Issue - meetings

The policy ensures compliance with the regulatory framework for the use of covert surveillance by BCP Council as set out in the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (RIPA) and RIPA (Directed Surveillance and Covert Human Intelligence Sources) Order 2010 (and as amended 2012).

BCP Council expects this policy to be rarely used; the Council will seek to minimise use of covert surveillance and will use overt methods of obtaining required information wherever possible.

A very limited number of trained Council officers are able to approve applications to a magistrates’ court to authorise a RIPA operation.

The Head of Audit and Management Assurance presented a report, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member and a copy of which appears as Appendix 'D' to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

It was explained that the policy ensured compliance with the regulatory framework for the use of covert surveillance by BCP Council as set out in the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (RIPA) and RIPA (Directed Surveillance and Covert Human Intelligence Sources) Order 2010 (and as amended in 2012).

BCP Council expected the policy to be rarely used and it was confirmed that the Council would seek to minimise use of covert surveillance and use overt methods of obtaining required information wherever possible. It was confirmed that a report of any use of RIPA powers was presented annually to the Committee.

A very limited number of trained Council officers were able to approve applications to a Magistrates’ court to authorise a RIPA operation.

The Committee was advised that, in relation to the acquisition of communications data, a separate policy was in the course of development and would be presented in due course to the Audit and Governance Committee for necessary approval.

RESOLVED that Audit and Governance Committee approve the BCP Council’s Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (RIPA) Policy

Voting: Unanimous