Issue - meetings

Following an annual review process, the previous Regulation of Investigatory Power Act (RIPA) Policy was strengthened and includes provision for acquiring communications data and is now titled the BCP Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (RIPA) and Investigatory Powers Act (IPA) Policy.

All observations arising from the inspection by the Investigatory Powers Commissioner’s Office (IPCO) on the use of investigatory powers have been addressed.

The Council has not made use of powers under RIPA or IPA during the 2021/22 financial year.

The Council has completed and sent its statutory nil-return for the 2021 calendar year to the IPCO.

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 'E' to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

The Committee was advised that, following an annual review process, the previous Regulation of Investigatory Power Act (RIPA) Policy had been strengthened and now included provision for acquiring communications data and that it was now titled the BCP Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (RIPA) and Investigatory Powers Act (IPA) Policy.

It was confirmed that all observations arising from the inspection by the Investigatory Powers Commissioner’s Office (IPCO) on the use of investigatory powers have been addressed. The Council has not made use of powers under RIPA or IPA during the 2021/22 financial year and the required statutory nil-return for the 2021 calendar year had been duly submitted.

RESOLVED that Audit and Governance Committee notes that the Council has not made use of powers under the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act or the Investigatory Powers Act during the 2021/22 financial year.

Voting: Unanimous