CCTV Update
To receive a verbal update by the Head of Community Services
Minutes:
The Head of Community Services reported that the Surveillance Camera Code of Practice had now been issued and would be circulated to the Committee. It was noted that the Councils response to the consultation had been completed online, Members agreed that the response would be circulated to the Group. Cheshire East Council complied with the 12 points of the code as it was simply a duplication of the framework the Council already operated under. The aim of the code was to bring together all the current legislation within one document. A review to assess whether or not the cameras were fit for purpose was already well underway.
With regard to the possible financial contributions by the Town and Parish Councils it was noted that a service level agreement would be required which would cover:
· Camera availability
· Maintenance/repair and replacement
· Image quality
· Sharing of information
· Camera locations
· Monitoring of cameras.
Members raised questions regarding how the charging tariffs would be applied as it would be unfair to charge small villages the same as larger towns. Also the issue of Macclesfield not having a Town Council would need to be addressed as the Macclesfield Local Service Delivery Committee did not have legal authority to make such a decision.
One Town Council had confirmed that it was happy to contribute financially towards CCTV, the rest had confirmed that they were happy for the review to take place and would discuss financial contributions at a later date. Members raised concerns that the review would not be completed by the September deadline. If the Town and Parish Councils were unwilling to contribute, the cameras would not be actively monitored, repaired or replaced.
With regard to providing cameras at Queens Park, Crewe, it was noted that discussions were currently ongoing and the Chairman of the Friends of Queens Park should be involved.
RESOLVED
1. That the new National Code of Practice for CCTV and the Council’s response to the consultation be communicated to Members of the Committee.
2. That the Chairman of the Friends of Queens Park, Crewe be involved in any discussions relating to camera provisions.