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Contents

Report 5 of the 18 March 2010 meeting of the Finance and Resources committee Committee, with an update on the revenue and capital budget monitoring position.

Warning: This is archived material and may be out of date. The Metropolitan Police Authority has been replaced by the Mayor's Office for Policing and Crime (MOPC).

See the MOPC website for further information.

Revenue and capital budget monitoring report 2009/10 – Period 10

Report: 05
Date: 18 March 2010
By: Director of Resources on behalf of the Commissioner

Summary

This report provides an update on the revenue and capital budget monitoring position for 2009/10 at Period 10 (to the end of January). The revenue budget is forecast to overspend by £7.2m (approximately 0.2% of budget).

The Capital Programme as at Period 10 (to the end of January) shows year to date total expenditure of £120.9m. This total represents 56.5% of the revised annual budget of £214m. The forecast for the year of £191.3m is £22.7m below the revised annual budget.

A. Recommendations

Members are invited to: Note the year to date and forecast position for revenue and capital budgets.

B. Supporting information

Background

1. This report provides an update on the forecast against the revenue and capital budgets for the MPA/MPS in 2009/10 based on the position at the end of January 2010.

Revenue Forecast by Business Group

2. Table 1 provides a summary of the revenue forecast by Business Group. Table 2 compares the forecast outturn variances for Period 10 and Period 9 by Business Group.

Table 1 – Summary of revenue forecast against budget at Period 10

Business Group Full Year Budget (Version B10)
(£000)
Forecast outturn
(£000)
Variance
(£000)
% Variance to Full Year Budget
(%)
Territorial Policing 1,400,721 1,428,034 27,313 1.9%
Specialist Crime 400,715 398,108 -2,607 -0.7%
Specialist Operations 5,165 5,163 -2 0.0%*
Central Operations 200,641 201,538 897 0.4%
Olympics Security Directorate 0 0 0 0.0%
Deputy Commissioner's Portfolio 54,487 52,878 -1,609 -3.0%
Directorate of Public Affairs 5,956 5,688 -267 -4.5%
Directorate of Information 214,574 214,728 154 0.1%
Resources 268,512 269,011 498 0.2%
Human Resources 160,436 157,320 -3,116 -1.9%
MPA 13,019 12,976 -43 -0.3%
Centrally Held -2,753,350 -2,770,385 -17,035 0.6%
Discretionary Pensions 29,125 32,125 3,000 10.3%
Total 0 7,183 7,183 0.2%*

* % of net expenditure budget

Table 2 - Comparison of Period 10 forecast outturn variance with Period 9 forecast outturn variance.

Business Group Period 10 Forecast Variance
£000
Period 9 Forecast Variance
£000
Change in Variance
£000
Territorial Policing 27,313 27,830 -517
Specialist Crime -2,607 -1,315 -1,292
Specialist Operations -2 902 -904
Central Operations 897 3,659 -2,762
Olympics Security Directorate 0 0 0
Deputy Commissioner's Portfolio -1,609 -1,530 -79
Directorate of Public Affairs -267 -196 -71
Directorate of Information 154 154 0
Resources 498 498 0
Human Resources -3,116 -3,484 368
MPA -43 664 -707
Centrally Held -17,035 -17,035 0
Discretionary Pensions 3,000 168 2,832
Total MPS 7,183 10,314 -3,131

3. The subjective position by Business Group is at Appendix 1. The overall position for the MPS is at Appendix 2.

4. Territorial Policing – An overspend of £27.3m – 1.9% of Budget.
The forecast overspend relates principally to: Police Officer Pay as a result of the current strength being higher than anticipated due to Police Officers not moving to other Business Groups as originally planned (despite them holding vacancies and reporting underspends in this area) and shortages in some units, ranks and roles in Territorial Policing which also limit movement; Police Officer Overtime caused by the policing of the G20 and Tamil demonstrations; PCSO Pay where the movement of PCSOs into other roles is being managed to avoid vacancies; Police Staff Pay caused by delays to the implementation of Integrated Prosecution Teams (IPT) and delays to Finance & Resource Manager modernisation; Traffic Warden Pay where strength is above target in the Transport OCU (matched by income) and Income where there have been reductions in immigration receipts as the UK Borders Agency makes less use of MPS custody facilities as well as lower than budgeted local authority funding for cost sharing initiatives.

