Finance committee workplan 2008-09

Report: 04
Date: 19 June 2008
By: the Chief Executive and Treasurer

Summary

A draft work plan is provided for consideration by members. It is recognised that this list is not exhaustive and issues will arise during 2008-09 that members will wish to discuss or request that reports be submitted.

A. Recommendations

That

1. subject to members’ comments, the work plan for 2008-09 be endorsed; and

2 members confirm that the equality objective continue to be to monitor progress in implementing the Responsible Procurement Policy (see paragraph 17)

B. Supporting information

1. The work programme of the Finance Committee is determined to some extent by external events, such as the Mayor’s budget timetable, and reports are commissioned to cover specific points set out in its terms of reference. The terms of reference are attached at Appendix 1. Meetings are held every month apart from March and May with an additional joint meetings with the Planning Performance and Review Committee to consider the draft Policing London business plan and budget scheduled for 18 September and 17 November 2008.

Reports to be submitted during the year

2. Given the cyclical nature of many budget and financial issues, members can expect to see the same themes of reports repeated year on year. These are shown in Appendix 2:

Finance items

2009-12 business plan and budget

3. The budget submission timetable and requirements are driven by the Mayor / GLA; Responsibility for the approval of the full proposal, prior to submission to the Mayor, sits with the full Authority. The Committee will be updated following the Assembly consideration of the budget

Budget Monitoring

4. There will be regular combined monitoring reports on the capital and revenue budgets. Provisional outturn positions for 2008-09 will be presented at the June committee.

Fees and charges

5. A report on the annual review of fees and charges is scheduled for consideration in January together with the level of rents and service charges.

Efficiency plan

6. As part of their Annual Policing Plan, all police forces and authorities are required to demonstrate efficiency savings t and demonstrate that performance has been maintained or improved. HMIC has agreed that the MPS send a quarterly self-assessment to them. The efficiency plan for 2008-09 was presented in April and progress reports will be submitted on a quarterly basis.

Capital Strategy and Programme 2009/10-2015/16

7. The Programme was considered in November 2007. The capital programme will be reviewed in July. The effectiveness of the capital strategy will be reviewed annually in the light of changing investment needs and priorities.

Treasury Management Strategy

8. The strategy for 2008-09 was presented to the committee in February. A six-month monitoring report will be provided in November, with the full year review presented at the May meeting.

Financial improvement programme.

9. Specific areas of development in which the Committee will continue to take an active interest include internal control, capital budgeting and activity based costing.

Property Services items

10. Omnibus reports on estate issues will be submitted to alternate meetings. Specific reports on, for example, property acquisitions and disposals and the provision of patrol bases will be submitted as necessary. The Committee will receive regular updates on the Central London accommodation strategy. The Estate Oversight Group will give initial consideration to all estate matters.

Procurement

12. There will be progress reports on the routine contracts programme. Reports will be submitted as necessary for the approval of contracts – and where there are issues to be resolved.

13. There will be quarterly progress reports on the Contracts Rolling Programme. Miscellaneous update / progress reports will be submitted as and when procurement specific tasks are clearly identified and action plans in place that clearly identify a way forward or make recommendations. The Procurement Oversight Group will give initial consideration to procurement matters.

Insurance

14. In September, the Committee will consider the renewal of the insurance and liability premiums.

Information Systems and Information Technology

15. Reports will be submitted as necessary for the approval of contracts, contract compliance and where there are issues to be resolved. Submissions will be in line with projects specified in the Annual Capital Programme. The ISIT Oversight Group will give initial consideration to ISIT matters.

Miscellaneous reports

16. Reports will be submitted as necessary on other subjects within the Committee’s remit, for example:

• police overtime,
• activity based costing (ABC),
• review of special services agreements,
• Proceeds of Crime Act
• the cost of public order events,
• Management of MPS sports and social clubs

Equality Objective for the Committee

17. Each Committee is required to have an equality objective which is to be reviewed. The objective for the Finance Committee was agreed on 11 December 2007 and is as follows:
Monitor progress in implementing the Responsible Procurement Policy especially:-

• Embedding the policy throughout the MPS
• Increasing the number of diverse suppliers we procure goods and services from
• Implementation of the London Living Wage

C. Race and equality impact

There are no direct diversity implications from this report. The authors in each report will properly reflect the diversity implications and the equalities impact of any proposals. There are diversity issues around procurement in that the process must be engaged-in taking account of the duties under the Race Relations (Amendment) Act and the equalities policies of the MPA/MPS to promote equal opportunities.

D. Financial implications

There are no direct financial implications.

E. Background papers

• none

F. Contact details

Report author(s): John Crompton, MPA

For more information contact:

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

Appendix 1

Finance Committee Terms of Reference

1. To consider and recommend to the Authority:

1. a medium term financial strategy
2. the annual revenue and capital budgets for submission to the Mayor.

2. To consider and review the Authority’s financial reserves.

3. To receive regular monitoring reports from the Treasurer and Commissioner on revenue and capital budget performance.

4. To consider and approve, or recommend to the Authority where the committee considers major policy is involved, major capital programme scheme financial appraisals, justifications and briefs, as required by the Authority’s financial regulations.

5. To consider and award, or recommend to the Authority where the committee considers major policy is involved, major contracts as required by the Authority’s contract regulations.

6. To consider, either directly or by reference from other committees, any policy proposals with significant financial implications or any other non-audit financial matters, and to recommend to the Authority as appropriate.

7. To approve the Authority’s annual Treasury Management policy and strategy, and to receive reports on performance.

8. To consider and determine issues in respect of the MPS estate and other resource issues, such as transport and catering.

9. To consider financial and strategic issues relating to the provision of information systems and information technology.

10. To have due regard, in exercising the committee’s responsibilities, to equal opportunities generally, the general duty of the Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000 and the requirements of any other equalities legislation.

11. To consider and approve major revenue business cases. However, where the committee considers major policy or significant additional or reduced expenditure is involved the committee will make recommendations to the Authority, or Co-ordination & Policing Committee as appropriate, for decision.

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