Information Sharing Platform

This paper sets out the proposed acceptance of £9.6m of funding from Pool Re. This is for a national information sharing facility to engage with the public and private sectors to improve awareness and preparedness of, and reaction to terror attacks. The outcomes expected from the investment are designed to address both the national 2018 review of the Governments Counter Terrorism strategy (Contest), and recommendations from Lord Harris’ Independent review into London’s preparedness to respond to a major terrorist incident. Pool Re is a government backed company providing a re-insurance facility to insurers in respect of terrorism. MOPAC are asked to approve the receipt of this funding as it hosts the National Counter Terrorism Policing Head Quarters which is leading this programme.

The Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime is recommended to:

1. Approve the acceptance of funding for the Information Sharing Platform pursuant to section 15 of the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 with a contribution of £9.6 million.

2. Delegate the signing of the agreement with Pool Re to the MPS Director of Commercial Services.

1. Introduction and background

1.1. As part of the delivery of the Government’s counter terrorism strategy (Contest) Counter Terrorism policing has engaged with PoolRe to develop a national Information Sharing Platform (ISP) fully funded by PoolRe.



1.2. MOPAC approved the initial acceptance of this funding in July 2019. Following further work with PoolRe and further legal advice the basis for the agreement has changed to one under section 15 of the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011.

2. Issues for consideration

2.1. The Mayor’s number one priority is to make sure Londoners are safe. The ISP proposal is designed to deliver effective information sharing between the public and private sectors, in order to enhance collective safety and resilience. The platform targets Business and Industry but will be open to all and free to use.

2.2. Appendix 1 also sets out how the ISP will contribute towards the Lord Harris' independent review into London's preparedness to respond to a terrorist incident.

3. Financial Comments

3.1. The funding is £9.6m over a five-year period. There are no direct financial implications for MOPAC.

4. Legal Comments

4.1. Section 15 of the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) provides the Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime (MOPAC) with the legislative powers to charge for the supply of goods and services to a third party and make a charge to recover the full cost of providing those goods and services.

4.2. Clause 4.8 of the MOPAC scheme of Delegation requires the Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime to approve all provisions of policing services to external bodies where the contract value is £500,000 or above and to approve incoming funding over £50,000.

4.3. The change from a sponsorship-based agreement to the Section 15, (supply of goods and services) has arisen from the need to reflect the PoolRe involvement in approving milestones and Intellectual Property Rights (IPR).

5. Commercial Issues

5.1. The relationship between MOPAC and Pool Re will be documented by way of an agreement under Section15 (Supply of goods and services) of the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act (2011).

5.2. In order to protect the MOPAC position NCTPHQ have committed to ensure the delivery is commenced within the timetabled period (3 months), within the contract charges paid are not recoverable by Pool Re, and Pool Re are responsible for reasonable (breakage) termination costs. Further, within the contract payments by Pool Re are made quarterly in advance.

6. GDPR and Data Privacy

6.1. The National Counter Terrorism Policing Head Quarters (NCPTHQ) acknowledge that there will be personal data issues associated with this programme of work, and note that a Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA) shall be completed for the ISP. The programme will use a “privacy by design” approach, which will allow the finding and fixing of problems at the early stages of any project, and ensure compliance with the requirements of GDPR.

7. Equality Comments

7.1. MOPAC is required to comply with the public sector equality duty set out in section 149(1) of the Equality Act 2010. This requires MOPAC to have due regard to the need to eliminate discrimination, advance equality of opportunity and foster good relations by reference to people with protected characteristics. The protected characteristics are: age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation.

7.2. As part of its development the ISP will be assessed for accessibility and disability compliance.

8. Background/supporting papers

8.1. NCPTHQ paper.