Friday, July 29, 2005

Calderdale won't pay towards CCTV in Hebden Bridge but Hebden Bridge residents now have to contribute towards a similar sceme in Brighouse.

Calderdale Council needs a fair approach and a sensible policy for CCTV says Councillor Patrick Phillips.

Councillor Phillips told the Hebden Bridge Web: "As part of the budget deal between the Tories, the BNP and the Independent group, it was agreed that CCTV would be installed in Brighouse. I have no problem with Brighouse having CCTV to help in the battle against crime and anti-social behaviour, but it does raise a number of questions.

Firstly, what is the policy of the council for installing CCTV? Where would it be most effective to use it and what other measures could be used along side it?

Secondly, it needs a fair approach. CCTV has been installed in Hebden Bridge and Mytholmroyd through a Government grant and an increase in the Town Council‚s Council Tax. In Todmorden it is being installed and paid for by the Town Council. These towns are raising their own money because Calderdale Council wouldn‚t install CCTV cameras. Now they are being asked to pay for their own scheme and contribute towards Brighouse's. It doesn't seem at all fair."

Similar anomalies have arisen in Sowerby Bridge and Elland where schemes were first funded through one source and now fall on the Calderdale Council Tax payer.

The Liberal Democrat Group have told us they will be pushing for a fair policy that applies Calderdale-wide. Such a policy needs to assess the effectiveness of any CCTV proposals and funds them equally wherever they are.

The Cabinet decision to install CCTV cameras in Brighouse has been "Called-in" by Cllr Phillips to allow a discussion as outlined above to take place.

Discussion on the Hebweb re: CCTV

March 2004
March 2003

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