Reports from Committees

Report: 9
Date: 30 April 2009
By: Chief Executive

Summary

At each meeting of the Authority members will receive a report from committees that have meet in recent weeks.

This is the first report from the authority’s committees to the full authority. It provides members with details of the key items considered at each of the committees and their sub-committees.

This report covers the following meetings:

• Finance and Resources Committee – 19 March 2009
• Corporate Governance Committee – 23 March 2009
• Strategic and Operational Policing Committee – 2 April 2009

Finance and Resources Committee – 19 March 2009

The following members were in attendance:

Steve O’Connell (Chairman), Reshard Auladin, Faith Boardman, (Deputy Chairman),Dee Doocey, Deborah Regal and Graham Speed.

Revenue and capital budget monitoring position for 2008/09 at Period 10 (to the end of January)

The revenue budget is forecast to underspend by £22.1m (0.7% of budget). The capital programme shows year to date total expenditure of £241.8m (including the purchase of New Scotland Yard (£129m)). This total represents 70.3% of the revised annual budget of £344m. The forecast for the year of £312m is £32m below the revised annual budge

Treasury Management matters

The Committee approved the Treasury Management and Investment Strategy for 2009/10. Cash balances will be invested in accordance with the Prudential Code and with regard to guidance, which requires a prudent approach to the investment of temporarily surplus funds with priority given to security and liquidity.

The Resources Sub-Committee will received a quarterly monitoring report and the first such detailed report was considered at its meeting on 16 March. Training in Treasury Management will be offered to members to support them in this role.

The Committee also approved an action plan to take forward the recommendations from the KPMG report on the investment of funds in Landsbanki.

The Corporate Governance Committee will be monitor implementation of the action plan on a quarterly basis,

Efficiency plan

As part of their Annual Policing Plan, all police forces and authorities are required to identify efficiency savings and demonstrate that performance has been maintained or improved.

The total efficiency savings achieved at the end of the third quarter of the current year are £125.3m. and the forecast savings to be achieved by the end of 20008/09 are £146.2 M. , an over an over-achievement of £2.2m. against the plan The Committee approved the provisional efficiency plan for 2009/10 as part of the current plan which covers the period 2008/09 – 2010/11. It is planned that by the end of the three year period the cumulative total of efficiency savings will be £408.13 M which represents a considerable overachievement against the Home Office target.

Stage 2 of the Safer Neighbourhoods Property Programme

The award of contracts for the stage 2 of the Safer Neighbourhoods Property Programme was approved by the Committee in December 2007. Contracts were awarded in January 2008 and work to deliver the 124 bases contained within the programme has commenced. The first 13 bases have been completed and work is progressing with a further 58 already in the process of development. Stage 2 of the programme has been re-phased over 3 financial years rather than the 2 years originally approved

Signage that was not originally included in stage 1 of the programme has been included in stage 2 and this has been completed. Work is underway to install cycle storage facilities at a number of stage 1 bases.

Changes to MPS procurement process in support of the new MPS Standing Orders .

The Committee approved an increase in the delegated level granted to the MPS for exemptions to Contract Regulations (use of a single tender action) to £100,000 and were advised on changes to internal MPS approval processes to meet new requirements established by the Authority last year.

Handling of procurement and other contract matters

It has been agreed that the Resources Sub-Committee will give initial consideration to all procurement and contract matters and will then pass them, with any comments, to the Finance and Resources Committee for decision. This arrangement will apply from April

Corporate Governance Committee – 23 March 2009

The following members were in attendance: Toby Harris (Chair), Valerie Brasse, Neil Johnson, Joanne McCartney and Caroline Pidgeon (tem 1-10).

Health and safety performance report

The Head of Safety and Health Risk Management Team (SHRMT) introduced a report containing a comparison of injuries reported within the MPS in 2007 and 2008 and outlining health and safety initiatives being progressed to ensure the MPA/MPS were compliant with health and safety at work legislation.

Training accident report

This report informed the Committee that the SHRMT had identified funding for a study, commencing in March 2009, of the training accidents contained in two years of MetAir accident data. The aim of the study was to identify causation factors to establish why training activities in the MPS accounted for a significant percentage of the major injuries reported each month.

Internal Audit progress report

The Committee received a report summarising the work of Internal Audit for the period April 2008 to March 2009, the results of significant Internal Audit work to date and the adequacy and effectiveness of control in MPS systems where Internal Audit had issued final reports since April 2008. The Director, Internal Audit, noted that the annual assurance score was not likely to show an improvement upon last year’s position and was talking to the Director of Resources about areas of concern.

