Issue - meetings

Item CB 21/55 referred from Cabinet of 2 June 2021

Item CB 21/55 referred from Cabinet minutes of 2 June 2021.

RESOLVED: That the recommendation at Minute CB 21/55 be approved.

Members are invited to give further consideration to the recommendations from the Cabinet meeting, held on the 26 January 2021, in respect of CCTV. Additional information has become available and high-profile serious crime has taken place, resulting in the need for the original recommendations to be reassessed.

The joint report of the Director of Central Services, the Director of Street Scene, Leisure and Technical Services and the Cabinet Member for Communities invited further consideration of the recommendations from the meeting of Cabinet held on 26 January 2021 in respect of CCTV. 

As a result of additional information becoming available and some high profile crime taking place in recent months, the Cabinet welcomed the opportunity to reassess the original recommendations of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee of 3 December 2020.

The Cabinet recognised the importance of CCTV in relation to community safety and reducing the fear of and deterring crime and anti-social behaviour.  There was also recognition of the financial burden of CCTV operations on residents and the Borough Council would continue to lobby the Police and Crime Commissioner, Kent Police and local Members of Parliament for additional funding support.

In addition, it was reported that Government had increased funding for the Safer Streets initiative which could potentially be used for improvements to CCTV and lighting in high risk areas.   

RECOMMENDED:  That it be commended to Council that the current live CCTV monitoring remain unchanged following a reassessment of the existing operation on the grounds of community safety and crime prevention.

*Referred to Council

Members are invited to give further consideration to the recommendations from the Overview and Scrutiny Committee dated 3 December 2020 in respect of CCTV.

(Joint report of the Director of Central Services and Deputy Chief Executive and the Director of Street Scene, Leisure and Technical Services)

The Cabinet reviewed the recommendations of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee of 3 December 2020 regarding the CCTV operation.  Consideration was also given as to whether the recommendations presented an opportunity to identify funding to support wider Community Safety Partnership initiatives, such as those identified at the previous meeting of Cabinet on 14 October 2020.

The Cabinet resolved that:

(1)          the recommendations of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee of 3 December 2020, as set out in paragraph 1.1.5 of the report, be noted; and

(2)          prior to a final decision being taken, the further work set out below be undertaken and reported back to Cabinet:

(i)            a review of the appropriate locations for passive only cameras. This to include statistics on the number of times live monitored CCTV had been used by all agencies within the Community Safety Partnership and an analysis of the impact of moving to passive CCTV on those key cameras which were subject of the most reports;

(ii)           a detailed financial analysis to include any possible exit costs; and

(iii)          an evaluation as to whether any savings achieved could contribute to ongoing funding of the Community Safety Partnership priorities and resources.

Decision Notice D210010CAB

The Cabinet reviewed the recommendations of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee of 3 December 2020 regarding the CCTV operation.  Consideration was also given as to whether the recommendations presented an opportunity to identify funding to support wider Community Safety Partnership initiatives, such as those identified at the previous meeting of Cabinet on 14 October 2020.

Subsequent to the publication of the agenda, the Monitoring Officer had confirmed that as the proposals did not make any changes to the approved Budget and Policy Framework, the recommendations were the responsibility of the Executive and not Council.

RESOLVED:  That

(1)          the recommendations of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee of 3 December 2020, as set out in paragraph 1.1.5 of the report, be noted; and

(2)          prior to a final decision being taken, the further work set out below be undertaken and reported back to Cabinet:

(i)            a review of the appropriate locations for passive only cameras. This to include statistics on the number of times live monitored CCTV had been used by all agencies within the Community Safety Partnership and an analysis of the impact of moving to passive CCTV on those key cameras which were subject of the most reports;

(ii)           a detailed financial analysis to include any possible exit costs; and

(iii)         an evaluation as to whether any savings achieved could contribute to ongoing funding of the Community Safety Partnership priorities and resources.

Members are requested to give further consideration to the provision & operation of CCTV within the Borough, in light of recent discussions with Kent Police

The following annexes are Private and are attached under Part 2 of the agenda:

-       Annex 1 – Report of 29 September 2019

-       Annex 2 – Report of 10 October 2019

Careful consideration was given to the provision and operation of CCTV within Tonbridge and Malling.  The matter had been previously reviewed by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee on 29 August and 10 October 2019.  Updated statistics related to operational analysis and the number of incidents recorded (as set out in Annexes 6 and 7) were provided to aid deliberation.

The responses from the Kent Police and Crime Commissioner, Clarion Housing and Kent Police regarding financial contributions were noted.

Members had detailed discussion on the options set out in the report and recognised the value of CCTV in supporting crime prevention and public safety.  However, Members also acknowledged the significant financial pressures faced by the Borough Council and discussed the benefits of live versus passive monitoring; the potential of new technology to reduce costs and which option represented best value for money.  It was also recognised that community safety initiatives could be enhanced to maintain residents’ confidence, safety and act as a crime deterrent.  

RECOMMENDED:  That

(1)          a passive only CCTV operation be provided, with a saving of circa £100,000 contributing towards the Borough Council’s overall savings target within the Medium Term Financial Strategy.  Due to the existing agreement, 2 years written notice was required to be given;

(2)          a further piece of work be undertaken to review the appropriate locations for passive only cameras; and

(3)          a further detailed analysis be undertaken to include any possible exit costs and reported to Cabinet prior to a final decision.

*Referred to Cabinet

In accordance with CPR 8.6 of the Constitution (Part 4 – Rules) Councillors Boughton, Botten and Hood asked that their vote against the motion be recorded in the Minutes.