The Cabinet Member for Communities introduced the report which sought Cabinet’s approval on proposed changes to the monitoring delivery model for the Public Space CCTV service.

The Cabinet Member for Communities gave a background and explained the aims of the Public Space CCTV (page 55 of the report), and advised that a review of the Public Space CCTV had been completed.  He added that the responses to the public consultation undertaken in May 2019 were supportive of the Council continuing to deliver a Public Space CCTV.

The Cabinet Member for Communities highlighted the benefits of the proposed Public Space CCTV monitoring delivery model which included the system control room being located within the new Multi-Storey Car Park in St. Michael’s Road, Sittingbourne.  He also drew attention to the proposed use of Town Centre Wi-Fi within Sittingbourne, Sheerness and Faversham to utilise the wireless CCTV infrastructure.  He thanked the previous administration and Council staff for their work on the scheme.

Members welcomed the proposals. In the discussion that followed, Members spoke about the need to monitor rural and remote areas as well as the towns.  A Member suggested that any foliage should be cleared from blocking the lenses of CCTV cameras.  Another Member praised the report and suggested a proper audit of cameras was carried out after installation to ensure they could not be unplugged.

Resolved:

(1)  That the proposed Public Space CCTV monitoring delivery model be approved.

(2)  That officers conduct a procurement exercise for the proposed upgrade to the Public Space CCTV Service and Town Centre Wi-Fi, which will be brought back to Cabinet for approval.