Issue - meetings

To consider the Learning and Development plan for the CCTV service, criteria for the CCTV camera network survey, and receive a verbal report on tree obscuration practices. (budget analysis to follow)

The Committee received an update on the Council’s CCTV service from the Head of Safer Communities. The Committee was presented with financial information relating to CCTV, the current learning and development plan for CCTV staff, an update on tree obscuration of CCTV cameras and a checklist for an audit of CCTV camera locations.

The Head of Safer Communities explained the changes in the budget figures for CCTV. Employee costs had reduced due to the changes in terms and conditions of staff. The budget for premises and recharges was moved into the Assets portfolio due to the introduction of the Corporate Landlord model. The customer receipts consisted of income the CCTV service had brought in from monitoring of CCTV cameras in Phoenix Park in Crewe on behalf of its owners. The CCTV service also contributed to savings throughout the Council by taking on work that had been previously bought in through contractors.

The purpose of the training plan was to ensure that the CCTV team all reached the same level of expertise and understanding. The budget for training was part of the Places Directorates budget for training and development.

The Head of Safer Communities presented the Committee with a list of cameras which had trees obscuring their line of sight. The Street Scape team had received the list and it was now its responsibility to trim the trees to ensure that cameras were now longer obscured.

The CCTV Camera locations checklist which formed the basis of the CCTV survey contained ten factors which contribute to the effectiveness of a camera’s location. It was hoped that the survey would identify needs for improvement and would inform work to update and improve the service.

The Committee expressed concerns about whether the CCTV staff would be able to carry out their core duty of monitoring CCTV cameras effectively considering all of the extra responsibilities they were being given. No issues concerning distraction from core duties had been identified currently and the possibility of over loading the CCTV staff with secondary duties was continually being monitored.

RESOLVED:

(a)  That the information provided by the Head of Safer Communities be received and noted.         

(b)  That the Head of Safer Communities be requested to provide an update on the tree obscuration of cameras be provided at the next meeting.

(c)  That the Head of Safer Communities be requested to provide a list of the 30 least effective cameras based on the CCTV Camera location checklist, and identify the reasons for their inclusion in this list, to be presented to the Committee at its next meeting.