Agenda and draft minutes

No apologies for absence were received.

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting on 18^th October 2023 (Circulated separately).

The minutes of the meeting held on the 18^th October 2023 were approved as an accurate record.

To note declarations of Members’ disclosable pecuniary interests, non-disclosable pecuniary interests and non-pecuniary interests in respect of items on this Agenda.

Declarations of interest were received from Councillors Zukowskyj and Kingsbury declared interests as Hertfordshire County Councillors.

No notifications for urgent business were received.

Report of the Executive Director (Resident Services And Climate Change)

The Committee received a report and presentation from the Executive Director (Resident Services & Climate Change).  During the presentation it was highlighted  what the Council’s powers were under the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (RIPA).

It was noted that the main amendments were job title updates, the single point of contact, and two additional authorising officers.

There had been no RIPA applications or authorisations in the last 12-month period.

The following points were clarified during the discussion:

• Surveillance would be done in conjunction with the police or by the Council independently. If the council needs to undertake surveillence it would be responsible for obtaining the RIPA authorisation. The police support may be required as part of the investigation. The Police were also able to request evidence from the Council such as CCTV.
• The RIPA Policy was rarely used as many investigations do not require covert surveillance.
• Fly tipping cameras may trigger an authorisation for RIPA in certain circumstances.
• Investigations can be conducted by a range of Council officers, however, if there was a need for RIPA authorisation officers would be expected to complete the RIPA form, approval by an Authorising Officer and then and this would go for approval to the Magistrate Court.
• It was queried why the Council was not using the powers available to them for issues such a council housing fraud, fly tipping and so on. It was clarified that there are a number of alternative powers available to Enforcement Officers so surveillance is not always required to gain evidence of crimes. The Council works with the Shared Anti-Fraud Service who review fraud on behalf of the Council, and if RIPA applies they would apply for this for the Council. There is a considered approach to using the RIPA powers by the Council.
• It was highlighted that the Council’s website or contact centre could be used to report crimes such as fly tipping.

The Committee approved the changes to the RIPA Policy.