Agenda item

CCTV

The Portfolio Holder for Localism and Big Society will be in attendance to provide the Panel with an update on the current situation with regard to CCTV in the area.

Minutes:

The Portfolio Holder for Localism and Big Society was in attendance to provide an update on the situation with regard to CCTV.  At its last meeting, the Panel had requested his attendance as there had been no recent information received regarding CCTV provision.  After the Portfolio Holder’s update, the Panel would decide how to progress with the work of the Effectiveness of CCTV Task Group.

 

The Portfolio Holder confirmed that at its meeting on 18 February 2014, the Cabinet had agreed that a partnership agreement be entered into with Boston Borough Council to transfer the operation of the CCTV service to Boston Borough Council for an improved monitoring service.  This decision was ratified at the Council meeting held on 26 February 2014. 

 

The Panel was advised that the Authority was working with the neighbourhood police teams, parish councils etc to find locations:

 

Members raised the following issues:

 

·        Line of sight had been mentioned as an issue that could affect the positioning of cameras.  Why was this a problem if, as advised, the new system was wireless?

  • The Portfolio Holder advised members that a visit to the control room in Boston had been organised in May, and that they should raise this question during the visit.  They should also ask how well the system worked in Boston.

·        Were there clauses in the contract to monitor performance?

  • The Portfolio Holder responded that the Panel would want to see performance figures and these would be available in due course.  Performance data would be available on a monthly basis after the new system had been installed and had become operational.

·        Some Parish Councils had been advised that as part of the new scheme, local companies would be able to come on board, however this did not appear to have happened.

  • There were no companies on board yet.  The Portfolio Holder had spoken to the Chamber of Commerce however, they were involved with the ShopWatch system and were reluctant to pay extra.

·        What date would the new system be rolled out?

  • No date had currently been set but the system would be rolled out as soon as possible once all the cameras had been located.  The project was being driven by the Community Development Team Leader who was working with officers at Boston.

·        It had originally been suggested that any unspent Designated Members’ Budgets for 2013/14 be used to cover some of the cost of the CCTV.  However, the Section 151 Officer had said that this could not happen.  Members wanted an explanation as to why this could not happen.

  • The Portfolio Holder advised that he would find out what the situation was and report back to members in due course.

·        What was the situation with regard to covert cameras?

  • The Government did not like the use of covert cameras however, the cameras could be moved around.

·        Would there be a change in the way that the Police provided data?

  • The Portfolio Holder advised that information on convictions arising from the use of CCTV could not be given as these were too long after the incident however, information on arrests could be reported.

·        Would there be a contact at SHDC for CCTV related issues?  If there was, Parish Councils needed to be advised of where responsibilities lay.

  • The Community Development Team Leader would be the contact point.

 

AGREED:

 

a)     That the update provided by the Portfolio Holder for Localism and Big Society be noted;

 

b)     That the Portfolio Holder for Localism and Big Society note the issues raised by the Task Group and report back on questions raised where an answer was unavailable; and

 

c)      That performance figures for the operation of CCTV be made available to the Panel once the system was operational.

 

(The Portfolio Holder for Localism and Big Society, and Councillor R Grocock left the meeting, following discussion on the above item).