5. There has been an overall favourable movement of £0.5m in the forecast position from that reported at Period 9, an adverse movement in Police Officer Pay relating to a reassessment of the over-strength position, being offset by a favourable movement within Supplies and Services as forecast expenditure on front counter refurbishment will not take place in 2009/10, as well as a reduction in the Premises forecast as some planned expenditure relating to Operation Tyrol (improving safety and security on public transport) will not now be undertaken this year.

6. Specialist Crime – An underspend of £2.6m – 0.7% of Budget.
The forecast underspend is principally within Police Officer Pay where strength is below target. This is partially offset by a forecast overspend on Police Staff Pay primarily caused by forensic services recruiting ahead of their original plans. There are also overspends forecast within Police Officer Overtime and Police Staff Overtime, principally relating to covering for vacancies as well as an increase in gun related crimes.

7. There has been a favourable movement of £1.3m in the forecast position from that reported at Period 9. This relates principally to additional POCA receipts as well as reduced forecasts for Police Officer and Police Staff overtime

8. Specialist Operations – A minor underspend.
Whilst the overall position is for a minor underspend, there are subjective variances, principally within Police Officer Pay, Police Staff Pay and PCSO Pay. Lower than planned workforce levels at Heathrow Airport and the Palace of Westminster are matched by an under-recovery of income in these areas. There is an underspend within Transport costs which relates to reduced spending on overseas travel. Overspends are forecast within Police Officer Overtime due to covering vacancies and additional Protection requirements and within Supplies and Services relating to Counter Terrorism expenditure.

9. There has been a favourable movement of £0.9m from that reported at Period 9 principally relating to additional specific grant received to cover pay inflation costs of Dedicated Security Patrol officers.

10. Central Operations – An overspend of £0.9m – 0.4% of budget.
The forecast overspend relates principally to Police Officer Overtime caused by the policing of the G20, Tamil and Climate Camp demonstrations. Employee Related Expenditure shows an overspend relating to seconded officers used for Public Order Aid. There is also an overspend forecast within Transport Costs relating to additional Public Order vehicle hire resulting from the demonstrations, increasing fuel costs and unfavourable exchange rates relating to services purchased by the Air Support Unit (helicopter maintenance). There is an overspend within Supplies and Services relating to increased firearms and Taser training as well as additional equine costs. There is an under-recovery of income forecast for sporting events. These overspends are mostly offset by an underspend on Police Officer Pay as officer numbers are below target strength.

11. There has been a favourable movement of £2.8m in the forecast position from that reported at Period 9, principally following a review of the Police Overtime expectations. There has also been an increase in the income forecast for sporting events and a reduction in the Police Officer Pay forecast.

12. Olympics Security – Nil variance.

13. Deputy Commissioner’s Portfolio – An underspend of £1.6m – 3% of budget.
The forecast underspend relates principally to Police Officer Pay due to officer numbers being below target strength. An over recovery of income is also forecast relating to work carried out by MPS staff on behalf of the Cayman Islands. The ability of the Service to recover these costs is, however, being kept under review.

14. There has been a minor favourable movement in the forecast position from that reported at Period 9.

15. Directorate of Public Affairs – An underspend of £0.3m - 4.5% of budget.
A minor underspend.

16. Directorate of Information – An overspend of £0.2m – 0.1% of budget.
A minor overspend and no overall change from the position reported at Period 9. There have been subjective changes since Period 9, the Police Staff Pay forecast variance reducing by £1.1m following an allocation of Counter Terrorism budget and the capitalisation of Improving Policing Information project staff costs. The Supplies & Services forecast has increased by £1.3m relating to growth in data storage, new applications, services and licences.

