The Office of Surveillance Commission conducts periodic inspections of local authorities’ use of their powers under the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (RIPA). The purpose of these inspections – usually conducted by a High Court judge – is to examine the Council’s policies, procedures, operations and administration in relation to directed surveillance and covert human intelligence sources (CHIS) under RIPA.

Prior to the current OSC inspection, which took place on 21 July 2014, the previous inspection was in 2010. This report provides an update as to: the positive outcome of the current OSC inspection; a revised RIPA policy for the Committee’s consideration (which addresses the 2010 recommendations as well as the intervening changes in the law); and finally an annual report of the Council’s use of RIPA over the previous 4 years. 

A motion was MOVED by Cllr Clark and SECONDED by Cllr Sleep to receive the recommendation set out in the report.

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY:

That the Committee note the outcome of the 2014 OSC Inspection report.

That the Committee approves the amendments to the Corporate RIPA policy in order to address the 2010 Inspection recommendations and intervening changes in the law.

That the Committee note the statistical information relating to the use of RIPA over the preceding 4 years.