Minutes

Minutes of a meeting of the Metropolitan Police Authority held on 24 January 2002 at Romney House, Marsham Street, London, SW1.

Present

Members

• Toby Harris (Chair)
• Anthony Arbour
• Jennette Arnold
• Reshard Auladin
• Richard Barnes (Deputy Chair)
• John Biggs
• Cindy Butts
• Lynne Featherstone
• Peter Herbert (Deputy Chair)
• Elizabeth Howlett
• Jenny Jones
• Nicholas Long
• Cecile Lothian
• Eric Ollerenshaw
• Sir John Quinton
• Richard Sumray
• Graham Tope
• Abdal Ullah
• Rachel Whittaker

MPA officers

• Catherine Crawford (Clerk)
• Peter Martin (Treasurer)
• Simon Vile (Secretariat)

MPS officers

• Sir John Stevens (Commissioner)
• Keith Luck (Director of Resources)
• Bernard Hogan-Howe (Assistant Commissioner)
• Tarique Ghaffur (Assistant Commissioner)
• Michael Todd (Assistant Commissioner)
• Tim Godwin (Deputy Assistant Commissioner)

Approximately 50 members of the press/public and other MPA/MPS staff were also present.

Part 1

98. Apologies for absence and announcements

(Agenda item 1)

Apologies for absence were received from Nicky Gavron and R. David Muir; for lateness from Jennette Arnold, John Biggs and Peter Herbert; and for early departure from Rachel Whittaker.

On behalf of the Authority, the Chair congratulated Rachel Whittaker on being awarded an M.B.E in the New Year's Honours.

99. Minutes

(Agenda item 2)

Resolved that the minutes of the Authority meeting held on 10 December 2001 be confirmed and signed as a correct record.

Matters arising: in connection with item 80, the Commissioner confirmed that a report on MPS work on public transport safety would be presented to the next meeting of the Authority.

100. Minutes of committees

(Agenda item 3)

The Authority received the approved or draft minutes of the following committees:

• Finance, Planning and Best Value Committee, 6 December 2001
• Professional Standards and Performance Monitoring Committee, 11 December 2001
• Human Resources Committee, 10 January 2002
• Co-ordination and Urgency Committee, 10 January 2002

In connection with item 146 of the minutes of the Finance, Planning and Best Value Committee, Anthony Arbour raised a number of issues about outsourced contracts and in particular the length of the contracts and whether the Authority would be given the opportunity to review them.

The Treasurer advised that the contracts were let from 1998 onwards for a period of five or seven years. Any decision to terminate a contract would clearly incur penalties.

It was

Resolved

That a preliminary report be put to the next Finance, Planning and Best Value Committee on the Carrillion and Sema contracts, including the length of these contracts, the management monitoring arrangements, the circumstances in which charges might be incurred under the contracts and the number of occasions on which such charges have been incurred.

101. Question from the public

At this point in the meeting Mrs Susan Wilson asked to put a question to the Authority in relation to an alleged assault on her son by a police officer in June 1996.

In refusing this request, the Chair explained that this question had not been submitted to the Authority by the deadline set out in Standing Orders and was not therefore on the agenda and could not be considered. The question could be put to a future meeting or Mrs Wilson could be given a written answer, whichever she preferred. He further commented that in addition to the question Mrs Wilson had put to the December meeting of the Authority, he and R. David Muir had had a meeting with Mrs Wilson and had facilitated a further meeting for her with the MPS.

102. Chair's and members' updates

(Agenda item 4)

The Chair updated the Authority on the Greater London Assembly's budget discussions. The outcome of this meeting had been that the Mayor's budget had been sent back to him with an amendment in relation to the transport element. This amendment did not affect the proposed budget for the MPA. The Mayor was now required to submit his final budget proposals to the Assembly in February.

Other updates were deferred to the next meeting.

103. Commissioner's update

(Agenda item 5)

The Commissioner, Sir John Stevens, gave the Authority an update on the following developments and current issues:

Tackling street crime

He reported on measures that were being taken to tackle the rise in street crime at the same time as balancing the demands for maintained anti-terrorism policing. A short-term operation was to be carried out for a period of three months, which included transferring 315 traffic officers to borough policing duties; transferring 160 traffic wardens to high visibility anti-terrorism patrols; territorial officers being tasked to target street crime and the 320 most persistent young offenders being targeted. These measures would be reviewed in March when the traffic officers and traffic wardens would return to their normal duties.

