Minutes - draft

Please note these minutes are currently draft and are subject to committee approval.

Minutes of the meeting of the Metropolitan Police Authority held on 30 November 2006 at 10 Dean Farrar Street, London, SW1H 0NY.

Present

Members

• Len Duvall (Chair)
• Reshard Auladin (Deputy Chair)
• Cindy Butts (Deputy Chair)
• Tony Arbour
• Jennette Arnold
• Richard Barnes
• Toby Harris
• Kirsten Hearn
• Peter Herbert
• Damian Hockney
• Elizabeth Howlett
• Joanne McCartney
• Karim Murji
• Bob Neill
• Aneeta Prem
• John Roberts
• Richard Sumray
• Graham Tope

MPA officers

• Catherine Crawford (Chief Executive)
• David Riddle (Deputy Chief Executive, Deputy Clerk and Solicitor to the Authority)
• Ken Hunt (Treasurer)
• Nick Baker (Head of Committee Services)

MPS officers

• Sir Ian Blair (Commissioner)
• Paul Stephenson (Deputy Commissioner)
• Stephen Rimmer (Director of Strategy, Modernisation and Performance)
• Sharon Burd (Acting Director of Resources)

67. Apologies for absence

(Agenda item 1)

Apologies were received Dee Doocey, Nicky Gavron, Jenny Jones and Rachel Whittaker.

68. Declarations of interest

(Agenda item 2)

Richard Sumray declared a personal interest in items 6 and 7 as a member of the Olympic Organisation Committee.

69. Minutes

(Agenda item 3)

Members considered the minutes of the Authority meeting held on 26 October 2006.

Resolved – That the minutes of the meetings of the Authority held on 26 October 2006 be agreed and signed as a correct record.

70. Minutes of committees

(Agenda item 4)

The minutes of the following committees were received for information:

• Co-ordination and Policing Committee –5 October 2006.
• Professional Standards and Complaints Committee – 12 October 2006.
• Finance Committee – 19 October 2006.
• Joint Finance and Planning, Performance and Review Committee - 9 November 2006.
• Planning, Performance and Review Committee - 22 – September 2006.

Resolved – That the minutes of Committees be received and noted.

71. Chair's update

(Agenda item 5)

No update was given.

72. 2007/08 budget submission

(Agenda item 6)

This report had not been circulated within the statutory five working days before the meeting. The Chair agreed to receive the report on the grounds of urgency, noting that the Mayor of London had granted an extension to the MPA for the submission of the budget in order that the Authority could discuss it at this meeting. This extension, also allowed, in drafting the report the views of the MPA Finance Committee, which meet on 23 November to be incorporated.

In accepting the report on the grounds of urgency, the Chair apologised to Kirsten Hearn that the report had not been circulated to her in a suitable format and sought assurances from MPS colleagues that this would not reoccur.

The report updated members on the integrated business-planning framework and provided an opportunity for the Authority to provide feedback on the draft corporate business plan. The report sought approval to the draft corporate business plan and following any required amendments, submit it to the GLA.

Members noted the provisional grant announcement (3.6% increase and protected at the ‘floor’) from the Government, the increased flexibilities of the Safer Neighbourhoods Fund grant allocation and a deficit compared to expectations of £4m and the work undertaken by the MPS to address initial budget shortfalls and the resulting budget gap. The Treasurer also highlighted the recommendation to the full Authority from the Finance Committee in relation to the Authority’s reserves, which were outlined in paragraphs 10 and 11 of the report.

In receiving the report, members noted that a further report would be brought back to the Authority meeting in December and that this would be the opportunity to discuss issues in detail and supported the submission to the GLA. However, a number of points were raised.

The Commissioner, in acknowledging that there was a deficit of £4m in the safer neighbourhood fund, reminded members that despite the deficit the allocation had been, in comparison with other police services, very favourable towards London. Members suggested that in the light of the allocation and the deficit there was a need for the delivery of safer neighbourhoods in London to be focused and specific in what it could and could not deliver. Members also supported, and requested that the MPS worked towards ensuring that planning issues and financial planning continued to be incorporated into the budget process in a deliverable way.

A request was made that the report to the Authority in December should include any details relating to partnership work within boroughs and the effect of the government settlement. It was also requested that the MPS outline what efficiency savings would be undertaken to deliver on the £4m safer neighbourhood deficit.

Members sought clarification on role of station reception officers and the Commissioner confirmed that the proposal was that they would be invited to become station community support officers and that this would not be to the detriment of PSCO numbers in safer neighbour teams. He confirmed that this was seen as an income stream to boost the service. Details on access of CRIS by PCSOs were being looked into and the Commissioner confirmed that the MPS were looking at, in the long term, the terms and conditions of staff in order to give recognition of the 24/7 roles of staff. The Commissioner agreed to provide members with details about the training of those staff converting to PCSOs.

The Commissioner in response to members’ concern about income generation and leasing cells to Immigration Service, confirmed that the cells being used were in one location in London and on a temporary basis and the Immigration Service were being charged accordingly. He added that this was not to the detriment of the work of the MPS and that he would provide members with details of cost recovery issues. In addition to this income generation matter, members sought confirmation about income generation and a charging for the recovery of cars. The Commissioner suggested that the Authority might need to revisit this issue.

