Issue - meetings

Following a report of the Corporate Manager for Public Health, Regulation and Housing, the Homes Policy Development Group made the following recommendation:

·         That Cabinet recommends to Council the adoption of the Tenant CCTV and Camera Doorbell Policy as set out in annex 1

The Cabinet were presented a new draft policy that had set out the conditions associated with the granting of permission for tenants to install closed circuit television systems (CCTV) and camera doorbells in or on their property. This had been developed on the basis that such a policy would provide greater clarity to stakeholders and ensured that those tenants fitting such systems were doing so lawfully, recognising the obligations on tenants to ensure compliance.

The following was highlighted:

• There was no conflict between this policy and Mid Devon District Council’s corporate policy on CCTV.
• This policy was to provide a mechanism to manage requests for installations and ensuretenants are aware of the requirement to comply with the relevant legislation especially regarding data protection.

The following was discussed:

• This policy reflected modern life and the Council must be seen to be complying with the law and well as supporting vulnerable tenants.
• If existing systems in place would be reviewed. All current installations would be reviewed and those systems already installed would need to comply with this policy.
• Enforcement of this policy would be a challenge however the policy provides a clear reference point for decision-making.

RESOLVED to RECOMMEND:

That Cabinet recommend to Council the adoption of the Tenant CCTV and Camera Doorbell Policy attached in Annex 1.

(Proposed by Cllr S Penny, seconded by Cllr C Daw)

Reason for decision – as set out in the report.

To receive a report from the Corporate Manager for Public Health, Regulation and Housing providing a new draft policy setting out the conditions associated with the granting of permission for tenants to install closed circuit television systems (CCTV) and camera doorbells in or on their property is presented to Members. This has been developed on the basis that such a policy would provide greater clarity to stakeholders and ensure that those tenants fitting such systems were doing so lawfully, recognising the obligations on tenants to ensure compliance.

The Group had before it a *report from the Corporate Manager for Public Health, Regulation and Housing providing the MDDC Housing draft policy relating to tenant use of closed circuit TV (CCTV) and camera doorbells.

The officer outlined the contents of the report and stated that the new policy was required due to the increasing number of requests from tenants.

Consideration was given to:

·         Concerns from neighbours on the use of CCTV and them being intrusive

·         Legislation on the use of such camera’s must be adhered to

·         Legal duty towards vulnerable tenants

It was therefore RECOMMENDED:

1.    That Cabinet recommends to Council the adoption of the Tenant CCTV and Camera Doorbell Policy as set out in annex 1

(Proposed by Cllr S J Clist and seconded by Cllr P J Heal)

Reason for the decision: To provide greater clarity to stakeholders and ensure that those tenants fitting such systems were doing so lawfully

Note: *Report previously circulated and attached to the minutes