Document Housing CCTV Policy Update

The Corporate Head of Housing advised that the policy set out where requests for CCTV within the domestic dwellings of the Council’s housing stock would be approved. 

The policy would enable the housing service to enforce breaches of policy and legislation.  The policy had been discussed at a Member Working Party, and a consultation had recently concluded where only one response had been received.

Under normal circumstances residents would be expected to adhere to rules such as no CCTV covering the area outside of their property – and privacy zones could be created to help achieve this – and exceptional circumstances would be treated on a case by case basis.

A Member was keen to ensure that the policy dovetailed with the Tenancy Agreement, and the Corporate Head of Housing confirmed that the Tenancy Agreement was currently being revised, and legal advice would be sought on the proposed wording to ensure that surveillance was covered.

When asked about the enforceability of the policy, particularly in the context of the volume of Ring doorbells and CCTV at residential properties, the Corporate Head of Housing felt that sufficient resources were currently in place, and remedies would be sought in consultation with colleagues from Legal services.

Resolved that:

Committee acknowledged the results of the consultation with stakeholders and approved the Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) Policy for Council Housing Estates.