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AT A MEETING of the HAMPSHIRE POLICE AUTHORITY held at The Castle,
Winchester on Tuesday 21 November, 2000
PRESENT:
Councillor R.A. Culver (Chairman); Mrs. R. Atkinson; Mr. M.J.
Attenborough-Cox; Mrs. C. Barratt; Councillor Capt. M.P.R. Boyle DL; Dr. A.C.
Chitnis; Councillor A.P. Collett; Councillor J. Fazackarley; Mrs. J. Griffin
JP; Mr. R.J. Gully; Councillor S.A. Hayes; Councillor P.A. Heath; Mr. G.M.
King BEM JP; Mr. M.B. Knott JP; Councillor J. Rayment; Councillor Mrs. L.E.
Rogerson.
Also present: Mr. P.C.B. Robertson (Clerk); Mr. P. Kernaghan (Chief
Constable); Mr. I.R. Readhead (Deputy Chief Constable); Mr. P. Jacobs
(Assistant Chief Constable); Mr. J.C. Pittam (Treasurer); Chief Supt. G.
Stogdon (Corporate Services); Ms. J. Bodman (Corporate Services); Mr. G.
Ford (Performance Review Manager); Ms. C. Vagg (Clerk's Office); Mrs. C.
Godding (Clerk's Office); Mrs. M. Boyes (Clerk's Office).
415. MINUTES
The Minutes of the meeting of the Authority held on 26 September, 2000
were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.
Matters arising:
Minute 394(a) - Detective Sergeant A. Prangnell
Members noted that Mrs. Barratt had received a letter from Detective Sergeant
Adrian Prangnell asking her to expressed his gratitude to the Authority for
their letter of support which he had received whilst being held in detention
in Yugoslavia.
Minute 394(g) - Force Chaplain
Members noted that the new force Chaplain was Mr. Robin Nash. A start date
was yet to be confirmed.
Minute 394(i) - Forensic Science Laboratory
The Chairman reported that the visit to the Forensic Science Laboratory in
London on 17 November, 2000 had been very interesting.
Minute 394(j) - Police Staff College, Bramshill
The Chairman reported that arrangements for the visit to Bramshill were in
hand and Members would be informed of a date in due course.
Minute 398 - Stop and Search Information Cards
Members noted that the amendments had now been incorporated into the cards,
which had now been printed and would be circulated shortly.
Minute 414 - Replacement of Police Aircraft
Members noted that the first flight of the new aircraft would be on 21
December, 2000, when it would fly to Bournemouth for painting. The plane
would be available on 3 and 4 January, 2001 at Lee-on-Solent for Members to
view.
It was noted that there would be regular weekly visits to check on progress,
however full possession of the aircraft would not take place until the second
week in February - two weeks later than scheduled. Subsequently there would
be 3 weeks "down time" whilst equipment was installed.
Members were informed they would be updated on the situation again before
Christmas.
416. CHAIRMAN'S REPORT
(a) Lay Visitors - Home Office Proposals
The Chairman reported that he had recently received a discussion document
from the Association of Police Authorities, outlining Home Office proposals
recommending Police Authority Members should not be Lay Visitors.
(b) Marine Unit
At the request of the Chairman, the Assistant Chief Constable updated Members
on the new vessels to be acquired. Members noted that all three vessels
would be ready by March, 2001, the first by January. It was suggested
Members might wish to visit some time in January or February, 2001.
(c) Conferences
The Chairman thanked all Members for attending conferences.
(d) Black Police Officers Association
The Chairman reported that he had met with the Chairman of the Association to
discuss the future of the BPOA. He added that the Association would continue
to function in its present form until further notice and he would meet with
them again in a months time.
(e) Police Authority Office - Staffing Structure
The Chairman reported that his review of the Police Authority staffing
structure was nearly complete and that he was shortly to meet with the Clerk
to discuss arrangements.
(f) Association of Police Authorities
The Chairman stated that the Authority had been criticised recently for
refusing to support the "Forces Adjoining London Initiative". The Chief
Constable added that Sussex had also disassociated themselves with this
proposal, and he had written to the Home Office stating his concerns, as he
felt the offer was a quick fix and provided no logical solution to the
recruitment problem.
(g) Police Authority Away Day
The Chairman stated that an "Away Day" would be organised for early in the
New Year.
417. REVISED BUDGET 2000/01
The Authority considered a report of the Chief Constable and Treasurer
(Item 3 in the Minute Book) reviewing the current year's budget and providing
an update of the position set out in the Medium Term Projection, as reported
to the Financial Affairs Panel on 20 September, 2000. In addition, it
reported on the outcome of the claim against Customs and Excise.
The Chief Constable stated that whilst he noted Members concerns
surrounding the allocation of money towards training, he wanted to allocate
the majority of funding to frontline services.
Members noted that the claim for £175,000 reimbursement from the Government
for additional costs during the fuel crisis, would be submitted by the end of
the month.
