AT A MEETING of the HAMPSHIRE POLICE AUTHORITY held at The Castle, Winchester on Tuesday 30 April, 2002

PRESENT:

Councillor S.A. Hayes (Chairman); Mrs. R. Atkinson; Mr. M.J. Attenborough-Cox;

Mrs. C. Barratt; Mrs. L. Cawsey, JP; Councillor A.P. Collett; Councillor J. Fazackarley; Councillor D. Gillett; Mrs. J. Griffin JP; Mr. R.J. Gully; 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. J. Pittam (Treasurer); Mr. I.R. Readhead (Deputy Chief Constable); Mr. M. Coombes (Director of Finance); Chief Supt. G. Stogdon; Ms. J. Simms (Corporate Services); Mrs. M. Boyes; Mrs C. Godding; Ms. S. Jackson; Ms. C. Vagg (Clerk's Office).

APOLOGIES

An apology for absence was received from Councillor D. Knowles.

570 MINUTES

The Minutes of the meeting of the Authority held on 19 February, 2002 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman, subject to the inclusion in Minute 558 - "Police Authority Performance Indicators - Third Quarter Report", of the insertion of the words, "including complaints relating to stop and search procedures," after the word "received" in line 9.

571 CHAIRMAN'S REPORTS

(a) Her Majesty's Inspector of Constabulary

The Chairman referred to a letter which he had received from Sir Ronnie Flanagan, the new HM Inspector of Constabulary for Hampshire, thanking him for his kind comments on his appointment and accepting his invitation to attend a future meeting of the Authority. Sir Ronnie indicated that, of the dates provided, 24 September was the earliest that his diary allowed, although he hoped to meet as many Members as possible before that date during the course of his participation at conferences and seminars.


(b) Police and Community Liaison Group Secretaries

The Chairman indicated that he had written to all retiring Police and Community Liaison Group Secretaries thanking them for their contribution to community consultation in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight prior to the introduction of the new arrangements.


(c) Chief Constable's Editors' Evening

The Chairman indicated that he had attended the Chief Constable's Annual Editors' evening held at Netley in April which was an opportunity for journalists to discuss issues of mutual interest with the Chief Constable and Senior Officers. The Chairman thanked the Chief Constable for this valuable opportunity to speak to media editors about the Authority's functions which would help to improve media understanding of the Authority's role.

572 ADOPTION OF MODEL CODE OF CONDUCT FOR MEMBERS

The Authority considered a report of the Clerk (Item 4 in the Minute Book) on its Code of Conduct for Members as recommended to it for adoption by the Authority's Standards Committee.

Members noted that, once adopted, the Authority had to publish a notice in one or more local newspapers saying that the Code had been adopted and that it was available for public inspection. In addition, a copy of the Local Code had to be sent to the Standards Board by the deadline of 6 May.

Members also noted that, once adopted, they had to sign up to the Local Code and that forms of undertaking were available at the meeting for this purpose.

RESOLVED:

That the Authority's Code of Conduct for Members be adopted.

573 POLICE AND SUPPORT STAFF STRENGTH

The Authority considered a report of the Chief Constable (Item 5 in the Minute Book) which set out police strength against budgeted strength as at 31 March 2002.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

574 POLICE AUTHORITY COMMUNITY CONSULTATION (PACC) - CORE GROUPS CONSULTATION PROGRAMMES 2002

The Authority considered a report of the Clerk (Item 6 in the Minute Book) on the PACC Core Groups' consultation programmes which, due to the tight timescales involved in the introduction of the new consultation processes, had been considered, on this occasion by the Community Affairs Steering Group.

Members noted that detailed consideration had been given to the draft programmes by the Group at its meetings on 19 March and 23 April and that the revised programmes had all now been approved. A further report would be presented to the Authority at its meeting on 26 November 2002 detailing the outcome of this year's consultation programmes with the results being fed into the 2003/04 Annual Policing Plan.

The Authority placed on record its appreciation of the enormous amount of hard work conducted by the Clerk's staff in establishing the new Consultation process.

RESOLVED:

That the programme of consultation for 2002, as approved by the Community Affairs Steering Group, be endorsed.

575 COMMUNICATIONS STRATEGY - UPDATE

The Authority considered a report of the Clerk (Item 7 in the Minute Book) which set out an updated version of the Authority's Communications Strategy.

The report also attached, as an Appendix, the results of the focus group search carried out by MORI which would be the subject of a separate presentation to the Authority at the conclusion of the meeting.

RESOLVED:

(a) That the report be noted.


(b) That Appendix (i) of the report be approved as the Communications Strategy for the Police Authority.


(c) That Appendix (ii) be noted.

576 RACE RELATIONS (AMENDMENT) ACT 2000

The Authority considered a report of the Clerk (Item 8 in the Minute Book) on the implications of the Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000 which came into force on 2 April 2001.

