WLGA responds to RIPA consultation
17 April 2009
Responding to the government’s launch of a consultation into the use of the operations carried out under the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (RIPA), a WLGA Spokesperson said:
“Local authorities in Wales have duties under a wide range of laws to ensure certain rules are observed in the community. These duties are important in enabling councils to tackle the kinds of issues that local communities want to see being tackled, such as trading standards and public health issues.
Councils try to enforce those laws overtly, but there are times when they need to do it covertly. In situations where covert action is necessary, RIPA controls councils’ actions and ensures that people’s right to privacy is not unduly breached. Furthermore, RIPA controls the actions of council officers, makes the council liable for its actions, therefore making councils totally accountable and providing local people with the means to challenge councils about the way in which they do their work.
It is a matter for each council to determine its use of RIPA within its own local area. The WLGA is currently working with Welsh councils to review their use of powers under RIPA, reviewing what these powers should be used for and ensuring they are used appropriately. It’s important to remember that without such powers local authorities would not be able to provide people with the level of reassurance and protection they deserve and most importantly what they tell councils they want.”