Minutes

Minutes of the meeting of the Human Resources Committee held at 10 Dean Farrar Street, SW1H 0NY, on 3 October 2002.

Present

Members

• Rachel Whittaker (Chair)
• Anthony Arbour
• Cindy Butts (present for items 1 to 10)
• Kirsten Hearn
• Nicholas Long (present for items 1 to 6)
• Cecile Wright (Deputy Chair)

MPA Officers

• Catherine Crawford (Clerk)
• Ken Hunt (Deputy Treasurer)
• Alan Johnson (Head of Human Resources)
• Derrick Norton (Best Value Planning and Policy Manager)

MPS Officers

• Bob Carr (Head of Recruitment)
• Chris Haselden (Head of HR Strategic Management)
• Bernard Hogan-Howe (Assistant Commissioner, HR)
• Peter Loughborough (Director of Training and Development)
• Denise Milani (Director, Development and Organisational Improvement Team)
• Mike Shurety (Director, HR Services)
• Mike Tarry (Chief Inspector)
• Martin Tiplady (Director, HR)
• Craig Watkins (Head of Business Support, Finance)

Part 1

144. Apologies

(Agenda item 1)

Apologies for absence were received from Jennette Arnold (Member) and Jenny Deere (Director HR Selection).

145. Declarations of interests

(Agenda item 2)

No declarations of interest were received.

146. Minutes - 25 July 2002

(Agenda item 3)

The Committee considered the minutes of the committee meeting held on 25 July 2002. Arising from the minutes, it was noted that a Member stated that he had attended a ‘freshers’ fair at Peel Centre, Hendon, and felt that the MPA should be represented at future occasions. It was agreed that this should be arranged. It was noted that a briefing note had yet to be circulated on Regulation 46.

Resolved - That

1. the minutes of the meeting held on 25 July 2002 be confirmed and signed as a correct record;
2. the MPA be represented at future freshers fairs at Peel Centre, Hendon; and
3. a briefing note be circulated to Members on Regulation 46.

147. Notes of the Remuneration Committee - 29 July 2002;

(Agenda item 4)

Members received the notes of the inquorate meeting of the Remuneration Committee held on 29 July.

Resolved - That the notes of the inquorate meeting of the Remuneration Committee held on 29 July be noted.

148. Chair’s, Members’ and Clerk’s update

(Agenda item 5)

As part of her oral update to the committee the Chair confirmed that four briefing notes had been circulated to Members since the last Human Resources (HR) Committee and reminded Members of the agreed protocol should they wish to discuss them formally. The Chair stated that she had been to a reception for London First. She had been impressed with its business mentoring scheme, part of its Partnership in Policing initiative. The MPS agreed and felt it should be developed.

The Clerk reported that the MPA had two new staff, a policy officer for consultation, and an internal auditor.

Arising from the discussion the Assistant Commissioner, Human Resources stated that new arrangements for the street duties phase of probationer training had been published. They introduced common standards to be applied to the courses but allowed flexibility to shape courses according to local needs. The Police Negotiating Board (PNB) guidance on the criteria for assessing the competence of officers in relation to threshold payments would be finalised at the end of September. A threshold payment of £1,002.00 per annum would be made to officers on achieving one year at the maximum of their pay scale, provided that they met the competency and commitment criteria defined by the PNB. Around 11,000 officers would be eligible for threshold payments from April 2003 and at least 75% of them are expected to qualify following a competency-related assessment.

Resolved – That the oral update be noted.

149. Recruitment and retention

(Agenda item 6)

Members received a report informing them of progress in police and civil staff recruitment and retention against budgeted workforce targets or indicative workforce numbers for 2002/2003. The format of the report was praised, however it was felt that the figures needed to be seen in context of the objective. A Member requested the cost of recruitment and specifically visible ethnic minority recruitment. It was agreed that a briefing note would be circulated to Members. Information was requested on the effects of the changes to the Police Initial Recruitment Test (PIRT). Members were informed that changes had only been introduced in recent months and it was too early yet to make an evaluation.

Resolved – That

1. the report be noted;
2. a briefing note be circulated to Members on the cost of recruitment and specifically visible ethnic minority recruitment;
3. that the MPS provide further information on PIRT changes including ‘success’ rates by gender and ethnic origin; and
4. a report on the work of the Positive Action Team since its inception would be made to the Equal Opportunities and Diversity Board, together with a summary of this report.

150. Recruitment Task Force

(Agenda item 7)

A report was received on the first meeting of a taskforce set up to examine ways of increasing visible minority ethnic recruitment to the Metropolitan Police Service. Members were informed that the taskforce would be examining current recruitment processes to identify any gaps or deficiencies. The Clerk stated that the Chair of the Task Force would write to all Members seeking their proposals on other organisations or groups that could assist the work of the Task Force.

Resolved – That Members note the information on the first meeting of the task force; and the proposed terms of reference.

151. Best value review of retention

(Agenda item 8)

A report was received updating Members on progress towards a best value review of retention.

Resolved – That

1. progress be noted, and
2. the project initiation document for the review be submitted to Co-ordination and Policing Committee as soon as possible.

152. People strategy

(Agenda item 9)

A report noting the outcome of the work to refresh the People Strategy, originally issued in 1999, was received. Members felt that lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender issues were not sufficiently highlighted in the strategy. The Development and Organisational Improvement Team were asked to look at this again with a view to strengthening the MPS’s commitment to inclusion of all diversity issues. In response to a question on timescales and targets, Members were told the action plan was being finalised and would be circulated as a briefing note. Separate reports would be provided in respect of costs for specific initiatives contained within the People Strategy. In answer to a question, the Clerk was informed that the post of ‘fairness at work coordinator’ had been advertised. She suggested that some mention be made of the Authority’s remit concerning health and safety issues.