In responding to Members' questions, the Commissioner said that the effect of these temporary measures would be assessed at the conclusion of the operation and reported to a suitable MPA forum, both in terms of the impact of the operation and the effect of taking officers away from other duties. He commented that the aim of targeting the most persistent young offenders was to give the public some respite from their activities. With regard to the transfer of traffic officers to borough policing, he said that half of the existing duties of traffic officers involved making arrests for criminal offences so they already possessed the necessary skills. There would be no reduction in resources allocated to tackling illegal minicabs. In terms of using traffic wardens for anti-terrorism measures, the intention was that they would act as 'eyes and ears' and they would be able to summon assistance from police officers as necessary.

Public order matters

The Commissioner reported that 88 arrests had been made on New Year's Eve, a reduction of more than 50% in the arrests for street robberies. 1,800 officers had been on duty in Trafalgar Square, a reduction of 700 compared to the previous year. In reply to a question from the Chair, he confirmed that it would be possible to produce a list of all the officers on duty that night, if required.

The Commissioner reported that the MPS were actively involved with the GLA in planning for the 2002 Notting Hill Carnival. There were, however, considerable disputes within the Trust.

Commander Messenger would be briefing Members towards the end of February on future events, including the Carnival, the Golden Jubilee celebrations and the possible May Day demonstrations.

Recruitment and retention

The Commissioner referred to the opening of the Peel Centre on 21 January. Latest figures showed an increase of 83% in the recruitment of visible ethnic minority (VEM) officers. The target was to achieve an extra 1,000 officers by the end of April.

The Chair paid tribute to those involved in the development of the new selection centre. With regard to VEM recruitment, he asked for a report to the Authority on forward projections to identify what proportion of future recruits would need to be from VEMs to reach stated targets for the force as a whole.

It was also agreed that a report be put to the next meeting of the Human Resources Committee on the pressure on training facilities, both in terms of physical facilities such as classrooms and, for instance, the ratio of trainers to students.

Anthony Arbour asked whether the MPS made use of vacancies in other training centres where necessary – Assistant Commissioner Hogan Howe undertook to check whether there was a national register of vacancies at police training centres.

Operation Trident

The Commissioner reported that the month of December had seen the continued increase in incidents. 147 investigations had so far been carried out since April 2001. He referred to a joint Trident/Customs operation on 12 December when a flight from Jamaica had been randomly targeted, with the arrest of 20 couriers and the seizure of cocaine worth £2 million. This was in addition to 8 arrests which had already been made in Jamaica. This indicated the scale of the problem and, working closely with colleagues in Jamaica, it was essential to maintain pressure on these criminals.

Cecile Lothian asked to be briefed on Operation Trident.

International terrorism

The Authority was given an update on continued operations including the detention of British nationals, who were being investigated by the anti-terrorist branch.
The Commissioner offered to give Abdal Ullah a confidential update with regard to the Finsbury Park Mosque.

The Chair said that there had been a meeting with the Home Secretary in December about government funding for anti-terrorist policing, but there would be no announcement before the Chancellor's budget statement in March.

Christmas drink drive campaign

The Commissioner reported that there had been 1247 accidents resulting in injury (up 1.2%), 1761 breath tests (down 17%) and 276 arrests following a positive breath test or a refusal to take a test (up 48%). It was clear therefore that drinking and driving remained a problem. At this stage the reasons were not clear – ACPO thought that there was a core of persistent drink drivers – so further analysis was needed and this would be reported to the Authority at some stage. Richard Sumray suggested that the drink drive campaign started later than it should have done and the timing should be reviewed in future years.

Domestic violence strategy

Jennette Arnold commended the Commissioner on the launch of the domestic violence strategy and expressed the hope that all borough commanders would act on it. She referred to the fact that the highest number of incidents occur over the Christmas period and suggested that Members should be made aware of the details. The Commissioner replied that John Grieve was leading on the strategy and a report on it was due shortly.

Brixton cannabis pilot

Elizabeth Howlett asked for an update on this pilot. AC Todd replied that the full evaluation was still awaited before conclusions could be drawn on any consequential savings to police officer time and any decrease in drug activity around Lambeth. The outcome of the evaluation would be reported to members.

Brooklands Primary School

Cecile Lothian thanked the Commissioner for taking the time to meet children from this school during their visit to New Scotland Yard.

Database of potential offenders

Lynne Featherstone referred to an item in the Guardian concerning the possible setting up of a database of potential offenders. She was concerned about the possible stigmatisation of young people and asked that the MPA be given the opportunity to discuss the issues before it went any further. The Commissioner replied that this was not a firm idea, and one which might not go forward. He would be reporting to the Authority on youth crime initiatives in due course.

