Councillors and committees

Decision details

Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 - updated corporate policy and protocol

Decision Maker: Cabinet

Decision status: Recommendations Approved

Is Key decision?: Yes

Is subject to call in?: Yes

Purpose:

The Cabinet is asked to endorse an updated Corporate Policy and Protocol on the use of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (RIPA) by council services. The proposed policy provides an updated framework to ensure that the authority continues to comply fully with the requirements of RIPA surrounding the acquisition of Communications Data in line with recent legislative changes. The proposed policy includes amendments which reflect the recommendations and observations made by the Inspector following the recent RIPA inspection.

 

Decision:

RESOLVED:

 

1.    That the proposed new Corporate Policy and Protocol on the application of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 was endorsed.

2.    That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for Community Safety Fire and Resilience in consultation with the relevant Director to approve the Corporate Policy and Protocol on the use of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 and any subsequent changes to this and that the Director of Law and Governance be authorised to make the necessary changes to the Council’s Scheme of Delegation and the Constitution be updated accordingly.

 

Reason for decision:

 

Following the RIPA Inspection carried out in February 2019, recommendations and observations were made to the Corporate Policy and Protocol on the use of RIPA which has led to the requirement to make some minor amendments to the Policy.

The inclusion of the updates within the Corporate Policy and Protocol will provide an updated framework to ensure that the authority continues to comply fully with the requirements of RIPA. The updates ensure that Surrey County Council is operating in accordance with the latest legislation.

Allowing future changes to the policy to be authorised by the relevant Cabinet member using delegated powers will prevent this policy repeatedly being placed before full Cabinet for consideration.

 

[The decisions on this item can be called in by the Resources and Performance Select Committee]

 

Report author: David Pickering

Publication date: 27/11/2019

Date of decision: 26/11/2019

Decided at meeting: 26/11/2019 - Cabinet

Effective from: 05/12/2019

Accompanying Documents: