Letter from DMPC to Acting Commissioner - 19 July FCP Oversight Board

Dear Steve

This letter follows up the first meeting of the Finance, Change and People Oversight Board on 19 July. Discussing these issues in a meeting separate from the performance and risk discussions improved the focus we were able to give them. I look forward to the embedding of this new oversight meeting arrangement.  

As we only had an hour for this meeting, the focus was on finance, discussing Q4 performance, end of year outturn, and planning for the next budget cycle.  We also discussed issues that were emerging with the implementation of CONNECT. A number of actions were agreed at the meeting and these are in the Annex, together with a summary of the information requested in this letter.

Unfortunately, there was not time to discuss Command and Control, culture and recruitment and I advised in the meeting that I would instead raise these issues with you via this letter, as well as the ongoing discussions that we have had in bilats and other meetings.

CONNECT

I am grateful to you for setting out the current position and plans for a go/no go decision on CONNECT. We discussed the significant issues which have emerged on CONNECT, particularly with regard to a loss of search functionality compared to the current systems, Assistive Technology problems, and case migration from COPA. We also discussed risks around audit functionality, rights of access and deletion problems, which mean CONNECT could be in breach of ICO requirements.

In making any decision on whether it is appropriate to proceed with go live for Drop 1 in November, we agreed that you would provide more information on the impacts and mitigations for the issues discussed and also provide the go/no go criteria. Of particular importance is the potential impact on operational performance and legal implications. Discussions have happened subsequently, and it has now been agreed that MPS should proceed with drop 1. An important factor in deciding this was that the search function is not part of this drop, so the MPS mitigations can continue to work on mitigations in this space.

Other constructive conversations on CONNECT have happened between MOPAC and MPS staff following Oversight Board. Of particular note is the added Confidence Point Assessment in September to review progress and any residual risks before any final decision on changes to the search functionality is made. This approach is welcomed.

Q4 Financial Outturn

In respect of the Q4 financial outturn, we discussed the importance of having transparency in the budget adjustments that are made throughout the year.  You confirmed that MOPAC and I will be adequately sighted on proposed in-year change to the revenue budget and reserves movements, to ensure that robust scrutiny and oversight can take place.

You agreed to conduct a detailed assessment of the funds currently earmarked in reserves in light of the concerns raised at the high level, and increasing levels, on reserves. MOPAC will be involved in this process from the beginning.

You agreed to strengthen scrutiny of the capital plan at the budget setting stage to ensure that project delivery assumptions and spend profiles were realistic and adjusted for optimism. We agreed that this should take place to try and reduce high levels of slippage on the programme.  Again, MOPAC should be involved in this process from the beginning.

You mentioned the need to continue conversations with the government regarding progress on centrally managed capital projects, in particular ESN and the National ANPR System. The capital plan in 2023-24 will be adjusted accordingly if these discussions result in changes to projected capital spend.

Command and Control

We have previously discussed the issues which have arisen with Command and Control, which have led to significant delay and additional cost and pose significant operational and reputational risk. This has also been flagged by the external auditors as a risk in their audit plan. We are scrutinising this programme through a variety of routes, which will continue. I am however seeking assurances from the Met by 2 September that the revised plan for delivery in Q4 2023 is achievable, and an assessment of your overall confidence in the project especially bearing in mind that additional investment will be required. I realise that commercial conversations are still ongoing with Leidos, however I will want to see that your approach will enable a dialogue which will ensure I can be part of the decision-making process. I would be grateful if you can set out how this will be achieved by 2 September (Request A). 

Could you also please provide more detail by 16 September around the issues identified with Assistive Technologies in relation to Command and Control implementation and their impact, and indicate whether they are expected to be resolved before the new system goes live. (Request B).

Professional Standards and Culture

We have discussed at length over recent months the work underway within the MPS to drive up standards within the ranks and rebuild the trust and confidence of the public. I would be grateful if you could provide a specific update on the review of all current investigations (and dip sampled closed cases) into allegations of sexual misconduct and domestic abuse against officers and staff. I am keen to ensure the MPS is learning from the College of Policing, HMICFRS and IOPC report following the Centre for Women’s Justice super complaint on police perpetrated domestic abuse. Could you please provide this by 23 September and I will then discuss it further at my regular meeting with the Assistant Commissioner, Professionalism (Request C).

I am pleased that we were able to meet with Dame Louise Casey to discuss her initial findings into her review of MPS culture and standards, and I look forward to discussing this in more detail at a future Oversight Board meeting. 

Recruitment

The recruitment of effective police officers is essential to the policing of London. I appreciate the considerable efforts the MPS is undertaking in a difficult employer's market to attract applicants in both volume and diversity. Nevertheless, the scale of the task clearly remains a challenge. We are having ongoing discussions about achieving the Police Uplift target and I note that discussions remain ongoing with the Home Office.

I would be grateful to receive an update on the impact of the new returner and transferee schemes which aim to retain and attract experienced officers to the MPS. I would be grateful if you could provide this information by the 16 September and I will discuss this further at my next bilateral with the Commissioner (Request D). I would also be grateful for the latest information on those who are leaving the Met within 4 years of joining.

I look forward to the next Finance, Change and People Oversight Board meeting on 22 September.

Yours sincerely,

Sophie Linden

Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime

Annex