Agenda and minutes

To confirm and sign the minutes of 13 December 2018.

The minutes of the meeting of 13 December 2018 were confirmed and signed.

To consider a proposal to set up a shared service for CCTV delivery with Peterborough City Council (PCC)

Members considered the Comprehensive Spending Review (CSR) – CCTV shared service proposal, presented by Councillor Oliver, which proposed a shared service for CCTV delivery with Peterborough City Council (PCC).

Members asked questions, made comments and received responses as follows:

·         Councillor Mrs Bucknor stated that she has received a number of questions raised by residents which she hoped would be addressed.  She added that she had noted from Councillor Oliver’s report that there appeared to be no comments received from Wisbech Town Council and although a synopsis had been provided to them by the Town Clerk and two Councillors had commented, there is no mention in Councillor Oliver’s report as to whether the Town Council support the proposal. Councillor Oliver responded that the details are contained within Appendix A and Wisbech Town Council have stated that they will keep a ‘watching brief’ on the proposal, but did not provide an indication as to whether they would support it.

·         Councillor Booth asked Councillor Oliver for an update with regard to the use of mobile CCTV in rural areas, which is a subject which has been raised before, but due to the associated costs for installation it was deemed as not being cost effective. He asked that now there is mobile WIFI could this subject be explored further.? Councillor Oliver responded that if today’s proposal moves forward, there is the possibility that this can be reviewed with the technology that is available.

·         Councillor Booth has a concern over a comment in the report which mentions that the equipment would be replaced when it came to the end of its serviceable life and, in his opinion, the replacement equipment should not be sourced just on the manufacturers’ advice as it may still be perfectly usable. Councillor Oliver stated that this will be reviewed, as the equipment that Peterborough City Council use is digital as opposed to Fenlands which is out dated and, therefore, if the proposal is approved moving forward, upgrading to digital equipment would be a consideration.

·         Councillor Tierney stated that Councillor Oliver did present to Wisbech Town Council, with the proposal sounding very positive, but the Town Council had some concerns over Fenland  not becoming a junior partner to Peterborough, secondly that the service that the residents of Fenland received would be as good or better than it was before and finally that the staff based at the CCTV office in Wisbech would be treated fairly and be content with the new arrangements. He added that Councillor Oliver gave strong reassurances about the concerns and the Town Council have concluded that they would continue to review the proposal as it progresses.

·         Councillor Booth asked for clarification with regard to staffing and asked whether the staff based at both authorities will all take part in a consultation exercise to apply for the available positions. Councillor Oliver confirmed that this will be the case.

·         Councillor Mrs Bucknor questioned the statement contained in the report which mentions that the proposal has to be realistic and  ...  view the full minutes text for item C54/18