17. Resources Directorate – An overspend of £0.5m – 0.2% of budget.
Whilst the overall position forecasts a small overspend, there are a number of subjective variances. Police Staff Pay forecasts an underspend of £1.5m principally within Property Services reflecting a reduction in the use of agency staff and preparations for restructuring which will yield permanent savings; Employee Related Expenditure forecasts an underspend of £2.7m principally resulting from a reduced tax liability on free rail travel (offset by the additional cost of free rail travel recorded within Human Resources Directorate); Premises costs forecasts an overspend of £3.7m relating to additional facilities management costs; Capital Financing forecasts an underspend of £1.2m linked to a lower than budgeted Capital Financing requirement; Interest Receipts forecasts an under-recovery of £3.3m following inclusion of an anticipated £2m write-off of penalty interest relating to Landsbanki investments that had previously been accrued in 2008/09 on the advice of Cipfa. Additionally, there has been a reduction in the level of interest rates achievable on investments reflecting changes to the Authority’s Treasury Management policy; Specific Grant forecasts an over-achievement of £1.7m relating to additional Loan Charges grant resulting from a lower balance of useable capital receipts (due to the need to use significant levels of usable capital receipts to finance the Capital Programme in 2008/09).

18. There has been no overall movement in the forecast position from that reported at Period 9.

19. Human Resources – An underspend of £3.1m – 1.9% of budget.
The forecast underspend is principally within Police Staff Pay relating to existing vacancies within the Transforming HR Programme.

20. There has been an adverse movement of £0.4m in the forecast position from that reported at Period 9 relating to a reassessment of the income forecast.

21. Metropolitan Police Authority – A minor underspend.
The full year forecast position is a small underspend following the use of MPA reserves to cover extraordinary Employee Related Expenditure and Legal costs. Employee Related Expenditure incorporates non controllable costs of the MPA in respect of ACPO recruitment where more recruitment drives were needed than planned, and Ill health retirement costs. This line also includes final staff payments relating to the MPA reorganisation; the cost of secondments; and early retirement costs. There is a small underspend in Police Staff pay mainly due to vacancies throughout the year and an element is due to the recent reorganisation but extra costs are incurred in respect of the reorganisation as described above. The forecast position has seen a favourable movement of £0.7m from the previous month following internal approval to drawdown on MPA reserves

22. There has been a favourable movement of £0.7m in the forecast position from that reported at Period 9 following internal approval for the use of MPA reserves.

23. Centrally Held Budgets – An underspend of £17m
The underspend principally relates to Police Officer Pay where the decision taken at the MPA Remuneration Sub-Committee on 21 December with regard to Special Priority Payments (SPPs) has been recognised. The expected budget savings have been moved from Business Groups to Centrally Held and reduced forecasts have been entered by the affected Business Groups. The underspend also relates to accounting adjustments to write off unmatched goods receipts in respect of previous financial years. Also, the forecast includes a grant payment of £3.6m from Home Office relating to reimbursement of additional costs incurred as a result of the G20 summit. The MPS has now had written confirmation of the grant payment from the Home Office.

24. There has been no movement from the position reported at Period 9.

25. Discretionary Pension Costs – An overspend of £3m – 10.3% of budget.
The forecast overspend has increased by £2.8m from that reported at Period 9. This follows a number of ill-health retirements that had not previously been forecast as well as increased payments for injury awards and 30+ pensions. This category of expenditure is particularly difficult to forecast and budget growth of an additional £1m in each of the next 3 years, to increase this budget to £32.1m by 2012/13, has been built into the Business Plan to address the growth in payments.

