Minutes

Minutes of the Metropolitan Police Authority held on 12 October 2000 at Westminster Cathedral Hall, Westminster, London SW1.

Present

• Toby Harris (Chair)
• Peter Herbert (Deputy Chair)

Members

Anthony Arbour, Jennette Arnold, Reshard Auladin, John Biggs, Cindy Butts, Lynne Featherstone, , Elizabeth Howlett, Darren Johnson, Jenny Jones, Nicholas Long, Cecile Lothian, R David Muir, Sir John Quinton, Angela Slaven, Richard Sumray, Graham Tope, Abdal Ullah and Rachel Whittaker

MPA staff:

Peter Edwards (Clerk) and Peter Martin (Treasurer)

MPS staff:

Sir J Stevens (Commissioner) and K Luck (Director of Resources)

In addition approximately 40 members of the press/public and other MPA/MPS staff were present.

Part 1

62. Apologies

Apologies were received from Richard Barnes (Deputy Chair), Roger Evans and Nicky Gavron.

63. Minutes: 14 September 2000

It was noted that Richard Sumray had not attended the meeting on 14 September 2000.

Resolved:
that the minutes of the Authority meeting held on 14 September 2000, subject to removal of Richard Sumray being in attendance, be agreed and signed as a correct record.

64. Minutes of Committees

The Authority received the minutes of the Professional Standards and Performance Monitoring Committee held on 29 August 2000 and the Chair's Co-Ordination and Urgency Committee on 31 August 2000.

Arising from the minutes of the Chair's Co-ordination and Urgency Committee, it was reported that the Terms of Reference for the 'Virdi inquiry' had been drafted. It was hoped that the selection of the inquiry panel and other issues would be concluded by the end of the month

Resolved:
that the minutes of the Professional Standards and Performance Monitoring Committee held on 29 August 2000 and the Chair's Co-Ordination and Urgency Committee on 31 August 2000 be received.

65. Commissioner's update

The Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, Sir John Stevens, gave the Authority an oral report on a range of current developments and issues. These included: The latest position on Recruitment and Retention of Police Officers and of Civilian Staff; a recent incident in Hackney, where the victims of crime had refused to co-operate with the Police; Operation 'Trident', which included working with other police authorities and working in Jamaica; a further update on 'Operation Strongbox', that was currently taking place in Camden and Islington; report on the increase in street crime; an update on the Mayor's proposals for New Year's Eve celebrations, which included confirmation that there would be a need for 6,000/7,000 officers to be on duty; and finally the continuing terrorist threat.

With regard to 'Operation Trident', members suggested that individuals' previous records needed to be looked at, particularly those originating from outside the UK and possibly in conjunction with the Immigration Service. Members noted, with regret, the increase in the street crime figures and requested a presentation on the progress of 'Operations Strongbox and Trident'. Members suggested that, with regard to 'Operation Strongbox' the presentation should also address the effects on and results in an area once the scheme had been completed and the value for money of the scheme.

The Commissioner offered to show members of the Authority surveillance video footage of the last Notting Hill Carnival. The Commissioner also agreed to provide to the Chair of the Finance, Planning and Best Value Committee further information about the policing of the New Year Eve's celebrations.

Resolved:

1. that the Commissioner's oral update be noted;
2. that the Authority receive presentations on 'operations Strongbox and Trident' and that the Commissioner share with the Authority a copy of the surveillance video of this year's Notting Hill Carnival; and
3. that a report on the recruitment and retention of civilian staff be presented to a future meeting of the Authority.

66. Relations with MPS and outside bodies

(Agenda item 5)

The Authority considered a report that informed members of a number of bodies, both internal and external to the MPS, with which the MPA might wish to develop relations. The report suggested that relations might be developed either by seeking membership of the body or by other means.

In considering the report, members suggested that other bodies such as the Gay, Lesbian, Bi-sexual and Transsexual Advisory Committee, NACRO, Police Foundation, Association of Women Police Officers should be added to the list of bodies and that links with the business community should be developed.

The Chair considered that the matter required more detailed consideration than was possible given the time available.

Resolved:

1. that the Human Resources Committee should lead on development of relations with the MPS staff associations and trade unions; and
2. that the remaining recommendations (1, 3 and 4) be referred to the next meeting of the Chair's Co-Ordination and Urgency Committee for further and more consideration.

67. 2001/02 budget submission

(Agenda item 6)

The Authority considered a report setting out the detailed intermediate draft budget submission for 2001/02 agreed by the Finance, Planning and Best Value Committee within the strategy framework and which was presented to the GLA, in accordance with the Mayor's deadline. The report also outlined additional tasks in relation to the 2001/02 budget that would have to be undertaken prior to the final draft submission to the Mayor in December 2000.

Members were also reminded that the budget would be presented to the Finance, Planning and Best Value Committee for consideration in November and then on to the full Authority in December, prior to submission to the Mayor.

Arising from the discussion, it was noted in relation to future budget submissions that consideration would need to be given to the Mayor's strategies, such as those relating to transport, and that members would need to receive reports on these issues and their possible implications for the budget.

Resolved:

1. that the Authority endorsed the intermediate draft budget submission for 2001/02 as agreed by the Finance, Planning and Best Value Committee in accordance with the strategy framework approved by the Authority at its last meeting; and
2. that the Authority noted the further tasks to be carried out before the final draft budget is approved for submission in December 2000.

68. Local Government 2000 – general principles and model code of conduct

(Agenda item 7)

The Committee received a report that informed members that the Local Government Act 2000 included a new ethical framework that would apply to police authorities as well as to local authorities and similar bodies from April 2001.

The Association of Police Authorities (APA) had sought police authorities' views on the general principles to be applied and on a model code of conduct. It was noted that the APA wished to submit a corporate response to the exercise that reflected all police authorities' views. Members were informed that as the provisions of the Act did not take effect for some time, the APA had proposed that individual police authorities might wish to consider asking their members to sign an interim anti-discrimination code of conduct.

Arising from discussions, members expressed the need for the Authority to develop its own equal opportunities statement as soon as possible.

Resolved:

1. that the Authority noted the enactment of the Local Government Act 2000 and its main features;
2. that members be invited to sign the APA's interim model anti-discrimination code of conduct.

69. Exclusion of the press and public

Resolved:
that under section 100 A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the items 7 and the tabled paper, of business on the grounds that they involved disclosure of exempt information as detailed in the paragraphs of Schedule 12A (9) and (1) of the above Act.

Summary of exempt items

MPA accommodation requirements

The Authority considered a report analysing current and future accommodation issues for the MPA

Settlement of a civil action

The Authority considered a settlement of a civil action case.

Urgent action

The Authority considered a report on urgent action taken under delegated powers.

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