Issue - meetings

To consider the attached report of the Head of Regulatory Services.

The Solicitor to the Council and Monitoring Officer introduced the report on the Use of Social Media for the Investigation of Criminal Offences.

The intention of creating a specific policy relating to social media was to provide increased clarity in respect of the use of social media for investigations. The policy supported compliance with the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (RIPA) policy by ensuring that officers were aware of the procedures and processes governing the use of social media in investigations.

In response to a question from Councillor E A Biggs, the members of the committee were assured that there was no intention to use the powers to target any particular socio-economic demographic in the community.

RESOLVED:     That Cabinet decision CAB76 be endorsed subject to an addition of a document to the Use of Social Media in Investigations of Criminal Offences Policy that sets out how the council will use the powers and who will be targeted by it. 

To consider the attached report of the Head of Regulatory Services.

Responsibility: Portfolio Holder for Planning and Regulatory Services

It was agreed:

(a)   That adoption of the Social Media Investigations Policy be approved.

(b)   That the Head of Regulatory Services be authorised, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Planning and Regulatory Services, to make minor amendments to the Policy.