Issue - meetings

(i)       to note that there was an error in the index page of the policy which would be amended;

(ii)      to note the response to members questions;

(iii)      to note the update in the report in respect of the Council’s use of investigatory Powers during quarter 4 of the current year; and

(iv)     to approve the Use of Investigatory Powers Policy, attached at Appendix A.

The Committee had before it a report by the Director of Commissioning which was presented to ensure that Elected Members reviewed the Council’s use of investigatory powers on a quarterly basis and have oversight that those powers were being used consistently in accordance with the Use of Investigatory Powers Policy.

The report recommended:-

That the Committee –

(a)      note the update in the report in respect of the Council’s use of investigatory powers during quarter 4 of the current year; and

(b)      approve the Use of Investigatory Powers Policy, attached at Appendix A.

In response to a question relating to when it would be appropriate to acquire Communications Data, the Regulatory and Compliance Team Leader advised that a possible use would be when Trading Standards Officers were investigating online selling.

In response to a question as to whether it would be more appropriate for officers to seek assistance from Police Scotland’s Fraud Division rather than the National Anti Fraud Network (NAFN) due to the difference in Scots Law, the Regulatory and Compliance Team Leader advised that the NAFN were the point of contact for Local Authorities.  She further advised that the Council’s operational procedure would reflect the process under Scottish law.

The Committee resolved:-

(i)       to note that there was an error in the index page of the policy which would be amended;

(ii)      to note the response to members questions;

(iii)      to otherwise approve the recommendations contained in the report.