Decision details

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 Communities and Environment and Community Scrutiny Committee last considered these matters on the 27 January 2022. The City Council has not used surveillance or other investigatory powers regulated by RIPA since February 2010. This report sets out the Council’s use of RIPA and the present surveillance policy.

Decision of the Executive Councillor for Recovery, Employment and Community Safety:

·       Review the Council’s use of RIPA set out in paragraph 3.5 of this report.

·       Note and endorse the steps described in paragraph 3.7 and in Appendix 1 to ensure that surveillance is only authorised in accordance with RIPA.

·       Approve the general surveillance policy in Appendix 1 to this report.

Reason for the Decision

As set out in the Officer’s report.

Any Alternative Options Considered and Rejected

Not applicable.

Scrutiny Considerations

The Head of Practice introduced the report.

The scrutiny committee unanimously supported the recommendations.

The Executive Councillor for Recovery, Employment and Community Safety approved the recommendations.

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

No conflicts of interest were declared by the Executive Councillor.