Minutes

Minutes of the Co-ordination and Policing Committee held on 7 October 2005 at 10 Dean Farrar Street, London, SW1H 0NY.

Present

Members

• Len Duvall (Chair)
• Reshard Auladin (Deputy Chair)
• Cindy Butts (Deputy Chair)
• Toby Harris
• Kirsten Hearn
• Elizabeth Howlett
• Karim Murji
• Richard Sumray
• Rachel Whittaker

MPA officers

• Catherine Crawford (Chief Executive and Clerk)
• David Riddle (Deputy Chief Executive, and Solicitor to the Authority)
• Ken Hunt (Treasurer)
• Laurence Gouldbourne (Head of Race and Diversity)
• Nick Baker (Head of Committee Services)

MPS officers

• Paul Stephenson (Deputy Commissioner)
• Alisa Beaton (Director of Information for item 5)
• Craig Wilkins (for item 4)
• Ian Jenkins (for item 7)
• Bob Mackie (for item 10)

Also present: John Roberts (for item 6).

1. Apologies for absence

(Agenda item 1)

Apologies for absence were received from Jennette Arnold, Graham Tope and Abdal Ullah.

2. Declarations of interest

(Agenda item 2)

No interests were declared.

3. Minutes - 10 June 2005

(Agenda item 3)

The Committee considered the minutes of the meeting held on 10 June 2005.

Resolved - That the minutes (Part 1) of the meeting held on 10 June 2005, be agreed and signed as a correct record.

4. Charging for policing events – update report

(Agenda item 4)

The Committee received a report that provided members with an update on the recommendations adopted by the Committee on 19 July 2004 and the work of the member group set up by the Authority to review the policy in relation to charging for policing of events.

In response to a question regarding legal liabilities being with a promoter of an event and limited liabilities with the MPS, the Deputy Commissioner agreed that there was a need for clarity on this point and that he would circulate further information to members regarding this matter. The Deputy Commissioner commented that, a national methodology of charging for policing of events would ensure consistency across the country. However, he supported members’ views that the formula should be applicable to the particular needs of London policing. He confirmed that the MPS was also working to achieve a consistent recovery of policing costs for policing outside a commercial event. In conclusion, the Deputy Commissioner reiterated that decisions on the level of policing required at any event remained in the responsibility of the Commissioner, whose would take regard of public order and safety.

Members sought clarification regarding the policing of community and charitable events. In particular, if draft guidance on charging for policing in this area was applicable to the Notting Hill Carnival as it was a planned community event and therefore contributed to community life within London.

Following confirmation that the Notting Hill Carnival would fall into the category of a community and charitable event, members suggested that sponsorship of the carnival and possible route changes could reduce the cost of policing this event. Members also sought clarification if the Caribbean Showcase event held in Hyde Park along side the Carnival had resulted in an additional financial burden to the MPS and it was noted that this event had been included in the cost of the Carnival.

Members noted that regarding recommendation 12, work was still being undertaken regarding partnership working with football clubs and other sports. It was therefore suggested that until this work had been completed and shared with partners, further details on this matter should not be included in future reports.

The Committee agreed that future reports should include details on the charging for policing of local events and the effects of the introduction of the new ‘Licensing Act’.

Resolved – That

1. the report be noted; and
2. the Committee receive a further report update report in December.

5. C3i/Airwave status report

(Agenda item 5)

The Committee received an update on the progress of C3i/Airwave programme.

It was noted that the programme was on track for the continued Borough migration during 2006 and 2007.

Resolved – That the report be noted.

6. Stop and Searches Scrutiny Board

(Agenda item 6)

The Committee received a report considered by the Equal Opportunities and Diversity Board at its meeting on 6 October 2005, which outlined the details of reforming the Stop and Searches Board.

The Chair of the Stop and Search Scrutiny Board, John Roberts reported to members’ details of the Board first meeting since its reconstitution. He also reminded members that a briefing had been held to inform the Authority and partners of the Board’s planned work and remit, including ‘Section 44’ issues. The MPS outlined reasons and sensitivity around the presentation of Section 44 information, and confirmation was given that of the 55 recommendations relevant to the MPS made by the original Stop and Search Scrutiny Board and Implementation Panel, all had been accepted.

