PCC says councils 'jeopardising' CCTV network plan

Matthew Barber said not hearing back from the councils was "really frustrating"

A Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) has said plans to modernise a county's CCTV network are at risk because several councils have not signed up to the plan.

Matthew Barber, who is in charge of the Thames Valley, has warned that without the backing of local authorities the upgrade cannot go ahead, with West Oxfordshire District Council currently the only one on board.

He told the BBC: "We've had some money on the table, councils have missed deadlines, and we really need to know by Christmas if they're in or out."

South Oxfordshire, Vale of White Horse, and Cherwell district councils, and Oxford City Council, said they were still looking at the offer.

Mr Barber has insisted his plan will save the councils money in the long term, and result in up to date equipment and longer operating hours.

Local councils currently manage the CCTV in their areas, and will have to contribute financially to the new scheme alongside the PCC's investment of about £275,000 across the districts and city.

Mr Barber wants to "consolidate all the CCTV" in one location, operated by police staff to provide a closer link with police officers on the ground.

He said South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse District Councils were "critical" to the scheme as the plan is to base the command centre at one of their existing sites.

"So if they don't get on board it jeopardises the whole of the county," he warned.

The PCC said councils had missed a deadline of 21 November, and that he had issued a final deadline of 19 December, as a "last-ditch attempt to save the project".

He said: "This is about saving taxpayers' money overall, improving the system that will be in place to protect the public, and making sure that long term we've got some stability in the system."

'Totally untrue'

Lubna Arshad, cabinet member for a Safer Oxford at Oxford City Council, said she was "very disappointed the Police and Crime Commissioner didn't pick his phone up and give us a call".

"Instead he's chosen to go to the press saying we're not accepting his discount which is totally untrue," she said.

Ms Arshad said a long-term commitment required "proper scrutiny".

"Right now it's more about a legal and contractual view which is normal for any multi-year agreement involving public money," she added.

South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse District Councils said: "We are still in discussions on this proposal.

"We have not declined anything and will continue to work with the police and will endeavour to reach a positive solution."

Rob Parkinson, in charge of safer communities at Cherwell District Council, said: "The council has been working diligently with the Police and Crime Commissioner's office and Thames Valley Police to finalise a formal agreement to deliver upgrades to the district's CCTV network."

He said it was "inaccurate" to say it had "refused any funding offer", and that the "council remains committed to working with Thames Valley Police to deliver CCTV upgrades".

West Oxfordshire District Council has also been approached for comment.