From time to time Highland Council Officials will require to conduct covert surveillance including the use of covert human intelligence sources, as part of their Council duties. This would be principally for the purposes of detecting crime or the prevention of disorder, ensuring public safety, or protecting public health. The Council has published its own Policy on Covert Surveillance. In addition, Services may also have operational policies and procedures for the guidance of staff in relation to their own areas of responsibility.
There are prescribed procedures to ensure proper authorisation of surveillance activities. The Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (an Act of the UK Parliament, broader in scope than the Scottish Act) and the Regulation of Investigatory Powers (Scotland) Act 2000 provide the legal framework for covert surveillance by public authorities.
An independent inspection of the Council’s arrangements is carried out for the Surveillance Commissioner.
An Investigatory Powers Tribunal has been set up under RIPSA to receive complaints against public authorities in relation to covert surveillance.
For further information the Scottish Executive has published Codes of Practice on Covert Surveillance and Covert Human Intelligence Sources.
Contact: Legal Services, Chief Executive's Office, The Highland Council, Glenurquhart Road, Inverness IV3 5NX. Tel: 01463 702162