Agenda item

Report of the Assistant Director – Environmental Services and Community Safety.

The Assistant Director, Environmental Services and Community Safety, submitted a report (previously circulated) which provided Members with an overview of the policy and guidelines on issues involved in the planning for, and actual deployment of the Council’s re-deployable (mobile) CCTV cameras (RCCTV).

The CCTV & Security Control Centre Manager spoke to this report, and provided a short synopsis of the Council’s current deployment of deployable cameras deployed by request on the boundaries of the Borough.

The CCTV & Security Control Centre Manager informed Members that the use of surveillance is not a cure to civic enforcement issues, but is more so utilised as a preventative and aiding tool.

The CCTV & Security Control Centre Manager went into further detail on the policy by with deployable cameras are utilised, and demonstrated the Council’s compliance with such regulations.

Members thanked The CCTV & Security Control Centre Manager for speaking to this report, and first questioned whether all deployable cameras at the Councils disposal are being actively utilised to ensure that the Council is maximising its available resources. The CCTV & Security Control Centre Manager answered stating that not all deployable cameras are currently active, and Members asked what the barriers are preventing this. The CCTV & Security Control Centre Manager responded by outlining the lengthy application process, alluded to the resources required to deploy each camera, safeguarding and practicality issues in certain areas, and the procedures required to deploy cameras that have prevented the usage of all available deployable cameras.

Focus then turned to the subject of applications, specifically who an apply for a deployable camera, and the process of doing so. Members were informed that the usual procedure is that a Councillor will make a request to the anti-social or park management team who will consider the request and determine whether a camera will be deployed. The CCTV & Security Control Centre Manager also noted that lack of applications for deployable cameras is a contributing factor for their lack of deployment.

RESOLVED – That the contents of this report be noted.