Member vetting

Report: 7
Date: 4 November 2005
By: Chief Executive and Clerk

Summary

This report proposes that all MPA members should be vetted to Counter-Terrorism Check (CTC) level.

A. Recommendations

1. That the MPS be asked to carry out a CTC check on those MPA members not cleared to that level;
2. That a CTC check should be carried out for all future member appointments.

B. Supporting information

1. When members were last appointed to the Authority, in 2004, an Initial Vetting Check (IVC) was carried out on all members. This is the basic level of clearance – essentially of any criminal records. Some members have a higher level of clearance, for instance because of their responsibilities in relation to counter-terrorism.

2. A person is disqualified from being a member of the MPA if “he has within five years before the date of his appointment or since his appointment been convicted in the United Kingdom, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man of an offence, and has had passed on him a sentence of imprisonment (whether suspended or not) for a period of not less than three months.” (Greater London Authority Act 1999, Schedule 26 para 7 (1) (d)).

3. The MPA may also remove a member if:

• “he has been convicted of a criminal offence (but is not disqualified for being a member under paragraph 7)”
• “the MPA is satisfied that the member is otherwise unable or unfit to discharge his function as a member” (GLA Act, Schedule 26 paragraph 14 (1) (b) and (d)

4. It is therefore important that the MPA can demonstrate an adequate level of clearance for its members. MPS and MPA staff are required to undertake a Counter-Terrorism Check (CTC) – a higher level which includes, for instance a check on family background. No-one is allowed to have access to MPS premises or the MPS’s Aware computer system without CTC. It is suggested therefore that CTC clearance should now be obtained for all members.

5. The next round of member appointments will take place in 2008. CTC clearance would be sought at that time for new members. However, if at that time the CTC process took as long as it currently does, the MPS would be asked concurrently to carry out an IVC check for a quick check on criminal convictions. Member appointments would be made subject to CTC clearance being obtained.

C. Race and equality impact

There are no apparent implications in this proposal.

D. Financial implications

None

E. Background papers

None

F. Contact details

Report author: Simon Vile, MPA.

For more information contact:

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

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