It was agreed that the committee should receive briefings on civilianisation and restricted duties policy. A report was also requested on the HR department’s role in the Gender Agenda in the workplace.

Resolved – That

1. Members note the people strategy;
2. Members receive briefings on civilianisation and restricted duties policy and a report on the HR department’s role in the Gender Agenda in the workplace;
3. Members receive a copy of the action plan as a briefing note; and
4. the MPS amend the People Strategy to include a statement about the MPA’s responsibility for the Health and Safety.

153. HR directorate budget allocation 2002/03

(Agenda item 10)

Members received a report providing information about the budget allocation to the HR Directorate for 2002-03, details of current expenditure for the year and workforce targets. It also referred to the additional bids for funding made in 2002-03 from centrally held funds for growth by the Directorate, the permanent virement of £1 million from sevicewide to police pay and the bids for growth in 2003-04. There was some discussion of expenditure on training and concern about recruit class sizes.

Resolved – That Members note the report.

154. Civil staff support on boroughs

(Agenda item 11)

A report was received responding to Members’ concerns regarding the combined impact of police/PCSO recruitment and the moratorium on civil staff recruitment. Members asked about the numbers of agency staff and their cost and were told that this would be provided. They were informed that at half the boroughs police had been supplementing civil staff in Criminal Justice Units to reduce backlogs in the processing of cases. Over 200 officers had been performing civilian functions. It was agreed that the full Authority should discuss a report on this issue as soon as possible.

Resolved – That a further report be made to the full Authority.

155. Cost implications of police reform

(Agenda item 12)

A report had been requested providing details about the financial implications arising from the Police Negotiating Board (PNB) agreement on police pay and conditions.

Resolved – That Members receive further update as the financial implications become clearer and the costings are refined.

156. Employment provisions of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995

(Agenda item 13)

Members had requested a report outlining progress in respect of the employment provisions of the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) 1995. The GLA best value review of equality, entitled ‘Equality for All, and including the social model of disability, had been endorsed by all the functional bodies. Members felt disability equality not disability impairment training should be provided, and that disabled staff should be asked if their needs were being met. It was also felt that recognition needed to be given to the inclusion, in 2004, of police in the provisions of the Act.

Resolved – That Members note the progress made to date in respect of the employment provisions of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995.

157. HMIC inspection training matters – progress on recommendations

(Agenda item 14)

A report was received providing the regular six monthly update on the Human Resource recommendations contained in Her Majesty’s Inspector of Constabulary (HMIC) inspection reports. The main focus of the report was the national thematic inspection of probationer training ‘Training Matters’, published in January 2002. It also reported the latest position on recommendations for action contained in the MPS inspection report 2000/01, Open all Hours, published in December 2001 and outstanding recommendations from earlier inspections. A matrix was requested on the relative urgency of the recommendations.

Resolved – That the report be noted.

158. External audit report on employment tribunals

(Agenda item 15)

The District Auditor had submitted a report on the review of Employment Tribunals. It was submitted to the Human Resources Committee for comment. The author, Gordon Ball (District Audit) and Esme Crowther (Head of Employment Tribunal and Grievance Advice Unit) were present to answer questions and inform Members how recommendations had been implemented.

Resolved – That the report be noted.

159. Process for the forfeiture of police pensions

(Agenda item 16)

At a recent meeting the HR Committee had agreed that a further report be produced outlining a process for the consideration of forfeiture. MPA officers had held discussions with the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS), the Association of Police Authorities (APA) and the Home Office. The result of these discussions and further legal advice were reflected in the report. It was agreed to explore the possibility of having someone form the Professional Standards and Complaints Committee on the sub committee. A report would go to the inaugural meeting of the sub committee on the current arrangements.

Resolved – That

1. a sub-committee be formed to make determinations in individual forfeiture cases; and the terms of reference as outlined in the report be agreed;
2. the sub committee receive a report from the MPS setting out the current criteria used when submitting cases and make recommendations to the HR Committee about a protocol for the future; and
3. further work should be set in train to finalise all aspects of the forfeiture process.

160. Appeals panel for business interests

(Agenda item 17)

Under Regulation 10(3) of Police Regulations 1995, a police officer might appeal to the police authority against a decision by the chief constable to refuse permission for a notified business interest. A report was received stating that an appeals panel would need to be appointed by the Metropolitan Police Authority (MPA). It was agreed that the panel should have a minimum of three members.

Resolved – That

1. an Appeals Panel be established for the purpose set out in the report; and
2. the Appeals Panel consist of a minimum of three members of the HR Committee, with the Clerk given delegated authority to approve the Panel membership on each occasion.

161. Human Resources Committee – meetings with Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) Trade Unions, Staff Associations and support organisations

(Agenda item 18)

At its meeting in September 2001, the HR Committee discussed the arrangements for meetings with the trade unions, staff associations and support organisations. A report was received aiming to summarise the outcome of these meetings, notes of which were circulated after each meeting, and to provide a number of options for the way forward.

It was suggested that the HR Committee host themed workshops on subjects suggested by staff groups or such groups be given the opportunity to question Members. It was agreed that the views staff groups would be sought. The MPS asked to be consulted about these arrangements.

Resolved – That a letter be sent to trade unions, staff associations and support organisations seeking their views.

162. Review of senior staff structure

(Agenda item 19)

A report, together with a series of recommendations made by consultants in respect of the MPA Senior Staff Structure, was made to the full Authority on 26 September 2002. It was referred to Members for information

Resolved – That Members note the recommendations agreed by the full Authority

Meeting closed at 4.20 p.m.

The Committee meeting was followed by a presentation on the Best Value Review of Training for Members MPA and MPS officers

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