Question to the Authority

Report: 6
Date: 6 September 2007
By: Chief Executive

Summary

Members are requested, in accordance with the Authority’s Standing Orders, to hear a question from Mr Bernard Gentry. The Chief Executive’s response on behalf of the Authority is included in this report.

A. Recommendation

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

B. Supporting information

1. The following question has been received from Mr Bernard Gentry:

‘Why is the level of crime in an area not taken into account when allocating Safer Neighbourhood Resources? Is it right that Lambeth which has amongst the highest crime rates in London has less resources then other boroughs with much lower crime levels?’

2. Standing Order 2.7 sets out the process for receiving questions at Authority meetings, this is given at Appendix 1.

3. The Chief Executive will respond to Mr Gentry’s’ question as follows:

‘The Resource Allocation Formula (RAF) sets the criteria for allocating police officers to boroughs, excluding officers on Safer Neighbourhood teams. Reported crime levels are one element of the formula. As a result, Lambeth has more police officers than any other borough except Westminster. Lambeth also has an extra 50 Police Community Support Officers to provide increased high visibility in part of the Government’s Security Zone.

Safer Neighbourhoods Teams are in place to provide a visible, familiar and accessible policing presence across London in order to deal with local priorities, reduce crime and provide reassurance to communities. Safer Neighbourhoods Teams deal with the lower levels of anti-social behaviour and criminality that makes communities feel unsafe, and which previously might not have been addressed.

Lambeth has two wards with an extra three PCSOs allocated. These are wards with higher population levels (over 14000) and the extra staffing enables the teams to be more effective.

Reported crime levels also influence decisions about the deployment of pan-London resources such as the Territorial Support Group in boroughs and again, Lambeth is well supported in this regard’.

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: Nick Baker, MPA

For information contact:

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

Appendix 1

Extract from MPA Standing Orders – 2.7 Questions from the public at full 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.”

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