AT A MEETING of the HAMPSHIRE POLICE AUTHORITY held at The Castle, Winchester on Tuesday 22 January, 2002

PRESENT:

Councillor S.A. Hayes (Chairman); Mrs. R. Atkinson; Mrs. C. Barratt; Mrs. L. Cawsey JP; Councillor A. Collett; Mrs. J. Griffin JP; Mr. R. Gully; Councillor P. Heath; Mr. G.M. King JP; Councillor D. Knowles; Councillor P. Mason; Mr. R. Palmer; Councillor Mrs. J. Rayment; Councillor Mrs. M. Snaith.

Also present: Mr. P.C.B. Robertson (Clerk); Mr. P. Kernaghan (Chief Constable); Mr. I.R Readhead (Deputy Chief Constable); Mr. M. Coombes (Director of Finance); Mrs. M. Adamson (Director of Personnel); Mr. E. Knudsen (Treasurer's Department); Chief Supt. G. Stogdon, Ms. J. Bodman (Corporate Services); Mrs. M. Boyes, Miss S. Jackson, Ms. C. Vagg (Clerk's Office).

536 MINUTES

(a) Meeting held on 20 November, 2001

The Minutes of the meeting of the Authority held on 20 November, 2001 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

Matters arising:

Minute 519 - Police and Support Staff Strength

The Clerk referred to a letter received from the Home Office in response to the Authority's request for a deputation with the Home Secretary, which indicated that Hampshire's bid to defer its unallocated share of the Crime Fighting Fund into 2002/03 had been approved and, consequently, declining the deputation request.

Members noted the position.


(b) Meeting held on 8 January, 2002

The Minutes of the meeting of the Authority held on 8 January, 2002 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

In addition, the Authority recorded its thanks to the staff responsible for ensuring that a full response on the Police Reform White Paper was submitted to the Association of Police Authorities by its deadline of 9 January, 2002.

537 CHAIRMAN'S REPORT

(a) Force Chaplain

The Chairman indicated that further consideration was being given to the establishment of a single chaplaincy post for the Force.


(b) Attestations and Awards Ceremonies

The Chairman stressed the importance of Member attendance at these ceremonies and indicated that there were still available dates in 2002. These would be circulated by the office in the next week or so.


(c) Police Funding Settlement 2002/03

The Chairman referred to the Treasurer's letter to the Department of Transport, Local Government and the Regions in relation to the effects of the provisional police funding settlement 2002/03 on the Authority's budget for that year. He indicated that it was clear from his attendance, with the Vice-Chairman, at a recent meeting of the Association of Police Authorities, that the majority of police authorities in England and Wales were in the same position of being faced with a potential high council tax increase of around 15% to "standstill". Any growth proposals would result in an even larger increase. He informed Members that the Financial Affairs Panel would be looking at this issue in detail at its next meeting.

538 NOVATION OF AIRWAVE SERVICE CONTRACT

The Chairman welcomed Mr. J. Parris, Vice-President of Airwave mm02 Limited, to the meeting in order to address Members on the Novation of the Airwave Service Contract from British Telecommunications PLC to Airwave mm02 Limited.

Mr. Parris outlined the background to the current position which had arisen out of a need to negotiate and handle the Airwave contract more effectively by merging the two separate units which used to handle it into one cohesive unit.

As BT demerged, the question of where to locate the unit was considered not only by BT but also with the input of the Police Information Technology Organisation (PITO), the Association of Police Authorities, and the Home Office. It was concluded that the combined unit should rest within the wireless section known as mm02. Prior to this, PITO led discussions to ensure that every precaution was taken to safeguard the interests of all parties which had ultimately resulted in that organisation agreeing to novate the framework agreement.

Mr. Parris indicated that, in view of the short timescale, individual police authorities were being given the option of speaking to him direct before agreeing to novate their Services Contract from BT to Airwave mm02 Limited.

Members then sought assurances from Mr. Parris in relation to issues such as the vulnerability of mm02 to a takeover bid, the ability of the company to keep up with new technology over the 20 year contract life, and the strength of the company in terms of both capital assets and expertise.

Mr. Parris responded with regard to the issue of vulnerability that the new contract had a "change of control" clause which gave police authorities rights to terminate the contract and effectively take their business elsewhere. This would be known by any potential bidder who would need to ensure their acceptability. He assured the Authority that although BT were the only bidder for the Airwave Service at the end of the bidding process, a significant number of companies had been involved in the earlier stages. In addition, on the issue of the possibility of the contract being awarded to an "unfriendly" foreign bidder, Mr. Parris assured Members that the Government only granted licences to "friendly" and competent bidders. He also indicated that it was in the commercial interest of the company to ensure that the IT needs of police officers were met and that, in this respect, progress was being made towards "TETRA2" which would result in an improved and faster version of the current system. He stressed there was an obligation in the current contract to keep the technology fresh and live and work in this respect was already underway.

