Connecting communities - bid for challenge funding

Report: 10
Date: 28 July 2000
By: Commissioner

Summary

The report is an Introductory note setting out MPS position on this most recent Home Office additional funding initiative aimed at race equality.

A. Supporting information

Aims of initiative

1. The Home Secretary launched this partnership initiative on 31 May with the aim of promoting race equality. The grant is worth £12 million over three years. The grant will fund projects in four support programme areas:

• Community Networks
• Opportunity Schemes
• More Representative Services
• Positive Images

2. In view of the timescales involved (deadline for the bids 31 July) and the relatively small sums involved, details of the funding opportunity were particularly directed at the MPS Personnel Department and the Race and Violent Crime Task Force. This did not preclude borough OCUs from being partners to bids with local authorities or other interested agencies. It was felt, however, that there might be greater benefit for a project with a Servicewide focus, such as attracting more officers from minority ethnic communities.

3. After internal discussion the MPS has decided upon a bid of £30k from the Race and Violent Crime Task Force under the ‘Community Networks’ programme. The bid is aimed at compiling a database of all community support groups to facilitate the formation of Local Police Advisory Groups, support consultation in Crime and Disorder Act audits and identify people whose advice can help resolve critical incidents. In view of the deadline it is not possible to present the full bid to members.

B. Recommendations

1. That the committee note that a bid has been prepared and the context of the preparation of that bid.
2. That the endorsement of the committee is sought in giving broad support for the bid.

C. Financial implications

The bid is based on £30k from the grant. This is made up of £20k salary costs for a researcher and £10k relating to information and communication technology. There is no additional MPS funding sought or anticipated.

D. Review arrangements

Bidders will be notified of the outcome of the bidding round at the end of September. A review of the status of the bid can therefore be brought to the subsequent meeting of this committee.

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.

• Connecting Communities Race Equality Grant - Application for Funding

F. Contact details

This report has been prepared by Michael Debens of Strategic Co-ordination. The bid has been compiled by Detective Superintendent Lovelock.

For information contact:

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

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