Issue - meetings

Purpose of Report

To update the Executive on use of powers under the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 as required by guidance issued by the Office of Supervision of Surveillance.

Decision

That the report be noted.

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected

None.

Reason for Decision

Directed surveillance was essentially covert surveillance in places other than residential premises or private vehicles. Local authorities could not conduct ‘intrusive’ surveillance under the Regulation of Investigatory Powers framework. A covert human intelligence source included undercover officers, public informants and people who made test purchases. The framework allowed authorities to undertake such surveillance if permitted by the Chief Executive, who was the Council’s Authorised Officer, and judicial approval was sought and obtained. The authority had policies in place to cover this process.

The Council had still not applied for, nor obtained any authorisations from the Magistrate’s Court for surveillance since 2009. This was mainly due to the fact that the Council’s investigations were mostly pre-planning and overt.