Members noted that one of the key areas of compliance for the Authority was the preparation and publication of a Race Equality Scheme by 31 May 2002 setting out how the Authority plans to meet the general and other specific duties to promote race equality. The Clerk indicated that the Association of Police Authorities was producing a model Scheme in this respect which would be used as the basis for the Authority's own Scheme if appropriate. He indicated that a further report on this matter would be submitted to the next meeting of the Authority in June.

In addition, Members noted that the Force had a similar responsibility to that of the Authority and the Chief Constable undertook to submit the final publication to the Authority for information.

RESOLVED:

(a) That the report be noted.


(b) That the responsibility to ensure that a Race Equality Scheme was produced and published by 31 May 2002 be delegated to the Chairman and the Clerk of the Authority.


(c) That a report on this matter be presented at the meeting of the Authority in June 2002.

577 POLICE AND COMMUNITY LIAISON GROUPS - CLOSING REPORT

The Authority considered a report of the Clerk (Item 9 in the Minute Book) which gave details of the final meetings of Police and Community Liaison Groups, together with a summary of consultation undertaken during 2001/02.

The Authority acknowledged the achievements of PCLGs over the years since their establishment and placed on record its appreciation of the time and effort contributed by all PCLG Members throughout the two counties which had been greatly appreciated and valued. It was hoped, wherever possible, former PCLG Members would be invited to contribute to the new consultation arrangements.

RESOLVED:

(a) That the report be noted.


(b) That the valuable contribution, time and effort given by all former PCLG Members be noted by the Authority.

578 MINUTES OF THE STANDARDS COMMITTEE

RESOLVED:

That the Minutes of the meeting of the Standards Committee held on 14 March 2002 be received, and where necessary adopted (Item 10 in the Minute Book).

579 MINUTES OF THE COMMUNITY AFFAIRS STEERING GROUP

(a) Meeting held on 19 March 2002

RESOLVED:

That the notes of the meeting of the Community Affairs Steering Group held on 19 March 2002 be received (Item 11(a) in the Minute Book).


(b) Meeting held on 23 April 2002

RESOLVED:

That the notes of the meeting of the Community Affairs Steering Group held on 23 April 2002 be received (Item 11(b) in the Minute Book).

580 CONFERENCES AND OUTSIDE BODIES

(a) Association of Police Authorities Annual Conference, Harrogate - 20-22 November 2001

RESOLVED:

That the attendance of Mr. M.J. Attenborough Cox, Mrs. C. Barratt, Councillor A.P. Collett, Councillor J. Fazackerly, Mr. R. Gully, Councillor S.A. Hayes, Councillor Mrs J. Rayment and the Clerk at the APA Annual Conference held in Harrogate from 20-22 November 2001 be confirmed.


(b) Police Federation Seminar on Bullying in the Police Service, Coventry - 27 November 2001

RESOLVED:

That the attendance of Mr. G.M. King, JP at the Police Federation Seminar on Bullying in the Police Service held in Coventry on 27 November 2001 be confirmed.


(c) National Launch of the Police Skills and Standards Organisation, London - 28 November 2001

RESOLVED:

That the attendance of Councillor S.A. Hayes at the National Launch of the Police Skills and Standards Organisation held at New Scotland Yard, London on 28 November 2001 be confirmed.


(d) The New Ethical Framework and the Model Code - 16 January 2002

RESOLVED:

That the attendance of Mr. G.M. King, JP and the Deputy Clerk at the Local Government Association's conference on the new Ethical Framework and the Model Code of Conduct held in London on 16 January 2002 be confirmed.


(e) Association of Police Authorities - Policing by Numbers - 17 January 2002

RESOLVED:

That the attendance of Councillor S.A. Hayes and Mrs. M. Boyes at the APA Conference "Policing by Numbers" held in London on 17 January 2002 be confirmed.


(f) Launch of the High Potential Development Scheme, Birmingham - 14 February 2002

RESOLVED:

That the attendance of Mr. G.M. King, JP at the launch of the new High Potential Development Scheme held at the NEC, Birmingham on 14 February 2002 be confirmed.


(g) East Hampshire District Council - Community Safety Crime Conference - 22 February 2002

RESOLVED:

That the attendance of Mrs. C. Barratt at the East Hampshire District Council Community Safety Crime Conference held on 22 February 2002 be confirmed.


(h) Home Office - Access to Affordable Rented Housing, London on 12 March 2002

RESOLVED:

That the attendance of Councillor S.A. Hayes at a presentation on Access to Affordable Rented Housing arranged by the Home Office in London on 12 March 2002 be confirmed.


