Issue - meetings
Covert investigation under the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 - quarterly update
Meeting: 16/04/2013 - Standards Advisory Committee (Item 4)
Additional documents:
- Appendix 2 - enforcement summary CS0001 sheet 1 DG0404130847am, item 4 PDF 13 KB
- Appendix 2 - enforcement summary CS0001 sheet 2 DG0404130847am, item 4 PDF 7 KB
- Appendix 2 - enforcement summary CS0001 sheet 3 DG0404130847am, item 4 PDF 9 KB
- Appx 3 Covert Investigation RIPA - NAFN Newsletter Aug 2012 DG0204131434pm, item 4 PDF 876 KB
Minutes:
Ms Jill Bell, Head of Legal Services (Environment), introduced and summarised key points in the report, which provided information concerning the Council’s authorisation of investigations under the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (RIPA). Ms Bell advised paragraph 3.24 of the report was incorrect in stating that no training had taken place, for officers who may engage in covert investigation, since February 2012. In fact training had been carried out in March 2013 with 7 Officers attending training provided by Metropolitan Police detectives.
A discussion followed which focused on the following points:-
· Clarification sought and given as to whether it was more difficult to undertake this surveillance given introduction of greater controls. Yes; and the tri-annual external inspection of the Authority’s activities in this area would start in May 2013, with a new inspector reviewing all the Authority’s records. Officers were confident of a positive inspection report.
· Welcomed the report, considering it was important for SAC to be informed of the Authority’s activities in this area given the significance and scope of its powers.
· Commenting on the value of video footage to a recent Licensing Sub-Committee in reaching a fully informed decision, clarification sought and given as to whether restrictions of surveillance under RIPA may prevent the availability of such information in future. No; as the report referred to covert surveillance not CCTV footage.
· Consideration that referral of the report to the Licensing Committee would be helpful for its members. Accordingly proposed by Councillor Golds.
The Chair Moved (taking account of the additional recommendation proposed by Councillor Golds), and it was:-
Resolved:
1. That the contents of the report be noted; and
2. That the report be referred to the next Licensing Committee for information.
Action by:
David Galpin (Head of Legal Services (Community), Legal Services, Chief Executive’s).