Consultation: development of the 2001/02 Policing and Performance Plan

Report: 5
Date: 28 July 2000
By: Commissioner & Clerk

Summary

In developing a policing plan for the MPS a key duty of the MPA will be to obtain the views of people in the area about matters concerning policing (Police Act 1996). Consultation is currently being reviewed as part of the best value programme, resulting in development of a long term strategy. As this is due to report later in the year an interim approach is necessary.

This report suggests an interim approach to consultation for the 2001/2002 policing plan.

A. Supporting information

Introduction

1. This paper outlines a consultation process that could be used to inform development of the 2001/02 policing and performance plan. It includes information on a range of options that could be used to expand (or contract) the proposed process. The proposal builds on some of the preliminary ideas arising from the review and has been developed jointly by and the MPS and MPA officers.

Why is consultation necessary?

2. Consultation is performed so that the views expressed by all sections of the community can shape the 2001/02 corporate priorities, targets and focus of the MPS. It will help the Service to meet the needs of the people of London. To obtain best value from the consultation performed it is important that the desired outcomes from it are clearly defined so that the process can be designed accordingly. In the context of informing development of the policing and performance plan there are four possible aims:

• To identify public priorities for policing in London. [These can then be taken into account when deciding what the MPS’s corporate priorities should be].
• To identify stakeholder priorities for policing in London.
• To obtain internal and external input into the underlying issues that may arise when achieving the priorities.
• To set performance targets for the priorities that are relevant to service users’ needs.

The relative importance placed on each of the above aims will influence the shape of the final process adopted.

3. As an example of the third point above, if street crime is a priority the public may say they consider it to be so because of its adverse publicity, and hence their fear of it happening. This response would indicate that the MPS needs to address the public’s fear of street crime, as well as taking steps to prevent it happening. The input will enable the MPA to judge the emphasis that should be placed on each aspect of achieving the priorities.

Consultation for the 2001/02 plan

4. The proposed consultation process is shown in annex A. The approach uses a number of existing and new methods to consult with the public. The process is in two key stages:

• the first provides consultation to develop MPS draft priorities, and
• the second provides consultation to refine the draft priorities

The suggested consultation process combines a variety of methods (tools) to overcome the deficiencies inherent in each. As the best value review of consultation progresses opportunities may arise for other consultative approaches to be used. A paper is being developed by MPA officers that will provide options for consulting with the community and voluntary sector in London.

Consultation tools

5. A range of consultation techniques that could be employed is shown in Annex B. This list is not exhaustive but summarises the techniques that the MPS has experience of using or has considered piloting as part of its best value review. The tools can be combined in a variety of ways to achieve the desired outcome(s).

Shown alongside the proposed process in Annex A are some optional tools that could also be used. They have not been included in the main proposal for reasons which include cost, or the fact that they merely replicate information available from use of another tool. Naturally, the more tools that are employed, the more costly the process will become.

B. Recommendation

That the process described in Annex A be approved.

C. Financial implications

Annex B illustrates the relative financial costs of different consultation tools.

D. Review arrangements

Consultation is a current best value review.

E. Background papers

The following is a statutory list of background papers (under the Local Government Act 1972 S.100 D) which disclose facts or matters on which the report is based and which have been relied on to a material extent in preparing this report. They are available on request to either the contact officer listed above or to the Clerk to the Police Authority at the address indicated on the agenda.

F. Contact details

The authors of this report are Paul Dutton, Derrick Norton and Simon Corkill (MPS).

For information contact:

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

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