Reports from Committees

Report: 10
Date: 28 January 2010
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:

• Communities, Equalities and People Committee – 12 November 2009
• Finance and Resources Committee – 19 November 2009
• Strategic and Operational Policing Committee – 3 December 2009
• Corporate Governance Committee – 10 December 2009
• Finance and Resources Committee – 17 December 2009

Communities, Equalities and People Committee – 12 November 2009

Members Present: Cindy Butts (Chairman), Faith Boardman Victoria Borwick, Valerie Brasse, Kirsten Hearn and Clive Lawton.

Development of the MPS Diversity and Equality Strategy

A report was received that set out the development of the MPS Diversity and Equality Strategy 2009-2013 and outlines the work under way to prepare the strategy for publication and launch. The Committee was advised that like all public bodies the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) had a statutory duty to promote human rights and the equality of treatment between people irrespective of age disability gender race faith or belief or sexual orientation. The Committee was pleased to endorse the new strategy.

Update on HR Recruitment Community Engagement

The Committee received a report that provided members with an update on the HR Community Engagement Strategy, and associated activities concerning apprenticeships, volunteering and work experience. The Committee thanked George Clarke and his team for adopting such a proactive approach to recruitment.

Accountability for Borough Performance on Violence against Women and Girls Targets

This report set out the Violence against women and girls performance management arrangements and accountability process. In addition the report highlighted the MPS performance exceeding bespoke targets for Domestic Violence, serious sexual offences, and a static position for that of rape.

The Committee sought an assurance that Borough Commanders would be held to account if they were found to be wanting. The MPS was confident that the process now in place was robust and provided the required degree of accountability.

Update of Morris Inquiry Recommendations

The Committee noted that that the report had been redrafted to provide members with evidence that the recommendations of the Morris report had been implemented. Any recommendation not implemented would be addressed by action plan arising from the Race and Faith inquiry.

It was noted that following the Morris report the MPS was now a more task driven organisation.

Developing Form 696

This report updated the Committee on:

The consultation process undertaken to revise 696, the contents of new from 696, the application of the form with monthly numbers and general details of the applications made.

It was noted that the redesigned Form 696 was very different to the original. The MPS had responded to the concerns raised by external parties and had consulted with a number of stakeholders. The Diversity and Citizen Focus Directorate had also been consulted

MPS Independent Advisory Groups (IAGs) – Development Report

This report provided an update on the development of the Independent Advisory Groups (IAGs), Standard Operating Procedures, the membership of IAGs, IAG expenditure, advantages and disadvantages of merging the corporate groups and the added value that IAGs provide for community consultation

It was agreed to defer consideration of the report to allow an informal meeting to be held to discuss members concerns regarding the IAGs.

Issues Requiring Endorsement from the Human Resources and Remuneration Sub Committee

The Committee was advised that the meeting of the Human Resources and Remuneration Sub Committee held on 19 October inquorate and there asked to endorse the recommendations made by the Sub Committee in relation to the following items.
(i) Metropolitan Police Senior Staff Pay 2009-10
(ii) Police pay and reward
(iii) Chief Superintendents’ Post Related Allowances (PRA)
(iv) Association of Chief Police Officer (ACPO) Performance Related Pay (PRP)

The Committee also considered the following reports:

Committee and Sub Committee membership and appointment of Chairs of the Sub Committees.
Equality Impact Assessment Update
Management and Accountability of MPS Partnership, Multi Agency and 3rd Sector Programmes.

Finance and Resources Committee – 19 November 2009

The following members were in attendance:

Steve O’Connell (Chairman), Reshard Auladin, John Biggs, Faith Boardman, (Vice Chairman), Chris Boothman, Dee Doocey and Graham Speed.

Sub-Committees

Faith Boardman has been appointed as Chairman of the Resources and Productivity Sub-Committee and Graham Speed the Vice Chairman. The Estate Panel has been re-appointed with Graham Speed as the Chairman.

