Minutes

Minutes of the an meeting of the Co-ordination and Policing Committee held on 1 September 2006 at 10 Dean Farrar Street, London, SW1H 0NY.

Present

Members

• Len Duvall (Chair)
• Reshard Auladin (Deputy Chair)
• Richard Barnes
• Toby Harris
• Damian Hockney
• Elizabeth Howlett
• Karim Murji
• John Roberts
• Richard Sumray
• Graham Tope
• Rachel Whittaker

MPA officers

• David Riddle (Deputy Chief Executive and Solicitor)
• Ken Hunt (Treasurer)
• Nick Baker (Head of Committee Services)

MPS officers

• Paul Stephenson (Deputy Commissioner)
• AC Steve House
• Alisa Beaton (Director of Information)
• Martin Tiplady (Director of Human Resources)
• Edward Solomons (Director of Legal Services)
• Steve Bloomfield (Chief Superintendent, Safer Neighbourhoods)

15. Apologies for absence

(Agenda item 1)

Apologies for absence were received from Cindy Butts (Deputy Chair), Kirsten Hearn, Aneeta Prem and Catherine Crawford (Chief Executive and Clerk).

16. Declarations of interest

(Agenda item 2)

No declarations of interest were received.

17. Minutes – 6 July 2006

(Agenda item 3)

Resolved - That the minutes of the meeting held on 6 July 2006, be agreed and signed as a correct record.

18. Minutes of the Remuneration Commiteee

(Agenda item 4)

Members were asked to note the minutes of the Remuneration Sub-Committee meetings held on 22 June and 26 July 2006.

Resolved – That the minutes of the Remuneration Sub-Committee meetings held on 22 June and 26 July 2006 be noted.

19. Any urgent business

(Agenda item 12)

The Chair agreed to bring forward agenda item 12.

Peter Woodham

The Chair asked that the Deputy Commissioner to provide members with an update on the investigation of the murder of Peter Woodham, in Canning Town, Newham. The Deputy Commissioner informed members of an earlier incident that occurred in January 2006, in which Mr Woodham had been seriously assaulted and sustained knife wounds. In August 2006, Mr Woodham was again involved in an incident with a group of youths and following this altercation, Mr Woodham was shot.

The Deputy Commissioner confirmed that an investigation into the incident had taken place, and that there were concerns around the quality of that investigation which had come to light following the murder. The MPS had voluntarily referred this matter to the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) in order that there should be an independent review of the earlier investigation. He also confirmed that the MPS continued to investigate the assault and murder of Mr Woodham.

The Chair, on behalf of the Authority, expressed his condolences to the family and friends of Mr Woodham. He reminded members that as the initial investigation had been referred to the IPCC, members and MPS representatives should avoid prejudicing that investigation in any discussions. However, the Chair undertook to do everything possible to ensure that the IPCC report would be brought into the public domain.

The Deputy Commissioner also provided members with details of the Customs House area, in particular the problem of anti social behaviour (ASB). In doing so, the Deputy Commissioner, informed members that the MPS were in discussion with the London Criminal Justice Board about dealing with ASB in a different and more effective way. He confirmed that the MPS were being proactive and talking directly with communities across London about tackling anti social behaviour. The Deputy Commissioner, without wising to pre-judge any findings of the IPCC, informed members that he had initiated a number of reviews in the borough command at Newham and also asked all borough commanders to check recent grievous bodily harm (GBH) cases.

Members requested that the IPCC provide their final report as a matter of urgency in order that issues raised could be discussed and pursued. Members also welcomed the Deputy Commissioner’s comments that the MPS were reviewing recent GBH cases and the review and debate on ASB. In doing so, some members felt that there was a need not to criminalise all young people and that joint working with other organisations would need to be undertaken to address this issue.

The Chair reiterated members’ comments that the IPCC report, whilst being thorough, needed to be produced in a timely manner in order to allow a public/transparent debate to be undertaken and to assist in restoring public confidence in the service.

