Purpose

The
Home Office Covert Surveillance and Property Interference Revised
Code of Practice 2018 makes it a requirement that the
authority’s elected members should review the
authority’s use of covert surveillance authorised under RIPA
at least once a year. This forms part of the Monitoring
Officer’s annual report to the Standards
Committee.

Decision

RESOLVED: That the proposed Covert
Surveillance and Access to Communications Data Policy and Guidance
Notes (‘the Policy’) for 2024/25, as set out at
Appendix A, be approved.

 

Reasons for the decision

The
Council is required by the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act
2000 and associated Codes of Practice to have a Policy in place.
The content of the Policy is steered by the recommendations made by
the Investigatory Powers Commissioner’s Office.

Alternative options considered

Do
nothing is not an option.