The APA Annual Conference - 4/5 November 2003; The Policing the Police Conference - 5/7 November 2003 and the Police Diversity Management Conference 18/19 November 2003

Report: 6
Date: 03 October 2003
By: Clerk

Summary

This report seeks approval to the attendance of five MPA members at the APA Annual Conference to be held in Manchester on 4- 5 November 2003; the attendance of one MPA member at the Policing the Police Conference to be held in Belfast on 5-7 November 2003 and the attendance of two MPA members at the Police Diversity Management Conference in London on18-19 November 2003.

A. Recommendation

1. That approval is given to the attendance of five members at the APA Annual Conference.
2. That approval is given to the attendance of one member at the Policing the Police Conference.
3. That approval is given to the attendance of two members at the Police Diversity Management Conference.
4. That the Clerk be authorised to agree which Members should attend.

B. Supporting information

1. In May 2001 the Committee approved a process for agreeing Members’ attendance at conferences on behalf of the MPA. As part of this process, the Committee’s approval is required if the cost of the conference, including travel and accommodation expenses, exceeds £500 per delegate or £1,500 where more than one member is attending.

2. The APA Annual Conference is to be held at the Radisson SAS Hotel, Manchester 4-5 November. This conference: ‘Policing: A Framework for Excellence’ – will focus on how the framework of policing needs to develop further in order to deliver better policing to local communities, and police authorities’ key role in achieving this.

A high profile platform of speakers includes the Home Secretary, the Police Minister, and the Director of the National Centre for Policing Excellence, Sir David Phillips. It will also offer interactive panel discussions and extensive networking opportunities.

This conference is very relevant to the MPA and it is proposed that five members of the Authority attend as MPA representation.

3. The Policing the Police Conference is to be held at the Europa Hotel, Belfast 5-7 November. This conference is aimed at professionals working in the areas of police accountability. It will examine current issues, research findings and implications for the future of police accountability in the UK and internationally.

Some of the foremost authorities in the world will speak at the conference. It will stimulate a high level of debate and will provided delegates with insights into policing and accountability on a global basis.

This is clearly a conference that is very relevant to the MPA and it is proposed that one member of the Authority attend as MPA representation.

4. The Police Diversity Management Conference 2003 is to be held at the Thistle Palace Hotel, London 18-19 November.

This conference: ‘embedding diversity to increase police performance and creditability service-wide’ – will address the implications of new race and diversity amendments and discuss strategies for ensuring service-wide commitment at all levels, providing real solutions to meet the demanding requirements of a diverse work force. Leading diversity organisations such as the NBPA and the BAWP along with representation from the APA, the Police Federation and the Police Superintendents Association will participate in the discussions. This is an important event that is very relevant to the MPA and it is proposed that two members of the Authority attend as MPA representation.

5. The Committee’s agreement is sought as the cost of each conference exceeds the £500 threshold. The cost of the APA Conference is £450 per delegate inclusive of accommodation for one night. Travel will be £269, making a total cost per delegate of £719.The cost of the Policing the Police Conference is £399 per delegate and three nights accommodation cost £300. Air travel will cost £127.30 inclusive of air tax, making a total cost per delegate of £826.30.The cost of the Police Diversity Management Conference is £699 per delegate; as the conference will be held in London there will be no additional costs for hotel accommodation and travel.

C. Equality and diversity implications

There are no specific equality and diversity implications in this report.

D. Financial implications

The costs can be met from the members’ training/conferences budget for 2003/04. However the budget - £15,000 - will not be sufficient for the whole year, on the basis of current spend. A virement from another underspending budget will be necessary in due course.

E. Background papers

• Conference programmes

F. Contact details

Report author: Yvonne Peart, MPA.

For more information contact:

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

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