RESOLVED:
(a) That the use of the anticipated saving on police pay to fund
additional police overtime be noted.
(b) That the £666,000 recovered from the retrospective VAT refund be
welcomed and added to the General Reserve and its use considered when the
2001/02 budget is set.
(c) That the Revised Budget as set out in Column 9 of the Appendix to the
report be approved.
418. "MODERNISING LOCAL GOVERNMENT FINANCE" - THE GOVERNMENT GREEN PAPER
The Authority considered a report of the Treasurer (Item 4 in the
Minute Book) concerning the recently published Government Green Paper on
"Modernising Local Government Finance". The report summarised the key points
and appended a detailed analysis. It also highlighted the fact that any new
system of local government finance would be unlikely to be in place until
2003/04 or 2004/05.
RESOLVED:
That the Treasurer, in consultation with the Chairman of the
Authority, be authorised to respond on behalf of the Police Authority to the
Green Paper "Modernising Local Government Finance" on the basis of the
comments in the report and its Appendix.
419. FREEMASONRY IN THE POLICE SERVICE - HOME OFFICE CONSULTATION PAPER
The Authority considered a report of the Clerk (Item 5 in the Minute
Book) concerning a request from the Association of Police Authorities and the
Home Office for Police Authorities views on achieving transparency in
relation to Freemasonry in the Police Service. In addition, the report
referred to a voluntary survey of Freemasonry Membership conducted in 1999,
which proved unsuccessful in obtaining meaningful figures with the result
that the Home Office had requested the views of Authorities on how a
satisfactory response rate could be obtained.
The Chief Constable reported that he believed in openness and equality
and did not support a regime that encompassed outdated attitudes. He
believed registration should be compulsory but should be applicable to all
sections of the Criminal Justice System, including the judiciary..
Members supported these views and added that Freemasonry should not be
singled out for registration and that other memberships might also be
declared in the interests of securing public confidence.
RESOLVED:
(a) That the following comments of the Authority be passed to the Home
Office and the Association of Police Authorities in response to the
consultation paper:-
(i) That registration should be compulsory and should apply to all
sections of the Criminal Justice System, including the judiciary.
(ii) That Freemasonry should not be singled out for registration and that
other memberships should also be declared in the interests of securing public
confidence.
(NOTE: Councillor P. Heath declared a non-pecuniary interest in respect of
the above item and took no part in the consideration of this item).
420. PART 1 -AUTOMATIC FINGERPRINT RECOGNITION (AFR) CONSORTIUM : EXIT AND
CLOSEDOWN - UPDATE
PART 2 - AFR SERVICES AFTER CONSORTIUM CLOSEDOWN
The Authority considered a report of the Clerk (Item 6 in the Minute
Book) providing Members with information in relation to the Exit and
Closedown of AFR and the provision of AFR services after the Consortium
ceases to exist.
RESOLVED:
143
(a) That the report be noted.
(b)
144
That the Clerk be authorised to take any necessary action to implement the
Consortium's Exit and the Authority's Closedown on the lines set out in the
report.
421. RENEWAL OF LEASE OF WESTGATE CHAMBERS
The Authority considered a report of the Chief Constable, Treasurer
and Clerk (Item 7 in the Minute Book) concerning the recently renewed lease
of Westgate Chambers for a 10 year term.
Members expressed a number of concerns about the length of lease,
break clause provisions and the possible longer term need for more space.
The Clerk undertook to write to Members setting out details of the
Lease.
RESOLVED:
That a contribution of £95,000 from the Capital Reserve to meet the set aside
requirement for the renewal of the lease of Westgate Chambers be approved.
422. HOME OFFICE CRIME REDUCTION PROGRAMME : TARGETED POLICING INITIATIVE
ROUND 2
The Authority considered a report of the Chief Constable (Item 8 in
the Minute Book) informing Members of a successful bid made by the
Constabulary for Home Office grant support for a Crime Reduction Programme
(Targeted Policing Initiative) to be undertaken in the Paulsgrove area of
Portsmouth.
Members noted this had been one of the 7 bids from Hampshire and was
the only one that had survived the initial "expression of interest" stage (ie
Round 1).
RESOLVED:
That the Home Office grant for the Crime Reduction Programme in
Paulsgrove be welcomed and the budget adjusted accordingly.
423. HM INSPECTORATE OF CONSTABULARY THEMATIC INSPECTION REPORT ON POLICE
INTEGRITY - SECURING AND MAINTAINING PUBLIC CONFIDENCE
The Authority considered a report of the Chief Constable (Item 9 in
the Minute Book) on the Constabulary's response to the 1999 thematic
inspection report and summarising the work undertaken to answer the questions
posed in the good practice guide.
Members noted that they would shortly receive a report concerning new
grievance procedures.
RESOLVED:
That the report be noted.
