Minutes

Minutes of the meeting of the Metropolitan Police Authority held on 20 December 2007 at 10 Dean Farrar Street, London, SW1H 0NY.

Present

Members

• Len Duvall (Chair – items 1-9)
• Reshard Auladin ( items 9-15)
• Cindy Butts (in the Chair items 1-10) (Deputy Chairs),
• Tony Arbour,
• Faith Boardman,
• Toby Harris (items 5-15),
• Kirsten Hearn (items 1-10),
• Peter Herbert,
• Elizabeth Howlett,
• Jenny Jones (items 1-10),
• Joanne McCartney,
• Karim Murji,
• Bob Neill (items 1-9),
• Aneeta Prem,
• John Roberts
• Richard Sumray,
• Graham Tope
• Rachel Whittaker (items 1-10)

MPA officers

• Catherine Crawford (Chief Executive),
• Ken Hunt (Treasurer) and
• Nick Baker (Head of Committee Services)

MPS officers

• Sir Ian Blair (Commissioner),
• Paul Stephenson (Deputy Commissioner),
• Tarique Ghaffur (Assistant Commissioner Central Operations),
• Janet Williams (Acting Assistant Commissioner SCD)
• Chris Allison (Deputy Assistant Commissioner),
• Bob Broadhurst (Commander)
• Shabir Hussein (Commander),
• Mark Simmons (Commander),
• Anne McMeel (Director of Strategic Finance)

69. Apologies for absence

(Agenda item 1)

Apologies for absence were received from Jennette Arnold, Richard Barnes, Dee Doocey, Nicky Gavron and Damian Hockney.

70. Declarations of interest

(Agenda item 2)

Richard Sumray declared a personal interest in agenda item 9 ‘Review of MPA policy for charging for public events as a member of the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games.

71. Minutes

(Agenda item 3)

Members considered the minutes of the extraordinary and ordinary meetings of the Authority held on 22 November 2007

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the extraordinary and ordinary meetings of the Authority on 22 November 2007 be confirmed and signed as a correct record.

72. Minutes of committees

(Agenda item 4)

The minutes of the following committees were received for information:

• Co-ordination and Policing Committee – 1 November 2007
• Finance Committee – 18 October 2007
• Finance Committee – 19 November 2007
• Equal Opportunities and Diversity Board – 4 October 2007

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

73. Chair's update

(Agenda item 5)

Police Pay Settlement

Following a recent press statement made by the Metropolitan Police Federation that alleged that MPA had said nothing relating to the current police pay settlement, the Chair of the Authority strongly refuted this statement. He felt that the statement was ignorant of the position both of himself and of the MPA. He felt that he had made his position clear on this matter at the November GLA Assembly and added that, privately; his comments on this matter had been welcomed and appreciated by the National Police Federation. Also, Rachel Whittaker, the MPA’s representative on the Police Negotiation Board had been working assiduously to achieve a fair settlement.

The Chair stated he felt that the Government had not recognised that the police are a unique group in the public sector who did not enjoy the same employment rights other public sector workers have, such as the right to undertake industrial action. He was supported by members that there was a need for an agreement by all parties for a fair formulation of pay for police officers.

Rachel Whittaker added that although the decision not to backdate the settlement saved money in the short term, the Government’s justification was not substantiated as it had no effect on long-term inflation.

The Chair with the support of members agreed to write to the Home Secretary to express these concerns.

Senior police staff matters

The Chair reported that the Authority had selected Commander John McDowell, on promotion, to Deputy Assistant Commissioner to fill the post of National Co-ordinator for Terrorist Investigations

Confirmation was given that AC Andy Hayman had stood down from his current post and would be retiring from the MPS in April 2008. The Chair added that the Authority’s Professional Standards Cases Sub-Committee would be considering certain conduct issues. He added that the Independent Police Complaint Commission, in relation to the ‘Stockwell 2 Report’, had decided that Mr Hayman should not be subject to any disciplinary action but should receive words of advice, which was in accordance with what the MPA Professional Standards Cases Sub-Committee had recommended to IPCC.

74. Road fatalities and serious injuries

(Agenda item 6)

A report was considered that provided members with an update on road fatalities. The report outlined the Government targets for the reduction of such incidents, which had been met and the role of the police and other partners and actions they undertake to reduce the number of those killed or seriously injured on roads.

