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Issue - meetings

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

 

 

Meeting: 24/03/2026 - Overview and Scrutiny Committee (Item 76)

76 REGULATION OF INVESTIGATORY POWERS ACT (‘RIPA’) ANNUAL REVIEW pdf icon PDF 144 KB

REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR – GOVERNANCE / 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:

 

(1)       The Council is required to ensure it has an up-to-date, compliant and operationally usable RIPA framework that reflects current legislation and codes of practice and supports effective governance and assurance.

 

(2)       Approval of the updated policy reduces legal, regulatory and reputational risk, supports lawful enforcement activity where required, and strengthens transparency and democratic oversight.

Minutes:

Audio recording – 2 hours 5 minutes 21 seconds

 

Councillor Daniel Allen, as Executive Member for Governance, presented the report entitled ‘Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (‘RIPA’) Update and Annual Review’ and advised that:

 

·             The report provided the annual update on the use of powers by the Council under the RIPA, along with the latest outcome of the policy review.

·             The Council had not used any of the RIPA powers in the last year, which reflected the cautious approach they took to only use them in exceptional circumstances.

·             The amended policy gave several clarifications and updates on Member and Officer roles and responsibilities, guidance on online investigations into social media, and other areas, which were detailed in the report.

 

Councillor Paul Ward highlighted a formatting error with the flow chart on page 141 of the report.

 

Councillor Jon Clayden proposed and Councillor Paul Ward 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).

 

REASONS FOR RECOMMENDATION:

 

(1)         The Council is required to ensure it has an up-to-date, compliant and operationally usable RIPA framework that reflects current legislation and codes of practice and supports effective governance and assurance.

 

(2)         Approval of the updated policy reduces legal, regulatory and reputational risk, supports lawful enforcement activity where required, and strengthens transparency and democratic oversight.