Issue - meetings
Covert investigation under the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000
Meeting: 14/01/2014 - Standards Advisory Committee (Item 3)
3 Covert investigation under the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 PDF 74 KB
Consider and comment upon the information provided in the report.
Additional documents:
Minutes:
The Head of Legal Services (Community) presented the report regarding the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (RIPA).
The Committee noted the new authorisation to investigate underage and illegal tobacco sales and the key dates for the surveillance work.
The Committee also noted the decision to cancel the authorisation granted regarding test purchases around Brick Lane. The authorisation was cancelled in November 2013. This was now subject to further enforcement work.
Both authorisations had been taken to court and judged as an appropriate use of the legislation. It was intended that an Annual Report regarding use of the RIPA powers would be submitted to the Committee at the end of the year with details on the outcomes.
In response, Members asked whether the issue of electoral fraud and illegal subletting of Council properties could be investigated under the legislation as Members felt that these were important areas to address. The Head of Legal Services (Community) undertook to look into use of the powers in relation to these areas and report back to the Committee. Members also asked to be provided with a map showing the location where investigations have been carried out.
In response to further questions, Officers outlined the process for investigating electoral offences. Officers highlighted the remit of the Police and the Council in such matters. The Council’s prosecution offence related to non return of canvass forms, but fraud was dealt with by the Police.
The question of whether or not covert investigation powers could be used depended on the seriousness of an offence, measured by the maximum sentence. The Returning Officer undertook to inform the Electoral ‘Silver’ Group meetings, that were already ongoing with the Police, of the matters that the Committee had raised.
Action by:
John Williams (Service Head, Democratic Services, CE’s)
Resolved
That the report be noted:
Action by:
David Galpin, The Head of Legal Services (Community)