Minutes

Minutes of the meeting of the Metropolitan Police Authority held on 25 November 2010 at City Hall, The Queen’s Walk, London, SE1 2AA.

Present

Members

• Kit Malthouse (Chairman)
• Reshard Auladin (Vice Chairman)
• Tony Arbour
• Jennette Arnold
• Faith Boardman
• John Biggs
• Victoria Borwick
• Valerie Brasse
• James Cleverly
• Dee Doocey
• Toby Harris
• Kirsten Hearn
• Jenny Jones
• Clive Lawton
• Joanne McCartney
• Steve O’Connell
• Caroline Pidgeon
• Amanda Sater
• Valerie Shawcross
• Graham Speed

MPA officers

• Catherine Crawford (Chief Executive)
• Jane Harwood (Deputy Chief Executive)
• Bob Atkins (Treasurer)

MPS officers

• Sir Paul Stephenson (Commissioner)
• Tim Godwin (Deputy Commissioner)
• Anne McMeel (Director of Resources)

41. Apologies for absence and announcements

(Agenda item 1)

41.1 Apologies for absence were received from, Faith Boardman, Christopher Boothman and from Dee Doocey for lateness.

42. Declarations of interests

(Agenda item 2)

42.1 No declarations of interest were made.

Resolved – That

1. the list of memberships of functional bodies and London Borough Councils, as set out in the table above, be noted;
2. he gifts and hospitality received by members, as set out on the Authority’s gifts and hospitality register, be noted; and
3. all members declare any other personal or personal prejudicial interests in specific items listed on the agenda over and above items listed in the table above and including any interest arising from gifts or hospitality received in the last 3 years or which are not at the time of this meeting reflected on the Authority’s register of gifts and hospitality.

43. Minutes: 28 October 2010

(Agenda item 3)

43.1 Members considered the minutes of the Authority meeting held on 28 October 2010.

Resolved – That, the minutes of the Authority meeting held on 28 October 2010 be agreed and signed as a correct record.

44. Chairman’s update (oral report)

(Agenda item 4)

44.1 The Chairman informed the Authority of a number of meetings/events that he had attended since the last meeting of the Authority.

44.2 The Chairman and members congratulated Dee Doocey on her elevation to the House of Lords.

44.3 He also congratulated the MPS Commissioner and his team on a number of recent successes. These included:

• A number of OCU commander commendations to staff in the commands of Safer Transport, Homicide, Palace of Westminster, Trident, Redbridge, Croydon, Islington and Lambeth borough commands. Security Coordinators who had served more than six years in the role, were also commended this month at a ceremony at New Scotland Yard.
• Redbridge Borough received an Excellence Award for Local Partnership Working at a national awards ceremony. Territorial Policing training was also recognised at the National Training Awards.
• The success of two Human Resources media campaigns, the "Custody Nurses" and “Last Night a DJ Saved My Life” campaigns, which raised awareness about career opportunities as a nurse or a special constable within the MPS, was recognized with runner up prizes at the global Creative Excellence Awards.
• A special award for innovation was given to specialists in the MPS Directorate of Information for development of the Focus Court Presentation System in the Local Government IT Excellence Awards. This software assists when presenting complex electronic and digital evidence in court.

44.4 The Chairman also updated members on a number of meetings he had attended since the last Authority meeting. These included:

• A number of informal budget scrutiny sessions which focused on the capital programme budget. The Chairman added that he had continued to negotiate to ensure that available funds were maximised for policing in London and in particular to maintain police numbers.
• 10th Anniversary of the Havens. The Chairman confirmed that he had had the opportunity to visit the East London Haven last week and also to speak at the launch of the ‘Where is your line’ film, which would be shown in schools as part of an awareness programme.
• Launch of a new project, ‘Choices’, which aims to raise awareness amongst young people of the dangers in carrying guns and knives. It is being jointly run by the MPS Firearms command (CO19) and Greenwich and Lewisham Young People's Theatre.
• The second round of GLA/ MPA road shows. These began with shows in Greenwich and Addington, with 3 more to go in Sattavis Pativar centre, Wembley, Alexandra Palace and Stratford Old Town Hall. The Chairman informed members that this round of road shows updates people on joint action being carried out across the capital to tackle violent crime and to encourage greater participation in the delivery of Met Forward, Time for Action and the Way Forward.
• London Assembly Plenary - The Chairman, and Commissioner were questioned about the performance of the MPS at the annual London Assembly Plenary earlier this month.
• Annual Remembrance ceremonies. The Chairman confirmed that he had attended a number of ceremonies. He commented on the careful planning and policing by MPS colleagues which allowed the events of the Remembrance weekend to take place with dignity and respect. He added that on 11 November colleagues across the MPS paid respect with a two minute silence and on 12 November, and he joined the Commissioner and others at the annual MPS Act of Remembrance at New Scotland Yard.

Resolved – That the report be received.

45. Commissioner’s report

(Agenda item 5)

Performance issues

45.1 The Commissioner presented a report summarising recent performance in the MPS, as well as operational and initiatives designed to tackle crime and make London safer.

45.2 In relation to performance, the figures referred to in the report were for the period from April-September 2010 compared to April-September 2009. The Commissioner also provided performance information for October 2010 at the meeting.

45.3 The Commissioner reported that total notifiable offences continued to fall, with approximately 1,500 fewer offences than this time last year. He confirmed that overall serious acquisitive crime was also marginally down and that residential burglary was significantly down, by 3,000 fewer offences of burglary in London over this financial year period.

