Agenda item

This report sets out the proposed CCTV Strategy and CCTV Policy and it seeks the Committee’s agreement to adopt each document.

The Group Head of Technical Services provided members with an overview of his report, drawing members attention to the recommendation that was requesting members agree to adopt the CCTV strategy and the CCTV Policy. He then provided members with a more detailed run through of his report where he explained that the Strategy proposed a review be undertaken within the next 12 months to ensure that the Council’s existing CCTV systems are fit for purpose, identifying where hardware/software needs to be upgraded. He confirmed that the monitoring would be undertaken by authorised and trained Officers and data handling would be done using encrypted systems where needed and that automatic systems needed to be established to delete recordings after 30 days. All new systems would also require a data privacy impact assessment and that the Strategy and Policy would be subjected to a formal review every 5 years.

The Chair thanked the Group Head of Technical Services for his report and detailed introduction and then asked members for their comment.

One member raised a concern regarding the reduction of CCTV cameras, he stated that given the level of Crime and Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) that had been reported across the district, he could not support the request to reduce the number of cameras.  The Group Head of Technical Services confirmed and reiterated to members that the review of CCTV systems was only for those on Council estates, such as depots and buildings. And would not impact on any systems in the Town Centres or seafronts as these would be outside of the council’s scope as they fall under the responsibilities of Sussex Police. The member then stated that he felt more cameras for council housing blocks where ASB was a problem would be of reassurance to those living within these areas and would help residents to feel safe. It was confirmed that each individual system the council operates would be reviewed to establish if a lawful purpose exists for their use. Only where systems are found to not be lawful in its purpose would it be removed.

The Chair asked if it would be cost effective where cameras were identified to be removed, to leave them in place to act as a deterrent. It was confirmed that they could only be used for deterrent purposes if they were not working.

Additionally, it was queried if discussion had or would take place with the council’s insurance company to ensure that the financial risks of the removal of cameras had been properly considered. It was confirmed that the purpose of the Policy was not to reduce the numbers of cameras. It was to ensure that what CCTV we do have in place was right and proper and that the council discontinues use where it has identified it, to not be lawful. It was also confirmed that the Group Head of Technical Services saw no reason why discussions with the council’s insurance company would not take place.

The recommendations were then proposed by Councillor Roberts and seconded by Councillor Clayden.

The Committee

          RESOLVED

1.  to adopt Arun District Council’s CCTV Strategy;

2.  to adopt Arun District Council’s CCTV Policy, and;

3.  to delegate authority to the Group Head of Law & Governance to make changes to the CCTV policy.