Revenue Forecast variance by expenditure/income type

26. Table 3 compares the forecast outturn variances for Period 10 and Period 9 by expenditure/income type.

Table 3 – Comparison of forecast outturn variance by expenditure/income type

Income/expense type  Period 10 Forecast Variance
£000
Period 9 Forecast Variance
£000
Change in Variance
£000
Police Officer Pay -15,731 -17,819 2,088
Police Staff Pay -2,981 -2,175 -806
PCSO Pay 3,047 3,668 -621
Traffic Wardens' Pay 881 905 -24
Total Pay -14,784 -15,421 637
Police Officer Overtime 11,301 15,559 -4,258
Police Staff Overtime 792 1,392 -600
PCSO Overtime 385 384 1
Traffic Wardens' Overtime 11 9 2
Total Overtime 12,489 17,344 -4,855
Total Pay & Overtime -2,295 1,923 -4,218
Employee Related Expenditure 2,536 2,962 -426
Premises Costs 2,671 4,331 -1,660
Transport Costs 1,344 2,216 -872
Supplies & Services 1,933 303 1,630
Capital Financing Costs -1,192 -1,193 1
Total Running Expenses 7,292 8,619 -1,327
Total Expenditure 4,997 10,542 -5,545
Income - interest Receipts 3,299 3,299 0
Income - Other 1,192 -957 2,149
Total Income 4,491 2,342 2,149
Discretionary Pension Costs 3,000 168 2,832
Net Expenditure 12,488 13,052 -564
Specific Grants -4,590 -2,736 -1,854
Net Revenue Expenditure 7,898 10,314 -2,423
Transfers to/from Earmarked Reserves -717 0 -717
Budget requirement 7,183 10,314 -3,140

27. Police Officer Pay – An underspend of £15.7m – 0.8% of budget.
The forecast underspend relates generally to actual and anticipated vacancies across a number of Business Groups, except for Territorial Policing where the current and forecast strength are higher than anticipated due to Police Officers not moving to other Business Groups as originally planned. Elsewhere, average strengths throughout the year have been below target, principally caused by the ongoing impact of the deferment of recruits planned for March 2009 into April. The forecast also recognises the decision taken at the MPA Remuneration Sub-Committee on 21 December with regard to reducing the cost of Special Priority Payments. Table 4 provides details of the target and forecast Police Officer strengths. It should also be noted that some officers included within the strength figures are off-pay or on reduced pay for a number of reasons such as maternity leave, special leave and suspension from duty and these contribute to the underspend position.

28. There has been an adverse movement of £2.1m in the forecast from the position reported at Period 9. This is within Territorial Policing and relates to a re-assessment of the likely strength figures within the Business Group for the remainder of the year.

Table 4 – Police Officer Actual Strength v Target Strength

Business Group Target Strength at 31 January 2010 Actual Strength at 31 January 2010 Original Target Strength as at 31 March 2010 Revised Target Strength as at 31 March 2010 Forecast Strength at 31 March 2010 Variance between target strength and forecast
Territorial Policing 21,170 21,775 21,411 21,443 21,796 353
IPLDP Students 591 653 749 444 444 0
Specialist Crime 3,743 3,482 3,196 3,719 3,603 -116
Specialist Operations 3,770 3,592 3,921 3,754 3,647 -107
Central Operations 2,846 2,720 2,787 2,842 2,799 -43
Olympics Security Directorate 138 104 159 107 59 -48
Deputy Commissioner's Portfolio 364 343 346 374 361 -13
Directorate of Public Affairs 0 0 0 0 1 1
Directorate of Information 84 73 84 80 78 -2
Resources Directorate 11 6 11 7 6 -1
Human Resources 632 561 605 548 524 -24
Total MPS 33,349 33,309 33,269 33,318 33,318 0

29. Police Staff Pay - An underspend of £3m – 0.5% of budget
The forecast underspend is principally within Human Resources relating to existing vacancies within the Transforming HR Programme. There is also an underspend within Resources reflecting a reduction in the use of agency staff and preparations for restructuring which will yield permanent savings. This is partly offset by an overspend within Specialist Crime Directorate primarily caused by Forensic Services recruiting ahead of their original plans and an overspend within Territorial Policing following delays to the implementation of Integrated Prosecution Teams (IPT) and delays to Finance & Resource modernisation.

