Minutes - draft

These minutes are draft and are to be agreed.

Minutes of the annual and ordinary meeting of the Metropolitan Police Authority held on 27 October 2011 at City Hall, The Queen’s Walk, London, SE1 2AA.

Present

Members

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

MPA officers

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

MPS officers

• Bernard Hogan-Howe (Commissioner, Designate)
• Commander Maxine De Brunner

33. Apologies for absence and announcements

(Agenda item 1)

33.1 Apologies for absence were received from James Cleverly, Neil Johnson and Graham Speed.

34. Declarations of interests

(Agenda item 2)

34.1 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. the 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.

35. Minutes: 15 September 2011

(Agenda item 3)

35.1 Members considered the minutes of the Authority meeting held on 15 September 2011.

resolved – That the minutes (Part 1) of the Authority meeting held on 15 September 2011 be agreed and signed as a correct record.

36. Chairman’s update

(Agenda item 4)

36.1 The Chairman provided members with an update on key successes and meetings since the last meeting of the Authority.

36.2 The Chairman commenced his update report by confirming and congratulating Mark Rowley and Simon Byrne on their appointments to the MPS as Assistant Commissioners. He added that, there was no confirmation as to which assistant commissioner post they would be appointed to.

36.3 The Chairman provided members with an update regarding the implementation of the Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime (MOPC). He confirmed that as the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act had now passed through all parliamentary processes and received Royal Assent, the MOPC was expected to commence in early January 2012. He informed members that MPA officers are working on secondary legislation to ensure the transition to MOPC would be well managed and added that the closing meeting of the Authority is being planned for early January. He also informed members of a number of meetings he had attended with ministers on the Shadow Strategic Policing Requirement and the PCC Transition Sponsorship Board and he informed members that he understood that the Shadow Requirement would be published at the end of November.

36.4 The Chairman confirmed that AC Owens, Jennette Arnold and himself had met the family of Daniel Morgan and that the meeting had been broadly positive. He confirmed that there were some lines of action that AC Owens would hopefully be able to update the family on at a future meeting. Mr Morgan had written to all members of the Authority and the Chairman had circulated to members a copy of his response.

36.5 The Chairman moved on to confirm that the London Crime Reduction Board (LCRB) has engaged with developing the work to tackle violent gangs. He added that the MPS was leading on this initiative through Operation Connect and he had met with the operation’s Head earlier this month. He added that the Board in September had agreed to develop a data clearing house to improve the management of the demand and provision of women’s refuge places. Attention was now shifting towards how partnerships are developing their offender management arrangements as the pressure upon prisons and the need for community sentencing intensifies following the August disturbances.

36.6 Confirmation was given that a trial focusing on problem solving JEM had taken place in September. The topic was sexual offending in Croydon and it was ably chaired by Valerie Brasse. The Chairman thanked Valerie for chairing the meeting and informed members that a wide range of partners had attended including representatives from Rape Crisis, Havens, Victim Support, SCD2, CPS, BOCU. Following the meeting the Chairman informed members that the feedback had been very positive and a number of actions arose from the discussion. These included: a need for all partners to better address the problems surrounding prevention; and care of victims and prosecution and the need to improve data sharing across partners. He confirmed that a follow up meeting had already taken place to develop a data sharing protocol and to help the borough set up a data collection process. The Chairman felt that the meeting had demonstrated that the JEMs process lends itself to focused issues and can be used effectively in other problem solving applications.

36.7 The Chairman confirmed that the Mayor’s revised budgetary guidance was imminent and added that the MPA/S Budget scrutiny sessions had featured heavily in the diary and were now completed. Budget submissions to members for the 2012-15 financial years will take place at next month’s full authority meeting and a workshop had also been planned for 17 November 2011.

36.8 Regarding the implementation of MOPC, a number of members sought clarification from the Chairman what processes would be in place to ensure public accountability of the MPS. Members also sought confirmation that as indicated in his how would MOPC ensure that the positive community engagement links would be maintained and how future arrangements can be share with the community to provide reassurances that engagement levels would continue.

36.9 The Chairman confirmed governance arrangements were not yet finalised and that he was still to hold discussions with GLA around arrangements for the Crime and Policing Panel which would hold MOPC to account. He added that he acknowledged the positive contribution made be members and current community engagement arrangements and confirmed that he hoped to further enhance these, but again details were yet to be finalised.

resolved – That the report be received.

37. Commissioner’s Report

(Agenda item 5)

37.1 The Commissioner opened his report by adding his congratulations to both Mark Rowley and Simon Byrne on their appointments to the MPS as Assistant Commissioners.

37.2 He confirmed that it was his intention to hold management board meetings in boroughs where possible and had done so recently in Haringey, which a specific aim of listening and leaning about key issues in that borough.

Operation Kirkin

37.3 The Commissioner then provided members with an update on the ‘Operation Kirkin’ review (public disturbances across London during August 2011).

37.4 He confirmed that the early learning and initial findings had been shared with members in a briefing note. There had been progress in a number of areas including; critical incident management and community engagement; mobilisation and mutual aid; tactics; and criminal justice and investigations. Work continued on issues such as demographic breakdown of offenders. The Commissioner informed members that the MPS were working with Darra Singh and were linking in with his review and that the ‘Wandsworth’ report had already been published with four recommendations specifically for the MPS and that these were being incorporated into the MPS learning. He added that the investigation was on-going and arrests were still being made. To date there had been 2,923 arrests, with 1,794 charges.

37.5 Turning to ‘riot’ damages, the Commissioner confirmed that estimated liability was between £200-£300 million, he added that the MPA continued to look at full cost recovery from the Home Office via a special grant.

37.6 Members were informed that the interim report should be ready by mid November and a final report by late December 2001.

Performance issues

37.7 The Commissioner provided members with an update on performance up till September 2011.

37.8 He reported a reduction in violent crime which was down from 35,817 to 32,339. Gun crime also continued to reduce with 225 fewer offences (from 1,513 to 1,288). Of these offences where the gun had been fired they were down 22.5%.

37.9 In relation to knife crime there was a 15.1% increase up to 7,315 from 6,356. Knives used to injure were down from 2,160 to 2,127. Members were informed that Operation Connect continued to drive down gang related violent crime.

37.10 The Commissioner informed members that joint working continued with the CPS to improve rape sanction detections, which remained below the level recorded last year with 60 fewer sanction detections.

37.11 The Commissioner reported that personal robbery had increased and that Operation Protect was focusing on robbery from school pupils.

37.12 The Commissioner informed members of a number of target approaches that the MPS were currently engaged in and these included:

• Operation Autumn Nights – which had been launched in mid-October and was aimed at reducing seasonal crime and anti-social behaviour. This was focused through both enforcement and education activity.
• Burglary awareness campaign - Through Operational Bumblebee an awareness campaign was being undertaken to remind people of simple measures that can be undertaken to reduce the risk of becoming a target of burglary. It was reported that this also accompanied a on-going operation activity to target offenders;
• ANPR Operation – The Commissioner report that the MPS had chosen a specific date 19 October to focus on this operation and it had resulted in 558 vehicles being seized and 76 arrests made. The Commissioner was keen to stress that this was not about targeting car crime but and acknowledgement that many criminals will use illegal or uninsured vehicles as part of their activities. This was emphasized by the nature of arrests which had included for money laundering, being wanted for domestic harassment possession of offensive weapons, assault, intent to supply class A drugs, handling stolen goods and immigration offences.

Issues raised by members

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

Production orders

37.14 Members put a number of questions to the Commissioner regarding a recent case where the MPS had applied for a production order against a national newspaper These included:

• How many production orders against journalists/newspapers/TV has the MPS sought and how many have been granted. The Commissioner was also asked if the MPS wrong to apply for production orders from the Guardian under the Official Secrets Act? What changes to protocol have been made to ensure applications under the Official Secrets Act are authorised by the highest level in the Met in the future.

37.15 The Commissioner confirmed that in 2010/11 there had been two production orders against media organisations and journalists, one was successful, but was subject to judicial review and one was withdrawn. In 2009/10 one successful application and in 2008/9 there was also one application which was successful.

37.16 The Commissioner then informed members what a production order was and why the MPS applies for them. He confirmed that any officer could apply for an order and, if so, often it would go direct to court and not be seen by MPS legal representatives. However, when legal advice is taken it is taken through the MPS Department of Legal Services and the figures presented where provided by them. He added that it would be a large piece of work to ask the whole organisation for details of any orders that may have been taken out over a three year period, but he was confident that the figures provided were reasonably accurate. The Commissioner outlined details around press production orders and around legal privilege and outlined how journalists obtain information. On this issue some journalists wanted to assist the police but also wanted the protection of a protection order and then there was the issue of when they would resist giving any information and an order would be sought.

37.17 The Commissioner confirmed that the MPS had not applied for a production order under the Official Secrets Act and that they had been sought under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act (PACE) in relation to a Directorate of Professional Standards investigation into alleged leaks from the MPS to the Guardian. This investigation involved an MPS officer allegedly leaking information from the phone hacking inquiry; the reference to the Official Secrets Act was made because it was necessary to show the court that certain offences may have been committed in order to satisfy the requirements of PACE. The MPS had then reviewed its decision and after further consideration and legal advice the application was withdrawn pending further discussion with CPS and counsel. The Commissioner in response to members’ questions said that more legal advice could have been taken before an application was made and that in future he would expect the senior investigating officer to make the decision as to whether to make any application.

Undercover officers

37.18 Members put a number of questions to the Commissioner regarding a recent case where an undercover police officer had been convicted and had used his undercover name during the case. These included:

• Would the Met conduct an audit of every undercover policing operation to see if spies lied in court?
• Following recent revelations concerning undercover officer Jim Boyling, his prosecution and subsequent conviction under his ‘alias’, would the MPS:

Undertake a thorough investigation into this and any other cases where undercover officers have been charged with criminal offences and notify co-defendants in any such cases of the facts?

• Would the MPS give an assurance as to the current oversight and supervision of undercover officers, and provide details of any guidance issued in respect of their use.
• In relation to the undercover officer known as "Jim Sutton":

Was the officer authorised by his superiors to lie to the court about his identify? If so, who authorised this, why was it authorised and is this officer still working for the Met?

37.19 The Commissioner confirmed that an auditing of an undercover operations and all covert undercover operation was on-going, and that as of the date of this meeting, those reviewed were fully compliant with the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000. Those issues raised in the Guardian were historical events and he was confident that current operations were legal, ethical and being carried out in good faith. The Commissioner that he had also called for further audits of cases where undercover officers have been involved but have not yet appeared in Court and of operations in the pipeline which might in the future lead to the employment of an undercover officer. In addition, he also confirmed that as part of that audit he had asked for it to include those deployments of the MPS National Domestic Extremism Unit. He would also be seeking some external evaluation of these audits and he had approached both the Office for Surveillance Commissioners and HMIC to ask them to provide some independent review.

37.20 Regarding the audit of covert operations, the Commissioner pointed out that this was assessing various issues arising from covert deployments for the period 1968 to 2008 and that this would be complex due to time elapsed and the nature of the volume of the material and sensitivity of the issues involved. He added any matters that may arise from the review would be referred to the IPCC. He also confirmed that the MPS were in contact with the CPS regarding the case that had been widely reported in the media where a undercover officer did not reveal his identity when at court. In relation to a further case referred to by a member in which an officer had also used a false name in court in 1997, the Commissioner confirmed that this had already been referred to the IPCC. It was noted that the same officer was also subject to a misconduct process relating to alleged allegations and relationships during his deployment, but not to do with travelling through the court system under another name.

