Issue - meetings

That the Executive considered the content of the report and provided any observations to the Head of Legal and Democratic Services.

The revised Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (RIPA) Policy at Appendix A be adopted.

The Executive Member for Corporate Services presented the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (RIPA) Policy Review. He said that there had been no new RIPA authorisations since the last annual report and that there had been a minor change to the policy.

Councillor Cutting proposed, and Councillor Williamson seconded a motion supporting the recommendations in the report. On being put to the meeting and a vote taken, the motion was declared CARRIED.

RESOLVED - That (A) the content of the report be considered; and

(B) the revised Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (RIPA) Policy at Appendix A be adopted.

The Head of Legal and Democratic Services submitted a report updating Members on the Council’s current use of RIPA and reports on the annual policy review. He said that the policy was now seldom used and a report was submitted to Members annually. The last time it was reported there was nothing to update Members about.

The Head of Legal and Democratic Services said that the policy remained fit for purpose since the last time it was reported to Members. He advised that on this occasion, there was a slight addition to the policy as the Covert Human Intelligence Sources (Criminal Conduct) Act had received royal assent on 1 March 2021 and was operational from 15 September 2021.

Members were provided with an explanation of the aim of the legislation and were also advised of the definition of CHIS (CC) A). The Head of Legal and Democratic Services explained  that the powers that this gave the police and other public authorities did not extend to local authorities. He said that it was important this was included in the RIPA policy as this demonstrated that the Council was aware of the change and could inform people that the policy included wording that the Authority was aware of the new powers granted to the police and other public bodies.

Councillor Symonds referred to the need for clarification in terms of the use of cameras in respect of fly tipping and rubbish. The Head of Legal and Democratic Services said that the policy did cover the use of covert surveillance technology where covert cameras were in use.

Members were advised that the Authority tended to make its cameras overt so as to avoid going through a lengthy legal process at the magistrate’s court.

Councillor Curtis proposed and Councillor Snowdon seconded, a motion that the content of the report had been considered by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee and observations provided to the Head of Legal and Democratic Services and the revised Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (RIPA) Policy be recommended for adoption by the Executive.

After being put to the meeting and a vote taken, the motion was declared CARRIED.

RESOLVED – that (A) the report be considered by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee; and

(B)   the revised Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (RIPA) Policy be recommended to the Executive for adoption.