Members asked if the budget submission and corporate business plan had been equality impact assessed; what the arrangements were to let the community know about the outcomes of the submission and what was the impact on savings on the equality diversity work programme. The MPS confirmed that the submission and plan had not been formally equality assessed, but had taken account of priorities for the organisation in delivering a citizen focused based service for London and not to undermine that priority in making savings. Specific issues on this matter would be circulated to members.

The Chair confirmed that he would be continuing discussions with the Home Office in relation to cost recovery in relation to Operation Overt and requested that the report to the December Authority meeting, include details of risks and the proposed management of those risks.

Resolved – that

1. the draft corporate business plan, given as Annex A to the report, following amendment, be submitted to the GLA; and
2. following consideration of the observations of the MPA Finance Committee at its meeting on 23 November, in relation to the approach to use of reserves as outlined in paragraphs 10 and 11 of the report, the views of the Finance Committee be included in the submission to the GLA.

73. Review of the national, international and capital functions of the MPS

(Agenda item 7)

A report was received that provided a summary of the review of the national, international and capital city (NIC) functions undertaken by the MPS, which had been carried out by the Commissioner and lead by Mr Bob Whalley.

Members and the Commissioner welcomed the report by Mr Whalley and saw the report as a good platform to continue discussion with Government on the MPS’s role and the funding of the national, international and capital functions.

Members noted that the report it had been drafted prior to the events of July 2005 and that resources were being diverted from elsewhere to support some NIC functions. Members suggested that in discussions with the Government on these functions there was a need to address the existing shortfall for the delivery of the NIC function, the costs issues of Operation Overt and the expansion in the counter terrorism work of the MPS. In doing so, members stressed the need for these issues to be considered separately and to ensure that there was recognition of this work, which the MPS had been undertaking for a considerable time and the need to understand the growth in these areas, together with the effect in subsequent years. It was suggested that an equality impact assessment of the Whalley report could also be beneficial in discussions with Government.

In relation to capital and national functions, some members raised concerns that there was an impact on individual boroughs, which had in place sites such as a detention site, which could be viewed as a capital/national site, and the impact it may have on that particular borough’s policing arrangements. The Commissioner suggested that to address this concern, there would need to be further consideration of this issue when considering the resource allocation formula.

Arising from the discussion members, suggested that as difficult as it may be, a debate needed to take place that considered what functions could be undertaken within budget and which could not. Members also suggested that there was a need to look at the deference and gaps between ‘Avail’ and ABC costing. In response to members concerns about MPS secondments to national security crime agencies, the Commissioner confirmed that there were limited secondments to such organisations.

The Chair agreed that a briefing for those members who required further information on the Whalley report and NIC functions should be arranged.

Resolved – That

1. the NIC Review’s findings and recommendations be noted;
2. members consider how best to ensure the full implications of this Review are properly factored in by the Home Office and other funding decision makers in both the short and medium term; and
3. give consideration to the Chair taking this issue up with the Home Secretary, in writing, as a matter of urgency.

74. Update on the Met Modernisation Programme

(Agenda item 8)

Members received a report that updated them on the progress of the modernisation programme 2006/07 and its links with the Service Review. The report provided members with an update on what the programme had achieved to date, the benefits that are being delivered, including efficiency and value for money and how the MPS were communicating the programme to stakeholders and staff. The report also looked at how the programme would go forward in 2007/08.

Members welcomed that the development of the programme had centred on citizen focus as a priority and welcomed the internal and external communication of the programme. In response to members, it was noted that the membership of the City Challenge Panel needed further work, as did discussion with staff associations and the MPS agreed to meet with Kirsten Hearn to discuss this issue of self defined ethnicity.

Members sought confirmation on what work was being undertaken in demonstrating that the delivery of the programme and how it was as making a difference. In response the MPS outlined to members details of the leadership training and the ‘Together’ programme and how these are focusing on the need to make change necessary and how it would make a difference and promote a committed imbedded process around continuous improvement.

Resolved – That

1. the links and direction set out in the Service Review proposals agreed in autumn 2005 be noted;
2. the status of the critical (Category 1) projects delivering products and outcomes in 2006/07 and achievements to date be noted;
3. the MMP communications strategy and how key messages are being communicated to our stakeholders and to frontline staff be noted;
4. the benefits that the programmes will deliver and how this will enhance performance be noted;
5. the financial position, including the financial management framework and efficiency and value for money implications be noted;
6. how projects and programmes have been prioritised for 2007/08 and the transitional arrangements for moving forward over the next 12 months be noted; and
7. the equalities implications to MMP and how they are being addressed be noted.

75. Commissioner’s update

(Agenda item 9)

Performance issues

The Commissioner reported orally on the monthly performance figures and a number of other matters.

He presented performance information, comparing the period April – October 2006 with the same period for 2005 and included details of public satisfaction, British crime survey figures and the public attitude survey.

The Commissioner in presenting the performance figures highlighted the continuing improvement in several areas and informed members that British Crime Survey (BSC) comparator crime reduction target of 6.3% had now been meet by the MPS.

