KENNET District Council has been congratulated for handling paperwork on covert investigations, even though it never carries out any undercover surveillance.

But under the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000, all local authorities are obliged to complete paperwork designed to protect human rights.

Kennet's environmental health department frequently investigates complaints of noise. It also prosecutes incidents of housing benefit fraud, but informs those under investigation of what it is doing.

The Office of Surveillance visited the council offices to make sure officers knew the correct procedures and were putting them into effect.

Lord Colville of Culross, who carried out the inspection, said: "It is difficult to find fault with the documentation or the understanding of the legislation."

The regulations are more relevant to the work of Wiltshire County Council, whose trading standards officers frequently carry out covert surveillance of retailers in the county to find out whether they are abiding by the law in relation to selling alcohol, tobacco and other restricted items to children.

In the annual audit carried out by the Audit Commission. Kennet received a clean bill of health in its preparation of accounts and its financial management, and was congratulated for establishing local strategic partnerships, developing a corporate strategy, achieving the Investors in People award, and for work to provide more affordable housing across the district.