Issue - meetings

This report, deferred from the Executive meeting on 20 July, describes the Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) system operating in the City, outlines protocols and opportunities for expanding the system and seeks approval to formalise the funding arrangements for new camera installations and to adopt a revised Code of Practice for System Operation.

RESOLVED: (i)         That the draft Code of Practice for System Operation annexed to the report be adopted as the formal ‘City of York Council CCTV System Code of Practice’ for those using the system, and that agreement to abide by it be a prerequisite for all staff engaged in operation of the system.

REASON:      To ensure that the operation of the CCTV system continues to conform to national guidance, and is compatible with the requirements of users (such as the police, for evidence purposes).

                        (ii)        That the principle that promoting parties fund the installation and ongoing operation of the cameras they promote, as outlined in the report, be adopted as policy.

REASON:      To ensure a clear protocol covering procedures for requesting and funding new camera installations is in place that can be easily understood by third parties requesting new cameras.

Members considered a report which outlined opportunities for expanding the Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) system operating in the City and sought approval to finalise funding arrangements for new camera installations and to adopt a revised Code of Practice (CoP) for System Operation.  The revised CoP was annexed to the report.

Details of the current system and expansion plans were set out in paragraphs  5 to 18 of the report.  It was planned, as part of the Council Headquarters project, to relocate the CCTV control room to purpose-built accommodation in the new HQ building.  This would offer the opportunity to undertake a ‘technology refresh’, replace expired components, improve the monitoring layout, provide more operator stations and allow dedicated space for the review of recorded footage and traffic monitoring.  In addition, migration of the CCTV camera network to a private fibre optic network to be provided around the City was due to commence in 2011, subject to the successful completion of a trial project this summer.

Details of the funding and resources issues around expansion of the system were provided in paragraphs 23 to 27 of the report.  Expansion of coverage of the highway network for traffic monitoring purposes would be achieved by inclusion of funding for CCTV provision in all major highway improvement schemes.  The need to ensure that costs of additional cameras were fully funded by their promoters should be adopted as policy.

Having noted the comments of the Labour Group Spokespersons on this item, it was

RESOLVED: (i)         That the draft Code of Practice for System Operation annexed to the report be adopted as the formal ‘City of York Council CCTV System Code of Practice’ for those using the system, and that agreement to abide by it be a prerequisite for all staff engaged in operation of the system. ^1.

REASON:      To ensure that the operation of the CCTV system continues to conform to national guidance, and is compatible with the requirements of users (such as the police, for evidence purposes).

                        (ii)        That the principle that promoting parties fund the installation and ongoing operation of the cameras they promote, as outlined in the report, be adopted as policy. ^2.

REASON:      To ensure a clear protocol covering procedures for requesting and funding new camera installations is in place that can be easily understood by third parties requesting new cameras.