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Minutes of the CPS Board Meeting on 20 September 2006

Present:

Richard Foster (Chair)
Neil Franklin
Philip Geering
John Graham
Peter Lewis
Claire Hamon
Jim England
Seamus Taylor
Mark Burch
Portia Ragnauth
Philip Oliver
Gerard Lemos
Rob Sykes
Alison Saunders

Apologies

Ken Macdonald
Dru Sharpling
Deborah King
Angela O'Connor
Ursula Brennan

Secretariat:

Matthew McGonagle
Nicol Harlow


    Item 1: Chief Executive's Update

    Casework

  1. The CPS announced the charges to be brought following the alleged attempt to bomb airplanes leaving Heathrow. This is the first time that the CPS has explained the reasons for the charges brought and much positive coverage was received. Gus O'Donnell also commented on the positive impression this created.

    2. People

  2. CCP Jim England is leaving the CPS to take up a public appointment as a Commissioner at the Criminal Cases Review Commission in Birmingham while John Revell is retiring from the Service. The Board expressed appreciation for their hard work and dedication and wished them every success for the future. Jean Ashton is leaving West Yorkshire to become ABM in Greater Manchester.

    3. Operational

  3. The Chief Executive updated the Board on the following operational issues:

    • The project to identify an optimum business model for handling CPS work in the magistrates' courts is now underway.
    • Charging was successfully rolled out in April 2006, and most post-implementation reviews are producing very encouraging results.
    • The Director and Chief Executive are halfway through a series of roadshows with prosecutors and caseworkers. Overall, the response has been very positive with open discussion.
    • Refurbishment work on the 7th floor has now been completed, this has involved severe disruption and staff in the area were commended for their professionalism.
    • Global Crossing has taken over the CPS telephony contract.
    • The CPS will be advertising for an HR Director in the Sunday Times on Sunday 24 September.
    • The CPS met with HM Treasury to discuss CSR 2007.

    Structures

  4. Since the Home Secretary's announcement that Police Reform had been suspended the CPS has reflected on what it needs to do to address the issue of level 2 crime. Work is underway and will be discussed further at the October Senior Manager's Conference.

    5. Item 2: Comprehensive Spending Review 2007 and Efficiency

  5. The Board considered a paper on the 2007 Comprehensive Spending Review and additional areas of CPS expenditure that could be explored to gain further efficiency savings. Further work is being undertaken by the Finance Committee to identify efficiencies and a further meeting with the Treasury is scheduled at the end of September.
  6. It was suggested that further savings could be made by looking again at the speed and extent of the implementation of the Advocacy Strategy. The Organised Crime Division has employed 5 Senior Crown Advocates and has not sent any briefs to counsel since May 2006 and does not expect to need to do so for a further 6 months. This has led to savings in time with more defendants pleading after initial hearings.

    7. Item 3: CPS Response to the Government's Respect Agenda

  7. The Board noted a paper which provided an update on the current work being undertaken as part of the Government's Respect Agenda. This work focuses around ASBOs and diversions. The existing model of conditional cautions is currently being rolled out and the CPS would like to expand the prosecutor's scope on diversions. Work is now underway with the Home Office to introduce more flexibility into the youth cautioning scheme. The CPS has made good progress with ASBOs by creating stronger links with communities, but there is concern regarding the prosecution of breaches.

    8. Item 4: Implications of Age Legislation

  8. The Board noted a paper on the change in the retirement age for CPS staff and the implications of that change. HR and Equality and Diversity Directorates have worked closely on this and other age related issues. All affected HR policies have been re-written and proofed against the new legislation to ensure compliance. The Board noted that all staff needed to be made aware of the changes to their terms and conditions. Revised policies will be published along with a 'how to' guide by the end of the year.

    9. Item 5: Implementation of the Governance Review

  9. The Board considered a paper on implementing the governance review agreed in the July meeting. The paper asked for four decisions on the new committees, to: agree the terms of reference; agree committee membership; agree the Chairs; and the migration of work. The terms of reference and Chairs were agreed by the Board with the caveat that Chairs will finalise the wording during the first meeting. The Board agreed that the Strategy Planning and Diversity Committee, Delivery and Change Committee and Audit Committee will be chaired by non executive directors, whilst the People, Equality and Resources Committee will be chaired by the Chief Executive. The Board also agreed the proposals to migrate work to the new committees and to retain some support from the existing structure.
  10. The Board debated the membership of committees and there was a strong view that HQ Directors with executive responsibility for issues should be members of the relevant committees rather than attend as guests. This point was agreed. Membership will now be finalised through correspondence, in line with the principle that committees should, as far as possible, be restricted to eight members.

    11. Item 6: Capability Review

  11. The Board received a presentation on the background and purpose of the Capability Reviews. Gus O'Donnell introduced the reviews to improve the capability of the civil service to meet today's delivery objectives and to be ready for the challenges of tomorrow. The intensive review of the CPS is due to take place in February 2007. It was stressed that the review is based on evidence and that the process is a partnership between the review team and the department.
  12. The Board noted that capability reviews are similar to the inspection process used for local authorities. Credit is given in these inspections for managing the process and self awareness. The Board noted that the review will take into account work in progress to address issues already identified and that it should be seen as part of continuous improvement.

    13. Item 7: Draft Agenda for the Board meeting 15 November 2006

  13. The Board agreed that the agenda for the next meeting be drawn from:

    • Mid-year budget position and forecast outturn
    • Comprehensive Spending Review 2007 and Efficiency
    • 2007 - 08 Planning
    • Corporate Risk Register mid-year review
    • Structural Reform and Capability Review
    • Reports from Committees
    • Board Assurance Report
    • Draft Agenda for Board Meeting in January 2007

    Item 8: Any Other Business

  14. None.

 

Strategy Planning & Change Division
September 2006