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16  (16)  REGISTRATION SERVICE – The  Director of Corporate and Community Services submitted a report to advise on the relocation of the North Lincolnshire Registration Service, and seek approval for increases to registration service fees for 2012/13.

The Registration Service was a statutory function of the council and the registration staff became employees of the local authority as from 1 December 2008.  From 1 April 2011 the Registration Service had operated as part of the Communities & Customers service area of the Corporate & Community Services Directorate.

The Cabinet Member was advised that the relocation of the Registration Service from its location in Oswald Road, Scunthorpe had been progressed as part of the council’s Worksmart improvement programme and that the relocation would facilitate the release of the current service premises on Oswald Road in Scunthorpe.

It was anticipated that the relocation of the Registration Service would enhance services and facilities for customers, including:-

• Providing dedicated service space
• Improved ceremony facilities,
• Improved music facilities and the opportunity to develop webcasting of ceremonies
• on site public car parking

The relocation of the Registration Service to the Civic Centre presented a timely opportunity to review local charges for the service, and in particular the option to set two different rates, one for the statutory Register Office, seating up to 20 guests and another higher charge for the new Civic Suite ceremony room seating 60 guests.

Details of the revised fees were detailed in the appendix to the report.

Resolved – (a)  That the progress on the plans to relocate the Registration Service to the Civic Centre be noted, and (b) that the proposed changes to Registration Service fees and charges for 2012/13 as set out in Appendix 1to the report be approved. 

17  (17)  Library Services – Fees & Charges 2012 – 2014 – The  Director of Corporate and Community Services submitted a report seeking approval of the proposed fees and charges for library services for 2012-14 as detailed in Appendix 1 to the report.

It was explained within the report that the Public Libraries & Museums Act 1964 stated that councils must provide a free public library service and that the Department for Culture, Media and Sport gave guidance on the role of libraries in social inclusion, and outlined the constraints which governed where the council could apply charges.

The Cabinet Member was advised that the library service was committed to modernising delivery and increasing take up of the service.

Resolved – That the proposed library fees and charges for 2012-2014 as detailed in the appendix to the report be approved.

18  (18)  REGULATION OF INVESTIGATORY POWERS ACT 2000 (RIPA) – The Director Corporate and Community Services submitted a report to inform the Cabinet Member of the council’s usage of Regulation of Investigatory Powers (RIPA) between the period from 1 July 2011 to 31 December 2011.

RIPA was used by public authorities to secure the lawfulness of surveillance activities.  The Council had a RIPA Policy which was located on the website and had been deposited in group offices.   Officers referred to this Policy when completing and authorising RIPA applications.

In accordance with the council RIPA Policy, the four applications that were authorised detailed why the surveillance was necessary and proportionate, and considered the risk of collateral intrusion.  The four authorisations had since been cancelled in accordance with the council RIPA policy.

Resolved – That the usage of RIPA for the period from 1 July 2011 to 31 December 2011 be noted.

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