Issue - meetings

To receive an update on the Council’s use of its powers under Part II of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (RIPA) and the Investigatory Powers Act 2016 (IPA) during 2024/25.

The committee received a report detailing the Council’s use of its powers under Part II of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (RIPA) and the Investigatory Powers Act 2016 (IPA) during 2024/25.

The report confirmed that only one directed surveillance application was authorised in 2024/25 and one application for communications data the previous year. A total of three applications had been authorised in the last four years, all of which related to trading standards investigations. The committee welcomed the outcome of the review which stated that the Council remained compliant with relevant legislation and continued to maintain appropriate internal governance and oversight of its covert investigatory powers.

The committee noted that the RIPA Policy and Procedure and Online Investigations Policy had both been updated as part of the bi-annual review which identified a small number of areas for improvement, as set out within the report.

RESOLVED (unanimously):

That the Audit and Governance Committee

1.    Note the limited but lawful use of RIPA powers by the Council.

2.    Note the amendments to the RIPA Policy and Procedure and Online Investigations Policy.

3.    Recommend endorsement by Corporate Policy Committee of the updated policies.