The Head of Legal and Member Services presented for approval a Code of Practice for the operation of closed circuit television (CCTV), which was derived from the Home Office Surveillance Camera Code of Practice, issued in June 2013. He indicated that sections 30 and 33 of the Protection of Freedoms Act 2013 required every local authority to have due regard to its contents in carrying out its functions. The proposed Code of Practice also incorporated the guidance issued by the Information Commissioner in 2008 on how CCTV systems should be operated in order to comply with the Data Protection Act 1998 and the Human Rights Act 1998.

He commented that, if adopted by the Committee, the proposed Code of Practice should demonstrate the Council’s compliance with the legislation, provided of course that its provisions were implemented.

Resolved –

(1)  That the Code of Practice on overt CCTV be approved and adopted.

(2)  That management be instructed to put systems in place to ensure compliance with the Code of Practice.

(3)  That management be instructed to ensure annual reviews of all existing CCTV systems are undertaken, with priority being given to reviews of systems in buildings and places to which the public have access, to be completed by no later than the end of June 2014.