45.4 The Commissioner was pleased to inform members that violence with injury was showing a reduction of some 4.5% and that overall gun crime, continued to fall, down by 16.4%. He added that importantly, the number of reported firearms discharged was also down. However, he felt that whilst figures were pleasing around reductions in firearms’ offences and crime discharges, the use of firearms in homicides had increased and therefore there was no room for complacency.

45.5 In relation to hate crimes he was pleased to report a reduction across such hate crimes as racist and religious crime, homophobic crime and domestic violence. However, the Commissioner reiterated that it was not clear if this reduction was due to a confidence in reporting and he remained cautious around these figures.

45.6 The Commissioner highlighted a number of challenging areas. He reported that knife crime had increased by 2.4% but added whilst that was a lower increase than the previous quarter, actual instances where a knife had been used to injure was quite significantly down. The overall reported number of knife crimes was up; the actual use of knives to injure was down.

45.7 The Commissioner again drew members’ attention to the link between knife crime and robbery. He believed that robbery remained a main driver behind the rise in the overall knife crime and total robbery offences and there was a 4.1% increase. He informed members as part of this challenge the MPS had launched Operation Autumn Nights which had been successful over the Halloween and Bonfire period of reducing some of that increase.

45.8 Members were reminded of the MPS continued drive in the suppression activity of knife crime and he reported that there had been 140 additional charges for knife crime so far this year compared to last year. He was pleased to also report that since the last meeting of the Authority there had been no further teenage homicides from knives incidents, but he added that the MPS would not be complacent about this.

Other matters

Operation Trident

45.9 The Commissioner had noted that there had been media speculation about the future of Operation Trident. The Commissioner stated that currently there were no plans to disband Operation Trident. However, he added that as part of the on-going financial issues both the Authority and MPS were subjected to and his commitment to the notion of delivering better for less, there would inevitably be a requirement for some change mainly around examining where the MPS can improve the service or reduce the cost.

45.10 He ask for members support in the coming months that, where more stories like this appeared, for constructive input into what is a difficult situation.

Terrorism

45.11 Following the disruption of explosive device at East Midlands Airport, the Commissioner stated that it showed that there remained a serious threat. He added that everyone had a responsibility to understand the need to remain vigilant to this on-going threat.

Student demonstrations

45.12 The Commissioner provided an update on the policing of the student demonstration that took place in London on 10 and 24 November 2010.

45.13 He reported to members that on 10 November 2010 the MPS had nine police support units (PSUs) (225 officers) initially deployed to police the student demonstration, with the support of a further 9 PSUs in reserve. However, some of the demonstrators had dispersed and subsequently moved to the Millbank area where they proceeded to attack the reception area of Millbank Tower. The Commissioner, regretted this and pointed out that he had stated that the MPS had under estimated the level of violence and damage the demonstrators had gone on to cause. He added that he had commissioned a review of this operation and agreed to circulate its initial findings to members after the meeting

45.14 The Commissioner stated that the review’s initial findings had indicated that that the people who were responsible for the unlawful behaviour were a small minority of the protesters and that this behaviour was disgraceful and their actions were unacceptable and the MPS were committed to finding those responsible. He confirmed a number of people had already been charged. The Commissioner stated that he was disappointed that the intelligence had not picked up that there were going to be far more than the expected 15,000 demonstrators nor did the MPS expect there to be the level of disorder that occurred. He confirmed that a number of vulnerable premises had been identified and were policed, by clearly not the right premises had been identified. The Commissioner felt that the MPS had to be honest about the situation and that despite policing around 4,500 events a year where the MPS got the policing of these events right, regrettably there was not enough asset in place to react to the disorder that broke out.

45.15 He paid tribute to the regrettably too few officers that attended Millbank and added that they showed enormous bravery. He had spoken to several of those officers and he was very grateful for what they did on a very difficult day. He also informed members that the difficulties that occurred on 10 November had nothing to do with any budgetary issues nor did it have anything to do with the MPS not having sufficient resources. He felt that it was how those resources had been used.

45.16 The Commissioner felt that it was important to inform members that since 2003 and certainly accelerated in recent years, the MPS had been reducing the aid given to these central operations. He felt that this had been the correct thing to do in order to benefit local policing. However, and regrettably, he now felt that the MPS were going to have to review this and take a much more cautious approach. The Commissioner stated that he could not allow that number of police officers to face that level of behaviour and not have greater reserves in place. He felt that the MPS had to respond properly and that essentially, public order had now changed.

45.17 The Commissioner then moved on to discuss the second student demonstration that took place on 24 November 2010.

45.18 The Commissioner in acknowledging that mistakes had been made on the first student demonstration felt that the MPS had learned from that experience and that the policing of the second demonstration on 24 November 2010 had been successful. Members were informed that the MPS had been informed that there were four formal protests and that the MPS had worked closely with the organisers. It was estimated that, across the four protests, there would be about 4,000 people. The Commissioner confirmed that a significant command was put in place with four key elements; policing of the notified events, policing of potential vulnerable properties, a significant reserve capability to respond to any incident that did take place, any spontaneous disorder, and a second wave of police support units available in the boroughs to further mobilise. He confirmed that from the start of the day officers were dressed in part public protection uniform but with normal headgear on, so that officers could rapidly change should they need to do so.

