Issue - meetings

REPORT OF: SERVICE DIRECTOR – LEGAL & MONITORING OFFICER

This report provides an update on the Council’s current use of RIPA and reports on the annual policy review.

RESOLVED:  That the content of the report, and the IPCO’s assurance letter Appendix A, was noted by the Committee.

REASON FOR DECISION: To comply with best practice guidance and the Committee’s terms of reference.

Audio recording – 2 hours 56 minutes 19 seconds

The Service Director – Legal and Community, presented the report and supplementary papers entitled ‘Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (RIPA) Annual Review’ and highlighted that:

·       One of the annual functions that the Council had to undertake was to review the procedures in place to deal with RIPA and to see whether any changes were needed to the policy and procedures in place.

·       The Council had a few internal monitoring procedures and audits in place and were inspected every 3 years by the Investigatory Powers Commissioners Office (IPCO).

·       The IPCO inspection carried out last year was conducted under their new risk-based system, which involved completing a questionnaire detailing procedures in place.

·       An assurance letter received from the IPCO following receipt of the completed questionnaire, detailed that the Council was complying with all regulations and that no further action was required. This letter was set out in Appendix A.

·       The Council would review any procedures following adoption of the Bill to check if any action was required at a later point.

Councillor Adam Compton, as Chair, proposed and Councillor Ralph Muncer seconded and, following a vote, it was:

RESOLVED:  That the content of the report, and the IPCO’s assurance letter Appendix A, was noted by the Committee.

REASON FOR DECISION: To comply with best practice guidance and the Committee’s terms of reference.