Cabinet Member for Housing and Safer Communities

Cabinet considered the report of the Interim Economy and Community Services Manager and the above Cabinet Member, which gave an overview of the history of the existing CCTV service and findings from the reviews completed in 2018.

The Cabinet Member for Housing and Safer Communities advised that there were now approximately 50 CCTV cameras in Swale, mostly in the urban areas.  He said that there was no statutory duty to provide CCTV, although it did contribute to the Council’s Section 17 of the Crime and Disorder Act 98 considerations and the Police had advised they would not fund the service.

The Cabinet Member for Housing and Safer Communities spoke of the continuing advances in technology that would assist the CCTV system and advised that a CCTV strategy would be drafted and considered by the Policy Development and Review Committee.

In response to a question from a Member, the Cabinet Member for Housing and Safer Communities clarified that  the current Agreement expires in March 2019 and a year’s notice was required to leave the partnership.

A Member asked that information was provided on any areas in the UK where Police did fund the CCTV service and whether advances in technology might encourage Police funding.

A Member thanked the Cabinet Member for Housing and Safer Communities and drew attention to the bullet points at 2.12 on page 3 of the report which highlighted the performance of the Medway Commercial Group.

There was a discussion around the use of CCTV in a current high profile national case and the Cabinet Member for Housing and Safer Communities said that much of the footage from that case came from public transport or mobile transmission, not public CCTV.  He added that the Police and Crime Commissioner had confirmed that there would be no financial contribution to the CCTV service, but had suggested Community Safety Partnership grant funding could be used. The Cabinet Member for Housing and Safer Communities spoke of the improvement in digital images in the advancement of CCTV technology, and the role of the Community Safety Partnership and Wardens. 

Finally, the Cabinet Member for Housing and Safer Communities praised the Interim Economy and Community Services Manager for the clear report.

Resolved:

(1)  That a Public Space CCTV Strategy is created to ensure the service remains fit for purpose in the future.

(2)  That the extension of the existing CCTV Partnership Memorandum of Agreement for 1 year to 31 March 2020 be agreed.