Issue - meetings

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 Leader and Executive Councillor for Strategy and External Partnerships and Strategy and Resources Scrutiny Committee last considered these matters on the 17 January 2019.

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 Executive Councillor for Transport and Community Safety

      i.         Reviewed the Council’s use of RIPA set out in paragraph 3.5 of the Officer’s report.

    ii.         Noted and endorsed the steps described in paragraph 3.7 and in Appendix 1 to ensure that surveillance is only authorised in accordance with RIPA.

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

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 Practice.

The Head of Legal Practice said the following in response to Members’ questions:

      i.         It was good practice (for transparency reasons) for a report to come to committee even if RIPA powers were not used.

    ii.         There were no cost implications to the City Council from having RIPA powers. It was something to keep in the locker in case powers were needed.

The Committee unanimously resolved to endorse the recommendations.

The Executive Councillor approved the recommendations.

Conflicts of Interest Declared by the Executive Councillor (and any Dispensations Granted)

No conflicts of interest were declared by the Executive Councillor.