Minutes

Minutes of the an meeting of the Co-ordination and Policing Committee held on 5 July 2007 at 10 Dean Farrar Street, London, SW1H 0NY.

Present

Members

• Reshard Auladin (Deputy Chair in the Chair)
• Cindy Butts (Deputy Chair)
• Jennette Arnold
• Richard Barnes
• Toby Harris
• Kirsten Hearn
• Damian Hockney
• Elizabeth Howlett
• Karim Murji
• Aneeta Prem (up to agenda item 7)
• John Roberts
• Richard Sumray (up to agenda item 6)
• Rachel Whittaker

MPA officers

• Catherine Crawford (Chief Executive)
• David Riddle (Deputy Chief Executive)
• Ken Hunt (Treasurer)
• John Crompton (Committee Services)

MPS officers

• Alaric Bonthron (Diversity and Citizen Focus)#
• Alan Croney (Director of Property Services)
• Anthony Doyle (Director of Procurement Services)
• Commander Simon Foy, Tarique Ghaffur (Assistant Commissioner, Central Operations)
• Steve House (Assistant Commissioner, Specialist Crime)
• Anne McMeel (Director of Strategic Finance)
• Simon Ovens (Superintendent, Royal Parks)
• Ian Thomas (Public Order)
• Sue Wilkinson (Commander, Specialist Crime Directorate)
• John Yates (Assistant Commissioner Operational Services)

1. Apologies for absence 

(Agenda item 1)

Apologies for absence were received from Len Duvall and Faith Boardman.

2. Declarations of interest

(Agenda item 2)

Jennette Arnold declared an interest in respect of agenda item 10.

At the outset of the meeting, Richard Barnes requested confirmation that agenda items 18 and 19 met the criteria for listing as exempt reports. The Chief Executive, after considering the request advised that there would appear to be no reason why agenda item 18 could not be considered in the public part of the meeting.

Cindy Butts said that the information in the “Race and Equality” section of many of the reports on the agenda was not adequate and she would expect to see a more considered response in the future.

3. Minutes – 7 June 2007

(Agenda item 3)

RESOLVED - That the minutes of the meeting held on 7 June 2007 be agreed and signed as a correct record.

4. Independent custody visiting update

(Agenda item 4)

This report described the progress made with the implementation of the re-modelling of the London Independent Custody Visitors (ICV) Scheme since the last report in February 2007.

Damian Hockney said that whilst he had read the report with interest, he was aware of areas of continued dissatisfaction on some aspects of the new arrangements amongst panel members in some boroughs. There had been instances of the MPA exercising unreasonable control over in areas such as who was permitted to attend Panel meetings and there was still considerable resistance amongst volunteers to sign the Memorandum of Understanding.

In reply, the Deputy Chief Executive advised that the pattern of take up of the Memorandum of Understanding was encouraging and in 31 out of 35 panels the majority of visitors had signed and there were no instances where everybody had refused to sign. He knew of only one example where the MPA had felt it necessary to give advice about who could attend a Panel meeting and this had been done to protect the confidentiality of the proceedings.

The Deputy Chief Executive said he would explore with the Chair of the Authority the issuing of a letter to all members of the Authority, which set out the details of the progress made and the instances of residual concerns.

Kirsten Hearn said she had been concerned to learn that one of the Coordinators had resigned due to what she perceived as unreasonable behaviour from a Panel and asked for confirmation that the officer had received the necessary support from the Authority .

RESOLVED –That

1. the progress made to date on the implementation of the reform of the ICV Scheme be noted;

2. a further progress report be presented in October 2007 following six months operation under the new structure; and

3. a full review of the Scheme takes place in September 2008 (deferred from April 2008).

5. MPS response to dangerous dog offences

(Agenda item 5)

A report was submitted which outlined how the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 was used within the Metropolitan Police Area.

In reply to questions, Chief Superintendent Ovens advised that in the light of advice received, the kennel costs incurred by the police were not claimed from the dog owners. It was very difficult to state with any certainty whether the number of these serious (Section 1) offences were increasing.

Kirsten Hearn said that she was surprised at the complete lack of content in the Race and Equality Impact section of the report. She thought that there were implications that should have been discussed and suggested that an Equality Impact Assessment be produced.

In the ensuing discussion members requested information about less serious crimes relating to dogs. It was agreed that a briefing paper be provided.

RESOLVED – That

1. the report be noted; and

2. a briefing paper be provided on less serious crime and anti-social behaviour involving dogs.

6. Police e-crime engagement unit

(Agenda item 6)

This report updated the MPA on progress towards the establishment of a new police e-crime coordination unit housed within the MPS, to co-ordinate the police response to e-crime for the benefit of all ACPO forces, industry and the public. The report explained the rationale for incorporating an MPS coordination unit into the new unit and provided an update to the report submitted to the full Authority on 25 January 2007.

Commander Wilkinson reported on the discussions which she had held regarding funding for the proposed unit. Whilst the idea had generally been received positively, there remained a funding gap. She was due to meet representatives of London First in September. Members indicated support for the proposed unit.

RESOLVED – That

1. it be noted that the MPS now holds ‘lead force’ status for e- crime; and

2. the impending implementation of the national police e-crime co-ordination unit within the Specialist Crime Directorate in the MPS be noted

7. The role and work of central operations

(Agenda item 7)

A report was submitted which provided an overview of the structure of the business group and the role it performs in providing specialist policing, how it supports front line policing, and how it contributes to the corporate strategic priorities.

