Decision details

The Cabinet Member with the Efficiency and Resources Portfolio introduced the report of the Managing Director (previously circulated) informing Cabinet on the issues relevant to the use of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (RIPA) 2000 and developments that had taken place since the last report to Cabinet in February 2019 (Minute C109/Feb/19 refers).

The submitted report stated that the RIPA 2000 enabled local authorities to carry out certain types of surveillance activity, as long as specified procedures were followed; detailed the RIPA directed surveillance applications and communications data applications, that had been authorised since the last report to Cabinet; and stated that the Investigatory Powers Act (IPA) 2016 had come into force on 11 June 2019, and that this was now the main legislation governing the acquisition of communications data.

RESOLVED – (a)  That the developments that have taken place since February 2019, as detailed in the submitted report, be noted.

(b)  That Cabinet continue to receive further reports on the Council’s use of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 and Investigatory Powers Act 2016 and other associated issues.

REASONS – (a)  In order to ensure that the Council complies with the legal obligations under RIPA, IPA and national guidance.

(b)  To help in giving transparency about the use of RIPA and IPA in this Council.