(i) ACPO/APA Conference

RESOLVED:

That up to 5 Members be appointed to attend the 2002 ACPO/APA Conference to be held at the NEC, Birmingham from 13-16 May 2002.


(j) Portsmouth Community Safety Partnership - "Trouble with Girls" Conference - 16 May 2002

RESOLVED:

That Mrs J. Griffin, JP be authorised to attend the Portsmouth Community Safety Partnership Conference "Trouble with Girls" to be held in Portsmouth on 16 May 2002.


(k) East Hampshire District Council Community Safety Crime Conference - 22 February 2002

RESOLVED:

That a report from Mrs. C. Barratt on her attendance at the East Hampshire District Council Community Safety Crime Conference held on 22 February 2002 be received (Item 13 in the Minute Book).

581 EXCLUSION OF THE PRESS AND PUBLIC

RESOLVED:

That, by virtue of the Paragraph 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 582 - Paragraphs 7, 8 and 9
Minute 583 - Paragraphs 7, 8 and 9

582 SAFETY CAMERAS PROJECT - ACQUISITION OF ACCOMMODATION AND VEHICLES

The Authority considered a confidential report of the Chief Constable (Item 15 in the Minute Book) which sought approval to acquire and site an additional modular building at Police Headquarters and purchase extra vehicles in the light of the Department of Transport, Local Government and The Regions acceptance of the Constabulary's bid as a member of the multi-agency Safety Camera Partnership which consisted of the Police, Magistrates, the Highway Authorities and the Highway Agency.

The Chief Constable stressed that the Partnership Strategy was founded on deterrent and road casualty prevention rather than detection and that the fixed site speed cameras would be located on high casualty routes at high risk locations. He indicated that the success of the Safety Camera Operation would be judged solely on the casualty reductions achieved and not on the number of Conditional Fixed Penalties issued. The public would be well informed at every opportunity of the location of the cameras and the casualty reduction objectives of the partnership. He added that the project offered direct support to one of the Constabulary's main strategic objectives of reducing road casualties, and the Government's casualty reduction target of 40% in the killed and seriously injured by the year 2010.

The Chief Constable indicated that all income from fixed penalty notices would be used to fund the Safety Camera Operation.

The Authority thoroughly endorsed the scheme and asked the Chief Constable to submit a progress report on a six monthly basis for the foreseeable future.

RESOLVED:

(a) That the Safety Cameras Project as outlined by the Chief Constable be endorsed and that six monthly progress reports be received for the foreseeable future.


(b) That the set up costs of the Safety Camera Partnership be noted.


(c) That it be noted that the set up costs would be met from receipts due to the partnership from speeding and traffic enforcement fines.


(d) That the amendment of the Capital Programme for 2002/03 to include estimated set up costs of £90,400 for accommodation and £23,000 for vehicles, be approved.

583 ESTATE - YOUTH JUSTICE AND CRIMINAL EVIDENCE ACT

The Authority considered a confidential report of the Chief Constable (Item 16 in the Minute Book) of the legal requirement to create video interview facilities for vulnerable witnesses under the Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act which would come into force on 24 July 2002.

The Director of Finance indicated that work had already been completed at Cosham Police Station and was underway at 3 Albert Close, Netley which had been the subject of action taken under delegated powers with the approval of the Chairman, Clerk and Treasurer in order to enable urgent works to be progressed. It was intended to proceed with the remaining building alterations at Ventnor and Sherborne St John ahead of Home Office funding in order to comply with the July deadline.

RESOLVED:

(a) That the overall capital scheme to modify premises at Ventnor, 3 Albert Close, Netley, Cosham and Sherborne St John (compliant with Estate Strategy) be approved.


(b) That the source of funding for each project be endorsed.


(c) That the action taken under delegated powers to enable urgent works at 3 Albert, Netley to be progressed be noted.

584 URGENT BUSINESS - 999 SYSTEM FAILURE

The Chairman was of the opinion that the above item should be considered at the meeting as a matter of urgency by reason of the following special circumstances, namely, that the failure of the 999 system on Thursday, 25 April was of such significance as to have implications for the Authority's duty to ensure the delivery of an effective police service.

The Chief Constable gave an overview of the BT telephone system failure which occurred at 1836 p.m. on Thursday, 25 April and caused the failure of the 999 system for all the emergency services. He indicated that there had been subsequent dialogue between the Constabulary and BT at the highest levels with regard to the technical problems which gave rise to the failure and seeking assurances about proposed solutions.

Members praised the efforts of all Constabulary personnel who ensured that a comprehensive Police Service was maintained under such difficult circumstances and acknowledged that the emergency services were uniquely dependent on a robust and reliable telephone system. The failure of this service in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight could have major national ramifications.

In this respect the Authority requested a full report, setting out the circumstances surrounding the incident, together with solutions proposed by BT to its next meeting.

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