To comment on the report to be considered by Cabinet on the 26 January 2017.

The Head of Community Protection & Enforcement, Craig Miller, explained that Cabinet, at its meeting of 30 June 2016, had considered a proposal to undertake an initial review of the CCTV function.  Members were informed that this report set out the findings of the initial review of the Council’s CCTV system and proposed a further full technological review be undertaken, to be reported to Cabinet in August 2017, to investigate how modern digital CCTV technology could enhance service provision.

The Head of Community Protection & Enforcement added that the Council had shared the report with the Thames Valley Police (TVP) and that as a result they had made recommendations as to how the TVP and Council could make enhancements to the service.  It was noted that the Area Commander for the TVP had stated that it would not provide a detriment to the Royal Borough if some of the CCTV cameras were removed.  Members were informed that the report also looked at alternative operating models. 

The Lead Member for Environmental Services including Parking, Councillor Cox, stated that he had nothing further to add to what the Head of Community Protection & Enforcement had already said.

In the ensuing discussion the following points were noted:

• That the Head of Community Protection & Enforcement and Lead Member for Environmental Services including Parking were fully committed to meeting with all the Ward Members were the proposed 30 cameras for decommissioning were located to discuss their values.  It was noted that this was being done in line with the full technical review and that decisions made with regard to individual cameras would not simply be made on statistics alone. 
• That the term ‘under used camera’ related to the amount of time a camera was used for its primary and secondary use.  It was noted that some of the 30 cameras identified were in areas where a private asset could be used, where there were multiple cameras in some of the areas and where other cameras could be used to cover the area in question. 
• That the cost of decommissioning a camera was felt to be high as it covered the removal of the full column and making the ground good.
• That if cameras were simply turned off and left at locations to be used as deterrents then the Council would need to add signs to the cameras to state they were no longer in use.  It was noted that if cameras were left at locations the Council would still need to maintain them even if they were no longer in use.
• That parts for the current CCTV system were no longer manufactured.
• That Cabinet would ultimately make the decision on this proposal.
• That the number of arrests made by the TVP supported by CCTV footage was not available / recorded. 
• It was suggested that Thames House in Victoria Street could have a fixed 270 degree camera installed to monitor the three nearby streets.
• Councillor Bowden and Councillor Werner both mentioned specific cameras in their wards which the Lead Member for Environmental Services including Parking agreed could be discussed outside of the meeting.

The Panel commented that they were in full agreement that the Councils CCTVs were in need of upgrading but were disappointed to see that children’s playgrounds were on the list of 30 cameras proposed for decommission.  

The Panel commented that they would prefer to see any decommissioned cameras left in place for a set amount of time so they could be reinstated if necessary and so they could act as a deterrent to crime.  

The Panel stated that Council would not be able to rely on private cameras as a substitute for Council CCTV cameras.

The Panel suggested that the Council should contact the MOD, Home Office and Ascot Racecourse to see if they might be interested in contributing some funding towards the security of Windsor Castle and towards safety at events such as Royal Ascot, etc. 

The Panel also suggested looking into whether the Council could apply for a contribution of the £1m capital funding set aside by the Thames Valley Police for the Thames Valley region. 

The Crime & Disorder Overview & Scrutiny Panel unanimously agreed to recommend to Cabinet that they note the report and:

i.   Delegate authority to the Interim Strategic Director of Operations and Customer Services in conjunction with the Lead Member for Environmental Services including Parking to:

a.  Implement options A and B, see point 2.28.

b.  Commission expert resource to undertake a review of the CCTV network including options for joint/merged services and develop a proposal to reconfigure current CCTV arrangements as set out in option A, and report the findings to Cabinet in August 2017.