Minutes

Joint minutes of the Human Resources and Remuneration Sub-committee and the Resources and Productivity Sub-committee of the Metropolitan Police Authority held on 20 December 2010 at 10 Dean Farrar Street, SW1H 0NY.

Present

Members

• Faith Boardman (Chair)
• Reshard Auladin
• Valerie Brasse
• Graham Speed

MPA officers

• Catherine Crawford (Chief Executive)
• Bob Atkins (Treasurer)
• Alan Johnson (HR Officer)
• Michael Taylor (Committee Officer)

MPS officers

• Roger Critchell (Head of Policy Standard)
• Gabrielle Nelson (Acting Director of Recruitment)
• Anne McMeel (Director of Resources)
• Caroline Mortimer (Acting Director of Logistical Services)
• Nikki Hunter (Procurement Services)

30. Apologies for absence

(Agenda Item 1)

30.1 Apologies were received from Tony Arbour (MPA Member), John Biggs (MPA Member), Cindy Butts (MPA Member), Amanda Sater (MPA Member) and Fay Scott (MPA Officer)

31. Declarations of interest

(Agenda Item 2)

31.1 There were no declarations of interest.

32. Minutes of the meeting held on 14 October 2010

(Agenda Item 3)

32.1 The minutes of the meeting held on 14 October 2010 were agreed.

33. Issues raised by staff associations and Trade Unions (oral report)

(Agenda Item 4)

33.1 Alan Johnson reported that since the last meeting the Chair had held meetings with the Police Federation, the Chief Police Officers Staff Association (CPOSA), Superintendents’ Association and SAMURAI (representing the staff support associations). The main items discussed were the likely impact of budget cuts and the impact of the new Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs), the MPS operations during the recent student demonstrations, and SAMURAI’s views on the Home Office proposals on Stop and Search. The Home Office proposals were withdrawn.

33.2 Following the last meeting members received an informative briefing on these discussions. It was agreed further briefings would be provided to members.

34. Section 26 – overseas travel

(Agenda Item 5)

34.1 Members noted the contents of the report; between June 2010 and December there were 28 exceptional travel cases under Section 26, of which 18 were operational. Exceptional cases are those which are deemed to be sensitive, involving ACPO officers or of likely high media interest. The MPS is currently undertaking a review of travel and secondments in order to ascertain the benefits of this to London, although in most cases these trips are funded.

34.2 Members asked if the MPS reviewed value for money and asked for a briefing on the total cost of Section 26 during the last financial year, along with a breakdown of the ranks of the officers.

Action: MPS to provide a briefing on the total costing of Section 26 travel for the last financial year, along with a breakdown of officer ranks.

34.3 With the current financial situation it is no longer routine for MPS officers to travel in order to make presentations, only those which provide long term benefits are agreed. In order for overseas courses to be offered, they are required to meet full cost recovery and also provide benefit to London. Members did acknowledge the opportunity to promote the MPS internationally (including the possibility of selling training services) but this needed to be balanced against the MPS’s own operational needs.

34.4 The Chief Executive noted that it is currently unknown whether the Police and Crime Commissioner shall maintain oversight of Section 26.

Resolved: That the report be noted.

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