Agenda and draft minutes

In the event the fire alarm sounds, attendees will be advised to evacuate the building via the nearest fire exit and assemble at the Bottle of Notes opposite MIMA.

The Chair welcomed all present to the meeting and read out the Building Evacuation Procedure.

The Mayor considered a report regarding the Council’s Business Continuity Policy.

The report sought approval of the proposed Business Continuity Policy.

The report set out the Business Continuity Policy, which was in place to ensure the Council conducted its statutory duties as a Category 1 responder under The Civil Contingencies Act 2004.

In response to a query from the Mayor regarding off-site back-up provision, it was indicated that there was a back-up system in place for ICT, and also a relocation site for people based at Cargo Fleet.

OPTIONS

The Council could have chosen not to have a policy in place to set out expected standards for its Business Continuity arrangements, however, this would have increased the risk that the Council could have insufficient arrangements in place to maximise their ability to deliver improved outcomes for the residents of Middlesbrough.

ORDERED

That the Business Continuity Policy was approved.

REASONS

The policy would ensure that there was a consistent framework in place that set out the Council’s approach to business continuity.

The Mayor considered a report regarding the Council’s Partnership Governance Policy.

The report sought approval of the proposed Partnership Governance Policy.

The report set out the revised Partnership Governance Policy, which ensured appropriate governance arrangements were in place for the Council’s key strategic partnerships.

In response to a query from the Mayor regarding Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust (TEWV), it was clarified that TEWV was classed as a partnership organisation.

OPTIONS

The Council could have chosen not to have a policy framework document in place to set out expected standards for its partnerships, however, this would have increased the risk that the Council could have partnerships which did not have the necessary arrangements in place to maximise their ability to deliver improved outcomes for the residents of Middlesbrough.

ORDERED

That the Partnership Governance Policy was approved.

REASONS

The Policy would ensure that there was a consistent framework in place that assessed the health of partnerships governance to ensure that the Council was able to take appropriate action to maximise the effectiveness of its partnerships.

The Mayor considered a report regarding the Council’s Surveillance Policy.

The report sought approval of the proposed corporate Surveillance Policy 2024/25.

The report detailed that guidance underpinning the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (RIPA) 2000 stated that elected members should review the Council’s use of RIPA powers and set the RIPA policy at least once per annum.

Use of RIPA powers were considered annually by Audit Committee as part of the annual report of the Senior Information Risk Owner.  Statistical information on use of the powers would be reported to a future meeting of the relevant Scrutiny Panel.

In response to a query from the Mayor, it was clarified that the report noted the current position.  A short discussion ensued in relation to drones and the issues that use of these would have presented.

OPTIONS

The Council could have chosen to restrict this policy to RIPA activity only and develop and implement separate policies relating to non-RIPA surveillance, employee surveillance and other issues not currently covered by policy.  However, this was not recommended, as a single policy provided for a coherent and systematic approach and was in line with the Council’s commitment to openness and transparency.

ORDERED

That the annual review of the Surveillance Policy was approved.

REASONS

The proposed policy would ensure that surveillance activity undertaken by the Council complied with its strategic priorities and statutory obligations, was lawful and that due regard was given to human rights and to data protection rights.

All decisions will come into force after five working days following the day the decision(s) was published unless the decision becomes subject to the call in procedures.