Operation Overt

The Deputy Commissioner updated members on the details of Operation Overt (anti-terrorism) and subsequent arrests.

The Chair congratulated the MPS on the success of this operation and also paid tribute to the work of colleagues in local government, particularly those in Waltham Forest and the support given during this operation by faith groups.

The Chair undertook to write to the Chief Executive of Waltham Forest expressing the Authority’s appreciation of the work done by the Council in partnership with the police to address issues of community cohesion and reassurance.

Resolved – That

1. the IPCC report into the original investigation into the assault of Mr Woodham be presented to the MPA for debate as soon as possible; and
2. a letter, on behalf of the Chair, be sent to the Chief Executive of Waltham Forest Borough Council to thank the Council for its support during Operation Overt.

20. Serious and Organised Crime Directorate

(Agenda item 5)

Following the establishment of the Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA), which assumed its function on 1 April 2006, members received a report that outlined a number of provisional agreements between the MPS and SOCA and provided an update on initial relationships between the two organisations.

Members welcomed the news that initial working relationships between the two organisations were positive and were keen for this to be sustained. Members raised a number of questions in relation to having a clear charging structure, a demarcation of activities, the holding to account of SOCA and the sharing of intelligence. Members also raised questions relating to use of courts in London and child protection issues.

The Deputy Commissioner confirmed that there were protocols in place and meetings held regularly between the two organisations. Gold, silver and bronze groups also existed and therefore there are lines of accountability. The Deputy Commissioner was confidant that intelligence was being shared and that staff secondments were balanced.

There was agreement that there was a need for a transparent charging process. There was also support for Specialist Crime Directorate annual report to include details on SOCA. Members also supported the suggestion that initially, an MPA officer be nominated as a dedicated liaison point in relation to developing the SOCA/MPS partnership.

Resolved - That

1. intelligence which has an impact on the activities of either the MPS or SOCA will be shared on an equal basis be noted;
2. note that a joint tasking and co-ordinating mechanism has been established in relation to relevant intelligence, to ensure the respective resources of both organisations are focused on priorities and that duplication is avoided;
3. to note that to avoid confusion and to focus assets in a co-ordinated and consistent approach, the respective MPS and SOCA investigative leads once assigned, will remain in control for the duration of the investigation;
4. to note that the MPS and SOCA will engage with each other as full partners, allowing relationship building with other prospective partner agencies by either party;
5. to note MPS and SOCA will exchange staff in order to embed personnel into the respective organisations and facilitate closer working practices;
6. agreed that the MPS and SOCA should agree a charging formula based on the principle of full cost recovery, in line with existing MPS agreements, for services supplied. This agreement should be workable, not overly bureaucratic and appropriate taking into account the materiality level of the costs involved; and
7. initially, an MPA officer be the dedicated liaison point in relation to developing the SOCA/MPS partnership.

21. Additional Powers for Police Community Support Officers

(Agenda item 6)

A report was presented to the Authority meeting on 27 April 2006, which outlined a number of additional new powers available in the Serious and Organised Crime Act 2005 for designation to Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs). The Authority noted the designation of additional powers for PSCOs and asked that members meet with the MPS to further consider the proposals outlined in the report.

The Committee, following further consultation with MPA members, received a report that recommended that in addition to the designated of powers for PCSOs available in the Serious and Organised Crime Act 2005, two other powers (to issues penalty notice for graffiti and throwing stones at trains) be included in training and designated for PCSOs.

In noting the importance of maintaining the difference between police officer and PSCO powers, members expressed the need for a communication strategy that ensures that the public are clear on what PSCOs powers are.

Resolved – That

1. the designation of additional powers for Police Community Support officers in the Metropolitan Police Service following new powers becoming available in Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005 be noted; and
2. the two additional powers that will be designated to PCSOs from Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005.