30. There has been a favourable movement of £0.8m in the forecast from the position reported at Period 9, principally within Directorate of Information following the capitalisation of Improving Policing Information project staff costs.

31. PCSO Pay - An overspend of £3m – 2% of budget.
The forecast overspend is within Territorial Policing where there has been lower than expected wastage and where the movement of PCSOs into other roles is being managed to avoid vacancies. There has been a favourable movement in the forecast of £0.6m from that reported at Period 9 following an acceleration of the movement of PCSOs to Police Officers.

32. Traffic Warden Pay - An overspend of £0.9m – 10.4% of budget.
The forecast overspend is within Territorial Policing following delays in anticipated transfers to PCSO roles. This is principally within the Transport OCU and whilst the overspend is being managed within the overall “bottom-line” TOCU budget, the position is under review as part of the Safer Transport initiative. There has been a minor favourable movement from that reported at Period 9.

33. Police Officer Overtime – An overspend of £11.3m – 9% of budget.
The forecast overspend relates principally to the policing of the G20, Tamil and Climate Camp demonstrations. Appendix 4 shows that £10.9m of the forecast overtime cost relates to major operations for which no specific budget provision exists. If the costs for these major operations are excluded then the forecast would show an overspend of £0.4m (0.3% of budget). The remaining overspend results from covering vacancies (and should be viewed alongside the forecast underspend for Police Officer Pay) and additional Royalty and Diplomatic protection. Funding of the additional costs incurred as a result of the G20 demonstrations is forecast to be received from the Home Office and the MPA has agreed that reserves may be used to offset the cost of the Tamil demonstrations if the year-end financial position is an overall overspend.

34. There has been a favourable movement of £4.3m from that reported at Period 9. This is principally within Central Operations, Territorial Policing, Specialist Crime and Specialist Operations following detailed reviews of the Police Overtime expectations for the remainder of the year.

35. Police Staff Overtime – An overspend of £0.8m – 2.4% of budget.
The forecast overspend relates principally to Specialist Crime Directorate for increased activity within Forensic Services department and covering vacancies within the Intelligence Bureau.

36. There has been a favourable movement of £0.6m from that reported at Period 9, principally within Specialist Crime and Human Resources following reviews of the overtime expectations for the remainder of the year.

37. PCSO and Traffic Warden Overtime – An overspend of £0.4m - 24.6% of budget.
The forecast overspend is within Territorial Policing relating to operational requirements, where activities such as Operation Winter Nights (a Safer Neighbourhoods initiative to reassure the public via a high visibility police presence) have required the support of PCSOs to increase visibility. There has been a minor adverse movement from that reported at Period 9.

38. Employee Related Expenditure – An overspend of £2.5m – 7.1% of budget.
The overspend forecast is principally within Human Resources and relates to the forecast cost of delays to the Transforming HR Programme. There are also overspends forecast within: Specialist Crime principally relating to external training costs; Central Operations relating to seconded officers used for Public Order aid; Directorate of Information for increased advertising costs to address staff recruitment issues and the MPA relating to additional legal expenses, early retirement costs, secondment costs and recruitment drives to fill vacancies. These are partially offset by an underspend within Resources Directorate in respect of reduced tax liability for free rail travel.

39. There has been a minor favourable movement in the forecast from the position reported at Period 9.

40. Premises Costs – An overspend of £2.7m – 1.2% of budget.
The forecast overspend is principally within Resources relating to Facilities Management costs for reactive works across the MPS estate with additional overspends forecast in Specialist Crime relating to the refurbishment of the fingerprint bureau at New Scotland Yard, Directorate of Information relating to storage improvement works and within Central Operations due to additional costs for parking facilities at Bishopsgate Firearms training centre.

41. There has been a favourable movement in the forecast of £1.7m from the position reported at Period 9, principally within Territorial Policing as some planned activities relating to Operation Tyrol (improving safety and security on public transport) will not now be undertaken this year and within Resources following successful rates appeals.