45.19 The Commissioner then went on to inform members that two of the protesting groups had meet at Trafalgar Square, however 3,000 of those - suddenly left the Square and moved to Whitehall where they met up with a group who had been involved earlier in some skirmishes in Victoria Tower Gardens. Intelligence had indicated that the latter group had been determined to reach the Liberal Democrat headquarters in Cowley Street, but they were prevented from doing so by the police intervention so they joined the main body of protestors now in Whitehall and a further group, Youth March for Jobs, which had assembled in Horseguards Avenue, also join the groups in Whitehall .The Commissioner stated that to control the crowd a cordon was placed across Parliament Street. That prevented the protestors going into Parliament Square but the protestors, about 4,000 of them, could have left by any other route at that period. As previously stated the Commissioner confirmed that intelligence and the behaviour of the some of the protesters indicated that the intention was to go to the Liberal Democrat headquarters in Cowley Street with some hoping to occupy it. Given their intentions and the public order and criminal damage offences that were being committed and seen in Parliament Street and Whitehall, a containment was authorised at 1.00 pm. The Commissioner confirmed that the command team was in no doubt, if the protestors had been given free rein through Parliament Square and the Government security zone, they would have tried to enter premises by force and possibly caused damage.

45.20 The Commissioner confirmed that there had been reports of smoke canisters being discharged and aerosol cans ignited with possible injuries. He added that there was extensive criminal damage to an unattended police carrier within the containment.

45.21 He confirmed that learning the lessons from the G20, a bronze cordon was appointed and water and toilets were requested and later delivered, although he accepted that they did take time to arrive but the area was a crime scene. Additionally, those on the cordon sought to identify vulnerable people from early on in the containment to allow them to be released and a lot of messages were passed to the crowd and officers on the containment. He confirmed that helmets were removed so that officers could communicate better with the protestors. The Commissioner added that regrettably delays in starting the controlled release was due to the violent behaviour of some of the protestors outside the cordon on the north side of the containment. However, people were released through the cordons from early on, the formal controlled release beginning around 7.00 pm. He added that as this occurred a number of arrests were made for offences that had taken place during the day and it took some considerable time to filter people out through the cordons. This was mainly due to controlling of a crime scene.

45.22 In conclusion the Commissioner confirmed that 35 arrests, including 9 for damaging the police carrier were made. Seven officers were injured and 11 members of the public were reported injured. He confirmed that he had attended the feeding station and subsequent debriefing. He had congratulated the command team on handling a very difficult situation very well.

45.23 The Chairman thanked the Commissioner for his update on the student demonstrations and invited members to comment

45.24 Members asked in light of the coalition governments spending review and its effects on services there were likely to be more demonstrations taking place. What relationships were the MPS building up with organisations and particularly those that were joining forces?

45.25 The Commissioner stated that lessons learnt from G20, had shown that the amount of engagement with anybody who has given the MPS any intention to demonstrate is very extensive. He agreed with members that the majority of people who came to demonstrate came to do so peacefully, those that did not were committing a great deal of criminal damage and criminal disorder on our streets and that it is unacceptable. He added that the MPS had tried to build up whatever rapport it could with any group to try to make sure there is a good understanding of how the MPS can facilitate lawful protest. However, the MPS had to also show that where this was not the case demonstrations would be policed robustly.

45.26 The Chairman added that he was aware that the MPS had engaged extensively with the student demonstrations organisers, however, on the day the groups did not follow agreed plans and became unpredictable during the day and joined other groups. The Commissioner agreed that this was the case. He added that the MPS, when policing demonstrations had to be in a position to responded to changes and available to deal with a developing and different situation and that regrettably he felt there was an increase in the sort of behaviour at demonstrations.

45.27 Members noted that the nature of the demonstrators was different, particularly as it involved a large number of school children attending. Members asked the Commissioner to comment on the school children being held in the containment for long periods in very cold temperatures. Did he feel that there was more that could have been done to identify them ad release them earlier so as to avoid them being in central London late at night. Members also asked the Commissioner to comment on media reports that mounted police charged protestors.

45.28 The Commissioner confirmed that there were large amounts young school children in the demonstration and some where engaging in the acts of crime. He added that they were vulnerable and that having learned lessons from G20 there was an aim to identify those vulnerable people. However, as this was a violent crime scene and had a containment not been put in the situation could have got worse and the MPS would then have been criticised for not acting. Regarding the use of horses the Commissioner stated that no reference had been made at the debrief about use of horses, but he would recheck this and inform members if they were used.

45.29 Members asked the Commissioner that in light of the number of younger people being involved in demonstrations how did he think the MPS’s approach and the tactics it employed might change in order to accommodate that element of young people on demonstrations?

45.30 The Commissioner stated that the MPS had learnt lessons from the first student demonstration; however, he could not state at this time that an increase in attendance by young people at demonstrations would see a dramatic change in tactics. He did feel however, that there was much work to be done with schools, particularly through Safer School officers about communicating with young people, teachers and parents about the risks of attending demonstrations.

45.31 Members asked the Commissioner that in light of his comments about a change in demonstrations, what communication to local communities was going to take place, given that there is likely to be an increase in demonstrations and the need for further abstractions.

45.32 The Commissioner stated that communication to local communities was that the MPS had to be much more cautious and ensure that the right number of reserves were in place. He understood that this was not a message a lot of people wanted to hear, but the MPS could not afford to do anything else. He suggested to members that the MPS had to be honest that there would be an effect as there will be a reduction the amount of aid for public order events. He added that at this stage the effect is unknown and would not be known until December 2010, possibly January 2011 and what the effect was going to be.

45.33 Members asked the Commissioner if he thought that using a containment was a breach of protesters human rights and was any possible breach part of any risk assessment.

