Minutes

Minutes of the meeting of the Metropolitan Police Authority held on 31 January 2008 at 10 Dean Farrar Street, London, SW1H 0NY.

Present

Members

• Cindy Butts (Deputy Chair, in the Chair)
• Reshard Auladin (Deputy Chair)
• Tony Arbour
• Jennette Arnold
• Richard Barnes (items 7-12)
• Faith Boardman
• Toby Harris
• Kirsten Hearn
• Elizabeth Howlett
• Jenny Jones
• Joanne McCartney
• Karim Murji
• Bob Neill  (items 7-9)
• Aneeta Prem
• John Roberts
• Richard Sumray
• Graham Tope
• Rachel Whittaker

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)
• AC Tim Godwin
• DAC Cressida Dick
• Commander Simon Foy
• Ailsa Beaton (Director of Information)

84. Apologies for absence

(Agenda item 1)

Apologies were received from Kirsten Hearn.

85. Declarations of interest

(Agenda item 2)

Joanne McCartney declared a prejudicial interest in agenda item 11 as member of London Connect.

86. Minutes

(Agenda item 3)

Members considered the minutes of the Authority meeting held on 20 December 2007.

In agreeing the minutes, members agreed the recommendations of minute 81-83 where the meeting was in quorate.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the Authority meeting held on 20 December 2007 be agreed and be signed as a correct record.

87. Minutes of committees I

(Agenda item 4)

The minutes of the following committees were received for information:

• Co-ordination and Policing Committee – 6 December 2007

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

88. Chair's update

(Agenda item 5)

No update given.

89. Counter-terrorism: the London debate - MPA update

(Agenda item 6a)

 Counter-terrorism: the London debate – MPS update

(Agenda item 6b)

For the purposes of these minutes agenda items 6a and 6b are taken together.

Members received a report that provided an update on the progress by the MPA regarding ‘Counter-Terrorism: the London Debate’. The report confirmed that the MPA were continuing to monitor the MPS implementation of the 46 recommendations arising from the London Debate and provided details on the 27 recommendations made to other bodies.

Linked with agenda item 6a, members considered a report from the MPS that provided an update on the MPS’ continuing work on the implementation of the recommendations arising from the ‘Counter Terrorism: the London Debate’.

Members welcomed both reports and a number of comments were made which included:

• In relation to the PREVENT strategy, some members suggested that there was a need to enhance existing and develop closer working relationships with local government partners to ensure that initiatives were joined up or linked in order to avoid duplication. It was also suggested that there was a need for borough commanders to develop work on key indicators.
• The MPS agreed with members that future reports on this issue should be developed with an overall statement on the aims of carrying this work forward.
• Some members asked for work to be undertaken to ensure that communities have a better understanding and knowledge of Operations Kratos and Delphinus and if they were aware of what their role was during these operations.
• In response to members concerns relating to engaging with the deaf and disabled community on counter terrorism issues, as well as encouraging these groups to contribute to the debate, the MPS agreed to circulate to members details on how this is undertaken. Members also highlighted the importance of continuing to engage with local communities and particularly the women from those communities.
• Members and the MPS agreed that there was a need for work to be undertaken relating to myths or conspiracy theories around counter terrorism and some members also asked for there to be more engagement with local area agreements on counter terrorism issues.
• It was suggested that future work needed to address issues around third party reporting and for there to be joined up working with the Race Hate Forum on linked race hate crimes.

The Chair thanked those members and MPS and MPA officers for their continuing work on this matter. With the agreement of members it was noted that in addition to future reports being presented to the Authority, an additional report would be submitted to the appropriate Committee (full Authority or Co-ordination and Policing Committee) on an overview of and recent developments if the PREVENT strategy.

RESOLVED – That

In relation to agenda item 6a

1. members note the progress made by the MPA regarding ‘Counter Terrorism: the London debate;

2. members receive a further update report from both the MPS and MPA on progress made regarding ‘Counter-Terrorism: the London debate at the full Authority meeting in July 2008;

In relation to agenda item 6b

3. members note the MPS update in response to the 46 recommendations for the MPS contained in the London debate report; and

4. the Authority receive a report that gives an overview of the PREVENT Strategy.

