Equality objectives of MPA Committees

Report: 10
Date: 15 November 2007
By: the Chief Executive

Summary

The report sets out the equality objectives relevant to the work of the Professional Standards and Complaints Committee. The specific objectives as detailed in this report will in conjunction with the objectives and workings of other MPA committees solidify the MPA’s commitment to equality. The objectives are intended to demonstrate that the MPA as a whole is fulfilling its statutory and policy obligations in this area and will assist the MPA to move through the levels of the Equality Standard for Local Government.

A. Recommendations

That members agree the recommended equality objectives, subject to confirmation by the full Authority.

B. Supporting information

1. There are a number of pieces of legislation that impose equality duties on public bodies in the areas of race, gender and disability. The MPA is subject to those duties. The MPA is further required, under Section 404 of the Greater London Authority Act 1999, under which it was created, to promote equality of opportunity for all persons irrespective of their race, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, religion or belief and to eliminate unlawful discrimination. It is the policy of the Authority is to apply the law to each of the diversity strands (race, gender, disability, sexual orientation, age and religion or belief) and operate a gold standard.

2. First introduced in October 2001, the Equality Standard for Local Government (ESLG) provides a framework for ensuring that ‘a comprehensive and systematic approach’ is taken towards equalities. By working through the Equality Standard, disadvantage associated with age, disability, faith, gender, race and sexual orientation can be identified and action taken to eliminate these barriers. The Greater London Authority (GLA) agreed that all members of the GLA family group [London Development Agency (LDA); London Fire & Emergency Planning Authority (LFEPA); Metropolitan Police Authority (MPA); Transport for London (TfL)] would work towards level 5 of the Standard.

3. At this time, the MPA is working towards level 3 of the ESLG. That level is best described as “Setting equality objectives and targets”. It is a vital stage in the Standard, as without objectives the commitments of the MPA could be just words and that would not fulfil our obligations as detailed in paragraph 1 above. The duties placed on the MPA, and those that the MPA has placed upon itself, require it to be proactive in making equality happen. As the work of the MPA is done through its committee structure, it is obvious that objectives at that level are imperative if the MPA is to be seen to be fulfilling its duties and proactively moving the equalities agenda forward.

4. Rather than adopting a standard equality objective for each committee, it is imperative that each committee looks at the work that it does and gives itself a meaningful and stretching objective. It is also important that in working towards such an objective, achievements can be demonstrated i.e. are quantifiable.

5. As a guide to producing a meaningful objective, committees have the resource of the MPA’s Generic Equality Scheme (GNES). That document, still in production, sets out how the MPA, generally, will improve equalities performance, in terms of employment and customer service, across all diversity strands. It focuses on four areas: access, consultation, training and monitoring. In setting equality objectives, it is helpful for committees to utilise those same areas:

• Access – this relates to obtaining information and being able to participate in decision-making processes. It can also relate to physical access e.g. being able to enter buildings to participate in decision-making processes.
• Consultation – this relates to obtaining feedback and ensuring active participation of equality groups in our scrutiny and decision-making processes. In so doing, the MPA will be required to maintain an open-mind to alternative ideas, concepts and perceptions.
• Training – this relates to all training, learning and development activities.
• Monitoring – this relates to providing equality data on activities. For example, examining whether a new policy, procedure or function adversely impacts on deaf and disabled staff or communities.
  
  6. The proposed objectives for the Professional Standards and Complaints Committee are as follows:

Monitoring Disproportionality:

7. The Professional Standards & Complaints Committee will continue to monitor the way in which the Metropolitan Police Service manages conduct and discipline matters particularly in relation to black and minority ethnic officers. The purpose of which will be to ensure that individuals who are the subject of public complaints and conduct matters are treated consistently and proportionately. It is proposed that by June 2008, this objective will be achieved by means of:

• Monitoring equalities data relevant to complaints and conduct matters relevant to police officers and police staff through the established MPA performance framework;
• Commissioning a report detailing progress made by the MPS in response to recommendations made by the Morris Inquiry team, CRE and the Cambridge research project.
• Auditing closed MPS public complaints files in accordance with the Dip Sampling Protocol.
• Reviewing “live” public complaints and misconduct investigations in accordance with the Case Management Protocol.

A Review of MPA Professional Standards Gender and Disability Equality Scheme:

8. As part of the 2007-2008 work programme, an MPA report detailing work undertaken in fulfilment of objectives set under the MPA’s Gender and Disability Equality Scheme will be presented for consideration at the Professional Standards and Complaints Committee The proposed deadline for completion of this objective is April 2008.

C. Race and equality impact

In adopting equality objectives, the committees of the MPA will demonstrate their compliance with the duties placed upon them by equalities legislation and policy. They will also demonstrate to the diverse communities of London that they are an authority of action, and not just commitment, in securing a fair society for all. This, in turn, will lead to a greater willingness of those diverse communities to work with an MPA in which they have greater confidence.

D. Financial implications

There are no specific financial implications arising from this report. Work undertaken in fulfilment of the equalities objectives will be met from the existing budget.

E. Background papers

 None

F. Contact details

Report author(s): Claire L Lister

For more information contact:

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

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