Report on the Sub-committees of the Finance and Resource Committee

Report: 4
Date: 16 December 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

1. This report covers the following meetings:

• Estate Panel – 18 November 2010
• Resources and Productivity Sub-committee – 6 December 2010

Estate Panel

2. Amongst the matters discussed at the meeting on 18 November were the Hendon real estate asset plan and the report on the request for authority to dispose of properties in 2011/12, both of which are also on the agenda of today’s meeting of the Finance and Resources Committee. The Panel received a presentation on the proposals for Hendon and the presentation was subsequently offered to all members of the Authority.

3. The next meeting of the Panel is on 16 December immediately following the Finance and Resources Committee. Arrangements are being made for a site on visit on 11 January.

Resources and Productivity Sub-committee – 6 December 2010

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

Treasury Management half year review 2010/11

4. The reports appear as agenda item 5 on the agenda for today’s meeting. In accordance with CIPFA guidance the report will also be considered at the full Authority meeting on 27 January 2011.

5. On the advice of Arlingclose approval is being sought to increase the MPA individual limits for investments from £30M to £35M, and to add the Clydesdale Bank to the counterparty list further reducing the need to place funds with the Debt Management Office . Approval is also being sought to extend the percentage of funds borrowed on variable rate from 15% to 30%,

6. A representative of Arlingclose, the Authority’s Treasury Management advisers, attended the meeting and confirmed that these proposed changes would bring the MPA into line with current practice for other local authorities.

7. The Sub-committee supported the proposed changes which are included in the recommendations in the report before the Committee for approval. The Sub-committee also requested that a benchmarking report be submitted as part of the future quarterly monitoring reports.

Other reports considered not on the agenda for today’s FRC meeting

Capital Programme –quarterly monitoring report 2009/10 –quarter 2)

8. This report provided members with information on the capital programme for 2010/11 as at the end of the second quarter of the financial year and contained more detailed information at programme and sub-programme level and thus is more comprehensive than the information in the monthly budget monitoring reports considered by the Finance and Resources Committee. Assurances were sought about the likely expenditure during the remainder of the financial year. Members were advised that although the target was ambitious it remained the aim to spend up to the forecast amount of £250.8m.

The supply of overnight accommodation for mutual aid officers and staff during the Olympic and Paralympic games (exempt)

9. The sub-committee considered a request to approve the award of 5 contracts for the provision of overnight accommodation and meals for mutual aid police officers and operational staff participating in the 2012 Olympic and Paralympics Games. The business case has been approved by both the MPA and the Home Office.

10. The sub-committee approved the award of contracts for the provision of up to 171,936 room nights for the period of the Games across five providers for a total maximum value of £10.7 m. (£7.3 m. for accommodation and £3.4m for the provision of meals.) The main providers of the accommodation are universities.

11. Arising from consideration of this report, members noted that dip sampling of the contracts awarded under the Olympic programme is being carried out by the Olympic and Paralympic Sub-committee.

Framework agreement for the provision of forensic analysis for digital devices (exempt)

12. This report sought approval to award a framework agreement for the provision of forensic analysis of digital and electronic devices for a period of 4 years. following completion of a full competitive OJEU tendering process. Electronic and digital devices are seized in many criminal cases and the analysis of such devices plays a crucial role in the investigation of crime.

13. Two suppliers were awarded a place on the framework agreement.

Catering Services framework agreement for a managed vending service (exempt)

14. Approval was given to the award of a framework agreement for the provision of a managed vending service to Selecta UK Ltd for a period of 5 years, beginning on 1 January 2011, following completion of a full competitive OJEU tendering process. There will be no cost to the MPS for this service, with Selecta providing the machines and the service free of charge, taking the revenue generated from sales and providing a period rebate to the MPS based on sales. Members noted that this award could result in a potential doubling of the income received by the MPS compared to the existing arrangements and any savings generated from the new framework agreement will help to achieve planned reductions in the budget for Catering Services. The successful firm is able to provide a range of items to meet the varied dietary requirements of the MPS.

The provision of vehicle recovery and specified storage services initiated by or through the MPA/MPS (exempt)

15. The sub-committee considered a request to award a number of contracts for the provision of vehicle recovery and specified storage services following the completion of a full OJEU tendering process. The anticipated benefits include an overall saving which is anticipated to be approximately £150,000.

16. The sub-committee noted that approximately 35,000 vehicles per annum are seized for lack of insurance or appropriate driving licence and police officers in uniform have the power to seize vehicles being driven without insurance and/or otherwise than in accordance with a driving licence. Approximately 20,000 vehicles per annum are recovered for other reasons (Predominantly for forensic examination and collision investigation).

17. The sub-committee approved the award of contracts to a number of contractors based on geographical areas for a period of 24 months with the option to extend for two further terms of 12 months, beginning on the 1st April 2011. Members noted that the new arrangements were intended to improve on the time taken for the contractor to recover the vehicle from the roadside and hence the amount of time it took a police officer to process such vehicle seizures.

Other reports considered

18. The Sub-committee also considered the regular quarterly update on requests for contract action and the procurement strategy quarterly monitoring report.

C. Other organisational and community implications

Equalities Impact

1. There are no race and diversity impact issues directly arising from this report. Any implications are addressed in the reports considered at the Sub-committee

Met Forward

2. The remit of the Resources and Productivity Sub-committee is largely in support of the Met Support strand, but there are no direct implications for the delivery of Met Forward arising from this report

Financial Implications

3. There are no financial implications directly arising from this report.

Legal Implications

4 Any implications are addressed in the reports considered at the Sub-committee.

Environmental Implications

5 Any implications are addressed in the reports considered at the Sub-committee.

Risk Implications

6 Any implications are addressed in the reports considered at the Sub-committee.

D. Background papers

None

E. Contact details

Report authors: John Crompton, MPA

For more information contact:

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

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