Co-opted membership and terms of reference

Report: 05
Date: 28 November 2002
By: Clerk

Summary

This report advises the Board of the appointment of co-opted members to the Equal Opportunities and Diversity Board and of changes to the terms of reference.

A. Recommendations

That the Board notes

1. the co-option of one representative each from the Commission for Racial Equality, the Refugee Council, the Children’s Rights Commission and the Rev. Stephen Penrose to the Equal Opportunities and Diversity Board; and
2. the two additional terms of reference as discussed at its last meeting.

B. Supporting information

Co-opted members

1. At its last meeting the Board considered a report on co-opted members. The Board agreed that Lee Jasper be appointed as a co-opted member and it was also agreed that the Chair of the Board and Kirsten Hearn would meet to identify and nominate further co-optees to the Board. This meeting was held on 25 October and it discussed the ways in which co-optees could provide additional areas of expertise to the Board.

2. The meeting agreed that the Commission for Racial Equality should be invited to nominate a representative in view of the close interest the CRE has in the remit of the Board and in particular the implementation of the Race Equality Scheme. It was also agreed that nominations be sought from the Refugee Council in view of its work with refugees and asylum seekers and the Children’s Rights Commission who work with children and young people. The Rev. Stephen Penrose was also nominated for appointment in a personal capacity. Mr. Penrose was nominated because of his work with the LGBT community.

3. These names were put forward to the meeting of the Authority on 31 October. The meeting agreed the nomination of Lee Jasper (with Rosemary Emodi as a named deputy to attend in exceptional circumstances) and the above additional nominations. The Clerk was authorised the Clerk to make the necessary arrangements to appoint the co-optees.

4. Co-opted members are appointed in a non-voting capacity and the appointment should be confirmed annually at the annual meeting.

5. The names of those appointed as co-opted members is as follows:

• Lee Jasper, Policy Director GLA with Rosemary Emodi as a named deputy.
• Martin Meredith, Commission for Racial Equality.
• Rev Stephen Penrose.
• The names of the co-opted members from the Refugee Council and the Children’s Rights Commission will be reported at the meeting.

Terms of reference

6. At its last meeting the Board considered a report on its terms of reference. Two additional terms of reference were suggested by the Board, The first (no. 12) would build on the expertise that the MPA has developed through its Performance and Review Unit and would provide the opportunity to look at issues of the Board’s choosing in more depth. The extent of the reviews would depend on the office support available at the time.

7. The wording of the new terms of reference as agreed by the full Authority at its meeting on 31 October is as follows:

• To propose to the Co-ordination and Policing Committee at least one review of the MPS diversity strategy or other relevant issues annually, depending on the staffing resources available. These reviews could range from a formal scrutiny to one or more themed meeting on a particular subject.
• To monitor and review the MPA and MPS annual diversity budgets to ensure efficiency of spend against performance and to respond to the budget requirements of the Mayor’s Office.

8. For ease of reference the full terms of reference are attached as Appendix 1.

C. Equality and diversity implications

These recommendations are seen as enabling the Board to fulfil its role better. In particular, the use of co-options can increase the knowledge available to the Board on issues facing particular communities in London.

D. Financial implications

None.

E. Background papers

• Report to Equal Opportunities and Diversity Board on co-opted members, 26 September 2002.

F. Contact details

Report author: John Crompton

For more information contact:

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

Appendix 1: Equal Opportunities and Diversity Board - terms of reference

1. To lead on all issues relating to equal opportunities and diversity within the MPA and the MPS. This includes:
2. To ensure that the MPA meets its statutory responsibilities under all relevant anti-discrimination legislation; and to monitor the MPS’s response to this legislation.
3. To monitor the implementation of the MPS’s race equality action plan.
4. To approve the MPA’s annual equal opportunities and diversity work programme.
5. To consider and advise on the equalities and diversity implications of all MPA and MPS major policy proposals and initiatives.
6. To keep under review the Authority’s equal opportunities statement and strategies that put this statement into practice.
7. To review and interrogate MPS performance data on diversity issues, including trends and performance against policing plan objectives, particularly with regard to:
   • stop and search data
   • hate crimes (race, homophobic, rape, domestic violence, child abuse)
   • street crimes (diversity issues)
   • possession of knives/weapons (diversity issues)
   • CRR training
   • other areas of performance which have a specific impact on diversity issues
8. To propose the development of performance indicators and target setting in areas of diversity issues.
9. To consider areas of diversity where new or improved performance monitoring is required.
10. To co-ordinate action on issues arising from the Lawrence Report
11. To advise other MPA committees on equalities and diversity issues of relevance to their responsibilities
12. To propose to the Co-ordinating and Policing Committee at least one review of the MPS diversity strategy or other issues annually, depending on the staffing resources available. These reviews could range from a formal scrutiny to one or more themed meeting on a particular subject.
13. To monitor and review the MPA and MPS annual diversity budget to ensure efficiency of spend against performance and to satisfy the budget requirements of the Greater London Authority.

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