Purpose

To seek approval for the adoption
of a revised corporate policy for the use of the powers available under the
Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (RIPA) and the Investigatory Powers
Act 2016. The revisions consider the restructure of departments and senior
officers at the Council and further clarification received from the National
Anti-Fraud Network in relation to the processes for obtaining communications
data.

 

Changes proposed in the revised
policy include:

 

a)    The
role of Senior Responsible Officer is assigned to the Assistant Director
(Finance and ICT) and role of RIPA Co-Ordinator is assigned to the Audit Manager.

 

b)    The
list of officers able to make applications and to be Authorising Officers has
been updated.  Officers from within the
Enforcement, Environmental Health and Community Safety teams have now been
removed from the policy to reflect current working practices.

 

c)    Additional
guidance is provided in relation to the Use of Social Media in investigations
in response to this focus by the Investigatory Practices Commissioner’s Officer
(IPCO).

 

d)    The
terminology in relation to Communications Data now reflects the latest guidance
received from the National Anti-Fraud Network.

Decision

RESOLVED that the Executive
agrees that the revised Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (RIPA) –
Corporate Policy and Procedures attached at Appendix A to the report be approved.