37.21 The Commissioner also informed members that the HMIC report on this matter that he had initiated was now being undertaken by Sir Dennis O’Connor and that the report which was due for imminent publication had now been delayed. He added that he felt that this was a sensible delay in order to afford Sir Dennis an opportunity to ensure he was satisfied with the recommendations, which may include how this process can be better supervised.

37.22 Members sought clarification from the Commissioner about cover police officers retaining a false identity when in court. The Commissioner felt it was important to distinguish between lying and protecting an officer’s identity and about assessing the legality of doing that. In response to member’s questions regarding co-defendants, the Commissioner suggested that he would expect that the CPS would provide notification to co-defendants solicitors, particularly as there a possibility of a right of appeal. A number of members felt that this was not a view that would be shared by members of the public

37.23 Members asked the Commissioner if the officer concerned was still working within the MPS and if the IPCC were investigating the matter themselves or if they were supervising an MPS investigation. The Commissioner felt that at this stage as the officer concerned was currently subjected to misconduct issues it would be unfair to go into further detail. Regarding a supervised investigation with the IPCC the Commissioner stated that the IPCC investigation was at an early stage and decisions on how to proceed were yet to be confirmed and while the suggestion could be raised it was a matter for them to decide. The Chairman agreed with members that members should be informed as soon as possible as to how the IPCC would be taking this matter forward.

Knife Crime

37.24 In the light of the recent statistics on knife crime members asked the Commissioner when would there be a new intelligence approach to stop and search, and will this new approach lead to a reduction in the overall number of stop and searches?

37.25 The Commissioner confirmed that the new intelligence approach to stop and search was likely to commence in the new year, this would allow for this to be taken forward by a newly appointed assistant commissioner. The Commissioner was keen to ensure that stop and search was more intelligence lead and that a proper strategy was developed to included develop such things as working with Crime stoppers about anonymous information being passed on. The Commissioner stated that regarding reductions of stop and search, he could not commit to entirely stopping section 60 searches as they did have value, but he was keen to develop benchmarking as part of stop and search and stop and account.

Critical mass

37.26 Members asked the Commissioner what guidance was he giving to officers on the policing of critical mass events. Linked to this question, members gave an example of an incident where and person on an event was struck by a car and when reporting this to the police no action was taken.

37.27 The Commissioner stated that he would expect the officers to investigate the allegation and agreed to look into this particular incident. On the broader question he confirmed that the Safer Transport Command had a co-operative relationship with a number of cycling groups. He added that most events were usually good natured and that at the events the MPS used the opportunity to raise issues of safety and road use. For those less co-operative events he confirmed that these were managed by serial and operational planning teams, but often those responsible for the events did not want to engage with the police.

Illegal vehicles

37.27 The Commissioner was asked how would he reverse the decline of ANPR operations in London in order to reduce the number of criminals on roads and when would there changes to ANPR operations take place.

37.28 The Commissioner informed members that he did think that there was a need for a new ANPR strategy and one that builds on that there are two ways to use ANPR the first being mobile and the second fixed. The Commissioner stated that he felt that there could be more use made of fixed ANPR and that there was a need to develop and increase mobile ANPR. He confirmed that he was an advocate of the system as they were positive around both road safety and taking criminal off the roads.

Police numbers

37.29 Members asked could the Commissioner provide an update on what discussions he had undertaken with the Home Office about maintaining current police numbers for a longer period. They also asked could he specify how long he would like number to remain and did he accept that numbers would be cut after the Olympic Games.

37.30 The Commissioner stated that he would like to maintain current officer number for as long as possible and to increase numbers if possible. He confirmed that to date he had not held any direct discussions with the Home Office on police numbers and that he had left this to the Police Authority and Mayor as part of their grant discussions. He added that the retention of officers after the Olympics was dependent upon future public finances.

37.31 Members asked the Commissioner to comment on the police officer forecast outline in his report which indicated that police officer compliment in March 2012 was meant to be 32,320, but forecast to be 500 officers less. Members asked if this was due to resources and a recruitment freeze.

