Facilities for MPS support associations

Report: 11
Date: 1 November 2001
By: Commissioner

Summary

This paper provides details of the facilities provided to the MPS staff support associations, the arrangements for meeting the associations on a regular basis and the approach to be taken to the formation of new associations.

A. Recommendations

That members note the current position.

B. Supporting information

1. Over recent years a number of staff support associations have been formed embracing ethnic origin, religious belief and sexual orientation. The associations represent both police and civil staff and do not supersede any statutory bodies, such as the Police Federation or trade unions recognised by the MPS.

2. The associations have a key role to play in actively supporting operational policing and have been involved in a number of high profile cases, such as the Soho nail bombing incident and the Damilola Taylor murder enquiry. The associations also make a positive contribution to a number of MPS objectives such as the Diversity Strategy, recruitment and retention initiatives as well as developing police performance through improved understanding of London's diverse communities.

3. A review of the facilities offered to the staff support associations was undertaken recently and a number of support facilities have now been made available. The review identified a number of ways in which the associations could be formally supported by the MPS and these included:

Resources

All recognised associations will be given a minimum level of resources, including a dedicated telephone line, telephone answering facilities, photocopying facilities, IT support and a fax machine.

Accommodation

A number of the associations have already secured accommodation either centrally or in MPS premises close to the communities they represent. PSD are aware of further possible requests and will respond as constructively as possible.

Facility Time

Official facility time, in the region of 15 hours a month, is available to share between the chair, secretary and treasurer to deal with administration and personal cases. Additionally there will be unlimited facility time for management driven work.

Administrative Support

Due to the relatively small size of the individual staff associations, it is unlikely that any one group could justify a full time support post at this time. The situation will be reviewed as the association network evolves.

Financial Provision

Consideration is being given to providing each of the associations with a small budget to spend on items such as printing, publicity, attendance at conferences etc. The budget and amount have yet to be identified but will come from within existing resources.

Training

Consideration will be given to "fast tracking" training courses for some association members where this would result in operational benefit to the MPS.

Meetings with Staff Support Associations

The Assistant Commissioner for HR will meet with the staff support associations on a quarterly basis.

4. The first meeting on the new forum was held on 27 September when the facilities outlined above were fully discussed and agreed by the associations. A list of the staff support associations who attended the meeting is attached at Appendix 1. The purpose of the forum is to provide organisational support for the associations, consider their future resourcing needs and to facilitate discussion about personnel issues and organisational changes affecting the associations and their members. The forum will also consider business cases for the establishment and formal recognition of new support associations. A schedule of meetings for the forthcoming year has been agreed.

C. Financial implications

All of the resource implications identified in this report can be met from within the existing financial provision.

D. Background papers

None.

E. Contact details

The author of this report is Michael Shurety, Assistant Director Personnel.

For information contact:

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

Appendix 1: List of staff support associations attending meeting with AC HR

• Association of Senior Women Officers
• Black Police Association
• Christian Staff Association
• Greek Staff Association
• Lesbian & Gay Association
• MP Sikh Association
• Muslim Staff Association

Apologies received from:

• Catholic Guild
• Jewish Police Association

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