Agenda item

A report by the Assistant Director – Wellbeing, Community and Leadership.

The Portfolio Holder presented the report and advised that following an all-member briefing on 16^th October 2023 which covered the functions of Community Safety provided by the Borough Council, the Environment and Performance Committee had requested further information specifically in respect to the CCTV system.  Members were advised that the use of CCTV cameras within the Borough played an important role in addressing community safety issues; being utilised to deter and detect crimes as well as directing an effective response across a number of agencies if required.

In turn, it supported communities to feel safer whilst they went about their daily activities. Whilst CCTV systems were an important tool in providing the most effective solution to community safety issues, they had to be used alongside other measures and intelligence in providing early intervention and prevention activities to reduce crime.  The CCTV system was managed and monitored by the Community Safety Team at Boston Borough Council. The service supported approximately 300 cameras across Boston, South Holland, East Lindsey and North Kesteven.  16 large screens formed the video wall each displaying several images. Opportunities to invest in the equipment and service overall were proactively sought, to help ensure that it met the needs of the communities from a quality and surveillance perspective. All cameras were carefully positioned, taking into account lines of sight and the wider environment. A maintenance contract was in place to ensure any faults were dealt with in a timely manner. Weekly maintenance took place and remote access allowed for quick fixes.  Through £396,945 of ‘Safer Streets’ funding (a Home Office fund supporting local authorities to invest in crime prevention initiatives) the Borough Council had developed a programme of works which included undertaking several significant upgrades to the system.  That work would continue throughout 2024 and included increasing the number of cameras to provide further surveillance opportunities, whilst improving lines of sight, the quality of images and recordings. The range of cameras used included multiple HD static cameras which recorded the area all the time, upgraded wireless antenna units for extra bandwidth for higher definition and HD PTZ camera which were movable and zoomable for monitoring ongoing incidents. Hot spot cameras would be supporting Operation Plotting in Wormgate, Central Park and West Street.  A new maintenance contract would also be procured alongside to ensure continued proactive maintenance and timely repairs should they be required.  There were five full time staff at the centre, which operated on a 24-hours a day, seven days a week basis. These staff concentrate on rotas within the working week whilst a further six part time staff covered weekends. In addition, the centre had five staff members that operated on a flexible basis, covering annual leave and other absences.  Adding further opportunities into the suite, the team were undertaking a ‘Trusted Volunteering Programme’ in collaboration with Lincolnshire Police. Commencing in April 2024, which would provide an opportunity for individuals to be involved in supporting their local communities through proactive surveillance, in a flexible way that matched the commitment they were able to provide. Those volunteers would be supported by existing team members with all suitable training provided to learn new skills and knowledge in respect of CCTV surveillance to ensure the experience would be positive and fulfilling, and benefit the town and also the Police and the community.

Member deliberation followed which included:

The Chairman thanked the Portfolio Holder for the detailed and interesting report.

Concern was noted that not all those who pay to use the Council’s CCTV service, were informed of issues affecting the service level of the cameras under their use referencing a particular issue which had been ongoing, without the customers -  a parish council – being made aware of the problem.  Reassurance was provided by the portfolio holder that a maintenance contract was in place with weekly checks undertaken on all cameras.  The CCTV Manager confirmed that the location of the parish site in question was subject to growth of trees and it was the responsibility of the parish to address these issue but acknowledged they needed to be made aware of any obstruction to the cameras.   The Portfolio further noted that as at the date of this meeting all cameras were performing to the level expected.

A further question referenced another camera which had been inoperable at the time of the members visit to the CCTV Suite and the Portfolio Holder confirmed it had been an issue with the electricity supply which had been addressed and the camera was now fully functional.

The Assistant Director for Wellbeing and Community Leadership addressed the meeting at this point in the proceedings and advised members that should they be aware of an issue with any camera, that they contact her, or the CCTV Manager or the Community Safety Manager direct to report it.

At this point in the meeting Committee agreed to move the meeting into private session to enable questions of an operational matter to be discussed.

A separate minute is lodged with the Council for this private item.