Appointment of an independent member

Report: 9
Date: 25 March 2010
By: Chief Executive

Summary

This report seek nominations for representatives from the Authority for the selection and appointment panels for an Independent Member

A. Recommendations

That

1. two members be appointed to the Selection Panel for a five year period; and
2. members agree the composition and members of the Appointment Panel for the current Independent member vacancy.

B. Supporting information

1. A vacancy in the Authority’s Independent membership occurred when Deborah Regal resigned from the Authority earlier this month.

2. Changes in legislation mean that the process for the appointment of Independent Members is as follows:

1. Following public advertisement, a Selection Panel shortlists and interviews candidates to put forward (for one vacancy) two names to the Appointments Panel (previously it was to the Home Secretary).
2. An Appointment Panel interview two candidates and makes the final recommendation for appointment.

Selection Panel

3. The Selection Panel for this process should consist of four members:

1. Two of whom shall be appointed by the members of the Metropolitan Police Authority (MPA).
2. One of whom shall be appointed by the Mayor.
3. One of whom shall be appointed by the members of the Selection Panel from a list of candidates prepared by the Secretary of State.

4. In considering which members should be appointed by both the MPA (and the Mayor), it is considered good practice that these members do not subsequently sit on the Appointment Panel.

5. The appointments to the Selection Panel can be made for a five year period. Previously established selection panels by the MPA included members who are now no longer members of either the Authority or appear on the list of candidates prepared by the Secretary of State.

Appointment Panel

6. It is for the Authority to decide the composition and number of members that make up the Appointment Panel. Previously, Panels have consisted of five members.

Term of Office

7. Legislation allows for membership vacancies to be appointed for a period less than the normal four year appointment. This requires approval from the Home Secretary. A request has been submitted to the Home Secretary to allow the Authority to make this appointment for the remainder of the current term of office and therefore it would expire at the same time as other independent members in October 2012.

Timescale for appointment

8. It is proposed that an advertisement be placed in two newspapers that are circulated in the metropolitan area with a closing date of the end of April. The Selection Panel would be convened in early May (and after any possible election) with the aim of making recommendations to the Appointments Panel by end of May. The final appointment would be subject to CTC clearance, but it is hoped that the vacancy would be filled for the annual meeting of the Authority in June.

9. Confirmation has been received from the Home Office that it is acceptable for this appointment to take place during an election period.

C. Race and equality impact

Equalities and diversity considerations are integral throughout the appointment process to ensure that it reflects recruitment best practice and that as far as possible the MPA’s membership as a whole is representative of London’s Communities.

D. Financial implications

The estimated cost of advertising for the vacancy is £4,500. This cost can be met from the recruitment budget.

E. Legal implications

None given.

F. Background papers

• Metropolitan Police Regulations 2008 and The Police Authority (Community Engagement and Membership) Regulations 2010

G. Contact details

Report author(s): Nick Baker

For more information contact:

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

Abbreviations

CIPFA

Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy

TMSS

Treasury Management Strategy Statement

CLG

Communities and Local Government

NAV

Net Asset Value

DMO

Debt Management Office

CDS

Credit Default Swaps

GDP

Gross Domestic Product

RBS

Royal Bank of Scotland

PWLB

Public Works Loans Board

CFR

Capital Financing Requirement

ILMCS

Inner London Magistrates Courts Service

ILPS

Inner London Probation Service

EIP

Equal Instalment of Principal

Send an e-mail linking to this page

Feedback