Questions raised over new Bridgnorth CCTV system

Resident Ron Richards asked councillors in Bridgnorth how tenders for the town's new £40,000 contract were carried out and also asked if a limit had been put on how much could be spent on upgrading the system.

Mr Richards, speaking during the council meeting, said: "Why have there been no CCTV Committee meetings for the last two years?

"Will the new cameras have night vision, given that Bridgnorth street lights are now turned off in the middle of the night?"

Town clerk Anne Wilson said no CCTV committee meetings had been held before January 26 because matters relating to the CCTV system had been discussed by committees and full council.

She said during a procurement committee meeting in April the council had recommended a review of the CCTV system and a report was carried out on its condition by Technical Services Ltd, which had been offered free of charge.

A survey and report was also carried out by ADT alarms costing £732.

Ms Wilson said it was agreed members could then get costs to buy more equipment and to consider a maintenance contract.

The council held its first CCTV committee meeting for nearly two years last month and agreed to a contract that could see new cameras could be installed to catch criminals entering and leaving a town.

Police and volunteers who operate the CCTV in Bridgnorth hope to add a camera to the town's Bandon Island roundabout.

The CCTV committee has also called for a £5,100 upgrade of the system's back-up recording equipment and to re-site a camera in Innage Lane in a better position for £2,730.

Bridgnorth Town Council has already approved a £29,000 revamp of the system, which includes installing new dome cameras and a camera on the junction of Squirrel Bank and Whitburn Street.

Ms Wilson said funding would include a £29,000 grant from the Police and Crime Commissioner, while £12,000 will come from earmarked reserves and there is also the possibility of further grants from Shropshire Council once a final wish-list had been drawn up.

She said any invitations of tender had been put together in the normal way, after reports were produced and decisions made by councillors during six council meetings dating back to October 2013.

She said: "The procurement committee in making their decision was asking for a review and report from each company, so therefore the costs were unknown.

"It has been confirmed the new cameras are able to offer a much more definitive image at night than the existing ones.

"With all cameras there may be some glare from car lights, although this will be considerably reduced with the new system procured."