Members welcomed the report and raised a number of points which included: dissatisfaction at the reduction in the number of traffic police; the continuing need for impounded vehicles to be checked for any outstanding fines; further work on foreign national convictions; further information relating to those killed or injured who were disabled and the use of the 16 plus 1 statistical data; and further information on use of ANPR.

The Commissioner confirmed that traffic policing was considered front line policing and whilst any reduction of officers was regrettable the reduction was small. He added that the MPS were in discussion with the Mayor about additional support in this area. Confirmation was given that following the increase of back office support, fines on both impounded vehicles and in general were being pursued by the MPS. It was also confirmed that work was being undertaken with the European Union on foreign national convictions, with an aim of ensuring that convicted drivers are banned across the union member states. It was acknowledged that the equality data needed to reflect the 16 plus 1 formula and this would be circulated to members. In relation to ANPR it was stated that this was not a method of stopping people disproportionally. Members also sought a clarification and reassurance that Section 44 was not being used by the Traffic OCU. It was confirmed that as part of planned operations section 44 stops was used, but it was not being used on an ad-hoc basis.

Some members requested further information and details of the data provided in relation to the disproportionate number of minority ethnic children killed or seriously injured and the need to monitor this. The MPS confirmed that this information was provided by Transport for London and other partners and that a considerable amount of work was being undertaken to educate young people about the dangers of driving and road safety in general. It was agreed that this information and details of the programmes of education should be presented in a report to a future meeting of the Co-ordination and Policing Committee. The Chair also asked that this issue be placed on agenda of CDRP meetings.

In relation to those convicted of having no insurance and the fines being substantially less than the insurance itself, the Commissioner agreed to write to the Home Secretary on this matter.

RESOLVED – That

1. the report be received; and

2. the Co-ordination and Policing Committee receive a report on road fatalities and seriously injured that focuses on the disproportionality of minority ethnic children killed or injured, including the data on this issue provided by partners and details of the education programmes for young people being implemented by the MPS.

75. Provisional grant settlement

(Agenda item 7)

A report was received that sought members’ views on the preliminary update on the provision of the grant announcement.

The Treasurer informed members that the Authority’s grant increase is 2.5% in 2008/09 to a figure of £1,930m and a further 2.5% for both 2009/10 and 2010/11 and that the average national increase in formula grant is 2.7% in 2008/09 and increased by 2.8% in each of the following years. Members were also informed that the ‘grant floor’ had been set at an increase of 2.5% in each of the three years. In relation to the MPA/MPS Special Payment there was an increase from £192m to £197m, an increase of £5m or 2.6%, with further increases to £202.5m and £208m over the following two years. Members noted that this was an inflationary uprating.

The report informed members that the Government had decided not to implement the proposal to transfer existing ‘rule 2 grants/crime fighting funds directly into the formula grant, which the Authority had opposed. Members also noted that the Government had reduced the employers’ police officer pension contribution rate from 24.6% to 24.2% with effect from April 2008, which will result in and annual saving of £4.2m.

In relation to specific grants members noted that the Neighbourhood Policing Fund had been consolidated with the Police Community Support Officer grant and had been increased by 2.6% in 2008/09. Counter terrorism funding had been increased by 11% in 2008/09 and by a further 5.3% and 4.9% in the second and third years. The detailed allocation of the grant to authorities will be determined on the advice of ACPO TAM at a later date. Details relating to the Olympics were expected in the New Year.

The Chair added that the Mayor had set the precept at 2.4% and that details of how this had been achieved needed to be effectively communicated. He supported members’ request that representations should be made to the Home Office in relation to the fact that the grant for the MPA/MPS should be adequate for the challenges the MPA/MPS faced and the need for adequate resources Members also wished that representations be made on the impact of the overall grant settlement in London including the London boroughs. There was concern expressed that an increasing number of London councils were on the grant floor, set at 2%, and due to fall to 1.75% and 1.5% over succeeding years. Members wished to draw attention to the fact that the reducing level of resources could impact unfavourably on borough councils’ ability to finance future partnership arrangements for community safety projects and that any reduction in partnership support would be unwelcome. Members also expressed concern over the timing of the late announcement of some of the specific grants, which were still awaited. This made budgetary planning extremely difficult and they wished representation to be made over the timing of future grants (e.g. Counter Terrorism grant and the Olympics grant) and to ensure their future harmonisation with the main revenue support grant.

RESOLVED – That the report be received and representations be made to the Home Secretary as set out above.

76. Public order review - 6 month update

(Agenda item 8)

Members received a report that provided a six-month progress update on the public order review, which incorporated actions arising from a meeting with the MPA in April 2007. The review focused on the public order policies, procedures and measures introduced to strengthen the delivery of service.

