The
Committee considered the report of the Head of Housing and
Communities which provided Members with an update on reducing the
hours of monitoring of CCTV cameras to 84 hours per week and the
consultation undertaken with MaidSafe
and Kent Police on the impact of reducing the hours of
monitoring.
It was
noted that the number of cameras that remained in operation and are
being monitored by Medway Control Group (MCG) had been reduced to
33. This comprised of 28 static cameras
and 4 mobile cameras and a single camera that utilised a wireless
link.
Councillor English addressed the Committee as a representative of
One Maidstone. He emphasised that One
Maidstone considered that the reduction in hours of monitoring was
not ideal but agreed that this would be an acceptable level of
service.
Members
raised the following points:-
·
That CCTV cameras make people feel safe,
particularly the elderly. However, the
Police should be paying for this service.
·
That the CCTV cameras used by Shop Retailers could
be linked up.
·
That partnership working and a review of the
technology should be looked as part of the tendering
process.
RESOLVED:
That Option 3 as outlined in paragraph 5.3 to the report be
implemented by the Head of Housing and Community
Services.
Voting: For: 7 Against: 1 Abstentions: 0