Minutes - draft

Please note these minutes are currently draft and are subject to committee approval.

Minutes of the Planning, Performance & Review Committee of the Metropolitan Police Authority held on 11 October 07 at 10 Dean Farrar Street, London, SW1H 0NY.

Present

Members

• Richard Sumray (Chair)
• Karim Murji (Deputy Chair)
• Reshard Auladin

MPA officers

• Siobhan Coldwell (Interim Assistant Chief Executive)
• Elizabeth Orsborn (Management Accountant)
• Jane Owen (Head of Performance and Review)
• Ruth Hastings Iqball (Committee Officer)

MPS officers

• Simon Bray (Commander, Performance Directorate),
• Cressida Dick (DAC, Specialist Operations),
• Allan Gibson (Commander, Covert Policing),
• Rob Jarman (Commander, TP HQ),
• Graeme Keeling (Senior Performance Analyst, Central Operations),
• Craig Mitchell (Supt, TPHQ),
• Gordon Russell (Director, Facilities Management, PSD),
• Mark Simmons (Commander,Criminal Justice)
• Mark Yexley (Det Chief Inspector, TP Violent Crime Directorate, Sapphire)

16. Apologies for absence

(Agenda item 1)

Apologies were received from Rose Fitzpatrick (DAC, Territorial Policing).

17. Declarations of interests

(Agenda item 2)

No declarations of interest were received.

18. MINUTES OF THE PLANNING, PERFORMANCE AND REVIEW COMMITTEE: 12 JULY 2007

(Agenda item 3)

Resolved - That the minutes of the meetings held on 12 July 2007 (part 1) be confirmed and signed as a correct record.

19. Criminal Justice update

(Agenda item 4)

(This report was received after agenda item 5). The Committee received a report updating them on the work being carried out by the Department of Criminal Justice. Members noted that virtual courts saved money and time and asked if they provided an incentive for more plea-bargaining. They were told that there had been no sign of plea-bargaining as yet, but the sample size was small. However, it was envisaged that eventually all first hearings would be heard by virtual courts. Questions were asked about the progress of the Libra rollout. They were told that the MPS remained uncomfortable about Libra and the Ministry for Justice shared its concerns about its ability to cope. The delays in Libra had already delayed the MPS’s rollout of the NSPIS case preparation programme by 6-9 months.

Members noted that the findings in relation to integrated prosecution teams (IPTs) appeared in the report to be inconclusive and wondered why a business case was being produced. They were told that this was not the case, and the business case would be signed off in two weeks. A review of the pilot sites had found that more training had been required, and the implementation plan was now more robust. It was requested that a report on the business benefits expected from of IPTs be presented to the Finance Committee. Members asked in relation to the ‘Offences Bought To Justice’ (OBTJ) figures that the percentage of ‘Taken Into Consideration’ (TIC) had decreased over a three-year period whilst the percentage of cannabis warnings had increased. They were told that cannabis warnings were the subject of an internal debate and the difference could be based on internal priorities, often informed by the consultation with local communities by Safer Neighbourhood Teams.

The Chair was interested in recent figures in relation to Camden, where 60% of sanctioned detections were made up of charges, whilst the figure was a maximum of 45% for other northwest boroughs. The Commander, TP HQ, said Camden was different to other boroughs in the area as it was focused on charging. He added that the differences in performance between boroughs was noted by the Criminal Justice Command. The Chair suggested that report be commissioned to understand these differences.

RESOLVED – That

1. the report be noted;

2. a report on the business benefits expected from of integrated prosecution teams (IPTs) be presented to the Finance Committee; and

3. a report be commissioned to understand the differences in the make up of sanctioned detection rates between boroughs and what this may say about actual performance.

20. RAPE UPDATE

(Agenda item 5)

This report provided members with a summary of the MPS performance on rape investigations in London during the period of April to August 2007. It also detailed the progress of work within the Havens and provided information in relation to the MPS Rape Review of 2005 and with the London Criminal Justice Board.

