Minutes

Notes of the inquorate meeting of the Equal Opportunity & Diversity Board held on Thursday, 3 April 2008 at 10 Dean Farrar Street, London, SW1H 0NY.

Present

Members

• Kirsten Hearn (Chair)
• Aneeta Prem (Deputy Chair)
• Cindy Butts

Also attended: Richard Sumray for agenda item 10.

MPA officers

• Catherine Crawford (Chief Executive)
• Annabel Adams (Deputy Treasurer)
• Laurence Gouldbourne (Head of Equality and Diversity)
• Julliett Fearon-Knot and Douglas Lewins (Policy Development Officers, Equality and Diversity Unit)
• Melissa Wagstaff (Research Analyst)
• John Crompton (Committee Services)

MPS officers

• Deputy Assistant Commissioner Alfred Hitchcock (Diversity and Citizen Focus)
• Paul Madge (Director HR Operations) 
• Eleanor Ryan (Director HR Strategy)
• Paul Hedington
• George Clarke
• Deputy Assistant Commissioner Richard Bryan
• Superintendent Leroy Logan
• Dick Wolfenden
• Christine McDonagh
• Claire Hunt
• Tracy Ampah
• Alex Felton
• Denise Milani

Also present:

• Harmander Singh, Race (Central) Independent Advisory Group
• Linbert Spencer, Linbert Spencer Consultancy
• Nathalie Stewart, Westminster Human Rights Equalities and Race
• Marie Stewart, Director Taylor-Stewart Associates
• Peter Collier, Waddon/Croydon Safer Neighbourhood Group
• Alfred John, Chair Met Black Police Association
• Shereen Samara, South West London Law Centres
• Helen Buckly, Lewisham CPCG
• Peter Greig, GLA
• Audrey Young, GLA

62. Apologies for absence

(Agenda item 1)

An apology for absence was received from Bob Neill. A number of apologies from members of the invited community organisations were also submitted.

63. Declarations of interests

(Agenda item 2)

No interests were declared.

64. Minutes – 7 February 2008

(Agenda item 3)

Noted that these would be submitted to the next meeting.

65. Follow up to the meeting on 7 February 2008

(Agenda item 4)

No matters.

66. Chair and Member’s update

No matters.

67. MPA management information report

(Agenda item 6)

The MPA management information report gives further detail on the EODB focus item and other equality and diversity information for hate crime, strength, recruitment and MPA staff figures.

This meeting is focusing on how equality and diversity will enable the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) to deliver a representative workforce.

Resolved - That the report be noted.

68. MPS report on focus item – mini-review of human resources and its contribution towards diversity

(Agenda item 7)

A report was submitted which sought to outline how HR is developing diversity and equality of opportunity within the MPS. The report highlights the developing relationship between HR and the Directorate of Citizen Focus and Diversity, and how many work streams relating to organisational change have become embedded within HR service delivery.

In introducing the report the Director of HR Operations said that he had been asked by the Director of HR to say that he was very sorry that he was not able to attend the meeting. The Director wished to draw attention to the good progress made so far in achieving a representative workforce,

Resolved- That the report be noted.

Considered in conjunction with

69 Concurrent report by MPA on the focus item report

(Agenda item 8)

The purpose of this report is to outline some of the key challenges and concerns in relation to delivering a representative workforce within the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) through a range of equality and diversity measures.

Resolved - That

1. the progress made by MPS Human Resources Directorate (HRD) in delivering a range of programmes across the MPS be noted;
2. MPS HRD and its key partners be congratulated on the progress made to date in its recruitment of BME and female police officers, Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) and police staff since 2000; and
3. at the September 2008 EODB meeting a report be submitted on progression either laterally or through promotion made by under-represented groups as a result of specific positive action programmes.

70. Discussion on the focus item

(Agenda item 9)

Standing Orders were suspended for this item to enable contributions to be made from non-members.

General points

All speakers acknowledged the progress which the MPS had made so far in securing a more representative work force, and looked forward to further achievements. Several speakers said that from reading the report there did not appear to be a clear vision – for example, on positive action and other aspects. It was felt that the provision of a vision might help to focus attention on bringing about the necessary changes.

Linbert Spencer, Linbert Spencer Consultancy, referred to paragraph 24 of the report and asked for further information about the 25% of staff who are recorded as having said that their line manager did not value their contribution. She felt that this was a high percentage and the reasons for it should be explored.

Marie Stewart, Director Taylor-Stewart Associates, said she felt that the terminology sticky floor was perhaps more appropriate than glass ceiling.

Monitoring data across the six equality strands

Commented that this appeared to be inconsistent and asked what steps were being taken to increase the take up.

The HR Strategy Director reminded the meeting that this was voluntary. The reasons for the low take up were being explored but it was the case that the response rate from new entrants was much higher.

Identifying “talent”, mentoring and development schemes

Cindy Butts enquired about the process for identifying those cohorts with potential. She feared that the attitude of the immediate line manager could present a difficult hurdle to overcome in some cases.

The question was also asked whether a move to managers exercising professional judgement necessarily lead to improved progression outcomes for under-represented groups?

Alfred John, Chair Met Black Police Association referred to problems relating to mentoring and instances were candidates with potential might be held back due to poor relationships with line operations .

The question was asked about how coaching worked in practice

Resolved – That the discussion be noted.

(A more detailed response on some of the points was provided after the meeting.)

71. Olympic and Paralympic games update

(Agenda item 10)

This report summarised how the MPS intends to ensure that diversity and citizen focus is an integrated part of the Olympic Security Programme (OSP) and outlines some of the activity that has already taken place.

Standing Orders were suspended for this item to enable contributions to be made from non-members.

Richard Sumray said that when the Games in Beijing were over there would be a much stronger focus on the London games and the preparatory work which had been undertaken setting up the structures in London would provide a sound basis for going forward. The Games were a wonderful opportunity to change the relationship which some young people had with the police. The legacy of the Games would also provide a huge opportunity for policing.

Deputy Assistant Commissioner Bryan said that the volunteer programme provided exciting possibilities to improve BME representation in the policing of the Games. Cindy Butts said that whilst this was welcome, it must not take the place of ensuring better BME representation at all levels within the Service.

Resolved – That the Board supports the MPS approach to delivering diversity and equal opportunities within the Olympic Security Programme.

72. Update on the MPS Equalities Scheme

(Agenda item 11)

This report provided members with an overview of the ongoing development of the MPS Equalities Scheme, together with progress made in terms of its governance, engagement and successes.

Resolved – That the progress made and the governance, engagement and successes be endorsed as proving effective.

73. MPA Generic Equality Scheme 2006-2010

(Agenda item 12)

The report provided members with an overview of the MPA Generic Equality Scheme 2006-2010.

Resolved - That the Board progress made in taking forward the actions in the MPA Generic Equality Scheme and that a further progress report be submitted in 2009 – 2008 action plan and agree the way forward be noted.

74 Reports from EODB sub-groups

Domestic Violence Board

(Agenda item 13 A)

This report provided an update on the work of the MPA Domestic Violence Board.

Resolved - That the report be noted.

Race Hate Crime Forum

(Agenda item 13B)

The Board received the report which was considered at the Authority at its meeting on 27 March 2008.

Resolved - That the report be noted.

The meeting closed at 4.09 p.m.

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