Annual governance statement – quarterly update

The MPA was required to include an Annual Governance Statement in its financial statements on its governance arrangements. The Committee had requested regular reports updating it on progress in addressing the significant governance issues included in the statement of accounts for 2007/08.

Corporate risk management – MPA assurance process

Members received a report outlining how the MPA discharged its responsibility for ensuring effective risk management was in place in the MPS. In particular, it covered the oversight role of the Committee and senior officers within the MPA and MPS in ensuring key corporate risks were properly identified, assessed and managed. The report stated that the MPS Service Improvement Board (SIB), chaired by the Director of Resources, had the lead in supporting the MPS Management Board in overseeing the management of corporate risk and reviewed the corporate risk register at least every two months. It went on to say that the MPA was not represented on SIB, however, arrangements had been made for an MPA review of the MPS corporate risk register following the appropriate SIB meeting to provide assurance that risks have been properly identified and assessed. The report added that the outcome of these reviews would be reported to Committee on a half yearly basis. The Chair felt it would be useful to have the MPA represented at SIB, instead of reviews at a later date. He was supported in this view by the Chief Executive and members. Members also felt they should receive reports more frequently, so that the Committee could discharge its responsibility in this direction. The Director of Resources stated that the MPA had been excluded from the SIB as it might wish to discuss issues privately. The Chair stated that, whilst recognising the MPS’s sensitivities, he wished to add a recommendation that that the MPA would be represented at officer level on the SIB and the Committee would receive quarterly reports on the MPS corporate risk register.

MPS corporate governance framework update

The Director of Resources introduced a progress report on the MPS corporate governance work programme and included updates on the areas identified by the MPS Annual Assurance Statement that enhance the MPS’ governance arrangements, on the work programme itself, and on Corporate Risk Management update.

Implementing international financial reporting standards

In March 2007, the Government announced in its Budget Report that all government and other public bodies should in future publish their annual financial statements in line with International Financial Reporting Standards. Early planning was seen as key in successfully making the transition to the new arrangements and this report provided members with update on progress made since the last report in December 2008.

Gifts and hospitality policy – MPS

A report was received confirming the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) in respect of gifts and hospitality for the MPS. Some members made critical comments in relation to the SOP, however other members felt the SOP should not be too prescriptive and should contain the capacity for discretion in the context of the job. It was agreed the Committee would acknowledge the progress made, but that it could not endorse the report. Further work and another report in due course were requested. The Director of Resources undertook to provide a progress report at the next meeting.

Business credit card update

A report was received providing details of the work completed in relation to the business card investigation, first reported to Full Authority in November 2007 and to this Committee regularly ever since. It also provided detail of progress on the implementation of the new management process for the governance of the MPS Business Card.

MPA urgency procedure

A report was received considering changes and options that would improve the current MPA urgency procedure. Members felt that the report proposed a more transparent process, but some concerns remained outstanding. They also felt there should be changes to standing orders. The Chief Executive suggested that interested members should discuss the proposed procedure further with the Chief Executive and report author and that a further report be submitted.

MPS assault study report (exempt)

Members received a report containing a study on police officer and PCSO assaults was recently carried out by the MPS Strategic Research Unit. The findings of this report were currently being studied by the MPS Officer Safety Training Unit and MPS Strategic Health and Safety Committee.

Imber Court Sports Club (exempt)

Members received a report on negotiations with Imber Court Sports Club to meet the MPA’s objective of establishing clear legal responsibilities for statutory compliance and governance. Members agreed the current situation could not be allowed to continue and agreed that Imber Court should not be given more preferential terms than those given to other clubs.

Business credit card update - exempt appendix to report 11 (exempt)

The Chair requested a report on cases referred to the Directorate of Professional Standards at the next meeting.

High risk audit recommendations

That the status of all outstanding high-risk recommendations made in relation to MPS control systems by MPA Internal Audit were noted.

Strategic and Operational Policing Committee – 2 April 2009

The following committee members were in attendance: Reshard Auladin (Chair), Jennette Arnold (item 5 to 20), Chris Boothman (item 1 – 12 (except 7&8), Cindy Butts (item 5, 10&11), Toby Harris (Vice Chair), Jenny Jones and Joanne McCartney.

Also in attendance: Valerie Brasse

Urgent actions (if any) and urgent operational issues - oral report (if any)

G20 conference

The T/AC, Central Operations (CO), gave a verbal update on the policing surrounding the G20 conference. The Chair suggested that a separate briefing be held for members on the policing of the G20 conference once it had finished.