Members indicated that they welcomed the report and looked forward to receiving reports on other business groups such as Specialist Crime.

In reply to questions on measuring customer satisfaction, Assistant commissioner Ghaffur said that whilst he was anxious to use more sophisticated measures than now, he also had to be mindful of the high costs of some of these such as a MORI poll

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

8. Joint MPA/MPS community engagement update

(Agenda item 8)

This report outlined the progress made in developing a new MPS Community Engagement Infrastructure and includes examples of the range of current and proposed engagement activities and information relating to the development of effective performance management and governance frameworks

Assistant Commissioner Yates provided an update on the community engagement initiatives witch had been carried out the previous weekend in the immediate aftermath of terrorist activity in London.

Members reported that there had been a generally positive response from the communities in their link boroughs and it had been particularly good to learn that there had been engagement with a very wide range of communities.

The Committee requested that borough briefings be provided to MPA geographical link members.

RESOLVED – That

1. the report be noted; and

2. borough briefings be provided to MPA geographical link members

9. Community tension assessment

(Agenda item 9)

This report presented an assessment of community tension using a three tier, six level matrix. This method is held in common with the National Community Tension Team and is therefore suitable for comparing community tension levels across the UK. While the system has been in place for over a year, it has been acknowledged by the MPS that there is a need for increased input from partner organisations and community members

In the ensuing discussion, some members said they felt that there was a lack of clarity of the purpose of the assessments, the use to which they would be put and how this piece of work related to the issues discussed in the preceding report on the agenda.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted

10. London Health Commission

(Agenda item 10)

This report presented details of a request which has been made to the MPA by the London Health Commission (LHC) for a financial contribution in order that it can continue its work, much of which echoes the interests and responsibilities of the Authority and the MPS in terms of the Citizen Focus / Community Engagement agenda.

Jennette Arnold declared an interest in respect of this item.

RESOLVED – That the MPA contributes £5,000 to the London Health Commission for the 2007-08 financial year and encourages the MPS to match this funding.

(The MPS has confirmed that it will match this funding, with the condition that senior staff from the MPS be allowed to attend the LHC strategic meetings and that any such funding is for the period of 12 months, with no expectation that the MPS will continue year on year funding).

11. MPA/MPS Procurement strategy

(Agenda item 11)

This report contained the revised version of the MPA/MPS Procurement Strategy for the provision of goods and services. The previous strategy was approved in December 2003. The report had been due to be considered at the meeting of the Finance Committee on 21 June, which was cancelled.

Kirsten Hearn said that as she had not been supplied with an accessible version of the Strategy she was not in a position to approve the document.

The Treasurer reminded the Committee that at the Annual meeting of the Authority, Faith Boardman had expressed an interest in being the link member for procurement on the new oversight group.

RESOLVED - That

1. (with Kirsten Hearn abstaining) that the Procurement Strategy be approved;

2. Faith Boardman be appointed as the link member on the new procurement oversight group; and

3. a report be brought back to the Finance Committee in twelve months time on progress in implementing the strategy.

12. Disposal of site in Richmond

(Agenda item 12)

This report requests authority for the disposal of the former residential quarters known as 361 – 367A St. Margaret’s Rd, Richmond, TW7 7BZ upon the terms and conditions outlined herein.

The report had been due to be considered at the meeting of the Finance Committee on 21 June, which was cancelled.

RESOLVED –That approval be given to the unconditional sale of the MPA interest in 361-367A St. Margaret’s Road, Richmond, to the indicated bidder for the sum shown in exempt Appendix 1.

13. COP work programme 2007/2008

(Agenda item 13)

A report was submitted which presented a draft work plan for the Committee for consideration.

RESOLVED – That the work plan as set out at Appendix 2 be approved

14. Any other urgent business

(Agenda item 14)

There was none, but the Committee agreed to consider agenda item 18 at this point.

15. MPS review of non-sanction detections

(Agenda item 18)

This report provided an update with the process that has been followed by the MPS since an internal audit in August 2005 indicated problems with compliance with ‘Non Sanctioned Detections’. It describes the risks and problems associated with this. The MPS has participated in a national review of the issue – and has done so jointly with the Home Office, HMIC and ACPO. The report provides information on the current situation to deal with the issues associated with public safety and the work that is being done by Operation Hines.

In reply to questions from Richard Barnes, Commander Foy advised that the best indication were that there would appear to be roughly 53 cases, which could require further information to be shared with employers. It was anticipated that this work would be completed within the next few weeks.

RESOLVED - That the report be noted

15. Exclusion of press and public

(Agenda item 15)

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.

Summary of decisions made on exempt items

Minute 146 agenda item 16 - exempt appendix to disposal of site in Richmond
The appendix was noted.

Minute 83 Agenda item 17 - MPS electricity supply contract
Agreed.

Minute 84 agenda item 18 – MPS review of non sanction detections
Report considered in part 1 - see minute 14.

Minute agenda item 19 - Witness and jury protection
Deferred to the next meeting.

Minute 146 agenda item 20 - exempt minutes of the meeting held on 7 June 2007
Agreed as a correct record.
 

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