Quick time consultation

Report: 6
Date: 5 December 2002
By: Clerk

Summary

The Chair of the Authority has asked the Consultation Committee to develop a report which outlines a method by with the MPA will be able to access and seek the views of members of the public on key policing operational issues, as well as other emerging issues, in ‘quick time’. This report proposes a method and process for achieving this and is presented for members’ consideration.

A. Recommendations

1. Members consider the proposed options that could be adopted for engaging and seeking views on key MPS operational issues and other policing matters of interest to the community; and
2. note the initiatives that are already in place within the MPS that could contribute to the Authority’s ‘quick time’ consultation.

B. Supporting information

1. At the Coordination and Policing Committee (CoP) of 16 September, the MPA Chair asked this committee to consider ways in which the Authority could quickly seek the views of sections of the public on high profile and other policing matters, including operational policing initiatives, in order to inform the Authority’s response to the MPS.

2. The draft MPA and MPS Consultation Strategy has highlighted the need for a form of consultation. MPA Consultation staff will be continuing to seek the views of the MPS corporately, as well as boroughs and Community and Police Consultative Groups on the systems that they have in place for seeking the views of the local community on urgent matters as they arise.

3. The MPS already has a number of databases of contacts that can be utilised by the MPA for this type of consultation. Some of these are listed below:

• Young people - TP Policy (Youth)
• Minority ethnic communities - DCC4 duty officer
• Disabled people - DCC4 duty officer
• People without permanent homes - DCC4 duty officer for travellers
• LGBT - DCC4 duty officer
• Faith groups - DCC4 duty officer
• Refugee and asylum seekers - DCC4 duty officer

Although there is currently no MPS lead for issues surrounding older people and homeless people, this is being looked at by the MPS and the outcome will be made available to the Consultation Committee once this becomes available.

4. The Consultation, Diversity and Outreach Unit also has an up-to-date database of groups and organisations that could be used to contact groups and individuals to provide a pan London focus on issues. The Consultation Committee and Equal Opportunities and Diversity Board also have co-opted members who are connected to networks that can be made available to the Authority.

Community representatives

5. As part of its Black History Month (BHM) programme the MPA sought the views of borough commanders, MPA members and black and minority ethnic community groups which are working with the police on crime and community safety issues. As a result, a number of nominations were received and many of these individuals were profiled in the MPA BHM exhibition. These individuals are interested in working with the MPA, and could be another forum that could be utilised.

Pan-London organisations

6. In addition to seeking the views of local community representatives, there would be value in the Authority seeking to establish links for this type of consultation with key pan London organisations. The MPA already has established relationships with a number of these organisations, including those that are currently represented on this Committee.

7. Others, such as the Black Londoners Forum and Islamic Association have large memberships and are able to access their Members views, at least by e-mail, at relatively short notice. They are very keen to work to assist the Authority in achieving its objectives.

E- and media consultation

8. The Authority could utilise its website to seek the views of the public on key issues. The MPA and MPS websites receive a significant number of hits per day, and are mechanisms that could be used for any ‘quick time’ consultation. The MPA Communications Unit have already developed links with radio stations that attract listeners from priority groups, such as children and young people. Depending on the issue, the mechanism is there for these to be utilised, at relatively low cost to the Authority.

C. Equalities and race relations implications

The nature of the groups and organisations that will contribute to this initiative will be sufficiently representative and reflective of London’s diverse communities.

D. Financial implications

It is not anticipated that there will be any significant budget implications to any of the proposals in this report that could not be contained within current resources.

E. Background papers

• MPA and MPS draft Consultation Strategy

F. Contact details

Report author: Julia Smith

For more information contact:

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

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