Issue - meetings

Annual Update – Use of Powers under the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (RIPA) 2000

Meeting: 29/09/2020 - Audit Committee (Item 14)

14 Annual Update – Use of Powers under the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (RIPA) 2000 PDF 500 KB

To consider the report of the Head of Legal and Corporate Compliance.

Minutes:

Consideration was given to report of the Head of Legal & Corporate Compliance.

The Head of Legal & Corporate Compliance presented the report which provided Members with information relating to the Council’s use of statutory powers under the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (RIPA) 2000 for the period 2019/20, as required under the Council’s RIPA policy and procedures.

The Audit Committee monitored activity in this area, and the report contained information which sought to provide an assurance on the effective operation of the Council’s policy in relation to the Act.

The Officer reported that the information provided covered the period 1^st August, 2019 – 31^st July, 2020, and during this period two applications were made to the Magistrates’ Court, and granted, in relation to directed surveillance, both of which related to Trading Standards investigations.

She confirmed that updated training on the use of RIPA was due to take place in 2020, but it was likely that this would now be held in 2021. The IPCO undertook an audit of all Councils every three years, and due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Blaenau Gwent’s inspection would undertaken remotely later in October. An internal review of the policy and procedure would also be undertaken following the inspection.

A Member referred to the pandemic and asked whether surveillance under RIPA could be used in the event of non-compliance with COVID-19 regulations.

In response the Officer said she was unsure if the penalties associated with non-compliance of COVID regulations would fall under the RIPA criteria. She confirmed that Officers had various powers to enforce COVID regulations and were able to make inspections of premises, and there had been tremendous support from the public in assisting Officers, and those that had been served improvement notices had complied without the need for further action.

RESOLVED that the report be accepted and the Audit Committee accepts the information in the report as assurance that appropriate oversight and monitoring was taking place.