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

Report: 04
Date: 18 March 2010
By: Chief Executive

Summary

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

A. Recommendations

That members note the report

B. Supporting information

This report covers the following meetings:

• Estate Panel – 11 February 2010
• Resources and Productivity Sub-Committee – 1 March 2010

Estate Panel – 11 February 2010

2 The Panel discussed the draft estate strategy which after further development will be submitted to the Finance and Resources Committee. Proposals for the future provision of front counter facilities in Haringey were considered and there is a report on the agenda for today’s meeting. The next meeting of the Panel is on 18 March immediately following the meeting of the Finance and Resources Committee.

Resources and Productivity Sub-Committee – 1 March 2010

Comments on a report on the agenda for today’s Finance and Resources Committee

Treasury Management Strategy Statement and Investment Strategy 2010/11

3 A representative from Arlingclose, the Authority’s Treasury Management advisers attended and provided advice and answered member’s questions. The Sub-Committee noted that the counterparty list (Appendix 3 to the report) had been drawn up with reference to the credit ratings and other information relating both to the institution and to the sovereign state in which it is based. The institutions appearing on the list are kept under continual review and if necessary an institution would be temporarily suspended from it. However, once the list has been approved no new names would be added without Committee approval. It was noted that Arlingclose advised a considerable number of local authorities and a similar approach to the strategy being recommended was being adopted by over 50 local authorities .

4 Members considered that the approach being recommended appeared to provide an opportunity to obtain an increase in yield whilst being consistent with security and liquidity objectives and accordingly the Sub-Committee supported the recommendation.

Other reports considered

Update on the implementation of early payment initiatives for small and medium enterprises.

5. The regular quarterly monitoring report was considered. Members noted that there had been a drop in performance at the start of the year which appeared to be due to the combined effects of the Christmas and new year holidays and the prolonged adverse weather conditions. However, the position had recovered in February with 78% of invoices paid within 10 days.

Overtime report 2009/10 –Quarter 3

6. Following a request from the Sub-Committee for the submission of quarterly monitoring reports which would provide a detailed analysis of overtime expenditure and the actions being taken to control the level of expenditure, the first report was submitted. The report included a table which showed that there had been no significant growth in expenditure in despite the growth in officer numbers and the average cost of overtime per eligible officer had fallen:

Table: Average cost of overtime per eligible Police Officer

* Average for 2009/10 is based on data for 9 months to end of December and annualised.

7. The report provided detailed information of expenditure in each business group, and an explanation for the overspends which had occurred in Territorial Policing, Central Operations, Specialist Crime and Specialist Operations. It also gave information about the financial penalties which have been imposed in TP and advised that these compliance measures had been effective and it has not been necessary to impose further penalties since 2006/07.

8. Members indicated that there were areas which they wished to explore further in future monitoring reports–for example, the relationship between the different type of shift pattern and overtime worked.

Policy on authorising air travel

9. This report was submitted at the request of a member. It gave details of the authorisation process which states that all applications for authority to travel overseas must be authorised by an ACPO officer of at least Commander rank or equivalent member of senior police staff All officers seeking authority to travel overseas must present a robust business case for the trip and the class of travel. There is an expectation that MPS personnel will travel by the most economical means possible although this can be constrained by the requirements of the deployment (for example, if a protection officer is required to be seated in close physical proximity to their principal.)

10. The report also advised that all travel arrangements have to be made by the MPS Travel Services which has access to discounted fares including those available via the Office of Government and Commerce negotiated air fare programme. The report also provided a spend analysis classified into the class of travel. Carbon offset charges are levied against each booking. It was also identified that the cost of a significant number of trips were covered from specific grant or third parties although current systems made it difficult to capture this information. Members noted the report.

11. Copies of non exempt reports and minutes from the Authority and its committees can be viewed on the MPA website at www.mpa.gov.uk,

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(s): John Crompton, MPA

For more information contact:

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

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