Relocation of Swale's Big Brother operation
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By Hayley Robinson
Swale's big brother operation has been 'evicted' from Swale
House.
It will now be run from a dedicated Swale desk in Medway
Council's CCTV control centre as part of a money-saving deal.
Images from more than 70 cameras across Sittingbourne, Sheppey
and Faversham will be monitored in Medway by staff including a
Swale CCTV manager.
Monitoring of Swale's radio scheme, which links retailers, the
council and police, and an out-of-hours service also forms part of
the deal.
Although Swale council initially had to invest £150,000 for the
switch-over and has to pay £194,000 a year for the service, it is
estimated the move will save the council £46,880 a year after the
first three years.
The council did explore keeping the CCTV operation at Swale
House, East Street, Sittingbourne, but its control room needed
modernising, which would be a significant investment.
A partnership with Maidstone council was also looked at. But
although upfront investment would not have been needed, it would
have only produced estimated savings of £8,165 a year.
Police can download CCTV images at Sittingbourne Police Station
to prevent "operational difficulties" as the Medway control centre
falls outside the Mid Kent policing area, which covers Swale.
Cllr John Morris, Swale council's portfolio holder for community
services, said: "Quite simply this provides the best value for
money for the council tax payer. We will have a more efficient but
more cost-effective service."
Friday, July 23 2010
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