Revenue and capital budget monitoring 2009/10 – period 6

This report provided an update on the revenue and capital budget monitoring position for 2009/10 at period 6 (to the end of September). The revenue budget is forecast to overspend by £16.6m (approximately 0.5% of budget). The capital programme as at the end of September) shows year to date total expenditure of £55.5m. This total represents 23.7% of the revised annual budget of £234.2m. The forecast for the year of £214m is £20.2m below the revised annual budget.

MPA accommodation

The report contained details of the terms of new leases for the Authority’s continued use of its existing accommodation at10 Dean Farrar Street.

New Scotland Yard – Accommodation Update and post acquisition report (exempt)

This report provided an update on progress since MPA approval to acquire the freehold of the building in November 2008; highlights actions undertaken since the acquisition to identify works required to ensure the building can support operational commitments through the Olympic period; outlines works required in the short and medium term to maintain current operational capacity, and notes recent decisions taken in regard to the allocation of space within the building and specific works required as a consequence.

Strategic and Operational Policing Committee – 3 December 2009

Members Present: Reshard Auladin (Chairman), Jennette Arnold, Christopher Boothman, Toby Harris (Vice Chairman), Jenny Jones, Joanna McCartney, Caroline Pidgeon, Richard Tracey and Deborah Regal

Headline Performance Report

A report was received that provided an overview of progress against targets set for Critical Performance Areas and other corporate measures featured in the Policing London Business Plan 2009–12. Members discussed the three borough project which was created to set up command and control mechanism across three boroughs and such issues as had it improved response times.

The role and work of the Directorate of Legal Services

The Committee received a report as part of its twice-yearly reports on the role and work of the MPS Directorate of Legal Services (LS).

HMIC ‘going local’ inspection of Westminster BOCU

Members received a report that provided an update on the progress made by Westminster BOCU to address and implement the recommendations made by HMIC following the inspection of the borough in January 2009.

Professional Standards Performance Indicators

Members noted current performance indicators as illustrated in the appendices to the report and areas of risk good practice and potential issues.

Members asked a range of questions about complaints including the increase in complaints and whether the Policing Pledge had impacted on this increase. Members also asked about the examples given in the report around the PSSP Community Engagement Project.

Directorate of Professional Standards (DPS) Thematic Performance Report

The Committee considered a report that identified current and future strategic work for DPS, developing of working practices; DPS contribution to confidence agenda; performance issues; performance oversight mechanisms as well as final and resources systems and processes

Members were informed that in relation to the work of Specialist Investigations (SI) with IAGs work was not currently subject to any central collation of feedback from the IAGs and the MPS agreed this should be considered. Members were informed that the offences outlined in the report represented a very small number of cases and anti-corruption officers do consider these cases. The Chairman added his reassurance that the number of cases were small and that he and MPA officers meet regularly with DPS and reviewed these cases.

Dip Sampling of closed MPS complaints/misconduct cases

The Chief Executive commended a new draft protocol for dip sampling MPS. Training would also welcomed the offer of training being made available from the IPCC.

MPS intelligence systems and information sharing

Members received a report that outlined the MPS Directorate of Information’s role in plans (Improving Police Information – IPI) to deliver a more effective ‘person search’, allowing users to more quickly identify a person they may be investigating and on how to improve supporting officers in the decision making of sharing that information.

Travel concession – review of travel benefit (exempt)

Members considered a report on reviewing the travel concession benefit and agreed option 4 as outlined in the reports

Urgent actions and authorisation for funding legal representation and settlement of civil claims (Exempt)

The Committee considered and approved two claims for settlements and one request for funding of legal representations (capped).

Corporate Governance Committee – 10 December 2009

The following members were in attendance: Toby Harris (Chair), Joanne McCartney, Caroline Pidgeon, and Valerie Brasse.

Co-opted members were also in attendance: Linda Duncan and Richard Stephenson.

Corporate Governance committee – Review of Effectiveness

This review by Linda Duncan (co-opted member) concluded that the committee is working within its Terms of Reference, in compliance with the CIPFA guidance and with appropriate membership. A number of suggestions are made to assist in increasing the effectiveness of the Committee. Key areas are for members to have a more comprehensive view of the map of the inherent risks and where assurance work within the MPS is being carried out, and more concise briefings for members on emerging risks to the authority and the MPS.

External Audit Annual letter 2008/9

The District Auditor has given an unqualified opinion on the accounts. He informed the committee that as a result of being informed of the matters appearing within the exempt part of this meeting, he will be re-writing the paragraph concerning arrangements for contracts, but that the overall opinion will not change.

Update on Audit Commission Police Use of Resources Evaluation

Members noted that although the score remained at 2, the process this year was more robust with many police authorities failing to maintain the high scores of last year. The process will begin again in January 2010 with the emphasis on outcomes rather than processes.

Directorate of Audit, Risk and Assurance 2010/11 Annual Plan

In previous years a detailed audit plan had been brought before the Committee in December, however, this paper gives the new strategic approach following the appointment of the new Director of Audit, Risk and Assurance with a further paper to be presented in March which will give details of the annual work programme. The approach is based on moving towards a more dynamic risk based audit programme enabling more resources to be dedicated to high risk, high cost areas. Greater emphasis will be placed on fraud prevention and advisory work. The plan will be reviewed each quarter to ensure it covers any emerging risks.

Increasing Contract Compliance (Exempt)

This report gave an update on the ongoing and detailed exercise being undertaken by the MPS Directorate of Resources on contract compliance. A regular update report is also submitted to the Resources and Productivity sub Committee. Quarterly updates to Corporate Governance Committee will continue and the MPA Director of Audit, Risk and Assurance will report on the need for any changes in control framework.

MPS Risk Management (Exempt)

This report contained the MPS Corporate Risk Register. Members noted the progress that had been made whilst acknowledging that this is a developing process and agreed that the opportunity for a briefing session outside of the meeting would be useful in enabling them to understand the systems underpinning the risk register.

Deaths in Service (Exempt)

Over the last five years there have been 91 deaths in service, the major cause being illness. There was one accident at work which is awaiting an inquest (due to take place January 2010). The main cause of deaths not at work is Road Traffic Accidents, particularly concerning motorcycles. There are no links to the working environment.

During the period in question there were 12 suicides. It is difficult to determine the reasons for suicides, but members noted that requests to the police benevolent fund had increased over the last 12 months.

Imber Court update – (Exempt)

This report gave an update on the ongoing actions and current position with regard to Imber Court Sports Club.

Finance and Resources Committee – 17 December 2009

Members Present: Steve O’Connell (Chairman), John Biggs, Chris Boothman, Dee Doocey and Graham Speed.

Revenue and capital budget monitoring 2009/10 – period 7

This report provided an update on the revenue and capital budget monitoring position for 2009/10 at period 7 (to the end of October). The revenue budget is forecast to overspend by £17.1m (approximately 0.5% of budget). The capital programme as at period 7 shows year to date total expenditure of £71.6m. This total represents 33.5% of the revised annual budget of £214m. The forecast for the year of £211.1m is £2.9m below the revised annual budget.

Efficiency plan monitoring as at second quarter 2009/10

This report provided an update on the monitoring of the Metropolitan Police Authority MPA/ MPS 2008/09 – 2010/11 Efficiency Plan. Overall, the forecast indicates an over-achievement against the 2009/10 cumulative efficiency target (year 2 of the 3 year plan) by £6.4m.

Olympic and Paralympic Games –business cases (exempt)

There is an agreed process in place for the approval of the business cases relating to the Games under which they would receive detailed scrutiny at the Sub-Committee before being presented to the Finance and Resources Committee - in summary form - for approval. This was the first meeting at which business cases were presented under this arrangement, approval was given to two business cases: i) increase in the explosive dog capacity in preparation for Olympic demand and ii) increase in Olympic site and security unit capacity.

Copies of reports and minutes from the Authority and its Committees are available from the MPA website

F. 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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