THE London Assembly is questioning police chiefs this-morning on how they plan to cut �12 million in overtime costs, given its history of budget overspending in the past. It is to ask the Met Police Authority to explain how the use of overtime can reduce costs

By Mike Brooke

THE London Assembly is questioning police chiefs this-morning on how they plan to cut �12 million in overtime costs, given its history of budget overspending in the past.

The Assembly’s budget monitoring sub-committee is to ask the Met Police Authority to explain how the use of overtime can reduce costs in the next financial year.

The Police have overspent its officer overtime’ budget every year for the past 10 years and is expected to spend an extra �16m this financial year ending April 1.

This is largely because of unbudgeted major operations such as the G20 Summit protests in the City and the Tamil demonstrations, which together cost London �8.7m.

They also want to quiz The London Fire & Emergency authority about staffing costs, operational performance and capital spending.

The GLA Group Monitoring report is to question Metropolitan Police Authority deputy treasurer Annabel Adams, Met Police finance director Nick Rogers, Organisational Commander Tony Eastaugh, London Fire authority resources director Barbara Riddell, Fire Brigade deputy Commissioner Rita Dexter, GLA resources director Martin Clarke and GLA assistant finance director David Gallie.

The meeting open to the public begins 10am at City Hall, which can be viewed via webcast on theLondon Assembly’s website.