Border’s CCTV Network Options

A councillor has put forward a motion calling on officers to explore possible options on the future of Border’s CCTV network.

17:59 09 October 2019

A consultation on the future of Scottish Borders Council’s 50-plus CCTV camera is now underway following Tweeddale East councilor Stuart Bell’s motion to explore options in retaining the CCTV network. The public consultation, which will run until October 31, will decide whether the council will spend about £1million to replace the system or if it would be scrapped entirely.

 

In April, council officers have revealed that the camera network is no longer considered fit for purpose and that the local authority and Police Scotland could no longer afford to update it.   

 

Martin Joyce, the council’s director for assets and infrastructure, said: “The council currently meets all ongoing revenue costs, including energy consumption, telecoms charges, consumable items and annual charges from the contractors that provide maintenance support.

 

“The council’s current position with regard to CCTV provision is not to install new CCTV equipment or replace life-expired systems but to continue to maintain the current asset within the existing revenue budget until they are beyond economic repair.

 

“Work undertaken in 2018 indicated that the likely total capital cost of replacement, on a like-for-like basis, while utilising more modern digital technologies, could be in the region of £600,000.

 

“There would be potentially additional costs associated with related civil works and infrastructure in the region of £250,000.

 

“A follow-up report could update and validate this figure to present-day costs. However, given the anticipated capital expenditure of circa £1m, plus a requirement for future ongoing enhanced revenue expenditure, officers do not believe that this will provide value for money.

 

“In addition, there is currently no identified budget, either capital or revenue.”