Members' attendances at conferences

Report: 8
Date: 31 May 2001
By: Clerk

Summary

Going to relevant conferences, and other events such as fact finding visits, is an important aspect of the role of Members in terms of keeping up to date with best practice and sharing experiences. However, it is a significant commitment in terms of time and money. This report addresses how most value can be achieved from this commitment.

A. Recommendation

That Members endorse or amend the proposed process set out in paragraph 3.

B. Supporting information

1. Attendance at relevant conferences or seminars is part of the way in which Members, and officers, can gain a greater understanding of policing issues, learn about best practice and share experiences with others. The subject matter of events attended by Members so far has ranged from fairly specific topics, such as Best Value or Police Stops, to the annual conferences hosted by the Association of Police Authorities and the Association of Chief Police Officers.

2. Attendance at conferences and seminars represents a time commitment for those Members attending and a financial commitment for the Authority. It is important, therefore, that these resources are used most effectively by:

• ensuring that Members with interests in or responsibility for particular topic areas are informed of forthcoming conferences on that topic;
• arranging for some form of feedback from Members attending conferences so that the Authority as a whole can benefit.

3. It is also important that all Members have an equal opportunity to attend relevant conferences, whilst keeping expenditure within budget.

Appendix 1 (see Supporting material) are proposals for:

• assessing the relevance of a particular conference;
• the approval process.

Members are invited to comment on Appendix 1 (see Supporting material) and the following practical measures:

• Jenny Trevillion, Head of Liaison and Members Services will act as the focal point for receiving information about forthcoming events, and (as at present) her unit will make all bookings and other arrangements for Members;
• she will discuss with the relevant MPA policy officers which Members might appropriately be informed of a conference or seminar, taking into account the topic to be covered. Where the conference could potentially be of interest to all Members, she will consult with the Clerk;
• details will be kept of which Members have attended which conference during the year to ensure, as far as possible, that all Members have an equal opportunity to attend conferences of interest to them;
• Members attending a conference will be asked to complete a feedback form on it and to let Jenny Trevillion have any information pack produced for the conference (for her to copy and return). A judgement can then be made as to whether to include the information in the next Members' Update item to the Authority or a committee or to share the information with Members in another way. From time to time Members may also participate in fact finding visits – it would be helpful if details of these could also be reported for the information of other Members.

4. When officers attend a conference there will be a similar expectation that any information will be shared with Members and other officers, either by way of a committee report or a briefing note.

C. Financial implications

These proposals have no specific financial implications but one of their aims is to ensure that the Authority as a whole receives value for money from attendances at conferences.

D. Background papers

None.

E. Contact details

The author of this report is Simon Vile.

For information contact:

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

Send an e-mail linking to this page

Feedback