This meeting of the Decision Notices considered a single delegated decision regarding the replacement of CCTV software and hardware. Helen Lamb, Head of Finance & Investment and Section 151 Officer, in consultation with Councillor Lynne Wright, Portfolio Holder for Community and Corporate Property, made the decision to approve a project to purchase new software and hardware for the council's CCTV system. The cost of the project was not to exceed £30,000.

Replacement of CCTV Software and Hardware

The Dover District CCTV Unit has expanded in size and responsibilities since its upgrade and relocation in 2020. It delivers its CCTV service, as well as emergency planning, resilience and the out-of-hours service.

The report pack stated that the CCTV unit plays a vital role in:

• Supporting council departments
• Supporting external partners
• Supporting local communities

It does this through community safety, crime prevention and the effective response of emergency services.

A recent review of the system identified a number of cameras and associated link systems that have reached the end of their operational life. These ageing components are increasingly prone to failure, resulting in reduced coverage and diminished image quality, leading to regular maintenance costs.

The report pack stated that:

To maintain the integrity and effectiveness of the CCTV network, it is essential to replace these outdated units with modern, high-resolution cameras and reliable transmission systems. This upgrade will ensure continued support for law enforcement, enhance public reassurance and improve the overall resilience of the district's surveillance infrastructure.

A capital investment of £30,000 was proposed to fund the replacement of critical equipment. This would enable the CCTV Unit to continue delivering high-quality monitoring services, aligned with current technological standards and future-proofed for evolving community safety needs.

The roles and responsibilities at present within the Dover District CCTV Unit include:

• 24/7 Monitoring of all cameras
• 24/7 security of the Whitfield offices including weekend access requirements and security patrols.
• Out of Hours Call Monitoring and Response
• Increased Responsibility over Emergency Planning Functions
• Homelessness Triage and responsibility for booking emergency accommodation
• Triage of noise related calls
• Utilisation of AI and additional Assets to support other council functions Footfall, Intruder (Deal Pier, Kearsney Abbey, Museum Stores)
• Amended shifts which allow for resilience leading to more regular co-working leading to two persons on duty who had previously needed to fit in a space predominantly for a lone worker.
• Need for open-source horizon scanning and feedback to tactical and strategic on issues in Dover including third party monitoring of Dover Port and any other information streams freely available – No current screen space to accommodate this permanently (will be needed for EES¹).

The proposed upgrade would focus on replacing the most critical components, prioritising areas with high footfall, known anti-social behaviour hotspots, and locations identified through community safety assessments. The investment would also improve system reliability and reduce the risk of service outages.

The report pack stated that the funding request aligns with the council's broader objectives around:

• Community safety
• Digital infrastructure improvement
• Partnership working

It also supports compliance with national surveillance camera standards and data protection obligations.

The council already has an established contractor responsible for the installation and maintenance of the CCTV infrastructure, and the most practical and cost-effective approach is to retain this contractor for the proposed upgrade.

There is also a degree of urgency associated with this upgrade, particularly in light of the upcoming implementation of the Entry Exit System (EES). Ensuring that the CCTV network is fully operational and up to date will enhance the council's ability to respond effectively to emerging issues across the district.

The funding will be drawn down from the £180,000 General Fund Capital Programme (new bids) allocated for CCTV and Out-of-Hours Systems Upgrade and Refresh. This budget was confirmed and agreed in the Budget 2024/25 and Medium-Term Financial Plan 2024/25–2027/28. Of the £180,000 funding agreed in the Medium-Term Financial Plan, £165,000 remains as at the notification date of the decision. Of the remaining balance, £105,000 is allocated to the 2025/26 financial year.

The parent company of the contractor, Taylor Woodrow, look to achieve a science-based carbon reduction target of 2030 and be Net Zero by 2050. They pledge to divert all avoidable waste from Landfill by 2028 and generate zero avoidable waste across their business by 2040.