PAPER D

Committee : FIRE AND PUBLIC SAFETY SELECT COMMITTEE

Date : 18 NOVEMBER 2002

Title : STRATEGIC DEVELOPMENT OF CCTV ON THE ISLAND

REPORT OF THE HEAD OF PAID SERVICE

SUMMARY/PURPOSE

To advise members as to the current management structure for CCTV and the future strategic development of CCTV on the Island.

BACKGROUND

At the 16^th September 2002 meeting of the Committee, members requested that a further report be drafted examining the strategic management of CCTV services by the Council. Present arrangements for the management of the service are as follows :

· The development of the in-house CCTV monitoring business falls within Social Services under the Head of Direct Services, supported by the Service Manager and the Control Room Manager.

· The strategic development of CCTV falls to the Crime and Disorder Manager, who comes under the Head of Policy and Communications.

Members have also asked that a Service Level Agreement (SLA) be put in place clarifying these arrangements and to ensure that the strategic development of CCTV supports the operational development of CCTV. A draft SLA is attached (Appendix A).

BEST VALUE REVIEW

A Best Value review has been undertaken on Crime and Disorder that takes into account CCTV. Demand for CCTV on the Island remains high. To ensure that it is used in a strategic way, benefiting all involved, which includes the public, private and voluntary sectors as well as the community it continues to be based on crime and disorder data, which includes anti-social behaviour and must be the most appropriate crime prevention tool available. It should be used in conjunction with other crime prevention tools such as adequate street lighting, ‘Designing out Crime’, ‘Secure by Design’, ‘Secure Car Parks’ etc.

An audit of all existing use of CCTV on the Island will be necessary to ensure a comprehensive strategic approach.

Arising from the Best Value Review a number of strategic and operational issues require further consideration :

Strategic development issues

· Ensuring that the location of cameras being monitored realises optimum potential with regards to crime prevention and detection.

· Ensuring that accurate and timely information is given to Control Room staff so as to enable them to be more effective.

· Developing a consistent approach in supporting CCTV schemes across the Island.

· Encouraging private sector support for the development of CCTV across the Island.

· Ensuring that the strategic development of CCTV takes account of technical advances in its application.

·

Partnership and management issues

· Developing a framework for a Value for Money Review, in negotiation with all service commissioners within and outside the Council.

· Considering the market potential for additional site monitoring services.

· Investigating the role of lay visitors to the Control Room

SERVICE LEVEL AGREEMENT

Attached at Appendix A is a draft Service Level Agreement setting out the terms for a CCTV monitoring service on behalf of the Council by Social Services. This draft is currently the subject of discussion by the parties to the agreement and with Legal and Democratic Services. The views of the Committee are sought.

NEXT STEPS

To take forward the strategic issues, two options are available to the Committee :

• Option 1 : That Committee agree the issues to be tackled and instruct officers to implement appropriate actions and report back to a future meting of this Committee
• Option 2 : that a member Task Group be established to consider the current arrangements for the strategic management of CCTV and its implementation across the Island

The Members perspective will be a valuable contribution in ensuring that both the strategic development issues and the partnership and management issues are progressed. It is therefore recommended that Option 2 be approved by the Committee. The activities of the proposed Task Group would be supported by the Crime and Disorder Partnership Manager and the CCTV Service Manager.

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

There are no immediate financial considerations arising from this report.

LEGAL IMPLICATIONS

CCTV can be an effective tool in not only reducing certain categories of crime but also in detecting crime. Enhancing the management of CCTV and developing a strategic approach to CCTV on the Island is likely to have an extremely positive affect on not only actual crime and disorder, but also on the fear of crime which can often be as debilitating for people.

RECOMMENDATIONS

1. That members set up a CCTV Task Group to review the role of CCTV in crime prevention and report back with their findings within 3 months.

2. That members comment upon the draft Service Level Agreement.

BACKGROUND PAPERS

Crime and Disorder Best Value Review

Contact point : Niki Haytack, 01983 822696

M FISHER

Head of Paid Service