Members raised a number of points regarding the review and these included: a request for a copy of the MPS submission to the Home Office review group on protests in Parliament Square and for engagement with the MPA on this issue; in reviewing public order for the MPS to engage with disabled people and for the review to be equality impact assessed; for members to be informed of the community tension monitoring outcomes; for the review to take on a more ‘citizen focused’ approach; the importance of ensuring that the review develops a robust communications strategy; and to engage with local government colleagues on what work is being undertaken regarding public order matters, possibly making this an CDRP agenda item

Members also suggested that the review needed to develop the use of stewards in certain circumstances.

In noting members’ comments, confirmation was given that the MPS submission relating to protests in Parliament Square would be circulated to the Authority. It was also reported that the review would be equality impact assessed and in relation to equality and disability issues, the review was engaged with several independent advisory groups and would continue this engagement. It was acknowledged that a public order communication strategy was important and that this was being reviewed and developed. The MPS agreed that it was important to outline to local government and other partners what work has been undertaken in the public order area. The development of a ‘road show’ on the work of public order was being considered, along with a brochure and that senior TSG officers would be liaising at borough level on the developments in public order.

It was noted that public order review is scheduled to conclude in May 2008 and that a report will then be submitted to the Authority

RESOLVED – That

1. members receive the update on the progress achieved within the CO public order review; and

2. note that the public order review is scheduled to conclude in May 2008 and that a final report be then presented to the Authority

77. A review of the Metropolitan Police Authority's policy on charging for events

(Agenda item 9)

Members received a report that provided the outcomes of a review of the MPA policy on charging for events. In particular, the report considered arrangements for the policing of commercial events and the need for organisers of commercial events to meet full costs of policing these events in line with MPA’s published special service agreements. It was stipulated that the review of the policy for charging of policing events did not propose to seek a change on not charging for charity or community events.

In receiving the report members noted that during the period 1 October 2005 – 30 September 2006 1,300 commercial events had taken place in London and that policing these events had cost an estimated £9.2m, however, cost recovery of these events was only £3.9m. Members were informed that the most costly commercial event to police are football matches however, legally, a charge can only be made for policing inside stadiums and not outside where most of the policing takes place. The cost of policing football matches was given as £6.6m of which only £2.1m had been recouped.

Members supported the need for commercial events to provide stewards to oversee the safety and security of people attending their events and that if police support was required that support should be fully included in the costing of the event and fully reimbursed. Members were concerned that these events were affecting local policing levels and that the MPS were policing profit-making events at no cost to the organisations.

Members reiterated that there was no intention to seek cost recovery from charitable or community events. Celebratory events of a local, London or national significance would need to be considered on a case-by-case basis.

In response to members questions clarification was given that legally the MPS had a duty to deal with criminal offences, but not to manage people attending events. An undertaking was given that in implementing this policy liaison with specific groups would be undertaken. Members also asked if discussions could take place with television companies in relation to the timing of some events and scope in seeking the recovery of costs from those organisations.

In considering the recommendation of the report members agreed that recommendation needed to stipulate that it referred to commercial events. It was also agreed to amend recommendation 7 to include those other organisations that had responsibility for organising Olympic warm up events.

In addition members asked for regular monitoring reports on this policy to be presented to the Authority.

RESOLVED – That

1. the MPA re-launch their policy and publicise it in such a way that those intending to hold commercial events in London are fully aware that they will be expected to pay the cost of the agreed policing for their event at the SSA rate;

2. the MPS publish internal Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) that outline how the policy will be put into practice and the administrative arrangements to ensure that there is a transparent audit trail;

3. Borough Commanders and Event Commanders must continue to take every opportunity to recoup policing costs from those responsible for commercial events, by working closely with the organisers and making use of partnership working with local authorities where appropriate;

4. the MPA move to a position that the organisers of commercial events in stadia will be required to meet the costs of all policing associated with their event in line with the published SSA rates. The MPA should lobby central Government to enact legislation to give a legal basis for such charging, but recognising that this will not be easy, should also approach London Councils to use the legislative framework that exists for London to create such a legal basis;

5. the MPA in moving towards full cost recovery by April 2009, outline to the organisers of commercial events in stadia the incremental increases it will require from organisers. This phased approach will allow event organisers to plan and budget accordingly;

6. in relation to commercial events the MPA inform the Mayor, and those intending to organise and promote large events that take place on the streets of London, that all the policing costs of these events will be have to be met by the event organisers. The MPA should also seek to be involved in any strategic meetings held by the GLA regarding events of this type that are being planned for the future;

7. the MPA reiterate to all the organisations associated with any ‘warm up’ events for the Olympics that they will be required to fund the full policing costs associated with these events. These costs have already been included in the bid submitted by the MPS; and

8. the Authority receive regular monitoring update report on this policy.