37.32 The Commissioner informed members that the forecast had been made to go under rather than over. He added that it is a complex issue in terms of setting a budget for a police officer numbers as you cannot set a budget that goes over and is regularly shifting due to a number of issues including resignations. He confirmed that the MPS were trying to manage the risk by keeping some recruiting going, but clearly not so that it exceeded the budget.

37.33 Members asked the Commissioner to comment on the suggestion that there were around 6,000 officers who where currently on restricted or recuperative duties. The Commissioner confirmed that there were officers who were on restricted or recuperative duties, but he did not recognise the figure of 6,000 and would be interested to have more information on that.

Total Policing

37.34 Members asked the Commissioner what was the first key area he intend to focus on as part of his Total Policing agenda relating to your ‘total war on crime’ and ‘total care of victims’.

37.35 The Commissioner reiterated the three broad aims he intended to follow as part of the challenge of policing London: a total campaign against criminals; total support for victims; and the processes for dealing with both of these key issues. He highlighted a key element as being identifying best practice and ensuring that this becomes imbedded into the day to day working practices. He added that it was important that the organisation as a whole needed to concentrate on themes across the organisation together, treating an issue as a joint campaign. Regarding victims of crime, the Commissioner stressed the importance of victim care. Whilst acknowledging that there had been some excellent work by the MPS in this area, he felt there was much more to be done, particularly around keeping victims informed. In noting members comments around dealing with smaller crimes, the Commissioner felt that the MPS needed to be dealing with all crime.

Sobriety Scheme

37.36 Members asked the Commissioner in relation to the sobriety scheme:

• Approximately how much has it cost the MPS to tackle alcohol-related crime in the past 5 years?
• What are your views on the Sobriety Scheme?
• Would you agree that urgent action is needed to tackle the inordinate costs of alcohol-related crimes?

37.37 The Commissioner confirmed that in principle he was in favour of the scheme, but as discussions on the matter progressed in different forums he was concerned that proposals were becoming ‘watered down’. He informed members that currently a view had been expressed that the scheme could be undertaken under conditional cautions, but he felt that this would then lead to a suspect only having to take part in the scheme on a voluntary basis.

37.38 The Chairman confirmed that amendments had been submitted as part of the sentencing bill, which would allow the MPS to run the scheme.

37.39 Some members felt that it was important that to acknowledge that a considerable amount of work in this area had been undertaken by local communities and that this should not be ignored. A number of members suggested that if the scheme was implemented then it was important that it did not just focus of certain areas of London.

Forensic Service

37.40 Members asked the Commissioner what structures were in place to manage the 180 Forensic Science Service scientists who have been moved into Scotland Yard.

37.41 The Commissioner informed members that the initial transfer of the forensic service had been the transfer of building and assets and that this had been quite complex. The MPS had to also take on some Home Office functions which will need some time to be embedded in to the service. He added that following deregulation, a regulator has been established which will support the reassurance that the service is an independent body from the police

Policing during Olympics

37.42 Members asked the Commissioner, a number of questions relating to foreign police and security staff being brought into the UK during the Olympics. These included:

• Would any such people have diplomatic immunity
• How many would be in the UK during this period and to whom will they be responsible for their instructions
• Would any be armed
• Had the MPS the authority to veto the carrying of arms.

37.43 The Commissioner confirmed that there was no intention of brining in foreign police of security staff into the UK during the Olympic Games. He added that foreign police may choose to travel as part of there own country’s delegation, but they were not part of the planning for the security of the Olympics. Regarding issues of diplomatic immunity, the Commissioner stated that this was a matter for the Commonwealth Office.

37.44 The Commissioner confirmed that the MPS Close Protection Command Unit would be protecting VIP and that there was a presumption that close protection officers would be armed. He also confirmed that the MPS does have authority veto the carrying of arms and that any request to carry arms must be applied for. He concluded by confirming that any foreign police or security staff who travelled to the Olympics as part of there country’s delegation as subject to UK law.