The Commissioner drew members’ attention to the positive British Crime Survey figures. Although these figures showed an improvement he was proposing to look further at the fear of crime and community relations between police and public. The Commissioner also confirmed that the MPS were unhappy with the process with the obtaining of data within the crime victim survey, in particular the overall service received by victims of racist incidents and agreed to re-evaluate this information. However, overall he was pleased with the continuing progress.

Concerns were raised about the increase in road deaths and the apparent lack of understanding for these increases. A request was made that further information on the breakdown of these figures be provided.

In considering the performance figures, there was some concern that other areas of the criminal justice system were failing and many people were re-offending and it was suggested that this concern needed to be reflected back at the Home Office. Members also suggested that performance figures needed to relate to young people as perpetrators and victims of crime and this was something that the Authority needed to address. The Commissioner agreed that there was a need for a debate on this issues and that of anti social behaviour and referred to a report being submitted to COP.

Safer Neighbourhoods

The Commissioner informed the Authority that as of the end of December the MPS would have either in safer neighbourhood teams or in training the proposed allocation of 1 sergeant, 2 constables and 3 PSCOs. In addition, he also provided members with brief details on the performance of safer neighbourhood teams, including details on the number of arrests made, attendance at ward meetings and details of the sickness rate, which he confirmed were are low.

Counter Terrorism

The Commissioner drew members attention to the conviction, of Dhiren Barot and the substantial threat he had posed. The Commissioner also briefly informed members of the on-going investigation of the search for terrorist activity in High Wycombe. He highlighted to co-operation between the different police services.

Alexander Litvinenko

The Commissioner provided members with an update on the events following the death of Alexander Litvinenko, noting that information given would be limited as this remained an on-going investigation into a suspicious death. The Commissioner confirmed that the cost of the investigation to date was approximately £300,000.

Members raised some concerns about the sharing of information between agencies and the need for some improvements in this area. The MPS also provided the Authority with details regarding the dissemination of information in and around the area where Mr Litvinenko lived.

Good news stories

The Commissioner drew members’ attention to operational and non-operational news, in particular the anti knife campaign lead by the family of? Damiloa Taylor.

The Commissioner also drew members’ attention to Operation Foist in the Hackney, Haringey and Newham areas, which focused on the removal of uninsured cars. This operation had also accounted for a number of arrests for other offences such possession of class ‘A’ drugs and the arrest of a number of robbery suspects.

MPS and legislative change

Following recent comments made by the Commissioner and the extension of the 28-day detention period for terrorist suspects, members discussed the involvement of the MPS in seeking legislative change. Some members, whilst acknowledging the MPS right to express views, were of the opinion that prior to making these comments and the possibility of the MPS being drawn into an unhelpful political debate; that it might be helpful if the MPS were to consider discussing policy issues or changes with the MPA in the first instance. The Commissioner agreed that there was a case for further discussion around this issue.

Licensing Act

Responding to members concerning the effects of the introduction of the Licensing Act 2005 and which had been in effect for almost a year, the Commissioner confirmed that there was a mixed picture and agreed that a full report should be presented to the Co-ordination and Policing Committee.

76. Independent Custody Visitors - administration arrangements

(Agenda item 10)

A report was received that provided an update on the progress of the work to remodel the London Custody Visitors (ICV) scheme.

The report reminded members that the Co-ordination and Policing Committee, on 6 July 2006, approved proposals to reform and remodel the London ICV Scheme, with a view for them to come into operation in April 2007.

Subsequently following meetings between MPA representatives and a number of panels to discuss the proposed changes to the Scheme a number of issues had been raised and the MPA had undertaken to address these. They included: clarification of the role of panel chairs and vice chairs, role of ICV co-ordinators and the removal of time limits on tenure. Confirmation was given that ICVs would continue to raise issues with police following visits and ICVs would alone decide if the police response is considered satisfactory.

The report provided members details of a joint meeting with the Home Office officials which there was a shared objective to improve communications, discussions and consultations with ICVs at panel, sub-regional and regional levels, in order to assist with cross panel learning, information sharing and support, as well as to demonstrate a commitment to a unified London Scheme.

The Chair of the Authority and fellow members thanked John Roberts for his work undertaken in the change programme.

John Roberts also thanked MPA staff and in particular the custody visitors for their work in this review and continuing contribution in the delivery of this services. He added that he was confident that the issues of concern raised by some members around the consultation on the change programme were being met through the ICVs. However, he acknowledged that there were some issues that need to be addressed including resource issues. The Deputy Chief Executive, in response to members’ questions about forms for completion by custody visitors, confirmed that following a pilot in the MPA area, the forms recommended by the National Custody Association and had been redesigned by a small panel of London ICV’s to take account of feedback from custody visitors during the pilot period.

The Deputy Commissioner also confirmed that the MPS would ensure that the work of the change programme would be disseminated out to all boroughs.

Resolved – That

1. progress on implementing the change programme be noted; and
2. a further report on the Operating Structure and governance of the scheme be submitted to the Co-ordination and Policing Committee.

The meeting ended at 1.00 pm

Send an e-mail linking to this page

Feedback