Members noted that rape conviction rates remained low. The Det Chief Inspector, TP Violent Crime Directorate, reported that stated that an increasing number of rapes had been reported to the MPS, but conviction levels remained the same. London had a 31.3% conviction rate in rape trials, compared with 50 % nationally. Studies had been made in relation to the attitude of juries, and it had been found that it was easier to get convictions in ‘stranger rape’ cases than where the victim was known to the rapist. It was noted that there had been a reduction in rape reporting following a controversial television programme earlier in the year. The Det Chief Inspector, TP Violent Crime Directorate, added that reporting in the press of cases where there was no conviction was not proportionate to those where there was a guilty conviction. The Chair, reported that the London Criminal Justice Board had written to the Home Office asking for a national long-term publicity/education campaign in relation to rape. The Government had considered a proposal for expert evidence being given to juries about the nature of rape, but the idea had apparently not been taken up, as the defence would also have to be provided with such an opportunity. It was now trying to introduce a definitive statement on rape before trials.

The Chair requested a report on the development of work within the Havens, with particular emphasis on vulnerable victims.

RESOLVED – That

1. the report be noted;

2. a report be commissioned on the development of work within the Havens, with particular emphasis on vulnerable victims.

21. FRONT COUNTER SERVICES UPDATE

(Agenda item 6)

A report was received providing an update to the progress of the MPS Front Counter Project. Members asked how the project related to the Estates Strategy. They were told that the changing of front offices was a short to medium term strategy taking place over 3 to 5 years whilst the changes to police stations was generally longer term. They asked how waiting times in police stations were monitored and what was considered to be an acceptable waiting time. They were informed that waiting times were not at present monitored.

It was noted that three boroughs (Lambeth, Camden and Barnet) had been supplied with standpoint ‘touch screens’, providing automatic feedback data on the quality of the counter service. Members asked about the results. They also commented that a triage approach to the public entering police stations would always require a minimum of two people manning the counter. Members were told that the MPS had visited such organisations as banks observe how they dealt with waiting customers. The triage approach would be used to advise the public whether they could be dealt with straight away or would have to wait. The use of calendars to make appointments was also being considered.

The Commander, TP HQ, was asked what the primary reasons were for people to visit police stations now given other methods of communication. Members were told that 20% of crime reports were still made at front counters, often by the most vulnerable sections of society, and that crime reporting created queues. The Front Counter Project was working with the Emerald Team to look at ways of improving the speed of crime reporting. Members noted that the person reporting a crime often just wanted a crime reference and asked if this could be automatically generated. The Commander, TP HQ, undertook to ensure this was included as a requirement.

The Chair noted that role of station police and community support officers (SPCSOs) would include an element of patrol, during which they would attend contact points and meet volunteers who provided services in a community settings thus providing a visible presence in communities and assisting Safer Neighbourhood Teams in problem solving activities. He was told that SPCSOs would be expected to do this twice a month.

RESOLVED – That

1. the report be noted; and

2. the progress to date and the future direction of the development of the project be supported.

22. MPS RESPONSE TO HOME OFFICE NATIONAL DRUG STRATEGY CONSULTATION

(Agenda item 7)

This report informed the Committee on how the MPS had responded to the Home Office national drug strategy consultation. The MPS Drugs Directorate had collated views from MPS staff, which had been captured in one composite submission circulated to members at the meeting. The Chair noted that the MPA would be preparing a similar submission. The recent MPA Drug scrutiny would inform its content.

A member, who was the link member for three boroughs, only one of which had a Drug Interventions Programme, felt the Home Office’s failure to extend the scheme was unacceptable. Members were concerned about access to drugs in prison, citing the example of someone who had become an addict only whilst a prisoner. The Commander, Covert Policing, said it was hoped that the MPS would be able to work with the HM Prison Service to reduce the supply of drugs in prison. He explained that the MPS had maintained an open position in relation to cannabis pending the outcome of the Drug Advisory Council’s deliberations, although he noted a hardening of attitude against cannabis in the press.

It was requested that any comments on the draft response be passed to the Assistant Chief Executive in the first instance.

RESOLVED – That the action taken by the MPS to respond to the Home Office National Drug Strategy consultation and its draft response be noted.

23. CORPORATE PERFORMANCE REPORT: FINANCIAL YEAR TO DATE: APRIL - AUGUST 2007

(Agenda item 8)

The Committee received a report providing an overview of MPS performance for the financial year to date 2007/08 (April – August) including an overview of performance with respect to the critical 12 high level indicators and other indicators and targets. Members were informed that since the report had been prepared performance figures for September had become available. The Commander, Performance Directorate, noted that the domestic violence target could not be achieved as there had been some technical changes which made it unrealistic and suggested it should be renegotiated. He was informed that target could not be changed once set.

