Naming of new MPA buildings

Report: 11
Date: 16 December 2004
By: Clerk

Summary

The Finance Committee considered the attached report on the naming of three recently constructed new buildings at Bow, Hendon and Lambeth for the C3i Metcall centres. The matter has been referred to the full Authority for decision to enable broader consultation to take place.

A. Recommendation

That the Authority

1. concurs in the decision of the Finance Committee that the Bow building be named “The Paul Condon Centre” and the Hendon building be named “The John Stevens Centre.”
2. gives further consideration to the naming of the Lambeth building.

B. Supporting information

1. At its meeting on 7 December the Finance Committee considered a report by the Commissioner on the naming of new buildings for the C3i Metcall centres.

2. The Committee decided that as a general rule titles and decorations should not be used in the names of buildings but it was appropriate to include first names. On that basis, the Committee would support the Bow building being named the “The Paul Condon Centre” and the Hendon building “The John Stevens Centre”.

3. The view was expressed that as a matter of principle it was not appropriate for a building to be named after currently serving police officers or MPA members. It was therefore felt that it would not appropriate that the Lambeth building be named after Toby Harris.

4. The Committee was advised that this suggestion had been put forward by the Commissioner in recognition of the role played by the MPA’s first Chair and the Commissioner would ask the Authority to give this matter further consideration.

5. The Committee considered that there might other former MPS officers who had served with particular distinction but who had not had buildings named after them: one suggestion made was PC Charles Pope who had been awarded the Victoria Cross in the first world war. It was also felt that it might be appropriate that buildings be named after former MPA members or retired political figures.

6. It was felt that the matter should be referred to the full Authority to enable a wider range of views to be taken into consideration.

7. On a related point the Committee was advised that a consultation exercise was being carried out about a possible re-naming of the Empress State Building where many police departments are to be located. Members of the Authority will be involved in this process.

C. Race and equality impact

In relation to the comment under this heading in the attached report several members of the Committee considered that any review of the practice for naming buildings should take place now and there was no reason why this was being delayed to some unspecified point in the future.

D. Financial implications

None

E. Background papers

None

F. Contact details

Report author: John Crompton

For more information contact:

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

Appendix 1: Naming of new MPA buildings

• Covering report by the Commissioner

Summary

The MPA has recently completed the construction of three major new buildings at Bow, Hendon and Lambeth for the C3i Metcall centres. As is customary Member approval is now sought to the naming of the new buildings as detailed in this report.

A. Recommendation

The proposals for naming are as follows:

1. Bow: that the building be named after the Commissioner under whom the project was identified and whom has not previously had a building named to reflect his role or Commissionership. The name proposed is “The Lord Condon Centre”.
2. Lambeth: the primary commitment to all the buildings occurred under the first Police Authority (MPA) and it is proposed that the building be named after Lord Harris as the then Chair of the MPA. The name proposed is “The Lord Harris Centre”.
3. Hendon: the drive behind C3i and the primary delivery occurred when Sir John Stevens was the Commissioner. It is proposed that the building be named “The Sir John Stevens Centre”.

B. Supporting information

1. The Service has a strong history of naming buildings after Commissioners and the extension of this to Chairs of the MPA seems entirely appropriate. Buildings are often also named after officers who have payed the ultimate sacrifice in the execution of their duty.

2. Formal naming and address change is subject to arrangements with Royal Mail.

C. Race and equality impact

The naming of buildings after prominent officers and those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice has, by default, created a trend where buildings are being named after largely white male officers. In future this practice will need to be reviewed; the current proposals however reflect the historical reality.

D. Financial implications

None

E. Background papers

None

F. Contact details

Report author: Alan Croney, Director of Property Services

For more information contact:

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

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