Consideration was given to a report submitted by the Strategic Director of Regeneration and Environment which sought to allocate £60,000 of capital funding to purchase mobile CCTV cameras and to approve amendments to the CCTV Policy and associated processes.
It was reported that the Budget and Council Tax 2018-19 report to Cabinet and Commissioners’ Decision Making Meeting on 19th February 2018 approved the Council’s Capital Strategy to 2021/22. As part of this, £60,000 of Priority Capital Investment monies were identified for mobile CCTV cameras. Members noted that the utilisation of technology to enhance the Council’s drive to tackle anti-social behaviour was critical to improving the outcomes delivered by the Council and partners alike to deter and punish offenders whilst improving the quality of life of residents.
It was reported that it was apparent that the Council, partners and residents would benefit from increased provision of CCTV technology to provide suitable capacity, capability and flexibility, and to support Ward priorities, Community Action Partnerships and Tasking meetings. Current revenue budgets were not in a position to fund increased provision, and capital funding would therefore be required to deliver enhanced capacity - the equivalent of one camera for each Ward - to deliver the desired outcomes. It was estimated that the cost of each individual CCTV system would be in the region of £3,000, equating to a total cost of £63,000 for the 21 cameras sought. It was confirmed that any potential costs beyond the £60,000 allocation would be dealt with through existing budgets.
It was noted that the cameras would be deployed in accordance with the Council’s revised CCTV Policy, which had been reviewed and updated as part of the project, to ensure that the future use of CCTV was fully compliant with the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR).
The proposals had been reviewed by the Overview and Scrutiny Management Board at its meeting on 1st August 2018 where the following recommendations were made to Cabinet:-
· That Cabinet be advised that the recommendations be supported.
· That all Members be notified of the arrangements and process for re-locating cameras in their Wards.
· That arrangements be made to notify residents of deployment and use of mobile cameras.
· That a report reviewing the use of the cameras be submitted to Improving Places Select Commission six months after implementation.
The Cabinet accepted the recommendations of the Overview and Scrutiny Management Board and
Resolved:-
1. That the allocation of £60,000 of funding within the approved Capital Programme for mobile CCTV cameras be noted.
2. That the reviewed CCTV Policy and improved processes be approved.
3. That all Members be notified of the arrangements and process for re-locating cameras in their Wards.
4. That arrangements be made to notify residents of deployment and use of mobile cameras.
5. That a report reviewing the use of the cameras be submitted to Improving Places Select Commission six months after implementation.