Finally he reiterated that the provision of the Airwave Service rested with mm02 as it was the company that could best discharge the service. BT now had no mobile expertise whilst mm02 was a very large company with the expertise to manage the contract most effectively.

The Deputy Chief Constable assured Members that the proposed contract had been examined carefully and the Force had concluded that there were sufficient safeguards to allow novation to take place and for the Force to obtain coverage and assets for all their police officers to at least the same standard as currently.

The Chairman acknowledged that the Authority had little option but to agree to the novation arrangements but, nonetheless, he thanked Mr. Parris, on behalf of Members for attending the meeting in order to answer Members' concerns.

RESOLVED:

That the novation of the contract from BT to mm02 be approved.

539 POLICE AND SUPPORT STAFF STRENGTH

The Authority considered a report of the Chief Constable (Item 4 in the Minute Book) which set out police strength against budgeted strength as at 31 December, 2001.

Members were pleased to note that there had been a strong initial response to the recent local recruitment campaign. The Chief Constable's comments in relation to medical retirements were also noted, namely that at least half of medical retirements were related to conditions such as cancer and multiple sclerosis.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

540 POLICE AUTHORITY - STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

The Authority considered a report of the Clerk (Item 5 in the Minute Book) which set out for endorsement the wording of a Statement of Purpose for use, as appropriate, by the Authority.

The Authority's Media Services Officer indicated that the Statement would be incorporated into the Community Strategy and used in any appropriate publicity material that the Authority produced.

RESOLVED:

That the content and proposed use of the "Statement of Purpose" be endorsed.

541 COMMUNITY CONSULTATION : MORI RESEARCH PROPOSAL

The Authority considered a report of the Clerk (Item 6 in the Minute Book) which sought approval to action taken regarding the use of MORI to undertake some community consultation work.

The Authority's Media Services Officer indicated that the MORI proposal was being further amended to take into account the requirement of the Authority that the focus groups discuss general policing issues and concerns which could then be included in the consultation strategies of the newly established consultation core groups. She indicated that, in view of the tight timescale for the implementation of the recommendations of the consultation review conducted by the Authority during 2001, and in order for the results of MORIs work to be incorporated into the core group strategies, it was necessary to present an earlier proposal to the Chairman's Policy Group on 18 December for discussion. The Group supported the use of MORI -led focus groups and, subsequently, the Clerk, in discussion with the Chairman, authorised the commencement of the work at a cost of £9,500 plus VAT.

RESOLVED:

That the action taken by the Clerk, in consultation with the Chairman, regarding the use of MORI to undertake some community consultation work on behalf of the Authority be approved.

542 THE VETTING OF MEMBERS OF THE POLICE AUTHORITY AND POLICE AUTHORITY STAFF

The Authority considered a report of the Chief Constable (Item 7 in the Minute Book) recommending that Members of the Authority and their staff accept vetting and clearance checks in accordance with recommended Government standards.

Members unanimously endorsed the proposal and noted that any issues which should arise in the future as a result of such checks would be entirely a matter for the Authority to consider.

RESOLVED:

That Police Authority Members and Staff be vetted to Counter Terrorism check level including Police National Computer and Local Intelligence checks.

543 LOCAL STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS

The Authority considered a report of the Clerk (Item 8 in the Minute Book) which described the development of Local Strategic Partnerships in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight and suggested a way forward for the Authority in engaging with these groups. In addition, the report referred to Local Public Service Agreements which were currently being rolled out across all top-level local authorities in England but not yet being offered to police authorities.

The Clerk indicated that as the experience of the Authority in engaging with local Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnerships had been patchy, it was expected that engagement at district level in local LSPs was likely to be similar. He referred to Hampshire County Council's emerging LSP where Police Authority involvement had been welcomed and referred to the benefits of engagement at this level particularly in view of the fact that the county-wide partnership had a link into all of the local LSPs in Hampshire through member representation. In this way, police authority involvement at local level could be targeted on the basis of need through the County Group which would avoid members being involved with partnerships where their input would be limited. He indicated that efforts were continuing to reach a similar agreement with the Isle of Wight, Portsmouth and Southampton.

Members noted that Southampton City Council was not intending to invite a representative of the Authority onto its LSP at the present time and it was agreed that approaches continue to be made to this authority together with Portsmouth and the Isle of Wight in order to stress the benefits of police authority involvement for their partnerships.