424. POLICE AND COMMUNITY LIAISON GROUPS
The Authority considered a report of the Clerk (Item 10 in the Minute
Book) appending summary sheets from Police and Community Liaison Groups and
recommending a further increase in the mileage rate for PCLG Secretaries and
Lay Visitors in line with increased mileage rates for Police Authority
Members.
Members were pleased to note the increasing numbers of attendees at
public meetings.
RESOLVED:
(a) That the report be noted.
(b) That the mileage rate for Secretaries of PCLGs and Lay Visitors be
increased to 48.4 pence per mile and in future be increased in line with the
Authority's own Scheme of Allowances.
425. PERFORMANCE INDICATORS - SECOND QUARTER REPORT
The Authority received the second quarterly report on the progress of
the Police Authority's Performance Indicators incorporating the Best Value
indicators (Item 11 in the Minute Book).
RESOLVED:
That the report be noted.
426. CONFERENCES AND OUTSIDE BODIES
(a) For the purpose of allowances, the Authority approved the attendance
of Members at the following events:
(i) 9 November, 2000 - District Audit : District Audit National Police
Conference "Take your Partners", CBI Conference Centre, London - Councillor
R.A. Culver and Mr. M.J. Attenborough-Cox.
(ii) 13 November, 2000 - National Independent Advisory Groups Conference,
London - Mr. M.B. Knott JP
(iii) 28 November, 2000 - Joint Emergency Services Conference, Queen
Elizabeth II Conference Centre, London - Councillor R.A. Culver.
(iv)
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29 November, 2000 - Association of Police Authorities Human Rights Training,
Cardiff - Mrs. R.A. Atkinson, Councillor A. Collett, Councillor J.
Fazackarley, Mrs. J. Griffin JP, Councillor Mrs. L.E. Rogerson.
(v) 13 February, 2001 - Eastleigh Borough Council "Preventing Crime and
Disorder in Town Centres", The Point, Eastleigh - Mrs. J. Griffin JP, Mr. B.
Saunders.
It was noted that the Human Rights Training in Crewe on 1
December had been cancelled.
(b) The Authority noted the following reports of Officers/Members on their
attendance at previous conferences (Item 12b(i), (ii), (iii) and (iv) in the
Minute Book):-
(i) A report from the Principal Officer, Clerk's Office on her attendance
at the APA Support Staff Seminar, London on 27 September, 2000.
(ii) A report from Councillor D. Gillett on his attendance at the APA
Annual Conference, Birmingham on 11/12 October, 2000.
(iii) A report from Dr. A.C. Chitnis on his attendance at the APA Best Value
Conference, Peterborough on 31 October, 2000.
(iv) A report from Mrs. J. Griffin JP on her attendance at the APA Rural
Policing Conference, Lincoln on 6 to 7 November, 2000.
In addition, a further paper was circulated from Mr. Knott
reporting on his attendance at the National Independent Advisory Groups
Conference in London on 13 November, 2000.
It was noted that future reports from Members should include the
names of all the Members who attend. It was further noted that Mr.
Gully's report on the APA "Shaping the Agenda" conference on 11 and 12
October, 2000 would be circulated with the next Police Authority
agenda.
427. MINUTES OF THE CRIME PREVENTION PANEL
RESOLVED:
That the Minutes of the meeting of the Crime Prevention Panel held on
26 October, 2000 be received (Item 13 in the Minute Book).
It was noted that the Authority would be asked to review revised
estimates in future.
28.
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NOTES OF THE COMMUNITY AFFAIRS STEERING GROUP
RESOLVED:
That the Minutes of the meeting of the Community Affairs Steering
Group held on 1 November, 2000 be received (Item 4 in the Minute Book).
The Chairman of the Steering Group reported on the pilot of the new
style consultation questionnaire and some discussion followed with regard to
the two areas chosen to run the pilot. It was noted that these areas had
been chosen as they were both holding meetings before Christmas and this
would enable results to be analysed in plenty of time before the next
financial year.
The Chairman of the Steering Group agreed that he would give some
consideration to including Southampton and North Hampshire in the pilot if
possible.
Members further noted that the Chairman had written to Members asking
for their feedback on the effectiveness of their Membership of crime and
disorder partnerships.
429. MINUTES OF PERSONNEL PANEL
RESOLVED:
That the Minutes of the meeting of the Personnel Panel held on 7
November, 2000 be received (Item 15 in the Minute Book).
The Chairman of the Panel reported that the no smoking policy being
piloted at Southampton Central Custody Centre was progressing well. The
Chief Constable added that the Best Value Review of custody areas was to be
brought forward in response to the concerns of Members.
430. MINUTES OF THE BEST VALUE AND PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT PANEL
RESOLVED:
That the Minutes of the meeting of the Best Value and Performance
Management Panel held on 9 November, 2000 be received (Item 16 in the Minute
Book).
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