Minutes

Minutes of the Co-ordination and Policing Committee held on 19 July 2004 at 10 Dean Farrar Street, London, SW1H 0NY.

Present

Members

• Len Duvall (Chair)
• Jennette Arnold
• Reshard Auladin
• Richard Barnes
• Cindy Butts
• Toby Harris (item 4-8)
• Karim Murji
• Richard Sumray
• Graham Tope
• Rachel Whittaker.

MPA officers

• Catherine Crawford (Clerk)
• Peter Martin (Treasure)
• Ruth Hastings Iqball (Committee Services).

MPS officers

• Mick Debens (Project Manager, Resource Allocation Formula)
• Bernard Hogan-Howe (Assistant Commissioner, Human Resources)
• Carole Howlett (Chief of Staff)
• Mike Jennings (Finance Director)
• James Smith (Commander).

Part 1

1. Apologies for absence

(Agenda item 1)

Apologies for absence were received from Kirsten Hearn, Member.

2. Declarations Of Interest

(Agenda item 2)

No interests were declared.

3. Minutes Of Coordination And Policing Committee - 17 May 2004

(Agenda item 3)

The Committee considered the minutes of the meeting held on 17 May 2004.

Resolved - That the minutes of the meeting held on 17 May be confirmed and signed as a correct record.

4. Review Of The Resource Allocation Formula 2005/06

(Agenda item 4)

A report was received providing an overview for members on the progress of the review of the resource allocation formula (RAF) to date. It set out the proposed scope and content of the two main components of the formula - need and demand, and discussed the implications of applying the outcomes of the formula.

Members were pleased by the consultation carried out, but had concerns about future commercial and residential development as an indicator of need. They felt mental illness was difficult to calculate as a need indicator, as in some boroughs the mentally ill were a transient part of the population. Members were reassured future planning would have a low weighting and that regression analysis would be used to test proposed weightings.

Members discussed maintaining the aspiration of no BOCU losing officers as a result of a revised RAF. AC Hogan-Howe stated the aspiration was unsustainable if the MPS did not continue to grow. It was suggested, if boroughs were to lose officers, Territorial Policing (TP) structures, which supported borough functions, should be reviewed. Members were informed that this was outside the original terms of the review, but if the Authority wished, it could be considered. It was agreed the review of RAF should maintain the ‘no losers’ aspiration, but it should be considered in the round with ‘Safer Neighbourhoods‘.

In response to concerns about the vehicle allocation formula, members were informed that it was based upon a number of components, including officer numbers and would be revisited. It was also noted that the revised RAF would take into account the geography of boroughs as part of a need component.

Resolved - that

1. the progress on the review against the agreed project timescales be noted;
2. the content and structure of the need and demand components of the formula be agreed, subject to consideration of issues raised by members; and
3. the issues around the implementation of the formula outcomes if the aspiration of no BOCU losing resources be maintained, be noted.
4. Charging For Policing Of Events

5. Charging For Policing Of Events

(Agenda item 5)

The Committee received the report of the member group, which had reviewed the charging policy for the policing of events. Its membership comprised Richard Sumray (Chair), Jennette Arnold, Jenny Jones and Rachel Whittaker assisted by Peter Martin. It was noted that its proposed recommendations could conflict with ACPO policy when finalised.

Members were informed that regular quarterly meetings, commencing September, would continue to be held with the football authorities. These meetings would ensure that the London’s premier league clubs continued to run their community programmes throughout London.

Members were concerned by the difficulty of deciding whether or not events were commercial. For instance, Gay Pride was a community event in the morning and a commercial event in the evening, and the west London Mela, was free to enter, but funded by numerous stalls. Clear guidance was needed to clarify these decisions. Members also noted that though costs fell locally, recovered costs were kept centrally.

Resolved – That the recommendations of the member group reviewing policy for charging for policing of events be adopted with the position being reviewed in a year’s time.

6. MPA Records Management Policy

(Agenda item 6)

A report was received proposing adoption of a records management policy. The policy was required to assist the MPA in complying with the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

Resolved – That the Records Management Policy attached as Appendix 1 of the report be agreed.

7. A - Progress Report On ‘The Safer London Foundation’ & Funding Application For Start Up Costs

(Agenda item 7a)

B - MPS Police Property Act Fund - Application For A Grant By The Safer London Foundation

(Agenda item 7b)

Two reports were received concerning ‘The Safer London Foundation’. The first addressed the specific questions raised by members at the Co-ordination and Policing Committee meeting in March 2004 and updated members on progress in establishing a charity limited by guarantee. The report also sought a contribution of £125,000 from the MPA towards the first two years running costs, which would be matched by an equal contribution by the MPS. Resulting from this, the second report requested consideration of an application by the Safer London Foundation for an award of up to £71,500 from the Police Property Act Fund to complete the set up of the trust during the current financial year.

Members agreed that bullet point 6 of para 31 of the Articles of Association should be amended from ‘if he/she fails without giving a reason to attend three consecutive directors’ meetings’ to ‘if he/she fails to attend three consecutive directors’ meetings unless the reasons for non attendance are accepted by the board.’

Members agreed that any co-optees should be competent in the role for which they were selected.

Concern was expressed that the start up costs appeared to be financing the posts of Chief Executive and Company Director, but not infrastructure or processes. Members were assured that KPMG was producing a business plan, and that no funds would be paid in the first 18 months of the Foundations existence.

Resolved – That

1. the progress in establishing ‘The Safer London Foundation’ in the form of a charity limited by guarantee be noted;
2. the answers to specific questions and issues raised in the COP meeting of 5 March 2004 be noted;
3. that the trust would apply for funding of £125,000 split over two financial years, 2004-5 and 2005-6 be noted; and
4. that arising from this application for a grant from the Police Property Act Fund, up to £71,500 from the 2004/05 allocation of PPAF grant monies available and £53,500 from the 2005/06 allocation be agreed to meet the set-up costs of the Trust'

8. Exempt Minutes Of Coordination And Policing Committee - 17 May 2004

(Agenda item 9)

The Committee considered the exempt minutes of the meeting held on 17 May 2004, without excluding the press and public.

Resolved - That the minutes of the meeting held on 17 May be confirmed and signed as a correct record.

Meeting finished at 1.25 p.m.

Send an e-mail linking to this page

Feedback