45.34 The Commissioner reminded members that the containment tactic had been in front of the courts, was tested and was upheld. He added that whilst it could be tested on each and every occasion he believed that the MPS were complying with the law and that it was both proportionate and necessary.

45.35 In response to members and in terms of communicating to people at a demonstrations, the Commissioner stated that the MPS did try to do its best and that the organisation should always learn and do better. He reiterated that the Police Authority, politicians, councillors, parents and teachers could help to get a message across to people what they should and should not be doing, the importance of engaging with the police and what the risk are on demonstrations if there is disorder. He added that communicating during the event would always be very difficult because it is a turbulent and difficult period. He added that parents and guardians in particular needed to be more responsible, if young people are going to attend demonstrations making sure that they understand the risks and prevent them getting themselves into difficulty.

45.36 Members raised concerns that in the lead up to and during demonstrations that there was a need for the MPS to take care in ensuring that when discussing events that language does not become over emotive and inflame the situation. An example of this was often references are made to ‘criminals’ as opposed to apprehending suspects. The Commissioner agreed that care was needed but added he felt that it was important to ensure that everybody was aware of any potential consequences if there was disorder. He also reiterated the MPS position of facilitating peaceful protest.

45.37 Members asked the Commissioner to comment on how at a demonstration officers could make an informed decision about young people being vulnerable. The Commissioner agreed that it was a delicate issue and agreed that people, including young people, had the right to demonstrate if they wanted to and do so peacefully, because it is part of peoples’ development and their understanding of their role as citizens. He added that it was also the duty of the MPS to protect people, particularly minors, and try to facilitate release as soon as possible. In addition, there had to be an acceptance that in a turbulent scene where the MPS are also trying to gather evidence that it is never going to be a short process and officers did their best in very difficult circumstances to support and help any minors.

45.38 Members asked the Commissioner to comment on the MPS responsibility to facilitate peaceful protests and of duty of care and if the containment of demonstrators for over nine hours was acceptable. Members also asked why toilet facilities were put in late.

45.39 The Commissioner confirmed that the MPS does facilitate the right to peaceful protest and to keep the peace. However, he added that it becomes difficult when an element do not want to keep the peace and that the MPS had a wider responsibility to other people to make sure they do not get drawn into disorders and disturbances. He added that he felt that containment was a valid tactic to be used wisely, on the best of information, and carefully.

45.40 In response to members, the Commissioner felt that it would have been counterproductive not to have contained demonstrators and let them join other people that were already causing some difficulties and have an uncontrolled situation in various parts of London.

45.41 Members asked the Commissioner for details of the number of officers that had been abstracted to police the demonstration on 24 November and if they made up the ‘reserves’. He was also asked if he felt that the number of officers at that demonstration was sufficient and if so how would the MPS cope it there was a bigger demonstration.

45.42 The Commissioner confirmed that there were 32 PSUs deployed (800 officers). He also confirmed that there was assistance from British Transport Police and City of London Police. He did not have the exact numbers of those from boroughs but he believed that it equated to one sergeant and seven officers from each borough and there was an impact on the boroughs. He added that he felt that the numbers of officers was appropriate and he did not feel that the MPS were ‘stretched’.

45.43 A number of members, whilst accepting that as a Police Authority, it was right to challenge and question the policing of the student demonstrations, also felt that it was appropriate to offer a greater degree of support to the policing of those events. Members noted that the Commissioner was rightly criticised for the level of resourcing of the first student demonstration, however, for the second demonstration sufficient resources had resulted in less substantial disorder, damage and injury. A number of members wished to add their congratulations to the command team involved. In doing so, some members acknowledged that there would be an inevitable financial cost to demonstrations including overtime costs, a cost of abstraction from boroughs, and from officers working with their communities.

45.44 The Commissioner was asked if he thought it was correct to allow the separate protests to merge, particularly if some were intent on causing disorder? He was also asked if he felt that he MPS, in light of the number of young people attending, should have been more proactive in communicating more effectively.

45.45 The Commissioner stated the decision to allow the different demonstrators to merge was a command decision and in light that they were not going to be violent toward each other he felt that it was the correct one.

45.46 Regarding communication, the Commissioner agreed that it was important, but often very difficult particularly if an event was a turbulent and noisy scene and if a number of people do not want to be communicated with. He added that despite that the MPS had tried to communicate both on a personal level and by use of public address (PA) systems.

45.47. Some members raised concerns that another member of the Authority had attended the demonstrations and had use ‘twitter’ to raise concerns about the policing of those demonstrations. It was suggested that this should not happen. A number of other members opposed this view claiming it was both unenforceable and that it was their right to do so.

45.48 In acknowledging the right for peaceful protests, members asked the Commissioner if work was being undertaken to identify those protesters who ‘hijacked’ both demonstrations, as some media reports suggested that they were already known before the demonstrations had taken place.

45.49 The Commissioner stated that he could not give a precise answer but he agreed that it was the responsibility of the MPS to facilitate peaceful protest. He added that when that process is hijacked it is hugely regrettable and often becomes dangerous. He did confirm that from the first demonstration a number of arrests had been made and regrettably, the vast majority of the arrests made were students.

Issues raised by members

45.50 Members had submitted a number of questions in advance of the meeting.

45.51 In order to allow full consideration of a number of other items on the agenda a number of members agreed to receive a written response to their questions to the Commissioner. These included the submitted questions on:

• Streatham Police Station
• Gypsy and Traveller Advisory Group

Safer Neighbourhood Teams (SNT)

45.52 Members asked the Commissioner what mechanism were in place to incorporate the recommendations on MPA scrutiny of SNTs.

