Decision details

To receive the 3 yearly review of Regulation of Investigatory Powers Policy from the Director of Corporate Affairs and Business Transformation.

Arising from a report of the Director of Corporate Affairs and Business Transformation, the Community Policy Development Group had made the following recommendations: that

(1)  the Cabinet be requested to approve the reviewed Regulation of Investigatory Powers revised policy including the new annex on social media/internet research.

(2)  officers draft a policy on covert surveillance for non-RIPA cases to be submitted for approval and;

(3)  the contents of the report be noted.

The Cabinet Member for the Working Environment and Support Services outlined the contents of the report stating that the PDG had also considered a draft annex to the RIPA policy to provide guidance on the monitoring of information online such as social media posts, training would be given to officers on the monitoring of information online.  It was also proposed that officers draft a policy on covert surveillance for non-RIPA cases to be submitted for approval.  She was also able to report that the Council had not used its powers under RIPA since March 2014.

RESOLVED that the recommendation of the Policy Development Group be approved.

(Proposed by the Chairman)

Note:  *Report previously circulated, copy attached to minutes.