Police Authority inspection update

Report: 10
Date: 15 October 2009
By: Chief Executive

Summary

This report updates members on the police authority inspection, due to take place at the end of November 2009. It provides details on the timing and content of the inspection process.

A. Recommendation

That members note the report and begin preparation to take part in the process.

B. Supporting information

Introduction

1. Members were told of plans for HMIC and the Audit Commission jointly to inspect all police authorities in England and Wales in a report to this committee in February 2009. The MPA response to their consultation the inspection process was also discussed by this committee in June. This report updates MPA members on their plans to inspect the MPA in late November 2009. MPA officers had raised concerns about the timing of the inspection with both HMIC and the Audit Commission, but were unsuccessful in delaying the process.

Timetable

2. The inspectors have agreed a timetable for the MPA inspection. Key dates are as follows:

• Week commencing (w/c) 28 Sept 2009 – team leader to meet with chief executive – introductory meeting to discuss process, documentation, attendance at key committee and partnership meetings. (This happened on 1 October 2009).
• W/c 2 November – Scene Setting Meeting. Inspection team will attend a meeting led by the MPA chair. This gives the MPA an opportunity to showcase the Authority and set the context for the inspection. (Due to availability this is likely to take place the preceding week – on 29 October 2009)
• 30 November to 11 December – Team on-site. The team leader will debrief the chief executive (or her nominee) daily at 5pm, and provide the chair and chief executive with ‘hot debrief’ on the afternoon of the 11 Dec.
• W/c 4 Jan 2010 - draft report to be sent to police authority for comments – to be returned by 11 January 2010.
• 1 February 2010 – report to be published.

Team

3. The team will be led by Sir Brian Briscoe, formerly the chief executive of the Local Government Association, and chief executive of Hertfordshire County Council. Other team members are:

• Diana Sampson, HMIC
• David Roberts, HMIC (staff officer to HMI (London), formerly a chief superintendent in Cambridgeshire Constabulary)
• John Bainbridge, HMIC (chief superintendent in the HMIC London office)
• Vipal Thacker, Audit Commission (performance auditor)
• Catherine Ryan, Audit Commission (administrative support)

4. The peer support will be provided by Jacky Courtney, Chief Executive of West Midlands Police Authority and Jill Newton, an independent member of Northamptonshire Police Authority.

5. Denis O’Connor, Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector, will be involved in some of the key senior meetings including those with the Chair and the Commissioner. Bernard Hogan-Howe (the new HMI for London) will also be involved.

Pre-inspection activity

6. The inspectors have provided us with a comprehensive document request, which we will be responding to shortly.

7. The inspectors will be undertaking a series of ‘reality checks’ between now and the inspection. This will involve attending key authority meetings, Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership and Local Strategic Partnership and community engagement meetings. In order to facilitate this, we have provided a list of contacts at Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnerships (CDRP), Local Strategic Partnerships (LSP) and Community Police Engagement Groups (CPEG), and an MPA committee calendar. We have also provided details of the independent custody visitor panel meetings and forthcoming Joint Engagement Meetings.

8. They will also be sending stakeholder questionnaires (to be followed up with telephone interviews) to local MPs, borough commanders, voluntary organisations, victim support etc.

9. They wish to undertake several focus groups – OCU commanders, CPEG Chairs, CDRP chairs.

10. MPA officers are providing the inspection team with relevant details. Where possible, members will be informed which meetings they are attending in advance.

On-site activity

11. The two week on-site period will be spent interviewing. These will include:

• Chair, vice chair, committee chairs
• Member focus group
• Chief executive and senior management team members
• Commissioner, deputy commissioner, assistant commissioners, directors of HR and Resources

12. They will also want to interview other MPA staff.

Focus of the inspection

13. The Audit Commission and HMIC have recently published the specific grading criteria which enable us to understand what they are looking for under each of the key lines of inquiry and prepare for the inspection. These are attached at appendix 1.

Key issues arising:

14. MPA officers have met to discuss the specific grading criteria and the possible vulnerabilities and work is underway to develop solutions to these. We are currently consolidating our position and further information will be provided members for feedback in due course.

15. MPA officers are also developing ideas for the scene-setting session at the beginning of November. BMG members have been asked to advise officers on how they would like to see this session develop. We are also in dialogue with colleagues from police authorities that have already been subject to inspection, to identify best practice.

16. In terms of ensuring the MPA membership is engaged, it is proposed to hold a lunchtime briefing session on 22 October and an informal session at the member awayday. A further session in November may also be required.

17. A significant part of the inspection will be spent discussing our role/impact with the MPS. The Chief Executive, Catherine Crawford, will be attending an MPS SMT meeting to update them on the process.

C. Race and equality impact

The inspection process will explicitly consider how the MPA delivers it statutory and general oversight responsibilities and how it holds the MPS to account in respect of equality and diversity matters.

D. Financial implications

There are no direct financial implications in that the MPA is not required to meet the cost of the inspection. There are opportunity costs in relation to the preparation for the inspection and as a result of the on-site activity.

E. Background papers

• None

F. Contact details

Report author: Siobhan Coldwell, Head of Oversight and Review

For information contact:

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

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