45.53 The Commissioner stated that until the MPS had received the final recommendations from the MPA scrutiny, it was difficult to make a full comment. However, he would expect the MPS, once the recommendations had been received, to fully consider them and discuss with the Authority any issues and the implementation and monitoring of them. In response to members he agreed that a timescale for this process should be established.

Non Operational matters

45.54 Members asked the Commissioner to comment on whether there are any circumstances in which the deployment of resources, including of staff, would not be an operational matter.

45.56 The Commissioner confirmed that he had responded to members in a recent letter on this matter and he referred them to it. He was happy to discuss this further with members in further detail if they wished to meet with him.

Airwaves

45.57 Following recent media coverage on the cost of using the Airwave radios, members asked the Commissioner to provide an update as to what the situation within the MPS was regarding this matter and how he is advising officers to use their radios?

45.58 The Commissioner confirmed that the MPS were not considering using text messaging to replace voice messages for command and control communications, but were actively encouraging officers to use status messaging. He added this was preferable as the MPS were moving towards the Automatic Personnel Location Systems (APLS) system. He also informed members that status messaging had a limited range of communications which enables officers to inform the control room of the status at the press of a button and frees up available voice channels. It is much more cost effective and efficient.

Olaseni Lewis

45.59 In light of the death of Olaseni Lewis, members asked the Commissioner if the MPS were reviewing the training and guidance given to MPS officers in the use of restraint, and the implementation of such training/guidance. The Commissioner was also asked what was the date of the last such review by the MPS before the events leading to the death of Olaseni Lewis, and what the outcome of that review was. The Commissioner was also asked to confirm if the MPS officers involved in the restraint leading to the death of Olaseni Lewis had been removed from front line duties pending the outcome of the current IPCC investigation and if not, why not?

45.60 The Deputy Commissioner, responded to the question and started by offering his condolences to the family of Mr Lewis, whose death was a tragedy. The Deputy Commissioner stated that it was very difficult to talk about this case as it was still part of an independent investigation by the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC). However, in terms of restraint training, the Deputy Commissioner confirmed that this had been reviewed in 2004, following the inquest into the death of Roger Sylvester. From that review significant changes had been made to the MPS training manual with the emphasis being on the core restraint issues that can lead to acute behavioural disturbance and positional asphyxia. The MPS at that point had introduced a safety officer whose task it is to monitor the wellbeing of the person being restrained to monitor breathing etc. He added that in 2009, that was reviewed by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and was found to be good practice. As a result there is no plan to review further and the MPS has received no contact from the IPCC to indicate that it should.

45.61 The Deputy Commissioner also confirmed that at the moment no officers had been suspended or placed on restricted duties in relation to that IPCC investigation but we continually review it with them as to what actions need to be taken, if any.

45.62 Responding to members the Deputy Commissioner stated that the MPS were very aware of the seriousness of the use of restraint in terms of the medical wellbeing of the person being restrained. He added that an independent Medical Science Advisory Board does monitor the MPS to ensure that the MPS have learnt the lessons from those inquests of the past and checked again after the G20 reviews and was found to be compliant with the best learning as is at present. He added that training is regularly refreshed and that all persons up to the rank of superintendent had to attend mandatory training and that would continue. The Deputy Commissioner added that a request had been made to access the officer safety training (OST) manual. These are not printed but can be accessed via the MPS Aware system (via the MPA).

45.63 Responding to members questions about disproportionality the Deputy Commissioner stated that it was an issue that the MPS had looked at for a whole range of issues from arrests and stop search. He added that it comes into scrutiny within the forums within this Authority and in terms of events in custody etc. He added that disproportionality in relation to what was a very rare event in the small numbers would be a hard thing to judge as to how that was disproportionate.

Front Counters

45.64 Members informed the Commissioner that they understood that Borough Commanders had been asked to carry out 'footfall surveys' of their front counters. In light of the Mayoral commitment not to close any police stations unless a "substantially better replacement" was opened, he was asked to explain the reasoning behind this survey.

45.65 The Commissioner confirmed that two footfall surveys have been completed to date; March 2010 and June 2010. The intention of the surveys had been to understand the current uptake of front counter services for London to make sure the MPS had the correct information. He added that the data was part of a wider package of information that has been used to improve service delivery and particularly some analysis of how people report crimes these days and the significant changes in those reporting patterns. It did not just relate to physical front counters but also to the broader theme of public access to police services, considering police information points, telephone reporting of crime, appointment systems and that kind of thing. The Commissioner stated that the MPS were genuinely trying to find out what are the patterns of usage, how is that changing and how should we respond to that in the future.

45.66 In noting the Commissioner comments and noting the need to save very substantial sums of money, members asked if it was absolutely necessary and right to look at everything. Members felt that a key issue was communication and as front counters are a very, sensitive issue it would have been helpful if the MPA had known that the survey was taking place in order to be able to respond to people at a local level.

45.67 Members also raised concerns that there was a need to take account of those people who, do not the internet and the telephone, particularly some black and minority ethnic (BME) communities, and older people who prefer to go and see somebody in person. Members asked to see the information, before any decisions are taken and that it is presented to the Authority for proper consultation.

45.68 The Commissioner agreed that this was a sensitive area and it would have been wise to make sure people understood what was being done. He agreed that it would be considered by the Authority as part of the Estate Strategy. He also noted the point that the MPS have a wide range of service users and not just young people who use the internet.

