MPA/MPS submission to SR2004

Report: 4
Date: 23 January 2004
By: Treasurer and Commissioner

Summary

The report presents the draft submission to the Government’s public spending review, SR2004, making the case for additional resources over the period 2005/08. Members are asked to endorse the submission.

A. Recommendations

That members note and endorse the draft submission to the Government’s public spending review, SR2004.

B. Supporting information

Introduction

1. The Government is engaged in its latest public spending review, SR2004. This will result in new public spending plans for the three year period 2005/08 and the outcome is expected to be announced in July 2004.

2. The case for resources for the police service nationally is developed by APA and ACPO through the work of the Expenditure Forecasting Group. The Treasurer is a member of the Group and has sought to ensure that themes relevant to the Metropolitan Police are reflected in the submission.

3. The Mayor is inputting to SR2004 in two stages. Firstly he has lead the production of a regional emphasis document identifying priorities for the London region. Secondly he will make a submission to the Treasury covering both London-wide needs and summarising the cases for growth for members of the GLA group, including the MPA.

4. The MPS, with support from the MPA Treasurer, has developed a case for additional resources which will provide input to the Mayor’s case but will also be submitted direct to the Home Office. This report presents the draft submission to members for comment and endorsement.

Basis of submission

5. The draft submission is based on information which has already been considered and approved by the Authority. It sets out the medium term financial projections included with the MPA’s 2004/05 budget submission to the Mayor approved on 30 October 2003, in order to demonstrate the scale of increase required simply to stand still and preserve current levels of service. Coupled with this is the argument for the early release of the MPA’s full formula grant entitlement to ensure these costs do not fall unduly on London’s council taxpayers.

6. The case for additional growth in the MPS is based on the Step Change programme as reported to the Authority on 30 October and 9 December 2003. This has been presented under three headings:

• Re-assurance policing
• Revitalising the criminal justice system
• Serious and organised crime

7. A separate bid for additional funding for counter terrorism has also been developed and is already being discussed with the Home Office. It is incorporated in the SR2004 submission for completeness.

8. The executive summary is attached. The full document, excluding detail of the counter terrorism proposals, can be made available to members on request.

9. The draft is already being shared with the Mayor and officials at the Home Office and these discussions may result in modifications to improve the presentation.

Related activity

10. There is a particular concern that the demands on the national and international responsibilities of the MPS and the pressures on capital city activity are already increasing without a clear commensurate increase in specific funding. Further work is taking place, in parallel with the SR2004 submission, to establish evidence to support this concern and this will be the subject of a direct dialogue with the Home Office as soon as it is available.

Health warning

11. Members should appreciate that the word from Government is that the economic projections are less favourable to growth in public expenditure over the SR2004 period than was the case with the previous two reviews. There is therefore no certainty that our submission will yield positive results but it is important that the case is pressed with Government as firmly as possible. If there is no significant additional grant support to the Step Change programme its affordability from the council tax precept must be seriously questioned.

C. Equality and diversity implications

The Step Change programme on which the submission is based takes account of, and is intended to support, the targets for improved diversity in the MPS workforce.

D. Financial implications

The SR2004 submission is a proactive attempt to influence favourably the MPA’s future grant resources.

E. Background papers

• 2004/05 budget submission
• Step Change programme business case.

F. Contact details

Report author: Peter Martin

For more information contact:

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

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