MPS draft equalities priorities and budget - 2008-09

Report: 16
Date: 4 October 2007
By: Deputy Assistant Commissioner Operational Services on behalf of the Commissioner

Summary

This report asks members to agree the draft MPS equalities priorities for 2008-09 to be included in the draft budget submission for 2008-09 to 2010-11 as requested by the Greater London Authority. In line with the two-stage budget process, an indication of equalities related expenditure and further information on the equalities priorities will be presented as part of the full budget submission.

A. Recommendations

That

1. Members endorse the draft equalities priorities as outlined in paragraph 7 of the report for inclusion in the main draft budget submission.
2. A more detailed Equalities and Budget return, including costings, will be presented to Members at Full Authority as part of the full budget submission.

B. Supporting information

Background

1. The budget submission to the Greater London Authority (GLA) is a key element of the business planning framework for the MPS. This involves developing three-year business plans based on the Mayoral objectives and priorities alongside financial plans.

2. Functional bodies are required to submit interim budget information to the Mayor by 28 September and completed business plans by 27 November 2007.

3. A separate budget and equalities submission is no longer required as equalities priorities are now covered in the main budget submission. The guidance requires all functional bodies to be able to demonstrate that a sustainable development perspective underpins their budgets and plans. By the time the formal budget is submitted it is expected that business plans should specifically address how sustainable development is being achieved and delivered covering environmental, equalities, health promotion, health inequalities and other sustainability related expenditure. The guidance identifies a number of equality related priorities that the Mayor would expect to be reflected within the MPS business plan.

4. After final decisions on the Mayor's budget for 2008-09, a review will be carried out of equalities and other sustainability related activities. This will be published by the GLA in the Budget and Equalities Review.

Development of MPS Equality Priorities for 2008-09

5. Two key developments have assisted in identifying the proposed MPS equalities priorities for 2008-09:

• firstly, over the last year the MPS has launched its Equalities Scheme and published the specific sections of the Scheme relating to Disability, Gender and Race, with further sections of the Scheme due to be published during 2007. An action plan underpins the scheme, describing what the MPS is committed to achieve and in what timeframe
• secondly, the MPS has further developed its corporate business planning process. This has resulted in a more streamlined approach to the planning process, better alignment of Business Group objectives with the corporate priorities and greater integration of sustainable development, including equalities, within the planning framework.

6. In proposing its equalities priorities for 2008-09, the MPS has analysed the objectives that are contained within the Equalities Scheme and the emerging business group objectives from the planning process to identify alignment with the priorities identified by the Mayor in the budget guidance.

7. Based on this analysis, the proposed MPS equalities priorities for 2008-09 are:

• to improve the quality of service provided to victims of hate crime, ensuring that a consistent and effective level of service is provided by all Community Safety Units to London's diverse communities
• to improve performance against rape through implementation of the joint HMIC/HMCPSI report 'Without Consent' and improving the detection and conviction rate for rape
• to improve performance against domestic violence, ensuring a consistent level of service across all communities and minimising any disproportionality issues
• increase community trust and confidence in the police use of stop and search ensuring it is used fairly and proportionately
• continue to develop a workforce that reflects the diversity of London
• to improve the progression of women within the police service.

8. Much of the work that underpins these objectives will build on achievements that have already been made. However, the objectives provide some areas of particular emphasis for the organisation during the coming year. Governance and oversight of delivery will be achieved through the MPS Diversity Board and the MPA Equal Opportunities and Diversity Board (EODB).

9. A range of community engagement mechanisms has contributed to the identification of these priority areas. These have included consultation as part of the development of the MPS Equalities Scheme and the corporate business planning process and engagement activity within the specific areas such as Community Monitoring Groups for stop and search.

10. The current stage of the budget development process and the scheduling of Committees means that it has not been possible to detail the delivery plans for these objectives. This will be developed as part of the next phase of the planning process by the business areas responsible for each of the priorities. Additional information will be included as part of the formal budget submission presented to the joint Planning, Performance Review and Finance Committee and Full Authority meeting in November 2007.

C. Race and equality impact

The budget and equalities process is a key part of ensuring that equality and diversity are integral to the business planning process. This report describes the particular areas of equalities development that support the Mayor's policy priorities and where the MPS will place particular emphasis for the coming year.

D. Financial implications

As part of the wider budget submission process, an estimate of planned equalities expenditure for 2008-09 is still being developed at the time of writing of this report. This information will form part of the draft corporate plan and considered at the joint Finance/Planning and Performance Committee on 19 November and Full Authority on 22 November.

E. Background papers

Greater London Authority Group Budget Guidance for 2008-09

F. Contact details

Report author: David Skelton, Diversity and Citizen Focus Directorate

For more information contact:

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

List of Abbreviations

EODB 

Equal Opportunities and Diversity Board

GLA

Greater London Authority

HMIC

Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary

HMCPSI 

Her Majesty's Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate

MPA 

Metropolitan Police Authority

MPS 

Metropolitan Police Service

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