Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Cabinet Member for Finance & Resources.

Following the Council’s inspection by the Investigatory Powers Commissioner’s Office (IPCO) on 15 November 2022, the Council’s Policy and Code of Practice were updated (enclosed in the attached document). The inspection was undertaken to assess the Council’s level of compliance with the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (RIPA) and the Investigatory Powers Act 2016 (IPA)  in respect of its use and management of covert surveillance, covert human intelligence sources and communications data.

The Cabinet is recommended to comment on and note the report.

Officer contact: Michelle Dodds on 0161-474-3257 or by email at michelle.dodds@stockport.gov.uk

The Cabinet Member for Finance & Resources (Councillor Malcolm Allan) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) detailing the outcome of an inspection by the Investigatory Powers Commissioner’s Office

(IPCO) on 15 November 2022 to assess the Council’s level of compliance with The Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (RIPA) and the Investigatory Powers Act 2016 (IPA) in respect of its use and management of covert surveillance, covert human intelligence sources and communications data

RESOLVED – (1) That the report be noted.

(2) That the outcome of the Investigatory Powers Commissioner’s Office inspection report be noted.

(3) That it be noted that the Council has not exercised its RIPA powers since the last report.

(4) That approval be given to the subsequent changes to the RIPA Policy/ Code of Practice following the IPCO inspection as detailed in the appendix attached to the report.

To consider a report of the Corporate Director (Corporate and Support Services) and Deputy Chief Executive.

Following the Council’s inspection by the Investigatory Powers Commissioner’s Office (IPCO) on 15 November 2022, the Council’s Policy and Code of Practice were updated (enclosed in the attached document). The inspection was undertaken to assess the Council’s level of compliance with the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (RIPA) and the Investigatory Powers Act 2016 (IPA)  in respect of its use and management of covert surveillance, covert human intelligence sources and communications data.

The Scrutiny Committee is recommended to comment on and note the report.

Officer contact: Michelle Dodds on 0161-474-3257 or by email at michelle.dodds@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Corporate Director (Corporate and Support Services) and Deputy Chief Executive submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) which set out an updated Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (RIPA) policy and code of practice following the council’s inspection by the Investigatory Powers Commissioner’s Office (IPCO) on 15 November 2022.

Assistant Director for Legal and Democratic Governance, Vicki Bates, attended the meeting to respond to questions from the Scrutiny Committee.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:

·         Detail of the successful investigation and outcome was appended to the report.

·         Assessment of the council’s use of RIPA powers took place three times a year; the Scrutiny Committee considered reports on an annual basis.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.