Issue - meetings

REGULATION OF INVESTIGATORY POWERS ACT (‘RIPA’) UPDATE AND ANNUAL REVIEW

 

 

Meeting: 11/03/2025 - Overview and Scrutiny Committee (Item 92)

92 RIPA ANNUAL REPORT pdf icon PDF 461 KB

REPORT OF THE LEGAL MANAGER AND DEPUTY MONITORING OFFICER

 

This Report provides an update on the Council’s current use of RIPA and reports on the annual policy review. The Report also provides an update on the proposed amendments to the Council’s RIPA Policies following its annual review.

Additional documents:

Decision:

RESOLVED: That the Committee noted the content of the report.

 

RECOMMENDED TO CABINET: The adoption of the amended RIPA Policy (Appendix A).

 

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

Minutes:

Audio recording – 6 minutes 28 seconds

 

N.B. Councillor Laura Williams entered the Council Chamber at 19:37.

 

The Deputy Monitoring Officer presented the reported entitled ‘Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (‘RIPA’) Update and Annual Review’ and advised that:

 

·             The report provided an overview of the compliance with RIPA and highlighted the minor amendments that had been made to the RIPA policy as part of the annual review.

·             The amendments were largely administrative and included the updates to officer titles as part of the staffing restructure which would be further finessed.

·             The amendments also ensured consistency with the Home Office Code of Practice and clarification on the use of social media during investigations.

·             The report was being brought to the committee to maintain transparency and accountability on the use of investigatory powers. 

 

In response to a question from Councillor Matt Barnes, the Deputy Monitoring Officer advised that all officers were made aware of the updated RIPA policy and designated officers were given proper training to make sure that collaboration with third parties took place appropriately. 

 

Councillor Matt Barnes proposed and Councillor Jon Clayden seconded and, following a vote, it was:

 

RESOLVED: That the Committee noted the content of the report.

 

RECOMMENDED TO CABINET: The adoption of the amended RIPA Policy (Appendix A – include updated titles within the appendix to the Policy).

 

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