90. The London Race hate Crime Forum

(Agenda item 7)

A report was received that considered options on taking forward the work of the London Race Crime Forum. The five options the report suggested that the most viable were:

• Retain the existing Forum, revise its constitution and governance to make it more accountable to the MPA, and develop a forward work programme to reflect the MPA’s interest in other forms of Hate Crime.
• Undertake the scrutiny of race and other hate crime into the MPA’s staff organisation as core business, retaining the involvement of the present partners as an advisory panel.
• Relaunch the present Forum as a new London Race Hate and Hate Crimes Forum with a commensurate wider scope, and with clearer accountability to MPA.

Members acknowledged the work that the Forum had done in mainstreaming race hate crimes into policing. However, some members expressed disappointment that some partners and stakeholders had declined to assist in the future resourcing of the work of the Forum. Members also felt that before a decision could be made on how the Forum should be taken forward, the Authority needed to have an understanding of how the MPS were developing its integrated hate crime strategy.

It was agreed that a report on the MPS’ integrated hate crime strategy be presented to the next meeting of the Authority. In addition an MPA report should be presented that takes account of the MPS’ integrated hate crime strategy, offers options and details how those options would be managed, including governance and avoidance of duplication with the work of the Equal Opportunities and Diversity Board, the work of the portfolio holder on community engagement and safer neighbourhood partners. It was also requested that partners and stakeholders be asked again to support the resourcing of the work of the Forum.

RESOLVED – That

1. that a report on the MPS’ integrated hate crime strategy be presented to the next meeting of the Authority;

2. the Authority receive a further report on the future work of the Race Hate Crime Forum, which outlines options, associated to the MPS’ integrated hate crime strategy and how those options would be managed; and

3. officers hold further discussions with stakeholders on the resourcing the work of the Forum.

91. Amendment to Standing Orders

(Agenda item 8)

Under the current contract regulations, the Authority must approve all variations in access of 10% for all contracts with an original value of £5m. Members received a report that suggested that this could slow down the approval process down and sought approval to amend the scheme of delegation.

Members were reassured that as part of the process the Chief Executive would maintain a register when variations were made and that an equality impact assessment of decision to make variations would be undertaken as part of the procurement process and would be embedded in the decision

RESOLVED – That approval be given to the existing scheme of delegation to enable the Chief Executive to approve variations to contracts with an original value of £5m or more.

92. Commissioner's update

(Agenda item 9)

Operational and non-operational news

The Commissioner commended the circulated report on operational and non- operational news to members. In addition, the Commissioner highlighted an operation over the Christmas and New Year period, which focused on reducing firearm offences in and around clubs, and reported that there had been no firearms offences during this period. The Commissioner also drew members’ attention to a recent robbery at a jewellers in Westminster and the prompt action of officers to apprehend those involved. He added that he was concerned at the youth of some of those involved in this incident. He concluded by praising the actions of police officer Simon Whitehead in tackling a dangerous dog, which was attacking its owner.

Performance issues

The Commissioner presented performance information and figures, comparing the period April to December 2007 with April to December 2006. The Commissioner drew members’ attention to the continuing reduction in most crimes and that the MPS was meeting its sanction detection rate target of 24%. He added that the performance figures over a 3-year period showed crime had reduced by 15%. However, he acknowledged that there was work to done in such areas of gun enabled and Trident gun crimes.

Safer Neighbourhoods

The Commissioner outlined a number of successes relating to Safer Neighbourhood Teams and their continuing engagement with local communities.

Some members felt that the Authority now needed to evaluate safer neighbourhood policing and to consider what its next priorities are.

The Commissioner agreed to circulate to members details, if available, on the make up of safer neighbourhood panels and how the MPS intended to encourage such groups from the community as the deaf and disabled to take part and how panels could engage with these groups.

Other matters

Stop and search

Members sought a view from the Commissioner on proposals to relax stop and search rules and in particular the methods used to record stops and searches.

Some members felt that any proposal to stop using current methods of recording a stop and search were of concern as they felt that this process acted as a method of accountability, particularly around issues of disproportionality, and strengthened the community’s confidence in policing. Alternative methods, they felt, would not be any more beneficial, for instance in dealing with knives and guns or counter terrorism issues. Member suggested a move away from the more accountable method of stop and search could be counter-productive.