Sensible policing

37.45 Members were pleased to learn that the Commissioner was a proponent of sensible policing. They asked what would he doing to ensure that police spend less time undertaking back office duties and return to catching criminals. Arising from this question members raised the concerns about the increase in metal theft.

37.46 The Commissioner in condoning the increase in metal theft, particularly those from memorials and transport facilities which could have a serious safety issue, confirmed that the MPS were engaged in tacking this crime. He confirmed that this included checking scrap metal dealers and informed members that British Transport Police were leading on this matter particularly as there had been an increase in metal theft from transport networks.

Safer Neighbourhood Policing

37.47 Regarding safer neighbourhood policing members asked that following the introduction of a new operating model for Safer Neighbourhood Teams, and the reduction in the number of sergeants in these teams, under what circumstances can Safer Neighbourhood officers and PCSOs be abstracted?

37.48 The Commissioner stated that there had been a previous limit around safer neighbourhood team planned abstraction and there were times when the team or PCSOs had to be abstracted. He added that there now needed to be further discussion around the parameter of what abstractions should not exceed, he felt setting a target would inform the MPS better about where and what teams are doing. He added that some of the current issues of teams moving around or onto different neighbourhood are linked to the affects of the vacancies accumulating of PCSO having become police officers and current budgetary restrains around recruitment.

37.49 In a recent interview with Police Professional the Commissioner was quoted as saying, in regard to SNTs, that there was ‘no doubt the loss of sergeants is not a positive outcome, and revealed that he would have plans for SNTs. Members asked if he could outline those plans.

37.50 The Commissioner stated that the comment was not an announcement that the 150 sergeants would be staying, but an acknowledgement that it was hard to inform a community of the loss of what they may see as seniority or lack of a person. He was keen to point out to those communities that whilst a sergeant had been taken out of a team in many areas PSCO had now become police officers and that there were the same numbers in safer neighbourhood teams in wards. He added that future developments were subject to budgetary decisions.

Waltham Forest – Gang prevention

37.51 Regarding the London Borough of Waltham Forest about their gang prevention programme, ‘Enough is Enough’. was this model being used elsewhere, and what resources are the MPS putting into tackling gangs across London?

37.52 The Commissioner confirmed that the Waltham Forest gang prevention programme was known to the MPS as the connect programme. He confirmed that this programme had been rolled out to several boroughs but was planning to meet with another 14 borough to what they can do to join the connect programme.

Written responses to questions

37.53 A number of questions were also submitted to the Commissioner to which members were content to receive written replies to. These were as follows:

• Civilianisation
• Overtime
• SNT
• Flights and hotels
• Estates strategy progress and process
• Police vehicles
• Homophobic crimes
• Cardiff model
• Sick leave
• Bureaucracy
• Targets commitment
• Girls & youth violence
• Tackling drugs
• CCTV
• Parliament Square campers
• Entertainment Events Licensing

Other questions raised by members

Riot Damages Act

37.54 As part of his report to members the Commissioner referred to the potential £200 million claims under the Riot Damages Act and that there was an assumption that this would be meet by the Government. Members asked that if this was not the case could the MPA/MPS meet these costs and what was the planning contingency around this possibility.

37.55 The Chairman confirmed that he had discussed this matter with the Government and he stated that there was no reason to believe that the Government would not be providing this money. Although this was not yet confirmed the discussion had been positive and the Home Office were aware of the serious budget difficulties if this proved not to be the case. The Treasurer added overtime cost had been paid, but had not yet paid out on mutual aide. In relation to some of the larger claims under the Act, he added that some of these could take some time to be completed.