Basic Command funds

45.69 The Commissioner was asked to provide details on the future of the Basic Command Unit fund.

45.70 The Commissioner confirmed that the basic command fund was a specific Home Office grant payable to police authorities. The annual grant agreement document had been endorsed by the MPA. He had been informed that clause 17(1) of the 2010/11 Grant Agreement states that the authority - that is the Home Office - does not commit to renew or continue financial support to the recipient - that is the MPA - after the funding period. Indications are that 2010/11 would be the final year of the basic command unit fund (BCUF) in its current guise. However, no definitive decisions have been taken. The Commissioner agreed to proved members with a note on those partnership projects that are funded through this funding system and where they might be picked up in future.

Police Officer Uniforms

45.71 Members asked if there any proposed changes being made to the current police officer uniform and if so what were the cost of these changes.

45.72 The Commissioner confirmed that a report was being prepared for MPS management board to consider the introduction of two new items of patrol uniform; a practical shirt that can be worn with body armour and a pair of trousers that meets the current operational requirement. The aim was to try to maintain the traditional image of police officers but have something that is a little more user friendly. No final decision has been taken. He also confirmed that a change had been made to a contract for a new anorak to replace to two anoraks currently being used. That was awarded approximately four months ago. It will be available for issue in the next two months and the new anorak costs 30% less than the outgoing items. He added that there was no intention of moving to cargo trousers and that in terms of consultation with the public he understood that there was significant consultation internally and externally and as part of that a report would be brought to the Authority.

Safer neighbourhood property review

45.73 In light of the safer neighbourhood review, members asked how did this review fit into the wider police estates strategy.

45.74 The Director of Recourses stated that the Safer Neighbourhood Property Review, which had recently been discussed at Finance and Resources Committee, was aligned to the Estates Strategy and the quest by the MPS was to make the most efficient use of its estate as part of the MPS budget strategy. It was now planned to bring proposals to the Estates Panel with a view to make the most efficient use of the estate.

45.75 The Director of Resources added that members had recognised that some of the earlier safer neighbourhood base models had not been of the same standard as the ones that were in subsequent phases. The MPS always put those bases and some of the current bases, into leasehold properties with a five year break to allow the MPS to take proper operational and economic decisions about going forward on them. She added that it was not a case that the MPS would not invoke the break clause on any of those properties, but the MPS would take a proper look at bases on a case by case basis, and in context of the overall Estate Strategy. She agreed that when decisions are made link members will be informed.

45.76 Those issues that the Commissioner undertook to report back on to members have been circulated in the form of an addendum report and are appended to these minutes at Appendix 1.

Resolved – That the report be received.

46. MPA Response to Race and Faith Inquiry recommendations

(Agenda item 6a)

46.1 Members received a report that set out the MPA’s formal response to the Race and Faith Inquiry recommendations, in so far as those that related to Authority. The report also provided a general view of the recommendations relating to the MPS.

46.2 The Chief Executive introducing the report drew members to three of the recommendations. Firstly, recommendation 9a of the Inquiry report, which looked for the MPA to strengthen the equality and diversity expertise within the organisation at a sufficiently senior level.

46.3 The Chief Executive confirmed that a new Head of Equalities and Engagement had now been appointed and had taken up this post on 20 September 2010. She also stated that new Head of Equalities and Engagement was ensuring that the MPA becomes more vigorous and energetic in the scrutiny of the various equality impact assessment reports which come attached to the reports to the various Committees of the Authority. The Chief Executive confirm that in response recommendation 4 of the Inquiry report, the Authority were organising and hosting a national symposium to explore the benefits and practically of multi-point entry for police officers, removing the requirement to progress through every rank. It was confirmed that the symposium would take place at City Hall on 12 January 2011.

46.4 In response to members the Chief Executive clarified that the new Head of Equalities and Engagement was not a member of senior management team (SMT), but attended all SMT meetings, in the capacity of professional advisor to the SMT on equality issues. In response to members the Chief Executive added that she personally regarded herself as being the overall champion for diversity and engagement within the Authority and looked to the Head of Equalities and Engagement for advice as Chair of SMT. However, she added that she was happy, given the new arrangements to keep that under review and come back to it.

46.5 Members noted the MPA responses to the Inquiry recommendations and that the implementation and monitoring of them would be delegated to the Communities, Equalities and Peoples Committee.

Resolved - That

1. members agreed the approach to the implementation of the Inquiry Panel’s recommendations at outlined in paragraphs 13-15 of the report; and
2. the implementation and monitoring of the recommendations be delegated to the Communities, Equalities and Engagement Committee.

47. MPS Response to Race and Faith Inquiry recommendations

(Agenda item 6b)

47.1 Members also received a report from the MPS that outlined its response to the Race and Faith Inquiry.

47.2 The Deputy Commissioner confirmed that the MPS had considered and were actively implementing most of the recommendations from the Inquiry Panel. He added that there were one or two that discussions still taking place. One in particular was Recommendation 7(a), which was the setting of overall black and minority ethnic BME progression targets in terms of promotion etc. He suggested that this was a difficult area in how do the MPS undertake those types of targets. He confirmed that the MPS did now monitor progression and were looking at how the organisation can better support officers from black and minority ethnic backgrounds and others to approach the promotion systems in order to realise their potential through the service. Those discussions as to how effective, or otherwise, would continue.

