Questions to the Authority

Report: 4
Date: 26 May 2005
By: the Chief Executive & Clerk

Summary

Members are requested, in accordance with the Authority’s Standing Orders, to hear questions from members of the public. The Chief Executive will give the Authority’s response at the meeting.

A. Recommendation

That the Authority hears the questions set out below and responds in accordance with Standing Order 2.7

B. Supporting information

1. A question has been received from Councillor Bernard Gentry of Lambeth Council, as follows:

“Does the Metropolitan Police Authority believe that meetings of Borough Crime and Disorder Partnerships should be open to the public and that the minutes of these meetings should be made available to the public and that elected members of the local authority should in any event be able to attend these meetings.”

2. A question has been received from Paul Webbewood, as follows:

"Please list the declared party political affiliation (if any) for each of
the independent and magistrate members of the Authority"

3. A question has been received from Lynne Featherstone MP, Councillor Neil Williams of Haringey, Councillors Fiona Dunlop and Heather Johnson of Islington and Heather Burke, as follows:

“Highgate in north London is split between three London boroughs - Camden, Haringey and Islington - and has lacked a sustained cross-borough approach to policing over the years. Some parts of the area, such as Cromwell Avenue, have suffered from repeated criminal activity, and especially burglaries, in recent months. Concern amongst local residents is high.

With the advent of Safer Neighbourhoods, the opportunity exists to allow dedicated neighbourhood policing based on natural local communities to be introduced. But so far, no single borough will put the Highgate area forward for a Safer Neighbourhood team partly because it straddles more than one borough. The area is being overlooked - even though its policing needs are exactly the same as those of other areas, and the demands for neighbourhood policing among local residents just as strong.

We understand that solutions to the policing of cross-boundary neighbourhoods are being tried out in parts of south London. On behalf of residents of Highgate, we would like to urge the Metropolitan Police Authority and the Met Police to introduce similar measures to solve the particular problems faced by Highgate and, in the medium-term, ensure Highgate gets its own dedicated neighbourhood policing team.”

4. Standing Order 2.7 sets out the process for receiving questions at Authority meetings:

“2.7.1 Members of the public may ask questions of the Authority which are relevant to its business, functions or responsibilities. The Clerk must receive the question in writing not less than ten working days before a meeting of the Authority.

2.7.2 A person may not ask more than three questions in a rolling 12 month period.

2.7.3 The Clerk of the Authority will, in discussion with the Chair of the Authority, have the discretion to refuse a question. In this event, the Clerk shall respond in writing to the questioner outlining the reason(s) for this decision. This letter will be copied to all members, before the Authority meeting, and the Clerk’s decision reported to the meeting as part of the regular report on action taken under delegated authority. Without fettering that discretion, reasons why a question may not be accepted include the following:

1. The reasons set out in 2.6.2 above
2. The question cannot be answered satisfactorily without the disclosure of exempt information (as defined in the Access to Information legislation)
3. In the Clerk's opinion, the question has already been answered by another means and contains no issues of wider public interest that require a public answer
4. The question actually contains a number of different questions, in which case the Clerk will ask for an amended question to be submitted
5. The question is similar to, or on a similar theme to, a question asked by someone else in the preceding three months

2.7.4 Any question(s) shall be included on the agenda for the meeting, in the order of receipt, as the next item of business after the approval of the minutes of the last meeting, and must be addressed to the Chair. The Chair will then invite the Clerk to respond, orally or in writing, on behalf of the Authority. Following the Clerk’s response, the person asking the question may speak further for no more than three minutes. Members may also comment on or discuss the issues raised by the question and answer.

2.7.5 The person asking the question can attend the meeting to put the question. If they are not present, the answer as reported to the Authority shall be sent to them following the meeting. If the person asking the question needs some clarification in relation to the answer, this will be given by the Clerk or appropriate officer, in person or in writing, within ten working days of clarification being sought.

2.7.6 The Chair may use discretion to limit the number of questions asked by members of the public in order to avoid the business of the Authority being disrupted. In any event, no more than 30 minutes will be allowed for public questions and answers. Any questions that remain unanswered within the timescale shall receive written responses only.”

C. Race and equality impact

None related to the process of receiving questions from the public.

D. Financial implications

None

E. Background papers

None

F. Contact details

Report author: Simon Vile, MPA.

For more information contact:

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

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