42. Transport Costs - An overspend of £1.3m – 2% of budget.
The forecast overspend is principally within Central Operations and relates to additional public order vehicle hire resulting from the G20 and Tamil demonstrations, increasing fuel costs and unfavourable exchange rates relating to helicopter maintenance within the Air Support Unit.

43. There has been a favourable movement of £0.9m in the forecast from the position reported at Period 9, principally within Specialist Operations following the reclassification of some Counter Terrorism expenditure into the Supplies and Services category.

44. Supplies and Services - An overspend of £1.9m – 0.5% of budget.
There has been an adverse movement of £1.6m in the forecast from the position reported at Period 9, principally within Specialist Operations following the reclassification of some Counter Terrorism expenditure from other subjective areas into the Supplies and Services category. The material variances within this category are:

  • DNA Testing - An underspend of £3.9m – 53.7% of budget. This reflects changes to working practices resulting in a forecast for fewer tests being requested.
  • Forensics - An underspend of £0.8m - 2.2% of budget. This reflects a reduction in forecast activity in this area following the introduction of strict criteria for forensic submissions.
  • Dangerous Dogs Act – An overspend of £1.2m - 89% of budget. This relates to the costs of kennelling, veterinary care, and associated expenses for dogs seized by Police Officers under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991. The number of dogs seized has increased considerably compared to last year due to greater ownership and use in criminal activity, both as a weapon and as a status symbol. A budget increase of £1.5m per annum has been included as part of the 2010-13 Planning process.
  • External Consultants - An overspend of £0.8m - 11.7% of budget. This is principally due to employing consultants in Human Resources as a result of delays caused by the THR Programme and Territorial Policing to support the MPS Youth Strategy.
  • Payments to Association of Train Operating Companies - An overspend of £0.6m - 3.7% of budget. This results from an increase to the contract price for the provision of free rail travel to Police Officers. This cost is offset by an overall underspend in total Running Expenses within the Resources Directorate in respect of the tax liability on the ATOC agreement.
  • Mobile Communications - An overspend of £1m - 27.7% of budget. This reflects increased usage and volume of wireless connections throughout the MPS.
  • OTSU Evidential Analysis - An overspend of £0.9m - 10.6% of budget. This reflects the increasing demand for analysis of CCTV and other data evidence.
  • Radio Unit Rental and Package Support - An overspend of £1.4m - 11% of budget. This reflects increased expenditure resulting from a delay in transition from the radio supply and support contract between old and new suppliers.
  • Revenue Contribution to Capital Outlay – An overspend of £0.8m. This relates to vehicle purchases in support of frontline proactive intelligence teams within the Specialist Crime Directorate.

45. Capital Financing Costs – An underspend of £1.2m – 5.2% of budget.
As previously advised, the forecast underspend is principally due to a lower than budgeted forecast for the Minimum Revenue Provision (MRP). This is due to a lower than budgeted 2008/09 capital outturn and hence a lower than expected capital financing requirement. This is partly offset by additional interest payable on new external loans arranged by the Authority in 2008/09.

46. Interest Receipts – An adverse position of £3.3m – 157% of budget.
The principal cause of the adverse position is the inclusion of an anticipated write-off of penalty interest (£2m) relating to Landsbanki investments which had previously been accrued in 2008/09 on the advice of Cipfa. Additionally, the forecast recognises the latest advice regarding the reimbursement of Landsbanki investments, as it is now believed that the first repayment will not be received until 2010/11. There has been no movement in the forecast from the position reported at Period 9.

47. Other Income - An under-achievement of £1.2m – 0.3% of budget.
The under-achievement is principally within Specialist Operations, Central Operations and Human Resources although much of it relates to areas where expenditure has also reduced such as for the provision of policing at Heathrow Airport and the Palace of Westminster and a reduction in the number of officers seconded to other Forces. There is also lower than budgeted income from Immigration receipts and Wembley stadium events. This is mostly offset by an over-achievement of income within Centrally Held relating to accounting adjustments to write off unmatched goods receipts relating to previous financial years.

