Town CCTV provision to be looked at again

COUNCILLORS have voted on a new motion that will explore how to improve the town’s CCTV system, following months of stagnation on the project. 

The town’s CCTV system was discussed at the full town council meeting on Monday 17th July, where cllr Colin Goodhind proposed to upgrade the existing CCTV system to extend the quality and coverage, at a cost of £3,245. This is in addition to the £10,000 worth of rapidly deployable CCTV cameras which were purchased recently by the council, but are not yet operational.

Some councillors raised concerns about investing extra funds before the deployable CCTV cameras, which can be moved to different locations for use at events and in areas of high anti-social behaviour, have been set up.

Cllr Phil Alford said, “We bought some cameras, they vanished rather than coming to the town council. They are sat somewhere. I am not going to agree with anything to do with CCTV until those cameras are up and running, until I can see what they are delivering, what the benefits are and what we need going forward, if we need anything.”

At the time of the meeting the cameras were being tested by cllr Goodhind, prior to being delivered to the council – something some councillors were unhappy about. It is understood that since the meeting, the cameras have been received by the council, but not yet set up.

Following further discussion, cllr Goodhind withdrew his motion and to move things forward, a different motion was put forward by cllr Jon Hubbard. Cllr Hubbard’s suggestion was for the police and experts to be consulted and a plan for a fresh vision for the CCTV system in the town to be produced.

Cllr Jon Hubbard said, “I am happy to go with anything that takes this forward, but the track record of saying ‘delegate this to officers to come back with something’ hasn’t been good over quite a long period of time. Let’s get someone who knows what they are talking about to sit down, get the police in the room and then have a final yes or no.”

Councillors were divided on the new motion, with 5 in support, 3 objecting, and 2 abstaining. It was agreed that a report should be prepared by the end of the year and will be voted on at a subsequent town council meeting.