The Commissioner stated that he supported the need for measures to be introduced that would reduce stop and search bureaucracy, but added that he did not wish for a return to previous methods of recording. He added that he had concerns around alternative methods of recording a stop and search such as electronic handheld devices. However, he felt that at this stage there was a need to receive and digest the recommendations of the ‘Flanagan report’ on stop and searches. He also added that once the report had been received the MPA and MPS would need to fully debate the issue, including the use of any proposals to use new technology as part of a stop and search recording.

The Chair agreed that the Flanagan report, when available, should be circulated to members and that a small group meet to discuss how the Authority should take forward any recommendations or proposals arising from the report

Asset recovery

Members noted that the Finance Committee had recently received a report on asset recovery. Arising from the discussion on this matter and having been informed by the MPS that there was new information relating to asset recovery, members agreed that the Authority would benefit from receiving an update report on this issue.

BNP leaflets

Members drew to the Commissioner’s attention a number of complaints from members of the public about BNP or leaflets, which they felt, were inflammatory. The Commissioner stated that the MPS had to be careful not to affect the democratic process; however, the MPS would be looking carefully at the literature to ensure that no office had been committed.

London Development Agency/Member of Parliament

The Commissioner, in response to members, confirmed that a number of allegations had been referred to the MPS in relation to grants issues by the London Development Agency and these were currently being investigated.

In relation to recent reports that a Member of Parliament had admitted paying family members to undertake support duties which they had subsequently not done, the Commissioner outlined the process for dealing with this matter. It was noted that the Parliamentary Commissioner had not invoked any procedures to pursue this matter and therefore the MPS were not in a position to investigate. He added that the MPS had received and were considering a number of complaints from members of the public relating to this matter.

Drug abuse

Some members sought reassurance from the Commissioner that high profile individuals who were taking A class drugs were being investigated by the MPS. Some were concerned that a lack of action against these people was undermining confidence in policing. The Commissioner assured members that the MPS did investigate such allegations.

Operation Maxim

The Commissioner agreed with members that he was concerned that the Government continue to fund and support the work related to people trafficking and that he would continue to discuss this with the Home Office.

RESOLVED – That

1. the report be note;

2. the members of the Authority receive copies of the ‘Flanagan report’ on stop and searches and that the Authority decides how to take forward any issues it may raise; and

3. the Authority receive an update report on asset recovery.

93. The role and work of the directorate of Information

(Agenda item 10)

As part of the Authority’s series of reports from MPS business groups, a report was received that provided an overview of the role of the Directorate of Information. The report also highlighted how the Directorate supports front line policing and how it contributes to the corporate strategic priorities.

As part of the presentation of the report, the MPS Director of Information outlined working arrangements with PITO and in response to members outlined security arrangements for staff using laptops with sensitive information on them. The Director of Information also agreed to look at the MPS website regarding accessibility.

RESOLVED – That the report be received.

94. London 101

(Agenda item 11)

Members received a report that provided details of a pilot for non-emergency telephone number (101) aimed at providing citizens with improved access to services. They were informed that the MPS had been in ongoing discussion over the last two years with partner agencies about participation in a project to use the 101 number in London.

It was also noted that the Home Office had conducted a series of pilots throughout the country to understand how this concept worked and that the MPS had intended to be part of the second wave of pilots. However the Home Office had decided not to continue funding for the second phase. In order to assess whether there are benefits from a non-emergency number, the MPS are considering a small six month pilot, funding by the GLA, in three London borough: Waltham Forest; Barking and Dagenham and Newham.

In response to members, it was confirmed that the pilot would also be assessing and developing methods of ensuring that deaf and disabled people had access to the 101 facility and agreed satisfaction data should be obtained. Members were also informed that there were discussions being undertaking with a lead communications provider of how the 101 number could be used by mobile phone users.

Confirmation was also given that the MPA oversight and evaluation of the pilot would be through the ISIT Sub-Group

RESOLVED – That

1. the report be received;

2. the partnership arrangements within the project be noted;

3. the initiative is in keeping with the MPS’s drive towards improving citizen focus be noted; and

4. further details of the outcomes of the project be reported in due course.

95. Action taken under delegated authority

(Agenda item 12)

Members received details, for information, of action taken under delegated authority on the grounds of urgency, in accordance with Standing Orders 6.1.

RESOLVED – That the members receive the report.

The meeting closed at 1.00 pm

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