48. There has been an adverse movement of £2.1m from the position reported at Period 9. This principally relates to reduced partnership, cost sharing and operational activity within Territorial Policing which is matched by reduced expenditure forecasts.

49. Specific Grant – An over-achievement of £4.6m.
The over-achievement relates to additional Loan Charges grant resulting from a lower balance of useable capital receipts (due to the need to use significant levels of usable capital receipts to finance the Capital Programme in 2008/09) and a grant payment of £3.6m from Home Office relating to reimbursement of additional costs incurred as a result of the G20 summit.

50. There has been a favourable movement of £1.9m from the position reported at Period 9, principally within Specialist Operations relating to additional grant received to cover pay inflation costs of Dedicated Security Patrol officers and in respect of ACPO TAM funding for the National Public Order Intelligence Unit.

51. Budget movements
As previously advised, the MPA/MPS Business Plan was approved by MPA Full Authority on 26th March 2009. Since that time budget amendments have been made relating to changes in the funding stream for Counter Terrorism (at the time of the budget submission, funding levels had not been finalised with the Home Office). Funding streams relating to PCSOs have also required changes to the subjective allocation of budgets. Allowing for these issues and other in-year budget movements, funding budgets (income, specific grant and transfers from Reserves) have increased by £24m since the budget submission and corresponding expenditure budgets have been set accordingly. Appendix 2 shows the subjective budget movements that have been required in the time between the original budget submission and the presentation of this report. The major budget movements undertaken in Period 10 are shown below in Table 5.

Table 5 – Major budget movements actioned in Period 10

Description of Budget Move Amount
£000
Funding for Developing Resource Management Project drawn from Service Improvement Projects Fund 850  
Olympics Grant funding for Airwave 750

Movements in Reserves

52. The reserve movements carried out in Period 10 are shown in Table 6.

Table 6 – Reserve movements carried out in Period 10

Reserve description Amount
£000
Drawdown from Reserve - COP funding relating to Criminal Justice Initiatives - Operational Costs 1,300
Drawdown from Reserve - Procurement Reserve - Property Related Costs 500
Drawdown from Reserve - Firearms Training Facilities - Property Related Costs 80

Capital Monitoring

53. Despite the downturn in the economy adversely affecting the expected level of capital receipts available in 2009/10 to support the capital programme, an ambitious level of investment was still proposed. This has proved possible thanks to the judicious use of (a) unsupported borrowing; (b) capital reserves; (c) revenue underspend from 2008/09; and (d) Service Improvement Programme funds. This financing situation will be closely monitored to ensure all funding sources remain available and the capital programme continues to be affordable and sustainable in accordance with the requirements of the Prudential Code. This is critical when considering the projects that have been rephased from 2008/09 and the capacity issues that arise from this.

54. On 19th November 2009, the MPA Finance and Resources Committee agreed a revised capital programme reflecting a rephasing of project expenditure into 2010/11 and beyond. This report provides forecast variations against the revised annual budget.

55. Appendix 3 sets out the expenditure for the 2009/10 Capital Programme as at Period 10 (January) by programme. Year to date expenditure is £120.9m, representing 56.5% of the revised annual budget of £214m. The forecast for the year of £191.3m is £22.7m below the revised annual budget.

56. Property Programme – An underspend of £5.9m - 11.7% of revised annual budget.
The main reasons for the forecast underspend is slippages in the implementation of the sustainable development projects associated with the Climate Change Action Plan; prolonged negotiations in obtaining licence agreement from the landlord to alter the Polar Park site at Heathrow and slippage in the implementation of projects associated with the Central London operational facilities at New Scotland Yard. It should be noted that the Climate Change Action Plan has its own dedicated funding source which allows for underspends to be rolled forward into future years. Furthermore, extended negotiations with prospective occupants of several floors at Empress State Building will result in delays to the proposed works and required office furniture. Additionally, changes to technical specification and other issues have resulted in delays to the purchasing of a covert property and the identification of additional work at Marlowe House. These delays and issues with other projects have all resulted in a further reduction in the forecast position since last period.

