Section three The NPM in 2014–15 Strengthening the NPM Plans for strengthening governance In 2014–15, its sixth year, the NPM began to take forward suggestions arising from the internal and external scrutiny of its work (through the first NPM self-assessment, the 'UK NPM: Five years on' event, and direct feedback from the UN Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture) in the previous year. In June 2014, a meeting was held with the then Minister for Justice and Civil Liberties, the Rt Hon Simon Hughes MP, to set out the NPM’s intentions to strengthen its OPCAT compliance and seek commitment from the government to support this process. The Minister expressed his support for these efforts. Subsequent to this meeting, NPM members agreed specific measures they would pursue to strengthen the governance of the NPM: to appoint a chair to the NPM, from outside the NPM membership; to seek a legislative basis for the NPM through explicit reference to NPM and OPCAT responsibilities in members’ own statutes where these are under review; and through specific legislation setting out the duties and powers of the NPM. These proposals have been discussed with Ministry of Justice officials through the year. Discussion about the role of chair and its relationship to NPM members and government ministers that would ensure appropriate leadership and independence were continuing at year end. The NPM responded to a November 2013 letter from the UN SPT, setting out its plans to address the concerns and suggestions identified by the SPT, which covered issues relating to the possibility of there being ‘mixed messages’ across the NPM, the need to improve information sharing and take a more ‘preventive’ approach, and to have a coordinated plan for the promotion of its activities. Strengthening NPM activity and membership The establishment of two new NPM sub‑groups – on mental health detention, and in Scotland – has strengthened the NPM’s ability to share experience and articulate its findings. It is envisaged that these sub‑groups will take forward joint work to further areas of the NPM business plan. Further discussions were held about the possible inclusion of the Independent Reviewer of Terrorism Legislation (IRTL) in the NPM and in March 2015, David Anderson, the current Independent Reviewer, presented an overview of his role and shared views about possible links with NPM members’ monitoring at the March 2015 business meeting. At the year end, the case for including the IRTL was being considered by the Ministry of Justice.93 In November 2014, NPM members agreed to make a modest financial contribution to the central costs of the NPM. With a view to strengthening the capacity of all members to build knowledge of their NPM responsibilities among colleagues, senior managers, boards, external stakeholders and others, the NPM coordination prepared new training materials. Work to establish an independent website for the NPM was started, with support from the Ministry of Justice.94 Short factsheets 93 See also Independent Reviewer of Terrorism Legislation (2015), The Terrorism Acts in 2014. September 2015. Paragraphs 7.25-7.27. 94 This website was launched in July 2015, see: www.nationalpreventivemechanism.org.uk. 53