22. Single non-emergency number for London

(Agenda item 7)

A report was received that provided an overview of the MPS position on the single non-emergency number programme. Members noted that the programme aligned well with MPS strategic outcomes and provided the opportunity for partnership working, however, there was concern that the business change required for service delivery in the BOCUs was likely to be significant and that there was no central funding available for service delivery partners.

Members were also given details of the wave one partnership undertaken in Hampshire that suggested that the reduction in 999 calls had been only by 2%, 72 % of 101 calls were ‘out of scope’ and 75% of these ‘out of scope’ calls were police matters.

Members also raised concerns about the deadline for submission of the London 101 partnership-funding bid to the Home Office.

Resolved – That the report be noted and the MPS/MPA write to the home Office expressing concern about the deadline for submission of the London 101 partnership-funding bid.

23. Recruitment of black and minority ethnic groups to the MPS

(Agenda item 8)

A report was received that provided details in the recruiting of black and minority ethnic people to the MPS.

Details were given on the success on performance against 2005/06 diversity recruitment targets, in the recruitment of individuals from under represented groups, particularly women and particularly those from the black and minority ethnic communities.

Members in welcoming this success suggested that in order to promote a police service that represented a diverse London, the MPS should also be considering recruitment numbers of the new groups in London, such as those from eastern Europe.

Resolved –That the report be noted.

24. The role and work of the Directorate of Legal Services

(Agenda item 9)

The Committee received from Mr Edward Solomons, the new MPS Director of Legal Services, his twice-yearly report on the role and work of the MPS Directorate of Legal Services (DLS). The report focused on the work of the DLS and details on performance, working relationships and links with the key objectives and priorities of the MPS and its role in supporting front line policing.

A brief debate took place on the service provider/client relationship between the MPS legal services and the MPA. Members noted that the issues were complex.

Members welcomed the report and suggested that it be circulated to all members for information. It was also agreed that the Professional Standards Cases Sub-Committee would be the best forum to take forward a dialogue with Mr Solomons on the relationship between MPS legal services and the MPA legal services.

Resolved – That

1. the report be received;
2. the Professional Standards Cases Sub-Committee engage in a fuller discussion with Mr Solomons.

25. Drugs scrutiny

(Agenda item 10)

A report was presented that sought approval to the terms of reference for the Drugs Scrutiny. The report provided details of the scrutiny panel membership and the objective of the scrutiny. It was noted that the membership of this scrutiny would include Damian Hockney and not include John Roberts.

Resolved – That the terms of reference for the drugs scrutiny be agreed.

26. Scrutiny of communications and media at the MPS

(Agenda item 11)

A report was presented that sought approval to the terms of reference for the scrutiny of communication and media at the MPS

It was noted that the membership of this scrutiny would include Graham Tope.

Resolved – That the terms of reference for the scrutiny of communication and media at the MPS be agreed.

27. Exclusion of press and public

(Agenda item 11)

Resolved - That the press and public be asked to leave the meeting during discussion of the remaining items of business because exempt information as defined in Schedule 12a to the Local Government Act 1972 as amended is likely to be made known.

28. Exempt appendices to work of the Directorate of Legal Services

(Agenda item 14)

Members considered the exempt appendices in conjunction with agenda item 9.

29. Financial assistance request

(Agenda item 15)

This item was withdrawn.

30. Exempt minutes of the meeting held on 6 July 2006

(Agenda item 16)

Members considered the minutes (Part 2) of the meeting of the Co-ordination and Policing Committee held on 6 July 2006.

Resolved – That the minutes (Part 2) of the meeting of the Co-ordination and Policing Committee held on 6 July 2006 be agreed and signed as a correct record.

31. Exempt minutes of the Remuneration Sub-Committee 22 June and 26 July 2006 (draft)

(Agenda item 17)

Members considered the exempt minutes of the Remuneration Sub-Committee held on 22 June and 26 July 2006.

Resolved – That the minutes (Part 2) of the Remuneration Sub-Committee held on 22 June and 26 July 2006 be noted.

The meeting closed at 1:55 p.m.

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