Sustainable development budget return

Report: 4
Date: 21 September 2006
By: Commissioner

Summary

Sustainable development is seen by the GLA as creating a better quality of life for people, both now and in the future, setting a context within which the Mayor’s objectives of economic development, social inclusion, and environmental improvement need to be achieved in a balanced manner over the long term. Before budget proposals are issued for consultation in December, it is intended that the Mayor should be adequately informed of how these issues will be delivered, the approach to taking them forward in terms of service plans, targets and programmes, and of any material budget and resource issues. In line with the Mayor’s budget guidance the MPS has provided details of plans, priorities and budget to deliver on three strands of sustainable development:

• Equalities
• Environmental Management
• Health

A. Recommendations

That members should approve the Sustainable Development budget return prior to submission to the Greater London Authority (GLA) by the end of September 2006.

B. Supporting information

1. The Sustainable Development Budget Return has been prepared by the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) Environment & Sustainability Manager on behalf of the Metropolitan Police Authority (MPA). This is the first year that the MPS has been asked to provide an integrated submission to include equalities, environment and health as part of the budget process. Detailed information on each area has been prepared by the respective MPS specialists in these fields. The Sustainable Development budget in Appendix 1 attached is provided to demonstrate how this work fits under the umbrella of sustainable development for the MPS. This is supported by detailed information on each specialist area as appropriate in Appendices 2, 3 and 4.

2. In addition, the summary provides a response to GLA recommendations as a result of the previous years budget process. Specifically the MPS has:

• Developed a process for considering sustainability as part of the business case approval process for Investment Board;
• Approved a revolving fund mechanism of £375,000 to ring fence savings from energy efficiency projects to fund the implementation of further energy efficiency projects to reduce carbon emissions associated with energy consumption;
• Allocated a ‘one off’ fund of £20,000 to progress the Wildlife Crime Unit objectives for 2006-07. A budget for subsequent years has not been identified. Previous recommendations from the GLA have indicated that a ring-fenced budget should be provided by the MPS. An appropriate ongoing funding source should be identified for future years;
• Provided additional resources and staff to develop recycling systems for the MPS estate; and
• Agreed the implementation of a carbon emission offsetting scheme for MPS official air travel. Charges will be paid from Occupational Command Unit air travel budgets.

Abbreviations

GLA

Greater London Authority

MPS

Metropolitan Police Service

MPA

Metropolitan Police Authority

C. Race and equality impact

There are no adverse equality or diversity implications associated with this proposal. Proposals and plans to progress work in the areas of equality and diversity is included as an appendix in Equalities Priorities & Budget 2007/08 (Appendix 4) which was approved by MPA Equalities and Diversity Board on 7 September 2006.

D. Financial implications

1. The GLA Budget guidance has requested the inclusion of information and financial data around three key strands of sustainable development. The total budgets are as follows:

• Equalities - £196 million
• Environmental Management - £24 million
• Health & Safety, and Occupational Health - £6.3 million

2. The Environmental Management figure does not include overall budgets for the Safer Neighbourhood’s Initiative, Transport Operational Command Unit, and Safer Schools Partnership as their environmental work forms part of the overall work programme which delivers a number of social and environmental benefits which are not possible to cost. It should be noted that these funds are drawn from a number of budgets allocated by the MPA for the delivery of services and frontline policing. These initiatives meet a number of objectives to support MPS policing, but have been highlighted because of their significant environmental benefits or emphasis. The figures provided in Appendix 2 show how the activities under the Environmental Strategy are funded or how existing funds support its delivery.

E. Background papers

None

F. Contact details

Report author: Emma Devenish, Environment & Sustainability Manager, MPS

For more information contact:

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

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