Members were concerned that one in ten 999 calls were not answered in time, and asked if the call handling centres could not cope with the volume of calls were calls still transferred to New Scotland Yard. The Commander, Performance Directorate, undertook to find out. Reshard Auladin, the MPA’s lead member for C3i reported that the C3i Oversight Group was looking at benefit realisation and performance.

The Commander, Performance Directorate, noted that the PPAF figures for all police forces had been published, and the MPS was 14th out of 43 forces. The Chair congratulated the MPS on its improved performance.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted;

24. BOROUGH CRIME PERFORMANCE: APRIL 2007 TO AUGUST 2007

(Agenda item 9)

A report was received providing an overview of key performance indicators for MPS boroughs for April to August 2007 compared with April to August 2006, examining performance against the main crime types and relevant critical performance areas. It also provides an external perspective via iQuanta and updates on Operation Curb and Safer Neighbourhoods performance. The Chair noted how helpful the inclusion of borough charts had been. Members agreed, adding that it could now be seen how small numeric changes could bring about large percentage differences. They agreed that analysis of the reasons for the changes was required so that the public and partners could understand the data. The Supt, TPHQ, added that the data was examined at DAC performance meetings and good practice shared with other boroughs.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted;

25. CENTRAL OPERATIONS DIRECTORATE MANAGEMENT INFORMATION

(Agenda item 10)

This report contained a summary of Central Operations performance against targets from April 2007 to July 2007 and included commentary and examples of operational success. A focus on the work Central Operations in reducing the number of people killed and seriously injured on London’s roads was also provided. This summer had seen a number of high profile events in London and the report provided details of the impact these had on Central Operations resources. The Chair noted that he had spent time with the Air Support Unit and requested a briefing for members on the capabilities of the new helicopters.

The Chair noted that satisfaction with bus reliability has remained at 74% and satisfaction with journey times had also remained the same and asked what the relevance was for policing. It was speculated that it was a measure of management of red routes, but the Chair would be provided with a note containing more detail. He also noted that drink/drive arrests had increased by over 40% over the last three years but the issue of Fixed Penalty Notices (FPNs) for driving with excessive speed has fallen by 18% during the same period, and wondered what the reasons were for these changes. The Senior Performance Analyst, Central Operations, undertook to explore these figures further. In relation to the increased number of FPNs issued to drivers for mobile phone use, a magistrate member noted that his court was dealing with a large number of appeals arising from these. He was informed that the public felt driving whilst using a hand held mobile phone was unacceptable,

RESOLVED – That

1. the current operational performance within Central Operations be noted;

2. the detailed analysis of killed and seriously injured road casualties and the work in progress to reduce the number be noted; and

3. the impact of high profile events on Central Operations resources be noted.

26. SPECIALIST OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT INFORMATION

(Agenda item 11)

the Committee received a report providing a summary of Specialist Operations Command performance against its objectives from June 2007 to August 2007. Members welcomed the narrative, which put into the public domain in one document, the number of convictions related to terrorist activity.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

27. EQUALITY OBJECTIVES OF MPA COMMITTEES

(Agenda item 12)

Each MPA committee had been asked to agree equality objectives that would show that the MPA was fulfilling its statutory and policy obligations in this area and assist the MPA to move through the levels of the Equality Standard for Local Government. The suggested objective was agreed.

RESOLVED – That recommended equality objective be agreed.

28. EXCLUSION OF PRESS AND PUBLIC

(Agenda item 13)

A resolution was put to exclude the press and public from the meeting during remaining items on the agenda as it was likely to disclose exempt information as described in Schedule 12(a) of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended).

RESOLVED - That the press and public be excluded from the meeting during discussion of the remaining items on the agenda.

29. SERVICE IMPROVEMENT REVIEW OF SECURITY GUARDING – RECOMMENDATIONS PROGRESS REPORT

(Agenda item 14)

The Service Improvement Review of security guarding, concluded in July 2005, made a number of recommendations identifying key areas for improvement. This report provided an update on progress to date in implementing the recommendations and, as all actions were now complete, it recommended the Service Improvement Review of Security Guarding be signed off.

RESOLVED – That

1. as all actions were now complete, the Service Improvement Review of Security Guarding be signed off; and

2. a further report be received in two years time if there were significant changes.

The meeting finished at 4.00 pm.
 

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