Issue - meetings

To approve the Use of the Internet and Social Media in Investigations and Enforcement Policy. 

1.           That the Use of Internet and Social Media in Investigations and Enforcement Policy, as attached to the report at Appendix 1, be APPROVED.

2.           That authority be delegated to the Borough Solicitor, in consultation with the Counter Fraud Unit Manager and the Lead Member for Corporate Governance, to approve future minor amendments to the policy.  

36.1          The report of the Counter Fraud Unit Manager, circulated at Pages No. 79-86, presented the Committee with an updated and revised Use of the Internet and Social Media in Investigations and Enforcement Policy for approval.

36.2          The Counter Fraud Unit Manager advised that the Use of the Internet and Social Media in Investigations and Enforcement Policy completed the policy suite regarding the Council’s surveillance activity with this particular policy about monitoring social media accounts etc. The policy sought to ensure staff were undertaking the processes correctly and not straying into surveillance without the proper consideration. It was not possible for the Council to invade someone’s privacy without good reason and, whilst some social media would be open to the public, some would be private and the Counter Fraud Unit Manager provided the example that it would not be acceptable to create an account to befriend someone to gain access to private information.

36.3          Accordingly, it was