Resolved That the Commissioner's update be noted and reports commissioned as identified above.

104. Mayoral proposals for the establishment of a Transport Operational Command Unit

(Agenda item 9)

The Authority considered a report by the Commissioner on proposals to establish a Transport Operational Command Unit (OCU). The Commissioner apologised to Members for the fact that there had not been sufficient consultation with the Authority to date.

DAC Godwin outlined the background to the proposals, which represented an evolving process of working with Transport for London (TfL) to tackle crime hotspots on transport routes. Operation Seneca had achieved significant results but the MPS could not sustain it. TfL had taken on board responsibility for funding and the proposals were seen as a tangible step forward in partnership working to achieve a safer community in London.

Members raised a number of concerns about the proposals that they would want addressed in the Service Level Agreement (SLA) or operational arrangements before the Authority could agree to proceed. These included:

• a clear understanding of the financial implications of this provision, both in terms of direct and indirect costs and what residual costs the MPA would face if at some time in the future this initiative was scaled down or ceased
• more information about the knock-on effect on the rest of the MPS' services, for instance the possible recruitment to this OCU of experienced officers from borough commands and the possibility that additional work demands will be placed on boroughs
• concerns about the adequacy of the £1 million budget identified for provision of accommodation
• whether subsidiary costs have been properly identified
• the degree of flexibility in the SLA, e.g. in terms of abstractions for other duties and the role of Transport OCU officers in tackling crime nearby
• the development of performance indicators that were meaningful for the MPS, to underpin the agreement – the MPA must have a strong performance monitoring role in terms of its own priorities
• explicit reference in the SLA that the MPS will play no part in congestion charging
• clarity on who signs the agreement on behalf of the MPA/MPS

DAC Godwin responded to a number of these points at the meeting but they should also be addressed in full when the Authority was asked to make decisions on the proposals. Elizabeth Howlett also asked to be sent details of the costs of the Lambeth pilot.

In deciding how the proposals should be progressed, the Authority

Resolved

1. That MPS officers be authorised to negotiate a draft Special Services Agreement with TfL;
2. That a report be submitted to the Finance, Planning and Best Value Committee on 21 February on the progress of negotiations with TfL, addressing the relevant points made above;
3. That a report be submitted to the Professional Standards and Performance Monitoring Committee on the development of performance indicators and the outcome of the pilot; and
4. That a report be submitted to the full Authority in March on the detailed proposals.

Members of the Authority were concerned that they had become involved at a comparatively late stage in the formulation of these proposals. It was important that the Authority was alerted to such issues at an earlier stage to enable fuller debate. They asked if there were any other such initiatives under discussion that they should be aware of. DAC Godwin indicated that as part of a Home Office review of the Royal Parks Constabulary, the MPS' views had been sought on whether that Constabulary should become part of the MPS. This issue would be reported to the MPA when the Commissioner had received a proposal from the Home Office.

105. Police Reform update

(Agenda item 6)

The Clerk gave the Authority an oral update. She said that all Members had received a copy of the MPA's response to the White Paper. The Bill was due to be introduced in the House of Lords the following week with the second reading debate scheduled for 5 February.

Richard Sumray understood that the Bill would include a clause on police officers' right to silence and the ability, as in the courts, to make inferences from a decision to remain silent. He felt that if that was not the case, the MPA should make representations for its inclusion.

106. The Virdi Inquiry Report

(Agenda item 7)

The Authority considered a report by the Clerk on the publication of the report of the Inquiry Panel into the case of Sergeant Gurpal Virdi.

Members agreed that it was important to accept the findings of the report and to move forward on its recommendations. There was also discussion on the importance of ensuring that diversity training was a fundamental part of the process and that when things went wrong cases were dealt with quickly.

Resolved – That

1. The Authority welcomes the publication of the report of the Virdi Inquiry Panel;
2. Members note that the Panel wishes to reconvene to take oral evidence from PS Virdi once the legal proceedings related to the case have been concluded;
3. Reports should be presented to a future meeting of the Authority addressing:

• those recommendations in the report that relate to the MPA, with an action plan on how to respond to them, together with the issues that need to be raised with other agencies
• a response from the MPS, together with an action plan; and

4. The Professional Standards and Performance Monitoring Committee should lead on monitoring progress against an action plan to take forward the recommendations of the report.