78. Update on Operation Recover 

(Agenda item 10)

This report had not been circulated within the statutory five day before the meeting. The Chair agreed to receive the report as urgent in order for members to consider suspending this Operation and to allow the MPS adequate time to prepare further reports to the Finance Committee and full Authority in February 2008.

Members received a report that sought approval to suspend the cost recovery activity of Operation Recover and to undertake a full review of this operation.

RESOLVED – That Operation Recover be suspended with immediate effect, pending a full review and a report to the Finance Committee on 21 February 2008 and to the full Authority on 28 February 2008

79. Commissioner's update

(Agenda item 11)

The Chair left the meeting, Reshard Auladin took the Chair.

Operational and non-operational news

The Commissioner commended the circulated report on operational and non- operational news to members. The Commissioner drew members’ attention to a number of operational successes and in doing so highlighted the involvement of the Flying Squad (SCD) in these successes.

Members joined the Commissioner in noting and congratulating those officers who received the Queen’s medal for gallantry arising from the manual defusing of a bomb in the Haymarket.

Performance issues

The Commissioner presented performance information and figures, comparing the period April to November 2007 with April to November 2006. In doing so the Commissioner highlighted the continuing fall in most crime and the continual rise in sanction detection rates. He added that in relation to performance, the fall in crime was consistent over a five year period and he highlighted knife crime as being at its lowest for five year. He added that it was important to give this information to counteract some press reports on knife crime. Members were asked to note

 that public satisfaction, particularly relating confidence policing and policing understanding of local issues was at a three year high.

In relation to performance, the Commissioner informed the Authority that there had been 16 counter terrorist trials, with 42 people convicted, 21 of whom had pleaded guilty.

Members congratulated the Commissioner on the improvements of performance. Regarding performance on rape, some members suggested that there remained work to be undertaken on under reporting of rape and that possibly performance on this issue needed to be assessed over a longer period of time. Members, welcoming the performance data, requested that it would be useful to have an understanding of why crime is falling and information regarding repeat offenders.

Other issues

New Year’s Eve

The Commissioner informed members that the proposed New Year’s celebrations along the banks of the Thames were likely to be very popular and challenging for the MPS. He was particularly concerned about the number of people wishing to attend this event.

Safer neighbourhood teams - accommodation

A number of members raised concerns relating to the lack of accommodation for safer neighbourhood teams and in particular that in some areas accommodation had been obtained and was being paid for but not occupied.

Confirmation was given that there had been a delay in the property programme pending an MPA review of the procurement. However, a number of contracts had now been let the programme resumed.

Taser

Following the recent use of Taser in east London, some members expressed concerns that they had not be informed of the details of this incident under the arrangements agreed with the MPS. The Commissioner reassured members that that information had been circulated to the Authority and the Chief Executive agreed to find out why the information had not reached members.

At this point the meeting was inquorate

80. Specialist Crime Directorate

(Agenda item 12)

Members received an overview of the Specialist Crime Directorate’s aims and objectives, key performance indicators, recent operational successes and diversity activities

RECOMMENDED – That the report be received.

81. Equality objectives of MPA committees

(Agenda item 13)

As part of the MPA’s commitment to equality and to assist the MPA to move through the levels of the Equality Standard for Local Government members considered a report that outlined committee’s equality objectives. They also considered a specific objective for the Authority.

RECOMMENDED – That the Authority agrees its own equality objective, as outlined in paragraph 6 of the report and confirmed those considered by each of the Authority’s committees.

82. External audit annual letter 2006/07

(Agenda item 14)

Following consideration by the Corporate Governance Committee, members were asked to receive the external auditor’s Annual Letter.

RECOMMENDED – That the external auditor’s Annual Letter be received.

83. C3i/Airwave - update report

(Agenda item 15)

Members considered a report that provided a status update on the C3i/Airwave programme. The report provided details of the C3i objectives, delivery and achievements, business functions and facilities, transition of contact handling function, business change, challenges ahead and building on the infrastructure.

RECOMMENDED – That the report be received.

The meeting closed at 1.15 pm

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