Issue - meetings

(a)       That the letter and report from the Office of Surveillance Commissioners be noted; and

(b)       That the recommendations of the report of the Office of Surveillance Commissioners be endorsed.

The Democracy & Governance Manager presented a report from the Office of Surveillance Commissioners (OSC) following an inspection on 26 July 2012 to review the Council’s management of covert activities and compliance with the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (RIPA).

He explained that this was the first such report received as part of the new role of the Audit Committee and that it was favourable of the Council’s RIPA policies and procedures which were mainly used by Trading Standards as a last resort.  Two recommendations had been made on the clarity of wording in procedures and a requirement for RIPA training, the latter of which had already been identified.  The Democracy & Governance Manager reported that both recommendations had been acted upon, with training scheduled for 31 October 2012 to update officers on the complex legislation.

Councillor R.B. Jones suggested that an additional recommendation be made for the Committee to endorse the recommendations of the OSC report and this was duly seconded.

Following a question from Councillor G.S. Banks on the use of CCTV equipment for fly tipping and dog fouling enforcement, the Democracy & Governance Manager explained that this had been included in the report to explain why the Council did not resort to covert surveillance for such matters.

RESOLVED:

(a)       That the letter and report from the Office of Surveillance Commissioners be noted; and

(b)       That the recommendations of the report of the Office of Surveillance Commissioners be endorsed.