Council to review spying on parents

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Borough of Poole spied on Jenny Paton and Tim Joyce for nearly three weeks suspecting they had lied about living in the catchment area for Lilliput First School.

It made similar checks on two other families in the last year and admitted to using powers under the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (Ripa) on 39 occasions since 2000.

A committee of councillors has now recommended Ripa is not used for school admissions.

The U-turn will be considered by cabinet members in December.

John McBride, the council's chief executive, said: "Overall, council officers in Poole have made only modest use of Ripa legislation since its introduction in 2000.

"However, we acknowledge the level of public concern about the use made of Ripa legislation for matters relating to school admissions.

"Members of the committee have listened to these concerns and concluded that surveillance should not be used for school admissions.

"They have also made recommendations for further improving the council's procedures around its use of Ripa which will be considered by the cabinet."