Urgent approval undertaken under delegated powers

Report: 5
Meeting: Metropolitan Police Authority
Date: 14 September 2000
By: Clerk

Summary

The purpose of this report is to advise members of an item of urgent business approved and authorised by the Clerk in accordance with standing orders.

A. Supporting information

1. The Clerk has delegated powers under standing orders to authorise the approval of urgent matters following consultation with the Chair of the Authority. The appropriate standing order is attached at Appendix 1 for information.

2. It is a requirement that after such action is taken there be a report to the next Authority advising members of what has been authorised.

3. Members will see from the correspondence attached at Appendix 2 that the MPS requested that a decision be made on authorising the advertisement of an Assistant Commissioner post. The reason for urgency was that the matter could not await the next meeting of the Human Resources Committee or Authority.

4. After consulting the Chair and Deputy Chair of the HR Committee and with the written approval of the Richard Barnes as one of the Deputy Chairs of the Authority (in the Chair’s absence), the Clerk authorised the MPS move towards filling the post.

B. Recommendations

That the Authority note the action undertaken by the Clerk in accordance with standing orders for handling urgent business.

C. Financial implications

There are no direct financial implications arising from the report.

D. Review arrangements

The HR Committee and authority members will be involved in managing and undertaking the recruitment process.

E. Background papers

The following is a statutory list of background papers (under the Local Government Act 1972 S.100 D) which disclose facts or matters on which the report is based and which have been relied on to a material extent in preparing this report. They are available on request to either the contact officer listed above or to the Clerk to the Police Authority at the address indicated on the agenda.

None.

F. Contact details

The author of this report is Mike Robinson, Interim Head of Secretariat.

For information contact:

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

Appendix 1: History

11. Urgent business

1. If a matter is of so urgent a nature that it cannot await the next meeting of the Authority or appropriate Committee:

1. It can be referred to a pending meeting of an alternative executive Committee or added to the agenda of such a meeting if the Chair decides that it should be considered as a matter of urgency pursuant to Section 100 B(4)b of the Local Government Act 1972; or
2. The Commissioner, Clerk and/or the Treasurer (following consultation with the other named officers) may take the necessary action, provided he/she has first obtained the written support of the Chair of the Authority. In very exceptional circumstances, because of critical timing, the requirement to first obtain the Chair’s support may be waived, subject to endorsement being sought after the event.
3. Alternatively, and in any event in the absence of the Chair, the matter should be referred to the Urgency Committee;
4. Alternatively, where there is a need, or it is considered desirable, to involve all members, a special meeting of the Authority be called.

2. The Clerk shall be notified of any action taken under this Standing Order and shall report on the matter to the next meeting of the Authority.

Appendix 2

From: Peter Edwards

Clerk

Patricia Woods
Director of Personnel
Metropolitan Police Service
105 Regency Street
LONDON
SW1P 4AN
8 August 2000

Appointment of Assistant Commissioner to the Metropolitan Police

Thank you for your letter of 27 July seeking approval to appoint an Assistant Commissioner in order to fill the vacancy which will be caused by the retirement of AC Andy Dunn. With the support of Richard Barnes as acting Chair of the MPA, I am writing to give the Authority’s formal approval to your filling this position within the timescale you indicate.

P C Edwards

cc Toby Harris
Richard Barnes
Rachel Whittaker
Ian Gaskell
Alan Johnson
Mike Robinson

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