Issue - meetings

Consideration of recommendation GP 24/25 of the General Purposes Committee of 9 October 2024

Consideration was given to the recommendations of the General Purposes Committee of 9 October 2024 in respect of revisions to the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (RIPA) surveillance guidance.

RESOLVED:  That the revised surveillance guidance be approved, subject to the replacement of Twitter with X.

This report asks Members to consider minor changes to the Council’s guidance on surveillance.

The report of the Director of Central Services and Deputy Chief Executive asked Members to consider minor changes to the Council’s guidance on surveillance. 

As a matter of policy, Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council sought to carry out enforcement activity by overt means.  The result of this was that covert activity was undertaken only as a last resort.  No use had been made of the covert surveillance powers available to the Borough Council under the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 since 2010. 

The Investigatory Powers Commissioner’s Office had indicated that they would not be undertaking an inspection during the current year and that they had no concerns with the Council’s policy.

RECOMMENDED*: That the revised surveillance guidance at Annex 1 be approved, subject to the replacement of Twitter with X.

*Recommended to Council