BHCC use of private investigators

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Is it current council policy to use private investigators?
How much has the council spend on private investigators services in the last three years – broken down by each year?

Has many private investigators has the council hired in the last three years?

Please provide an example of a typical brief to a private investigator from the council.

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Brighton and Hove City Council

Is it current council policy to use private investigators?

It is not policy for the council to use private investigators. The Council has, in the past, used ICU investigations ltd to do standard debt tracing for outstanding council tax debts but has not commissioned any private investigation from them.

How much has the council spent on private investigators services in the last three years – broken down by each year?

The amounts paid to ICU ltd was for 2011/12 £6,597; 2012/13 £229.00; 2013/14 nil. These payments relate to debt tracing and not private investigation work.

How many private investigators has the council hired in the last three years?

The council has not commissioned any private investigations in the last three years.

Please provide an example of a typical brief to a private investigator from the council.

The Council has not commissioned any private investigations. It has commissioned debt tracing for a small fixed sum per successful trace.

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