In a non-key decision made on 2 December 2025, Andy Opie, Director of Community Safety and Regulatory Services, approved the extension of the contract with Openview Security Solutions Ltd for CCTV maintenance and public spaces. The contract, which covers all wards in the borough, will be extended for two years, from 1 December 2025 to 31 December 2027, at a cost of £214,175.22. The council also agreed to enter into a deed of rectification with Openview to amend the commencement date, end date, and extension period of the contract to accurately reflect the original intentions.

CCTV Maintenance Contract Extension

The Director of Community Safety and Regulatory Services agreed to extend the CCTV maintenance contract with Openview Security Solutions Ltd for two years, from 1 December 2025 to 31 December 2027, at a cost of £214,175.22. The council also agreed to enter into a deed of rectification with Openview to amend the commencement date, end date, and extension period of the contract.

Openview has been the council's CCTV contractor since 2010, and the contract was initially procured through the KCS Framework in 2023. The original intention was to award a two-year contract with the option to extend for a further two years, but this was not accurately reflected in the contract documents. The deed of rectification will correct this error.

The CCTV network, which includes over 500 cameras, is considered essential for protecting the safety of Newham residents and visitors, deterring crime and antisocial behaviour, and providing reliable evidence to external agencies like the police, insurance companies, and solicitors.

Alternative options, such as re-procuring the service or using in-house engineers, were considered but rejected. The council does not have in-house CCTV engineers with the specialist skills required, and officers were satisfied with the service provided by Openview.

Social Value Commitment

The report highlights Openview's commitment to social value, including their local labour and training policy, which aims to provide employment opportunities for residents living near the contracted area. Openview also plans to develop a 'Community Profile' to capture local knowledge and aspirations, which will be used for succession planning as the contract progresses.

Openview's approach to social value is to:

work in collaboration with the London Borough of Newham and other contractors to maximise as many opportunities as possible throughout the term of the contract.

Financial Implications

The contract extension will cost £214,175.22 over the two-year period, which will be funded from the existing CCTV maintenance revenue budget.

Legal Implications

The council has the legal authority to rectify and extend the contract under section 111 of the Local Government Act 1972 and section 1 of the Localism Act 2011. The variations to the contract comply with the Public Contracts Regulations 2015, as the rectification aligns the contract with the original intentions of both parties, and the extension was envisaged at the time the contract was entered into.

Equalities Implications

The report states that the provision of a reliable CCTV network aims to reassure residents and deter crime and antisocial behaviour, contributing to the council's duty under section 149 of the Equality Act 2010 to have due regard to the need to eliminate discrimination, harassment, and victimisation, advance equality of opportunity, and foster good relations.