Demonstration at St Paul’s Cathedral

37.56 Members asked the Commissioner to provide and update on the demonstration outside St Pauls Cathedral.

37.57 The Commissioner confirmed that as well as the demonstration outside St Pauls Cathedral, which falls in the jurisdiction of the Corporation of London there was a similar tented demonstration at Finsbury Park, which is within the MPS area. The matter was complicated as there were a number of issues around ownership of land at both sites. The Commissioner provided details of the input of the MPS with regard to the demonstration in the City of London, which was that the City of London were leading, but there was MPS officers facilitating them. He added that at present both the Corporation and leaders of St Paul’s Cathedral were seeking legal advice on how to end the demonstration.

37.58 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.

38. Stop and Account

(Agenda item 6)

38.1 Members received a report that provided an update in the proposed changes to recording requirements for Stop and Search and Stop and Account, as contained in the Crime and Security Act 2010, which came into force on 7 March 2010. The report provided a ‘historic’ timeline for Stop and Account and which detailed the engagement and consultation process, both externally and internally, that had been carried out to consult and seek the views of Londoners on whether or not the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) could cease to record Stop and Search.

38.2 Members were informed that MPS had now reached a decision to continue the recording of Stop and Account.

38.3 Members in welcoming the MPS decision to retain Stop and Account, alluded to previous discussions about the effective input from MPA members, particularly those members of the Communities, Equalities and People Committee, who had through the public scrutiny process sought and achieved from the MPS a decision to undertake community consultation on Stop and Account. This had shown the effective contribution that a police authority can achieve and demonstrated the importance of community engagement.

resolved – That the members note the decision of the MPS Management Board to continue the recording of Stop and Account in the MPS.

38. Reports from committees

(Agenda item 7)

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

• Communities, Equalities and Police Committee – 1 September 2011
• Strategic and Operational Policing Committee – 8 September 2011
• Finance and Resources Committee – 22 September 2011

38.2 Members sought some details regarding the £6.2 million overspend referred to in the report from the Finance and Resources Committee report and if this overspend was planned. The Chairman confirmed that £6.3 million overspend had been spent against a planned budget. He added that the planned budget included various cost savings and that budget verses spend target savings on budget month by month were not often met and that this had been the pattern for the past few years on overspends, but the savings were built in.

38.3 Members also asked that in the same report, reference was made to the MPA being well placed should it be necessary to borrow to cover peaks in expenditure and asked if and when this borrowing is likely to happen. The Chairman informed members that this was what happened when the Authority did not receive money in the same profile that it was spent and it is borrowed short-term to bridge peaks on a short term basis. He reassured members that under borrowing rules money could not be borrowed that could not be repaid.

resolved – That the report be received.

39. Any other urgent business

(Agenda item 9)

39.1 No other urgent items were received.

The meeting closed at 12:50 pm

Addendum to the Commissioner’s Report

Report by the Commissioner

This report follows up on the actions and commitments made verbally by the Commissioner and the MPS Director of Resources at the Full Authority meeting on 15 September 2011.

The Commissioner agreed to provide updates to Members on the following issues:

Written response to questions from Members

1. Members asked for written responses regarding the following questions:

• Health care and custody suites
• Metropolitan police horses
• August riots
• Safer Neighbourhood team sergeants
• Rehabilitation of offenders
• Risks from smoke inhalation to police officers
• Gang intervention work
• Deaths in police custody
• Metal theft
• Surge capacity

Responses have been provided to the MPA.

Briefing on the Stolen Vehicles Unit

2. A Members’ briefing has been arranged for 3 November.

Contracts approved by MPS Director of Public Affairs

3. Information will be provided to the MPA by 27 October 2011.

Details of donated assets referred to in the statement of accounts for the year ended 31 March 20111 and Annual Governance Report 2010/11.

4. Information has been provided to the MPA.

Review of the MPS response to the Barbar Ahmad investigations and judicial findings that can be publicly published.

5. Further legal advice has been requested in relation to publication of a report on this issue. It is difficult at this stage to give an indication as to when that advice will be received. However, the matter is to be reviewed again in 28 days.

Report author: Beverley Stanford, Strategic Relationships, MPS

Background papers None

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