Decision details

To review the Council’s use of powers under the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act.

Matter for Decision:  

A Code of Practice introduced in April 2010 recommends that councillors should review their authority’s use of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (RIPA) and set its general surveillance policy at least once a year. The Executive Councillor for Community Development and Health and Community Services Scrutiny Committee last considered these matters on 12 October 2011. 

The report set out the Council’s use of RIPA and the present surveillance policy. The report also set out some changes to the RIPA regime being introduced by the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012.

Decision of the Leader:

              i.      Approved the general surveillance policy in Appendix 1 of the Officer’s report.

            ii.      Noted the Council’s use of RIPA set out in paragraph 5.1 of the Officer’s report.

          iii.      Noted and endorse the steps described in paragraph 7.1 and in Appendix 1 of the Officer’s report to ensure that surveillance is only authorised in accordance with RIPA.

Reason for the Decision:

As set out in the Officer’s report.

Any Alternative Options Considered and Rejected:

Not applicable.

Scrutiny Considerations:

The Committee received a report from the Head of Legal Services regarding review of the use of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act.

The Committee resolved unanimously to endorse the recommendations.

The Executive Councillor approved the recommendation.

Conflicts of interest declared by the Executive Councillor (and any dispensations granted)

Not applicable.