107. Proposed ministerial priorities 2002/03

(Agenda item 8a)

The Authority considered a report by the Clerk outlining the Home Secretary's proposed ministerial priorities for policing for 2002/03.

The following points were made in the discussion of this item:

• there is no reference in the priorities, or even in the covering letter, to the changed state of security following 11 September either in London or at a national level
• it is not feasible to include 'persistent offenders' in the priorities until a definition of what this means has been produced. The term currently proposed is fraught with ambiguities
• the MPA should be robust with the Home Office in terms of working to performance indicators which are meaningful in terms of its own priorities
• the late arrival of the Ministerial priorities causes the MPA problems in establishing its own priorities.

Resolved

That the Planning Panel at its meeting on 7 February be given delegated authority to approve a formal response to the Association of Police Authorities, taking into account the points made above.

108. Policing and Performance Plan 2002/03 – priorities and objectives

(Agenda item 8b)

The Authority considered a report by the Commissioner providing an update on the MPA policing priorities and objectives for the 2002/03 policing and performance plan.

Members felt that whilst this plan represented an improvement over the previous year's, greater time was needed in future for consultation, in particular to allow more time for discussion at a local level on the development of bespoke borough targets.

Resolved - That

1. Approval be given to the proposed targets in relation to race crimes and domestic violence;
2. Progress on the development work on setting bespoke targets be noted;
3. The inclusion of support departments in setting enabling objectives to support priorities and objectives be noted;
4. The full Plan be submitted to the Authority on 28 February for approval; and
5. A report be submitted to the full Authority at an early stage on the timetable for consultation on and production of the 2003/04 Plan.

109. Criminal Justice And Courts Services Act 2000 – impact on the MPS

(Agenda item 10)

The Authority received a report by the Commissioner giving an update on the implications of this legislation.

The Chair commented on the differences in approach he had found during his borough visits in terms of how boroughs viewed the challenge of managing the risks posed by sexual, violent and potentially dangerous offenders.

Nicholas Long expressed his continuing concern at the financial implications of this legislation which had not fed through into the following year's budget. He felt that it was vital that appropriate resources were directed to this work.

Resolved

That Members be provided with an opportunity to consider the implications of this Act in more detail.

110. Review of the MPA Members' Allowances Scheme

(Agenda item 11)

The Authority considered a report by the Clerk proposing a new scheme for the payment of Members' Allowances for Independent and Magistrate Members of the Authority. This scheme resulted from the report of an independent panel commissioned by the Association of Police Authorities on a new basis for the payment of Members' Allowances. It was noted that the allowances set out below are not payable to Greater London Assembly Members who are Members of the MPA.

Resolved – That

1. The Authority adopt a new Members' Allowances Scheme based on payment of basic and special responsibility allowances;
2. The following categories of special responsibility allowances (SRAs) be included in the scheme: (1) Deputy Chairs of the MPA, main committee chairs and members with specific areas of responsibility; and (2) Chair of the MPA;
3. SRAs be paid under category (1) above to members with the following 'portfolios': estates matters; audit matters; and best value;
4. the basic allowances be set at £13,000 per annum; the SRA for Deputy Chairs of the Authority, Chairs of main committees and the portfolio members detailed in (3) above at £15,000; and the SRA for the Chair of the Authority at £25,000;
5. the Authority endorse the principle that the payment of basic and special responsibility allowances should be linked to the expectation that general or specific responsibilities will be discharged by those Members; and that, to this end, the Clerk be asked to develop job profiles for members of the MPA and to consider the possibility of a review process;
6. the scheme should provide the option for members not to claim an allowance or to claim, for instance, only the basic allowance if they feel unable to fulfil the full range of duties expected of that position;
7. the recommendations contained in para 16 in respect of carers'/dependants' allowances; external Standards Committee members; Selection Panel members; and Police Appeals Tribunal members be approved;
8. the allowance levels should be indexed to Police Support Staff Council cost of living increases and automatically uprated each year; and
9. authority be delegated to the Clerk to draw up a new Scheme of Members' Allowances on the basis of decisions taken at this meeting.

111. Exclusion of the press and public

(Agenda item 12)

Resolved

That the press and public be asked to leave the meeting during discussion of the remaining item of business because exempt information as defined in paragraphs 11 and 12 of Part I Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 is likely to be made known.

112. Settlement issues

(Agenda item 13)

The Authority made decisions on the settlement to be offered in respect of an outstanding case.

The meeting ended at 1.35 p.m.

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