47.3 Regarding Recommendation 7(b) which was removing the right of managers to veto staff and officers applying for promotion or transfer to specialist posts, the Deputy Commissioner stated that he did not see that in any of the MPS systems there was a right to veto and the MPS did not want it interpreted that it does not believe in intrusive supervision. He added that he believed that the fact that managers should make report on their staff in terms of promotion. He confirmed that all other recommendations were being implemented and were being managed through the MPS Diversity Executive Board. He confirmed that the MPA Chief Executive was a Member of the Board and extended an invitation to Cindy Butts as Chair of the Race and Faith Inquiry to join. He added that progress reports would be submitted to the appropriate MPA committee.

47.4 The Chairman invited Cindy Butts as Chair of the Inquiry to comment. In thanking the Chairman, she stated that she was keen to point out that the report acknowledged that the number of black and minority ethnic and, indeed, female promotions that relate to superintendents, inspectors and sergeants increased during the period of the inquiry and had increased since. That is good positive news and she congratulated the MPS for having made that possible.

47.5 Regarding issues around line managers, she stated that during the Inquiry the strongest and loudest concern that came through from written respondents, people who gave evidence and people who took part in the focus groups, including members of the Authority, was the concerns around the role that line managers play in determining the career prospects of their staff. She suggested that it is a really important issue of trust of confidence in the MPS’s promotion system that needs to be addressed. It was not to say that line managers should not have a role to play in putting forward a reference or giving their views on whether or not a candidate is ready or what their particular skills or deficiencies might be. It is right and proper that they should do so, but they should not have the right or ability to determine whether an office goes for promotion. She strongly felt that it was wrong and that it should not happen in a modern public service environment and it needed to stop. In conclusion she stated that If there is one thing that the Inquiry wanted to deliver above all else, it was to make sure that this issue is tackled.

47.6 The Chairman invited other members to comment and there comments included:

• A number of members supported the Inquiry recommendation 7b that the MPS look at the manager ‘veto’
• Concerns were expressed at the lack of opportunities for BME staff within the Olympic Operations team.
• Members were pleased that, whilst the report focused had primarily been around race and faith, that there was a recommendation that asks to look across the board in relation to learning’s. Members felt that was very helpful because there was lots of influence that it can bring to bear across the full diversity issues within policing.
• Members noted that the MPS SMT should look to staff associations for informal and formal advice on diversity issues.
• In relation to Recommendation 3, item 11(a), members raised concerns that the response to this recommendation was not appropriate and did not address the recommendation.
• Members were disappointed that in paragraph 5 of the report, there was a comment that related to BME officers which commented on numbers, there was good activity with a number of communities but it failed to list Black people and this adds to the critical issue of trust and confidence in the police and the population of London and that is never directly referred to this group.

47.7 The Deputy Commissioner stated that in terms of the veto he clarified that he may have not been clear. He did not feel there was a right of veto. He added that there were checks and balances in progression and promotion and the MPS had reviewed this since the challenges were made by the Race and Faith Inquiry. He further added that there was a need to make sure that, if the organisation are going to pick up a leadership philosophy around diversity and supporting people from black and other minority communities to progress, then just by stopping managers having a role in the process might not change the leadership philosophy. He added that the MPS would continue to work with the Inquiry Panel on this issue.

47.8 In relation to the Olympics command, he confirmed that there was a investigation on how the current make up of it was reached.. The MPA through the Olympic Sub-Committee had also raised this issue as had the Civil Liberties Panel (CLP). This will be looked at reported back to the Authority.

47.9 In terms of the staff associations, the Deputy Commissioner confirmed that there was an improved and good working relationship and, the recent Metropolitan Black Police Association report on how the MPS can improve yet further its diversity strategy in relation to the various strands was supported and welcomed.

47.10 In terms of paragraph 11, Recommendation 3(a), the Deputy Commissioner confirmed that the MPS were responding to 3(a) which is how does the MPS evaluate the extent to which the Leadership Academy training improves the way the difference was managed. He added that the MPS were answering the specific question about monitoring the Leadership Academy, as opposed to the overall recommendation, which the MPS was fully sign up to, He also added that In terms of paragraph 5 of the report, he stated that he accepted the challenge about the better and more discriminatory data in terms of specific groups.

Resolved – That members’ note that progress made in response to the Race and Faith Inquiry.

48. Reports from committees

(Agenda item 7)

48.1 The Authority received a report outlining key issues that had been considered at recent Authority Committee meetings. The report covered the following meetings:

48.2 The Chair of the Civil Liberties Panel wished to place on record her thanks to MPA and MPS staff for their contributions following the recent publication of the Panel’s report.

• Strategic and Operational Policing Committee – 14 October 2010
• Finance and Resources Committee – 21 October 2010
• Communities, Equalities and People Committee – 4 November 2010

Resolved – That the report be received.

49. Action taken under delegated authority

(Agenda item 8)

49.1 Members received a report that outlined actions taken under delegated authority by the Chief Executive on the grounds of urgency.

Resolved - That the report be received.

50. Any other urgent business

(Agenda item 9)

50.1 There were no items of urgent business.

51. Policing London Business Plan

(Agenda item 10)

51.1 Members considered the draft Policing London Business Plan submission to the Mayor in accordance with his guidance for the 2011/12 GLA group budget.

51.2 A number members raised concerns relating to the timetable for approving the Plan and felt that they could not approve it as there had been insufficient time or information available. The Chairman reminded members that the timetable for submission of the budget was provided in legislation. He added that the submission to the Mayor by a particular date was for his internal budget setting purposes. Therefore, the Chairman suggested that members agree the report as ‘work in progress’ and that the Plan be submitted to meet legislative requirements, but that the Authority was neither agreeing or endorsing the Plan.

