Agenda and minutes

There were no apologies for absence.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Task Group – CCTV provision in Chorley held on 27 January 2014 (enclosed)

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the Overview and Scrutiny Task Group – CCTV Provision in Chorley meeting held on 27 January 2014 be held as a correct record.

Members are reminded of their responsibility to declare any pecuniary interest in respect of matters contained in this agenda.

If you have a pecuniary interest you must withdraw from the meeting. Normally you should leave the room before the business starts to be discussed. You do, however, have the same right to speak as a member of the public and may remain in the room to enable you to exercise that right and then leave immediately. In either case you must not seek to improperly influence a decision on the matter.

No declarations of any interests were received.

To agree the attached project outline for the scrutiny review of CCTV provision in Chorley.

The Working Group considered the scoping document for the review of CCTV provision which had been drawn up at the last meeting.

RESOLVED – that the scoping document be agreed and forwarded to Overview and Scrutiny Committee for approval.

The Group will interview various stakeholders to obtain their views on CCTV provision in Chorley.

Copies of the documentation detailing the questions asked are attached to this agenda.

An interview schedule will be circulated at the meeting.

The Group interviewed representatives of all the relevant stakeholders to obtain their views on the CCTV provision in Chorley. Members requested their views on the following:

·         What value they placed on the current CCTV system and service.

·         What benefits, if any, they received from the service,

·         If they made contribution to the provision of the service, and

·         What impact did they think there would be if the CCTV system was either to be reduced or upgraded.

In addition, Members were keen to ascertain if they could provide any anecdotal evidence of how the CCTV system and its service had benefited them, their premises or organisation.

Malcolm Allen, Chair of Chorley Trader Alliance on behalf of the day time economy

Mr Allen said that the CCTV service including the radio service was an invaluable tool for the shopkeepers of Chorley. The service was particularly useful in helping to catch and deter shoplifters and assisted in locating children who had wandered away from their parents.

A number of shopkeepers had originally contributed to the handheld radio system that was still used in shops around the town centre. However, a few years ago, the Council had taken the decision to mainstream the funding of this provision. Mr Allen reported that the shopkeepers would be willing to pay a contribution for the service if it meant it could be retained, although it was considered that the contribution should be worked out on a sliding scale, with the larger stores, who benefited more, paying a higher rate.

The shopkeepers thought that the Town Centre would suffer greatly if the CCTV provision was significantly reduced. There were some areas that would benefit from being included under the provision and that some cameras needed upgrading to provide a better quality of picture. It was also considered that the Market Walk development should be linked back into the scheme.

Sam Wyatt, Community Safety Manager, Places for People

Places for people are a registered social housing provider and have properties for let in the Astley Village and Clayton Brook areas of the borough. The CCTV provision is limited and is mainly situated around the two Community Centre sites. This however has helped when dealing with issues associated with anti-social behaviour. The organisation also ‘buys in’ additional equipment on an ad-hoc basis as and when required. Any additional equipment is generally used only for recording purposes so that activity can be monitored over a course of time.

The organisation would benefit greatly, if Chorley’s CCTV provision was extended to include some of the outlying areas although it would depend on who would stand the cost. Currently their tenants paid for any services they received through their rents.

Cath Burns, Head of Economic Development, Chorley Council

Feedback form both traders and staff of the market service stated that the CCTV provision was an invaluable resource for their businesses and work. There was also a greater feeling of security for visitors to the town.

The current service can alert market staff to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 14.CTV.14

The Group also interviewed Andrew Hill, Environmental Protection and Community Safety Manager for West Lancashire Council as the authority had recently undertaken a similar review of their CCTV provision and service.

Mr Hill reported that West Lancashire Council’s CCTV service had always operated a 24 hour, 7 days a week service. Although they had offered up the reduction of hours as a cost saving measure for the Council, this has never been taken up. Ormskirk was a busy town and although there was probably periods throughout the day that were less busy than others, the service was used at all times.

The old system was ten years old and coming to the end of its practical working life. The Council had started to see an increase in maintenance costs and any potential new equipment had significantly advanced. The decision was taken to renew the system and the service was increased by adding a further 50% of cameras to provision. Although the equipment was upgraded, the Council didn’t invest in the best or latest technology. They did however, try to get as many cameras as they could that were the same, to reduce on maintenance contracts. Some additional types where needed dependant on its location. They now have some cameras that are cable of recording a 360° rotation and some are fitted with a sensory light, aimed at dispersing.

The service was originally staff with employees from Remploy which was a company subsidised by the government. The Council have now taken over the delivery of this service and the costs for the service will be considerably more.

The CCTV service was funded by West Lancashire Council’s mainstream funding and had recently moved the CCTV suite to new premises to allow for an extension to the service and upgrade of the equipment. Originally some of the cameras and equipment had been funded by a Local Strategic Partnership grant but all funding is now delivered by the authority. No actual income is generated from the scheme but it is considered a vital service for the detection and prevention of crime in the town.

The locations for the cameras are determined by a number of different intelligence sources, like data produce by the Crime Partnership’s analyst, local neighbourhood police and ward councillors. The Council has developed a new Code of Practice and any new locations that are put forward for the siting of CCTV have to meet its requirements, with a justifiable need being demonstrated.

It was reported that all the Parish Councils had been contacted to ask for their views on the current CCTV provision in Chorley, including the mobile CCTV unit that was deployed where needed.

It was noted that this feedback would be brought to a future meeting of the Group.

A public consultation survey to determine how safe the residents of Chorley feel was now available on the Council’s website. The results of this survey would be reported to the Group at a later date.