A report by the Director of Law, HR and Asset Management requested that the Cabinet consider the recommendation from the 28 September, 2010 meeting of the Audit and Risk Management Committee regarding the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 as follows:

“RESOLVED:

(1)  That the report on the Council’s use of RIPA be noted.

(2)  That the recommendation of the Director of Law, HR and Asset Management Cabinet to recommend to the Home Office that local authorities be allowed to continue to use covert surveillance to detect crime and disorder, provided it has been authorised by an independent magistrate, be referred to the Cabinet for consideration.”

RESOLVED:  That

(1)  the recommendation of the Director of Law, HR and Asset Management to the Audit and Risk Management Committee be endorsed; and

(2)  the number of cases where RIPA has been used in Wirral continues to be relatively low be noted and the responsible and proportionate use of this legislation in tackling extreme cases of anti-social behaviour, underage drinking, fly tipping, trading standards and licensing contraventions be supported.