Minutes

Minutes of the Standards Committee of the Metropolitan Police Authority held on 5 October 2006 at 10 Dean Farrar Street, London SW1H 0NY.

Present

Members

• Aneeta Prem (Chair)
• Anne Dickens
• John Roberts

MPA officers

• David Riddle (Deputy Chief Executive)
• Simon Vile (Head of Secretariat)

1. Apologies for absence

(Agenda item 1)

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

2. Declarations of interests

(Agenda item 2)

No interests declared.

3. Minutes

(Agenda item 3)

Resolved – That the minutes of the meeting of the Standards Committee held on 16 March 2006 be agreed and signed as a correct record.

4. Standards Indicators

(Agenda item 4)

The Committee considered a report by the Chief Executive presenting the quarterly Standards Indicators.

There were no matters of concern in the data for the three quarters so far this year except that the Committee noted that no member had made any declarations of gifts or hospitality received. Whilst that might be because no gifts or hospitality had been offered/accepted, the Committee asked the officers to remind members of their obligations in this respect. It was also suggested that a comparison be sought with declarations made to the Greater London Authority by London Assembly Members. It was also noted that member attendance at committee meetings had been good over this period.

Resolved - That the report be noted.

5. Indemnity Scheme for Members

(Agenda item 5)

The Committee considered a report by the Chief Executive proposing an Indemnity Scheme for Members. It was agreed that it would be important to issue guidance for members, for instance to be clear about situations where a member might be acting in several roles.

Resolved – That the full Authority be recommended to:

1. approve the Indemnity Scheme attached as Appendix A to the report; and
2. give delegated authority to the Deputy Chief Executive and Solicitor to the Authority as set out in the Scheme and in paragraphs 14 & 15 of the report.

6. CIPFA/SOLACE Consultation – Good Governance in Local Government

(Agenda item 6)

The Committee considered a report by the Treasurer on CIPFA/SOLACE proposals for a new corporate governance framework. Members noted that in its present form the framework was drafted in terms of local authorities and did not reflect the circumstances of other bodies such as police authorities. It was agreed, however, that it provided a good basis for a structured approach to corporate governance.

The Committee noted that the Corporate Governance Committee had overall responsibility in this area but that the Standards Committee would have a significant contribution to make in terms of the parts of the framework dealing with ethics and conduct.

A further report would be presented to the Committee when the corporate governance framework had been finalised and published.

Resolved – That

1. the Committee notes the content of the draft Framework and endorses the MPA’s response; and
2. once the Framework has been finalised, a further report be put to the committee on how it can be used to further the Authority’s corporate governance work.

7. Guidance on behaviour and the use of language

(Agenda item 7)

The Committee considered a report by the Chief Executive inviting the Committee to agree the production of guidance for members on behaviour and the use of language.

Members discussed the importance of some training for members being an obligatory part of their induction process, particularly in those areas where behaviour could be relevant to the Authority’s statutory obligations, such as the Race Relations Amendment Act. A broader review was required and this should be carried out at the appropriate time. The next round of member appointments was in 2008, but work to raise awareness of ethical behaviour issues would not wait until then and should be taken forward as part of the MPA’s Improvement Programme.

Resolved – That guidance be produced for MPA members.

8. Case study – confidentiality and the public interest

(Agenda item 8)

The Committee considered a report by the Chief Executive on a case where the Adjudication Panel for England made an important decision in relation to the disclosure of confidential information and how this is to be considered in the context of the Member Code of Conduct.

The Deputy Chief Executive reported that guidance was being produced on member responsibilities in relation to confidential briefings. He would copy this to Committee members when finalised.

Resolved – That the report be received.

9. MPA cases dealt with by the Standards Board for England

(Agenda item 9)

The Committee received as information a report by the Chief Executive providing summaries of cases where the Standards Board for England had investigated and come to decisions on allegations made against MPA members.

10. ANY OTHER BUSINESS

(Agenda item 10)

It was agreed that it would be useful to hold a meeting of Standards Committee Independent Members in the GLA family.

It was also

Resolved – That the full Authority be recommended to amend the Committee’s terms of reference to include monitoring the Authority’s response to the Freedom of Information Act.

The meeting ended at 12.30 p.m.

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