Binyam Mohamed

The AC, Serious Crime Directorate (SCD) reported that the Attorney General, had asked the MPS to investigate allegations made by Binyam Mohamed, a British resident released from Guantanamo Bay. It was considering whether it should do so.

Headline performance report

A report was received providing an overview of MPS performance for the rolling year to January 2009 with respect to the critical high-level indicators and information on performance relating to other policing plan indicators.

Satisfaction gap between white and BME victims

A report was received providing an update regarding the satisfaction gap between white and black and minority ethnic (BME) victims of crime, background information regarding the gap and details of work currently being undertaken by the MPS to reduce it.

Territorial Policing (TP) thematic performance report

Members received a report listing the major areas of attention for TP in the context of improving current performance. It set out strategic and tactical measures being put in place at both TP and borough level to improve performance in these areas, and contained an update on key aspects of the MPS Safer Neighbourhoods Programme. Members were also given a brief overview of the delivery of the Programme.

MPS response to the MPA Stockwell scrutiny

The Committee received a report providing an update on how the MPS was progressing the 34 recommendations arising from the MPA Stockwell Scrutiny Report, progress against the recommendations in the HMIC inspections and Stockwell 1 & 2 and a summary of the new information arising out the Inquest. The report was introduced by the AC, SCD.

Taser trial final report

The ACPO Taser Specially Trained Unit (STU) trial commenced in the UK in September 2007. The MPS, utilising officers from the TSG entered the trial in December 2007. During the MPS’s trial period (December 2007 to July 2008) Tasers were deployed (drawn, aimed, red dot, arced, drive stun or fired) at 209 incidents across London and discharged on 40 occasions. Since the conclusion of trial, the Home Secretary had allowed the deployment of Taser by STUs in UK police services under the terms of the extended deployment ACPO policy. Data on post trial use was also contained in the report for the period August 2008 to March 2009 where Taser was deployed at 98 incidents and discharged on 19 occasions. The report noted that no one had suffered serious injury through the use of Taser.

Cindy Butts, Chair of the MPA’s Taser Oversight Group, stated that she had been impressed by the governance arrangements and oversight given to the Group when analysing the pilot, which had showed that Tasers acted as a deterrent. The Group had spent time with the STU and was satisfied with supervision and audit trails, however the Group could not support the extension of the pilot without a business case and at further investigation of the disproportionality in its deployment. She was also concerned by the number of people with special needs or mental health problems, and young people against who the Taser was used. The Chair suggested that the Taser Oversight Group continue to look at the issues with the MPS.

Police use of Taser

This report summarised the MPA oversight of the MPS extended use of Taser pilot. It was not considered further in the light of the above discussion.

Collaboration on Criminal Justice

The committee noted the progress in respect of current Criminal Justice projects specified within these report, namely Streamlined Process, Integrated Prosecution Teams, Virtual Courts and Diamond Districts, and youth pilot operating at Lewisham and Greenwich and the proposal for collaborative working with partners to roll out Streamlined Forensic Reports, Evidential Drugs Identification Tests and the Bichard 7 project. The Chair noted that such a report was received at six monthly intervals, and it illustrated the significant process that had been made, although there was still some way to go.

Joint inspections of police custody facilities

This report, introduced by the Chief Executive, provided members with an outline of the progress being made to develop joint inspections of police custody facilities.

Preventing violent extremism (PVE) - members role

During the 5 February seminar on Preventing Violent Extremism (PVE), members requested that a practical next steps guide be produced setting out the MPA role in PVE and providing support for members at engagement and partnership level. A report was received providing background on the PVE programme for those members unable to attend the seminar in February and setting out the key principles that governed the delivery of PVE at a local level.

Delegation of authority

It was resolved that members delegate authority to the Director of Legal Services and his nominated officers to make ex gratia payments in respect of claims for loss or damage to property only, where there is no legal liability; and delegate financial authority up to a value of £5000 for ex gratia payments in accordance with the scheme set out in Appendix 1.

Race and faith inquiry – panel remuneration

It was resolved that the Chair of the Race and Faith Inquiry, Cindy Butts, receive a one-off allowance of £7,500; and that future situations where members are asked to undertake a significant piece of work be judged on a case by case basis, taking into account the kinds of factors outlined in paragraph 4 of this report.

Contact details

Report author(s): Nick Baker, MPA

For more information contact:

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

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