Issue - meetings

Position Statement on the Council's CCTV System (April to August 2020)

Meeting: 11/09/2020 - Corporate Overview Scrutiny Committee (Item 10)

10 Position Statement on the Council's CCTV System (April to August 2020) pdf icon PDF 525 KB

To consider the report of the Chief Officer Resources, the Head of Community Services and the Head of Governance and Partnerships.

Minutes:

Consideration was given to the joint report of the Chief Officer Resources (SIRO for CCTV), Head of Community Services and Head of Governance and Partnerships.

 

The Chief Officer Resources outlined the report which provided an update on the Council’s CCTV system covering the period during the Covid-19 Pandemic from April to August 2020. The Chief Officer spoke to the report and gave an overview of the performance information and data as detailed in the report. The Chief Officer Resources concluded that although there had been localised operational issues with cameras, the CCTV system was operating in compliance with legislation.

 

A Member noted that the deployable cameras had not been deployed due to the pandemic and asked if these could now be located in areas of high anti-social behaviour or fly tipping within the Borough.

 

The Head of Partnerships and Governance advised that there are protocols and procedures in place in terms of both technical and community safety matters in placing cameras.  There needed to be sufficient evidence to deploy cameras to specific areas. It was suggested that if there were areas of concern within respective wards these could be discussed with the Community Safety Officer.

 

In response to further concerns around locations, it was reported that an annual review of CCTV camera sites would be undertaken. This would allow all sites being covered to remain ‘live’ in line with hot spot areas.

 

Members felt that it was important that CCTV was included on the Forward Work Programme and the Officer stated that an Annual Progress Report was scheduled to be presented in February 2021. The reports were agreed to be presented on an annual basis to ensure it captured a good period to gain sufficient evidence.

 

A Member felt that the annual report should include plans going forward as well as a progress update.

 

The Chair concurred with the comments raised and was assured the Annual Progress Report was on the Forward Work Programme.

 

A Member noted that the CCTV budget was underspent and asked if these monies could be used to address issues with cameras which were not working in specific areas.

 

The Head of Community Services advised that in most cases the issues were not with the equipment it was due to Wi-Fi dropping or network problems. It was informed that each Monday and Thursday a review of the CCTV systems was carried out to identify any problems before and after the weekend. In terms of the underspends, it was reported that in most instances these monies would be spent by the year end to address any issues.

 

The Committee AGREED that the report be accepted and Option 2, namely the Committee considered and provided comment on the position statement on the CCTV function during the COVID-19 pandemic.