The purpose of this report is to seek approval of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (RIPA) policy which has been reviewed and updated to reflect legislative changes under the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012.

RIPA provides a legal framework for a local authority to conduct covert surveillance techniques. The legislation ensures that any surveillance activity conducted by the council is legal, proportionate and necessary.  The recent legislative changes provide further protection to individuals to ensure that covert surveillance techniques are only used if they are judicially approved and are required to detect or prevent serious crime.

The report is to be presented to Regulatory Committee on 5 June 2014. Any comments from the committee will be reported verbally to Cabinet.

THAT:

Cabinet noted the current legal position with regard to the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012 and approve the revised policy.

The council policy on RIPA has been updated to reflect the legislative changes identified below and is included as Appendix 1.

Not approving the revised policy would lead to failure to follow legislative provision.