Strengthening our Armed Policing Capability Strategic Outline Case

This proposal details the request for a single tender action to be approved in order to award a contract to a sole UK weapons provider for the supply of weapons and to initiate via competitive tender a contract for Firearms accessories and equipment to the Metropolitan Police Service. This requirement is essential to ensure that the MPS armed capability can effectively meet and sustain the operational and training demands for the current and future police firearms training plans. Awarding a contract will allow Commercial Service to have a compliant call off mechanism to directly purchase additional weapons promptly when required.

The Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime is recommended to approve:

• The progression to outline business case for the recommended option – Option 4 ‘Develop an Operating Model through more detailed analysis that will deliver the optimal combination of elements to reduce demand and create capacity’;

• Funding of £797K revenue is required to progress to outline business case, revenue funding to be provided from the Major Change Fund which has already been allocated within the Major Change Fund forecast for 19/20 under the respective portfolio strand.

• The capital requirement of £497K (£262K to progress to OBC in 19/20 and £235K for asset management in 21/22), will be funded from agreed underspends within the Transformation portfolio’s capital plan, after decision at PMG. The Public Access and First Contact programme, has delivered projects; Programme costs 16/17 and National Website Platform with an underspend c497k. Both have delivered to the agreed timescale, under their agreed budget and formally closed. The requested amount of £497k will be formally transferred by virement into programme 5 Firearms uplift project as part of the formal governance process

• Funding of £975K revenue is the forecast cost to deliver the single weapons system which is proposed to be funded from SO and MO, from existing budgets proportionate to the number of weapons being replaced in each command and subject to external funding agreements. Budgets will be amended accordingly to reflect this.

1. Introduction and background

1.1. The Strengthening Our Armed Policing Capability Programme, as approved by Management Board on 9th March 2016, was structured into two tranches; the first concerned with the ability to deliver an efficient and effective armed policing capability (2-year duration), the second designing and implementing a new operating model (2-year duration consecutive). A paper approved by Portfolio Investment Board in June 2018 outlined the need to revise the original Tranche 2 mandate and focus on sustainability of the uplift.

2. Issues for consideration

2.1. The MPS received a one off Counter Terrorism funding grant of £31.9M for the period 2016-2021, to deliver the uplift. In 2016 funding of £10.3M was allocated, and £5.4M in all subsequent years. In March 2021, the annual CT grant of £5.4M that has funded the outsourcing of course places to other forces since 2016 ceases and at the present time it is not known what, if any funding will be provided after this date. This risk is captured at programme level and by the National Armed Uplift Board. Discussions on future CT grant funding are expected to commence in October 2019, as yet it is undetermined what financial contribution, if any will be provided post 2021.

3. Financial Comments

3.1. It will cost £1.059M to progress to outline business case. Funding of £797K revenue has already been allocated within the Major Change Fund forecast for 19/20 under the respective portfolio strand. Funding of £262K capital will be required and will be funded from agreed underspends within the Transformation portfolio’s capital plan.

4. Legal Comments

4.1. In accordance with paragraph 4.8 of the Scheme of Delegation, DMPC approval is required for the approval of Business Cases for revenue or capital expenditure of £500,000 and above.

5. GDPR and Data Privacy

5.1. The proposal does not use personally identifiable data therefore there are no GDPR issues to be considered.

6. Equality Comments

6.1. There are no equality or diversity implications arising from this report.

7. Background/supporting papers

7.1. MPS report