Agenda item

Councillor Kearon, as lead call in member set out the reasons for the call in.

Councillor Kearon stated that the Labour Group were not opposed to CCTV and were in agreement that CCTV had a role in keeping residents safe. Call-in members however sought to ensure that the proposed course of action was value for money.

Councillor Kearon noted that the Borough Council would be entering into a partnership arrangement with Stoke on Trent City Council and considered that the details of the scheme should be explored in more detail by this Committee and the Finance, Assets and Performance Scrutiny Committee.

Continuing, Councillor Kearon pointed out that Stoke on Trent City Council was in a difficult budgetary situation which had included cuts in staffing levels and sought assurance that the CCTV staffing levels would not be reduced.  Councillor Kearon asked if the monies paid to Stoke on Trent City Council would be ring fenced and if service level indicators were included in the contract.

Councillor Kearon considered that the Borough Council was providing a ‘proof of concept’ to other councils and, in view of this, Stoke on Trent City Council should bear the cost of connection.

The Leader referred to the delay incurred in implementing the proposals caused by the call-in.  The Borough Council had undertaken a though review of existing CCTV provision with the assistance of key stakeholder, including the BID who had contributed £40K to the total cost of £80k. Members of this Committee had also visited the CCTV facilities at Stoke on Trent City Council (10/09/2018)

 In response to the points raised, the Leader explained that the CCTV service was unaffected by budgetary cuts at Stoke on Trent City Council and that a legal framework agreement would include procurement, commissioning and performance management

 The Finance, Assets and Performance Scrutiny Committee had the opportunity to examine the contract through the quarterly performance monitoring report in December 2019.  This Committee could also monitor progress of the CCTV contract at the April 2021 meeting, subject to members approval at the December meeting.

In conclusion the Leader commended the proposals and asked members to move forward with the original Cabinet decision.

Councillor Waring added that the current CCTV facilities at the Borough were out of date and not fit for purpose; businesses were in agreement that the system should be improved as soon as possible. 

The Vice-Chair supported the original Cabinet decision and urged that the proposals be implemented as soon as possible.  With relation to the timescale Sarah Moore indicated that, if the proposals were approved, an April 2020 start date was anticipated.

In response to a question from Councillor Gardner Jo Halliday explained that   poor performance would be challenged under the framework agreement and outlined the benefits of the proposed CCTV system.

Councillor Moffat sought assurance on the responsiveness of the service on transfer to Stoke on Trent City Council and asked whether there was a need for additional staffing capacity at the City Council to deliver the increased demand.  In response the Leader referred to the long-standing relationship with Stoke City Council and the legal framework agreement. 

Councillor Stubbs refuted the claim that the call-in process had caused a significant delay and considered it important that the agreement with Stoke on Trent City Council was inclusive as any changes to the contract may be costly.

Councillor Kearon concluded that the current Borough CCTV system was not fit for purpose but was concerned that Stoke on Trent City Council was significantly extending the CCTV service without increasing staffing resources which could impact on the service.

The Leader stated that Stoke on Trent City Council had given assurances that there were proposals to recruit to additional posts within the service area.  He added that it was possible for the CCTV service to be expanded to include other areas of the Borough.

Decision:      Members voted 6 to 5 to reject the call in and to accept the original Cabinet decision made on 4 September 2019.