
Date: 22 October 2009
By: Chief Executive

Summary

This report contains a summary of the business considered by the sub committees of the Finance and Resources Committee.

A. Recommendation

That

1. members note the report

B. Supporting information

1. This report covers the following meetings:

• Estate Panel – 17 September 2009
• Resources Sub-Committee – 8 October 2009

Estate Panel – 17 September 2009

2. The Panel met on 17 September. The next meeting of the Panel is on 23 October and this meeting is due to consider the draft communication strategy. The strategy will then be submitted for approval to the Finance and Resources Committee at its meeting on 19 November.

Resources Sub-Committee – 8 October 2009

Police officer overtime

3. At the Finance and Resources Committee in June members asked for a report on police overtime in order to gain a better understanding of the use of overtime in the MPS and the actions being taken to control the level of expenditure. The Sub-Committee received a report which described the use of overtime and the control systems. Members noted that there was a robust control mechanism in place, but the question remained as to whether working excessive hours of overtime was desirable for officers in terms of the life:work balance or indeed operational efficiency. The Sub-Committee asked to receive a quarterly monitoring report which gave more information on budget variations. Exempt information showing hours worked was also requested.

Update on the Safer Neighbourhoods property programme

4. To support a written report, a presentation was made on the delivery of the Safer Neighbourhoods programme. Phase 2 works commenced in January 2008 with the new supply chain. As at September 2009, 29 bases have been completed; 66 bases are under development, and searches are ongoing for the remaining 26 bases. Members noted that finding appropriate sites for these remaining bases in terms of acceptable location and terms was proving to be very challenging. Some of the issues covered by the presentation –e.g. front counters are also the subject of scrutiny by the Estate Panel.

Corporate landlord (exempt)

5. The Sub-Committee received an exempt report which set out the key elements of the corporate landlord approach that is being adopted by the MPS. This seeks to maximise the effectiveness of the real estate facilities whilst minimising operational costs by taking a standardised approach to the provision of facilities. The report also advised the Sub-Committee of the delivery of the Property Services’ Service Improvement Plan.

Procurement and contract items (exempt)

6 The Sub Committee considered the report on the routine contracts programme which is also on the agenda for this meeting. A summary of the comments from the Sub-Committee is shown in the appendix to this report which appears on the exempt section of the agenda.

7. Copies of non exempt reports and minutes from the Authority and its committees can be viewed on the MPA website.

C. Race and equality impact

There are no race and diversity impact issues directly arising from this report. Race and diversity impact is a standing item on reports submitted to committees and sub committees.

D. Financial implications

There are no financial implications directly arising from this report although there could be financial implications arising from items discussed by sub-committees.

E. Background papers

None

F. Contact details

Report author: John Crompton, MPA

For information contact:

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

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