Metropolitan Police Authority March Full Authority Meeting

21/03
24 March 2003

The Metropolitan Police Authority will meet on Thursday 27 March at 10.00am in Meeting Room 1 (ground floor), 10 Dean Farrar Street, SW1. The meeting is open to members of the public and press.

Members will be discussing child protection issues following the Victoria Climbie Inquiry report, published on 28 January 2003. This made 108 recommendations, 18 of which are specific to police and 17 generic to all agencies. The paper looks at child protection in the Met generally and in relation to these recommendations specifically.

Toby Harris, Chair of the MPA, said:

“Since Victoria Climbie’s death much of the work to implement the recommendations in Lord Laming’s report has already begun. The MPA has worked closely with the MPS to effect wide-ranging changes and provide sufficient resources for child protection investigation. The Authority has provided specific funding for additional training and on-going money for the implementation of the recommendations.

“The Authority has already recognised the importance of giving child protection investigation high priority in the annual policing plan, and we will address in particular how the police intend to effect change and ensure that they deliver a service of the highest professional standard. We will be monitoring on a regular basis the implementation of these changes.”

The Home Office has requested a progress report from the Met and the recommendations will be undertaken within designated periods. A joint MPS/MPA Project Management Board will be set up, chaired by Assistant Commissioner Tarique Ghaffur and Richard Sumray, the MPA’s child protection link member, will represent the Authority.

Further consideration will be given to the final format of the Policing and Performance Plan 2003/4, which now includes outstanding targets and measures discussed at the February Full Authority meeting. An oral update will also be given to relate any feedback from the Home Secretary about the MPA’s proposed three year strategy plan ‘Towards the Safest City’.

The Commissioner and Toby Harris will formally launch the Met’s Crime Academy on Monday 31 March at the Hendon Training School. A paper will be presented to members about the concept of the Academy, which will be to provide a co-ordinated approach to investigative training, reduce duplication, achieve savings and incorporate best practice into courses.

Under the Freedom of Information Act 2000, from January 2005 any person will have a general right of access to information held by a public body. The MPA will have to fulfill the requirements of the act by that time and Members will begin this process by considering a paper on a publication scheme, which must be in place by June this year.

Other matters to be considered include growth issues in the Met 2003/4, covering allocation of additional officers to be recruited and PCSOs to boroughs in 2003/4; a report outlining the work of the Met’s Specials, including a scheme for fast tracking applications for Police Constable and funding for 2003/4 for Community Police Consultative Groups and Independent Custody Visitors.

The Commissioner, Sir John Stevens will give an update on operational policing issues in London, including the anti war in Iraq rally on Saturday 22 March, and Toby Harris, Chair of the MPA, Catherine Crawford, Clerk to the Authority and Members will give updates on Authority matters.

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