57. Information Programme – Excluding C3i – An underspend of £2.5m - 2.5% of revised annual budget.
The main reason for the forecast underspend is slippage in procurement of equipment associated with the Events Management Futures project where tendering bids received were significantly higher than expected. Additionally, in order to ensure that the main part of the Pyxis project is completed by the end of March, the supplementary work on email and audit will be rephased to the second quarter of the 2010/11 financial year.

58. Transport Projects – An underspend of £2.4m - 14.3% of revised annual budget.
The main reason for the forecast underspend results from the setting up of an internal car hiring pool associated with the Service Improvement Plan. Budget has been earmarked to purchase additional vehicles for the hire pool but they will not be delivered in this financial year. Transport Services will request formal approval, at the year end, to rephase this project into 2010/11.

59. Other Plant & Equipment Expenditure – A minor underspend against the revised annual budget.

60. Language Programme − An underspend of £3.6m - 99.5% of revised annual budget.
Minor delays in the tendering process for the procurement of language services are ongoing. This means that contracts will not be awarded and associated work is not scheduled to start until 2010/11. This programme has ring-fenced funding from the Service Improvement Plan fund.

61. Directorate of Information – C3i Programme – An underspend of £1.8m - 45% of revised annual budget.
The main reason for the forecast underspend is due to slippages in the supply of equipment for the Crime Reporting Information System and the Telephony Call Routing System (CRS) projects. The CRS project is an advanced contact centre system for the skills based routing of all MPS emergency, non emergency and internal operator calls. The Directorate of Information will request formal approval, at the year end, to rephase these projects into future years.

62. Safer Neighbourhoods Programme – An overspend of £1.3m - 6.5% of revised annual budget.
The Directorate of Information element is reporting an underspend of £1.7m. This represents the Safer Neighbourhood contribution towards the purchase of Personal Digital Assistants for front-line officers; however the current model has been superseded by an upgraded model which is currently undergoing substantial testing. Previously reported delays in the sourcing of suitable accommodation by the Property Services element have been resolved and as a result the forecast has been increased to show a £3m overspend. This £3m was included within the original Property Services budget but was rephased into next financial year following approval by the MPA in Period 6. Property Services are now on target to fully complete its scheduled work in this financial year.

63. Olympics/Paralympics – An underspend of £0.7m – 56.% of revised annual budget. The Olympics/Paralympics Programme is funded by specific grant and each project is subject to Home Office approval following the submission of individual business cases. In Period 6, MPA Members approved a budget reduction of £25.9m to this Programme. The initial Olympics/Paralympics Programme budget assumed a high level of Intelligence staff personnel, which will not materialise this year. The effect of this is a significant reduction in proposed building works (and the associated IT fit-out costs) to house these personnel; instead, options around enhancing existing estates are currently being reviewed. The current forecast is based on the latest expectations of the number of projects that will be approved for funding this year.

64. Counter Terrorism – An underspend of £1.8m - 15.8% of revised annual budget. The underspend is due to delays to the provision of Terrorist Act (TACT) prisoner cells.

65. ACPO TAM - An underspend of £5.2m - 66.5% of revised annual budget. In Period 6, MPA Members approved a budget increase of £7.8m which represented the Association of Chief Police Officers Terrorism Allied Matters (ACPO TAM) projects not included in the original 2009/10 programme. This increase now forms part of the revised Capital Programme. As advised in period 9, however, there was a possibility that some of the ACPO TAM projects may not result in a MPS owned asset. Following a detailed investigation of this issue it is now apparent that some of the ACPO TAM funded budget is for non-MPS owned projects and the forecast has been reduced to take account of this.

C. Race and equality impact

There are none specific to this report.

D. Financial implications

The financial implications are those set out in this report.

E. Background papers

  • Policing London 2009-12 Business Plan.

F. Contact details

Report author(s): Nick Rogers, Director of Group Finance, MPS

For more information contact:

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

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