Disposition of MPA partnership funds at borough level –end of year report

Report: 12
Date: 14 October 2004
By: Commissioner

Summary

This report provides a position statement, at the end of the financial year, on the way that each Borough OCU, in consultation with the Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership (CDRP), has utilised the £50,000 partnership fund provided by the MPA in April 2003.

The report deals specifically with the 2003/4 allocation. However, where possible it gives details of proposed projects for the underspend carried forward.

A. Recommendation

That

1. members note the content of this report; and
2. the systems in place to monitor the distribution of the Fund and the changes that will be implemented for the next financial year.

B. Supporting information

1. The report is based on the end of year returns from all 32 London Boroughs. It should be noted that the last interim report was delivered in February 2003, so in many cases the situation is largely unchanged. The table contained in the Appendix 1 provides a more detailed breakdown of the allocations in each borough. This data gives an indication of the range and number of projects that have benefited from this funding.

2. Territorial Policing Business Accountants continue to be responsible for monitoring the actual distribution of the Partnership Fund. The purpose of this report is to show the manner in which BOCUs are using the Fund to support partnership activities within the boroughs.

3. As can be seen from the table attached, the MPA Partnership Fund has been used to support a variety of partnership initiatives. These range from small, community based projects to contributions to ongoing and substantial partnership initiatives. Several boroughs have been able to make significant financial allocations to statutory partnerships such as Youth Offending Teams, while others have taken the opportunity to fund posts relating to Anti Social Behaviour work and the coordination of volunteers working with the police.

4. A good number of the funded projects have a diversionary element and in due course there will be considerable interest, not least by the MPS Safer Neighbourhoods Unit, in the evaluation reports on these projects in particular.

5. The following breakdown shows the allocation of monies to several key topic areas. This is intended simply to give a quick reference guide to the distribution of the Partnership Fund:

Diversion

£314,794

Staffing

£349,869

Equipment

£278,107

Diversity

£155,600

Prevention

£139,472

Training

£10,000

6. This categorisation has been achieved by identifying the predominant theme of the project. It must be stressed that many of the projects cut across the categories shown above.

C. Race and equality impact

1. The returns indicate that approximately £155,600 has been allocated to projects which seek explicitly to address diversity related issues. In addition, further grants have been made that have diversity as an implicit factor. Some of the grants are for small amounts aimed at strengthening ties between groups within communities (examples include, Independent Advisory Groups (IAGs) and community forums). Several of the grants are sport/activity related.

2. There is no indication of any negative impact on minority groups arising out of the allocation of any of the MPA Partnership Fund. Furthermore it should be noted that all aspects of diversity have been addressed through this funding, with projects based on race, faith, gender, sexual orientation and ability differences.

D. Financial implications

1. As can be seen from appendix 1 there is a wide variation between the boroughs in respect of the number and range of projects that have been supported. In some cases boroughs have made relatively small grants to large numbers of projects while others have awarded large sums to one or two projects. This pattern may be said to reflect the broad and unrestrictive conditions imposed by the Authority.

2. There are indications that the MPA Fund has been used in order to lever-in additional funding. However, at the time of reporting, it is not possible to put an exact figure on the level of additional funding attracted. It is intended that we will be in a position to address this in respect of the 2004/2005 spend.

3. The monitoring of this fund falls to the MPS Safer Neighbourhoods Unit (Partnership Team) in line with the MPA Scrutiny Report recommendations. This team has been working closely with Territorial Policing Business Accountants to develop effective and comprehensive monitoring systems, which will be incorporated in force-wide policy in respect of funding.

E. Background papers

• Table showing breakdown of borough spending against the MPA Partnership Fund.

F. Contact details

Report author: Commander James Smith (TP Safer Neighbourhoods)

For more information contact:

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

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