In respect of Hampshire County Council's LSP, it was agreed that Mr. R.J. Gully should be the Authority's representative on this group.

RESOLVED:

(a) That the report be noted.


(b) That the approach as set out in paragraphs 3.3 and 5.1 of the report be adopted.


(c) That Mr. R.J. Gully be appointed as the Authority's representative on the Hampshire County-Wide Local Strategic Partnership.

544 POLICE AND COMMUNITY LIAISON GROUPS

The Authority considered a report of the Clerk (Item 9 in the Minute Book) on meetings of PCLGs which had been held in November and December, 2001.

Members were pleased to note that there had been a large response to the recent advertisement for the positions of Core Group Administrators and over 100 completed application forms had been returned. Interviews would be held in the coming week and it was anticipated that all of the positions would be filled before the first meetings of the core groups were held.

Members also discussed the issue of ensuring that all areas within Hampshire and the Isle of Wight were covered by the new consultation arrangements and it was agreed that individual core groups should be responsible for ensuring that this was the case. It was accepted that, inevitably, there would be some teething problems as the new arrangements bedded down but that, in any event, the overall position would be kept under constant review and adjustments made as appropriate.

Finally, the Chairman referred to recent press articles which had been critical of the Authority's new consultation arrangements and to which he had responded.

RESOLVED:

(a) That the report be noted.


(b) That the Chairman write personally to PCLG Secretaries thanking them for all their support and efforts to assist with the running of PCLGs.

545 REPORTS FROM MEMBERS ATTENDING MEETINGS OF OUTSIDE BODIES/CONFERENCES

(a) RESOLVED:

That a report from Mrs. J. Griffin JP on her attendance at a conference on Crime and the Impact on Rural Communities held on the Isle of Wight on 17-19 October, 2001 be received. (Item 10(a) in the Minute Book).


(b) RESOLVED:

That a report from Mr. G.M. King JP on his attendance at a seminar on police bullying held in Coventry on 26 November, 2001 be received. (Item 10(b) in the Minute Book).


(c) RESOLVED:

That a report from Mr. G.M. King JP and Mrs. M. Boyes on their attendance at the first meeting of the Police Authority Training Liaison Member Network held in London on 14 December, 2001 be received. (Item 10(c) in the Minute Book).

546 NOTES OF THE MEETING OF THE COMMUNITY AFFAIRS STEERING GROUP

RESOLVED:

That the notes of the meeting of the Community Affairs Steering Group held on 4 December, 2001 be received (Item 11 in the Minute Book).

547 MINUTES OF THE FINANCIAL AFFAIRS PANEL

That the Minutes of the meeting of the Financial Affairs Panel held on 12 December, 2001 be received and, where necessary, adopted (Item 12 in the Minute Book).

548 MINUTES OF THE PERSONNEL PANEL

RESOLVED:

That the Minutes of the meeting of the Personnel Panel held on 15 January, 2002 be received (Item 13 in the Minute Book).

549 EXCLUSION OF THE PRESS AND PUBLIC

RESOLVED:

That, by virtue of the Paragraphs of Part I of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972, as set out below, the press and public be excluded from the meeting.

Minute 550 - Paragraph 1
Minute 551 - Paragraph 1

550 STANDARDS COMMITTEE - INDEPENDENT MEMBERSHIP

The Authority considered a confidential report of the Clerk (Item 15 in the Minute Book) which sought approval to the names of the two independent members of the Authority's Standards Committee following interviews held on 6 December, 2001. In addition, the report set out terms of reference for the Standards Committee.

RESOLVED:

(a) That the recommendation of the Selection Panel for the appointment of external independent Members to the Authority's Standards Committee be approved as follows for a period of two years plus a further two years with the approval of the Authority:-

Mrs. W. Burton
Mr. R. Coldham


(b) That the proposed Terms of Reference for the Standards Committee be approved.


(c) That the next steps in the process for adopting a local Code of Conduct for Members as set out in the report be noted.

551 INTRODUCTION OF THE RANK OF DEPUTY CHIEF CONSTABLE

The Authority considered a confidential report of the Clerk and the Chief Constable (Item 16 in the Minute Book) on the re-establishment of the rank of Deputy Chief Constable in accordance with Section 123 of the Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001 which came into force on 1 January, 2002.

Members noted that it was the strong advice of the Chief Constable and the Clerk that, with the approval of the Secretary of State, the current postholder, Mr. Ian Readhead be confirmed in the post of Deputy Chief Constable with effect from 1 January, 2002.

RESOLVED:

That, with the approval of the Secretary of State, Mr. I.R. Readhead be appointed as Deputy Chief Constable with effect from 1 January, 2002.

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