PCD 1655 Premier League Donation to Policing Under S93 Police Act 1996

PCD 1655 Premier League Donation to Policing Under S93 Police Act 1996

This decision seeks approval for the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) to accept an unconditional donation of £2.48m from the Premier League in recognition of the MPS’s contribution to the safety and security of supporters and Premier League Clubs. 

The Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime is recommended to:   

1. Approve receipt of an unconditional donation from Premier League of £2.48m in recognition of the MPS’s contribution to the safety and security of supporters and clubs. 

PART I - NON-CONFIDENTIAL FACTS AND ADVICE TO THE DMPC. 

1. Introduction and background. 

1. Section 93 of the 1996 Police Act allows a police authority to accept gifts, loans and donations including commercial sponsorship.  

2. In recognition of the police forces contribution to the safety and security of supporters and clubs, the Premier League made a national donation of £7m to all police forces which serve Premier League Clubs. 

3. The donation is being administered by Cheshire Constabulary and, negotiations regarding distribution of the donation to all police forces that serve the Premier League took place between the National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC) Football lead and the MPS.   

2. Issues for consideration.  

1. The £2.48m unconditional donation is a timely addition to the MPS budget, given the financial pressures it faces.  

2. Cheshire Constabulary accepted and distributed the Premier League’s overall donation.  This paper seeks approval solely for the MPS accepting its allocation of the donation. 

3. Financial Comments. 

1. The donation of £2.48m does not have any conditions attached to it. The MPS plans to set it aside in an earmarked reserves as “Donations “for future consideration as part of its financial strategy.  

4. Commercial comments.  

1. The donation will be managed under s93 of the Police Act 1996. The donation is entirely unconditional. The Premier League will not receive any benefits in return and accepting the donation will not have any influence on other commercial arrangements relating to the policing of football.  

2. Commercial Services will facilitate an s93 Donation Agreement between MOPAC and Cheshire Constabulary to define the terms of MPS acceptance. The donation will appear in standard MPS transparency reporting.  

5. Legal Comments. 

1. Section 93 of the Police Act 1996 makes provision for a police authority to accept gifts of money and gifts or loans of other property, in connection with the discharge of any of its functions, on such terms as appear to the authority to be appropriate.  

2. MPS legal has advised that there are no legal concerns, the donation can be accepted on the basis that the offer is unconditional, and that it is not donated on behalf of any specific Premier League club. 

3. Under the MOPAC Scheme of Delegation and Consent the Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime has reserved to herself the approval of all outward donations and sponsorship, and inward donations and sponsorship £50,000 and above in value – paragraph 4.8. 

6. GDPR and Data Privacy. 

1. MPS assure that, “there are no privacy or data issues by acceptance of this financial gift from the Premier League”. 

7. Equality Comments. 

1. MPs assure that, "there are no equality or diversity implications regarding the acceptance of the donation”. 

8. Background/supporting papers. 

1. Premier League Donation to Policing Under S93 Police Act 1996.