South Tyneside Reduce Number of CCTVs

South Tyneside Council to increase council tax by 3.95% and reduce the number of CCTV cameras.

22:04 04 February 2019

South Tyneside Council has drawn its budget proposals and has confirmed that it is ending its community warden service, reducing the number of CCTV cameras by half and increasing council tax by 3.95per cent in an attempt to save £12million.

 

Explaining the proposals, the council said that they are dealing with yet more Government cuts and that “the demand for services is increasing at a time when the budget is decreasing.”

 

Coun Iain Malcolm, leader of South Tyneside Council, said: "Since 2010 South Tyneside has had to save a total of £168m.

 

"We have already lost almost 40% of real spending power over the last nine years and are in the top three councils worst hit.

 

"Of course, this means that we cannot simply maintain the status quo. What we are trying to do with this budget, and ones that have gone before it, is to mitigate the long term impact for our residents.

 

"We have tried to protect vital services, reshape others to meet customer need and increase overall efficiency.

 

"The shape and scope of the council is constantly evolving. With less money we must be leaner and focused on spending our money where we can make the biggest impact for the people of South Tyneside.

 

"We still need to protect the most vulnerable in our communities and the cost pressures on these services increase every year."