Issue - meetings

1.    To approve a £3.2m CCTV Capital Investment from 2025/26 to 2027/28 to deliver the additional CCTV cameras, technological advances and additional capabilities outlined in this report.

2.    The Cabinet is asked to approve the use of drones as an enforcement aid and for additional surveillance via conducting a trial if approvement is obtained from the Civil Aviation Authority.

Councillor Rebecca Harvey (Cabinet Member for Social Inclusion and Community Safety) introduced the item that sought approval for £3.2 million be invested to enhance the Council’s extensive CCTV network with advanced technologies, including live and retrospective facial recognition, AI-assisted cameras, and upgraded physical infrastructure to improve crime detection and prevention, as well as additional cameras in parks.

Councillor Jose Afonso said the Opposition generally supported the approach in the report. He asked if the AI enabled cameras were new or if the technology would be applied to existing cameras. The Leader said the Council was looking at replacing some existing cameras and introducing new cameras.

Councillor Afonso asked how many people would be on duty watching the network at any one time. The Leader explained that utilising AI technology would enhance the current service without requiring additional officers on duty.

RESOLVED

1. That Cabinet approved a £3.2m CCTV Capital Investment from 2025/26 to 2027/28 to deliver the additional CCTV cameras, technological advances and additional capabilities outlined in the report.

2. That Cabinet approved the use of drones as an enforcement aid and for additional surveillance via conducting a trial if approvement is obtained from the Civil Aviation Authority.