Review of Guildford Borough Council's Covert Investigative Powers Policy and alignment with the Policy of Waverley Borough Council
August 24, 2023 Executive, Lead Councillor for Environment and Sustainability (Other) Awaiting outcome View on council websiteFull council record
Content
Decision:
That the draft Covert Investigative Powers Policy, as set out in
Appendix 1 to the report submitted to the Executive be adopted,
subject to the same policy being adopted by Waverley Borough
Council.
Reasons:
1.
To align the policies of Guildford and Waverley and
to improve consistency in reporting, monitoring and approval of
covert surveillance and acquisition of communications
data.
2.
To ensure the integrity of the processes in place
for the use of directed surveillance, covert human intelligence
sources (CHIS) and acquiring communications data.
3.
To maintain compliance with the Legislation and
Codes of Practice that govern Investigatory powers and Human
Rights
4.
To ensure collaborative engagement with the IPCO and
their inspectors
5.
To ensure staff are fully trained and aware of their
powers, duties and the authorisation process.
Other options considered and rejected by the
Executive:
1.
To adopt the new aligned policy with such amendments
as the Executive saw fit. However, the Executive was mindful that
any such amendments might not be adopted by Waverley Borough
Council which would negate the benefits of having an aligned and
identical policy.
2.
To not adopt the new policy and retain a separate
and different policy framework for each council. Along with not
aligning to two authorities, there was also a risk that the
policies would not be compliant with the current
guidance.
Details of any conflict of interest declared by the Leader or
lead councillors and any dispensation granted:
None.
Supporting Documents
Details
| Outcome | For Determination |
| Decision date | 24 Aug 2023 |
| Effective from | 1 Sep 2023 |
| Subject to call-in | Yes |