51.3 The Chairman added that he was keen to discuss the Plan in public, but in doing so wanted to debate it with certainty. He also offered members a half day session where all the details could be fully discussed in order to facilitate future public debate.

51.4 The Chairman also agree with members that it was recognised that there are uncertainties within the Plan and that it might be helpful if the Authority was to make, alongside its submission, a statement about what those uncertainties were.

51.5 Member sought clarification that as part of the Plan and submission to the Mayor that the performance indicators included in the Plan were also not being endorsed as there had been no consultation on them between the MPA and MPS. The Chairman confirmed this. The Deputy Chairman of the Authority stated that it was the intention to take the performance indicators to the planning group very soon and members were welcome to have their input into that process.

Resolved - That members agreed that papers reflected the work in progress on the preparation of the budget and that it be submitted to the Mayor’s office to comply with the legislative requirements, while recording that the contents are neither agreed nor endorsed by the Authority.

52. Draft borrowing and capital spending plan 2011/12 to 2017/18

(Agenda item 11)

52.1 A report was received that provided members on the development of the capital programme for the period 2011/12 to 2017/18 and the funding implications under consideration.

52.2 In introducing the report the MPS Director of Resources stated that the report was outlining the current the overall position and that the capital programme was work in progress still and will be refined over the coming months.

52.3 The Chairman added that regarding the capital programme that as the MPA/MPS only receive a relatively small amount of capital grant from the Government a 50% cut capital would not greatly affect the organisation. He added that significantly, most of the capital programme was funded from our own resources, disposals etc., and therefore we are able to proceed as predicted.

53. Exclusion of the press and public

(Agenda item 12)

53.1 A resolution was put to exclude the press and public from the meeting during the consideration of agenda items 13 and 14.

53.2 A number of members questioned validity of item 13 ‘The Policing London Business Plan – Supplementary report’ being exempt. Concerns were expressed that not all of the report was confidential and could be taken in Part 1 of the meeting. Following a brief discussion, it was agreed that a redacted revised version should be published.

Resolved - That the press and the press and public be asked to leave the meeting during discussion of the items 13 and 14 because exempt information as defined in Schedule 12a (para 3 and 4) to the Local Government Act 1972 as amended is likely to be made known.

54. Policing London Business Plan

(Agenda item 13)

54.1 Members considered the draft Policing London Business Plan (exempt information) submission to the Mayor in accordance with his guidance for the 2011/12 GLA group budget

54.2 Members briefly discussed a number of specific issues within the Plan and these included; a need for more details regarding potential redundancies, concerns about the funding gap and possible precept increases, police officer numbers, further discussion on the role of PCSO and civilianisation of posts, overtime and public order issues, a review of KPIs, particularly around knife crime and rape.

Resolved - Members agreed that papers reflected the work in progress on the preparation of the budget and that it be submitted to the Mayor’s office to comply with the legislative requirements, while recording that the contents are neither agreed nor endorsed by the Authority.

55. Draft borrowing and capital spending plan 2011/12 to 2017/18

(Agenda item 14)

55.1 As part of agenda item 11 members considered exempt Appendix 1 to the report draft borrowing and capital spending plan 2011/12 to 017/18.

The meeting closed at 1.00 p.m.

Appendix 1

Addendum to the Commissioner’s report

Report by the Commissioner

This report follows up on the actions and commitments made verbally by the Commissioner at the Full Authority meeting on 25 November 2010.

The Commissioner committed to provide an update to Members on the following issues:

• Review of the National Union of Students’ March on 10 November 2010
• Use of police horses at the demonstrations on 24 November 2010
• Written response to questions from John Biggs and Val Shawcross
• Front counters consultation
• Basic Command Unit Fund
• New items of uniform
• MPS Diversity Executive Board

Review of the National Union of Students’ March on 10 November 2010

1. The Commissioner agreed to circulate to members a copy of the review of the National Union of Students’ March on 10 November 2010. Copy sent to the MPA on 25th November 2010.

Use of police horses at the demonstrations on 24 November 2010

2. The Commissioner agreed to look into Joanne McCartney’s question regarding the use of police horses at the demonstrations on 24 November 2010. AC Allison met with Joanne McCartney in response to this question. A note will be provide to the MPA, for circulation to all members, by 27 January 2010.

Written response to questions from John Biggs and Val Shawcross

3. John Biggs submitted a question regarding the Gypsy and Traveller IAG. Val Shawcross submitted a question regarding Streatham Police Station. Both requested a written response. The responses were sent to the MPA on 7 December 2010.

Front counters consultation

4. The Commissioner agreed to provide information to Members regarding the Front counters consultation. A briefing note will be provided to the MPA by 20 January 2010.

Basic Command Unit Fund

5. The Commissioner agreed to provide information on how some of the work, which is currently funded by the Basic Command Unit fund, may be dealt with should the funding be withdrawn. An MPS Partnership Update Report and a Borough Partnership Funds Report, which covered this issue, were presented to the Communities, Equalities and People Committee on the 6 January 2011.

New items of uniform

6. The Commissioner agreed to provide members with information regarding the new items of uniform. Members were shown the new items of uniform and provided with a report at the members’ briefing on 16 December 2010.

MPS Diversity Executive Board

7. The Deputy Commissioner invited Cindy Butts to join the MPS Diversity Executive Board. Details of the Diversity Executive Board Meetings were sent to the MPA on 7 December 2010.

Report author: Zara Ryder, Strategic Relationships, MPS

Background papers None

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