Agenda and minutes

There were no declarations of personal interest.

RESOLVED that the decision record of the meeting held on 1^st December, 2022 be signed as a correct record.

The Cabinet Member considered a report providing an update on the level of covert surveillance activity undertaken by the Authority for 2022 together with a review undertaken of procedures adopted by the Council for such activity

The Cabinet Member noted that the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (RIPA) provided a legal framework by which the Council could seek authorisation to undertake covert surveillance in certain limited circumstances, to report annually on its use of those powers, to keep its procedures under review and to ensure staff were suitable trained. It was noted that the Council had not undertaken any surveillance in 2022 nor, indeed had it done so since 2015

It was noted that the Investigatory Powers Commission Office had inspected the Council’s procedures in 2022 and whilst being satisfied that what it had in place was appropriate to ensure compliance, it had recommended minor changes to the Council’s written procedures to reflect the formal withdrawal of guidance issued by the Office of the Surveillance Commissioner, which had been incorporated into the Council’s procedures

With regard to staff training, it was noted that 14 staff had received refresher training in 2022 but that any further widespread training was not considered necessary or proportionate at the present time given the position that no covert surveillance had been undertaken since 2015

RESOLVED: