Finance & Governance Cabinet Member – Minutes – 22 July 2020

1 REGULATION OF INVESTIGATORY POWERS ACT 2000 (RIPA) INSPECTION FINDINGS – The Director: Governance and Partnerships submitted a report informing the Cabinet Member of the recent inspection carried out by the Investigatory Powers Commissioners Office (IPCO) in relation to the council’s RIPA procedures and practices.

The RIPA legislation provided a framework which allowed councils to conduct surveillance activities lawfully. The process involved authorisations being reviewed and approved by the Magistrates Court.

IPCO were the body responsible for ensuring councils were applying the RIPA provisions correctly and this was carried out in the form of inspections.

An inspection was conducted on 1 July 2020 by way of a formal, professional discussion with the officers involved within the RIPA process. The inspection found the information provided “demonstrated a good level of compliance that removes, for the present, the need for physical inspection”

The inspection found that the recommendations made at the previous inspection had all been fully addressed and discharged and was pleased to note that RIPA considerations were built into the decision making procedure utilised by managers when making operational decisions.

The inspector emphasised the importance of the council continuing with its good practices and stated the inspection was found to be a positive one.

Resolved – That the findings of the recent inspection be noted.