Minutes

Minutes of the Standards Committee of the Metropolitan Police Authority held on 13 December 2004 at 10 Dean Farrar Street, London SW1H 0NY.

Present

Members

• Jenny Jones
• Aneeta Prem
• Murad Qureshi (for part of meeting)
• Ian Whitburn

MPA officers

• David Riddle (Deputy Clerk)
• Simon Vile (Head of Secretariat)

Part 1

1. Election of Chair and Deputy Chair

(Agenda item 1)

It was moved, seconded and

Resolved - That Aneeta Prem be appointed Chair for the year and that Ian Whitburn be appointed Deputy Chair.

2. Apologies for absence

(Agenda item 2)

Apologies for absence were received from Stephanie Caplan and Bob Neill.

3. Declarations of interests from members of the committee

(Agenda item 3)

No declarations were made.

4. Minutes: 27 February

(Agenda item 3)

Resolved – That the minutes of the meeting held on 27 February be agreed and signed as a correct record.

5. Standards indicators

(Agenda item 7)

The Committee considered a report by the Clerk suggesting a range of indicators that might be used to draw conclusions about standards within the Authority.

It was recognised that some of these indicators related to the standards of members whilst others were directed more at the general health of the organisation. It would not be the Standard Committee’s role to enquire in detail into, for instance, individual employment tribunals, but the numbers of ETs could indicate potential problems.

In this connection it was suggested that the Committee might wish to review its terms of reference. At present these are fairly tightly drawn to address the Committee’s statutory requirements in relation to member conduct but should perhaps be extended, particularly bearing in mind the relationship between the Government’s model code of conduct for staff and that for members.

Resolved – That

1. the set of indicators contained in the report be agreed for regular report to the Committee; and
2. proposals be put to the next meeting on an extension of the Committee’s terms of reference

6. Third annual assembly of Standards committees

(Agenda item 6)

As Stephanie Caplan was unable to attend the meeting, feedback on issues raised at the conference was deferred to the next meeting. However, several issues were discussed arising from the newsletter produced by the Standards Board for England. Ian Whitburn referred to the independent members’ forums that had been established across the country and the benefits of independent members exchanging views and experiences to help them carry out their specific role on standards committees. He expressed an interest in becoming involved in the London forum.

The Committee also discussed the issue of longer terms for independent standards committee members. The MPA independent members had been appointed for a term of four years, to expire in 2005. There could be advantages in extending this to a five-year term, which would still be in accordance with Nolan principles. It was agreed that the Chair would discuss this suggestion with the Authority’s Chair. Simon Vile would raise it with the Greater London Authority and London Fire & Emergency Planning Authority, as the three Authorities had run a joint recruitment campaign.

It was also noted that the Standards Board for England would be reviewing the Code of Conduct in the New Year and would consult with public authorities at that stage. If appropriate, a meeting of the Standards Committee would be arranged or consultation carried out by letter.

Resolved – That

1. feedback on the Assembly of Standards Committees be deferred to the next meeting;
2. Simon Vile make contact with the London forum of independent members; and
3. consideration be given to extending the term of appointment for the MPA’s independent standards committee members, for report back to the next meeting.

7. Local investigations

(Agenda item 8)

The Committee considered a report by the Clerk outlining the new regulations that enable the local investigation of allegations, on referral from an Ethical Standards Officer.

The Chair asked for clarification as to whether the MPA was able to provide assistance and advice to a member who was the subject of an investigation.

It was also agreed that the next meeting of the Committee should discuss the feasibility of guidelines to achieve consistency in the application of any penalties.

Resolved – That the report be noted and discussion held at the next meeting on the feasibility of guidelines to achieve consistency in the application of any penalties.

8. Members’ allowances and expenses 2003/04

(Agenda item 9)

The Committee considered a report by the Clerk on the payments made to members of the Authority in respect of allowances and expenses in the financial year 2003/04.

Resolved – That the report be noted and copied to all members of the Authority.

9. Staff code of conduct and political restrictions

(Agenda item 10)

The Committee considered a report by the Clerk on Government proposals for a Model Code of Conduct for Local Government Employees and for changes to the political restrictions on those employees.

Resolved - That the report be noted.

The meeting ended at 11 a.m.

Send an e-mail linking to this page

Feedback