Members welcomed the work of the new Board and in response to the concerns raised relating to the number of MPS stop and search panels/boards, the Deputy Commissioner agreed that there was a need for rationalisation.

The Chair proposed, and it was agreed, that the Board should focus on particular boroughs as opposed to stretching its resources trying to visit all 32 boroughs. There was also need for the role of link members and borough commanders to be considered in the process.

Members debated the need for an alternative name for the Board, as the scrutiny element of stop and search had been undertaken. It was agreed that this would be discussed between the Chair of the Board and officers. Members requested that future reports should consider the full resource issues when establishing Boards.

Resolved – That

1. the report be noted; and
2. the Committee supports the activities of the Board undertaken within boroughs.

7. International Safer Neighbourhoods Conference

(Agenda item 7)

The Committee received a report that sought member support to co-host an International Conference in February 2006 entitled ‘global thinking: local policing – creating safe, active neighbourhoods worldwide’.

In introducing the report to the Committee, the Chief Executive and Clerk confirmed that following discussions with the MPS, the co-hosts, of the conference, she was satisfied that the costs of the conference were sound. In response to members’ questions relating to surplus costs, the MPS reported that these would decrease if the event were sponsored.

Regarding the composition of the conference, members requested the need for there to be emphasis on ‘sustainability’ and the MPS’ role and relationship with the community in neighbourhood policing.

Members also suggested that the Conference programme needed to include partnership working, particularly work with CDRPs. Members requested that the conference also include representation from community partners and be representative of London’s communities.

The Chair agreed to meet with representatives of the MPS to take forward members suggestions and that the Committee received a further report at the next meeting of the Committee.

Resolved – That the Authority agree to co-host the Conference in principle and Committee received a further report at its next meeting.

8. The APA annual conference – 23/24 November 2005

(Agenda item 8)

Nominations were sought for three members to attend the Association of Police Authorities annual conference.

The Chair proposed that, as the November full Authority meeting may be moved from its scheduled date and therefore more members may be able to attend this Conference, Members should delegate to the Chief Executive and Clerk selection of up to five members to attend.

Resolved – That selection of up to five members attendance to the APA Annual Conference on 23/24 November 2005 be delegated to Chief Executive and Clerk.

9. Lead Member roles

(Agenda item 9)

The Committee were invited to consider issues or areas of work relating to the Committee that required a lead member. Members were also asked to consider how the lead member role had operated up to now and how it may be improved.

It was agreed that this issue be deferred for consideration by the full Authority.

Resolved – That this issue be deferred for consideration by the full Authority.

10. Any urgent business

(Agenda item 10)

Review of Public Order Tactics

The Chair agreed to receive a report on public order tactics, including the use of water, on the grounds of urgency in order that the matter could be discussed in connection with agenda item 4.

The Chair informed members that the purpose of the report was to initiate discussion on this issue and to keep the Authority engaged in an matter that was under constant review. In doing so, the aim was to seek to provide a clear understanding of what tactics would or would not be used.

The Deputy Commissioner added that any review had to take account of public safety in cases where intervention was required.

Arising from members’ questions regarding the use of water, the Deputy Commissioner confirmed that although developments in technology of water cannon might make this a viable option, use of this facility remained at an early stage.

It was agreed that as part of the process to review tactics, the Authority should act as a challenge panel in the process. This would also ensure that the debate would be in the public domain.

Members requested that future reports clearly outlined financial and race and diversity implications.

Resolved – That the report be noted.

11. Exclusion of press and public

(Agenda item 11)

A resolution was put to exclude the press and public from the meeting during an item 12, as it was likely to disclose exempt information as described in Schedule 12(a) (1) of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended).

Resolved – That the press and public be excluded from the meeting during discussion of item 12.

12. Minutes

(Agenda item 12)

The Committee received the minutes (Part 2) of the meeting held on 10 June 2005.

Resolved – That the minutes (Part 2) of the meeting held on 10 June 2005.

The meeting closed at 12.55 p.m.

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