Agenda item

Report of the Director of Community and Children’s Services.

Members considered a report of the Community and Children’s Services Director in respect of the Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) Policy.

The Chairman recognised that there was no doubt that their CCTV needed to be regulated by policy but raised concern over the prohibition of the installation of doorbells with integrated cameras. There was a sense that these were already in use across the Estates and that they were of benefit to a number of those in the community, particularly those who were more vulnerable.

Under the ICO’s guidelines, there was no distinction between CCTV and doorbells with integrated cameras when aimed at communal areas. As a result, the policy restricted personal use of CCTV, self-contained image recording devices (including doorbells with cameras) and automated camera systems. This ban was strengthened by the tenancy agreement, which did not allow the installation or affixion of anything outside of the owner’s property. It was noted, however, that residents install their own regular doorbells without issue.

Individual residents would be criminally liable for misuse of any data that constituted harassment, however, the level of liability of the City of London Corporation in a case such as this was uncertain.

It was agreed that further consideration and legal advice was needed on this matter, however, Members recognised the need to ensure they had a working policy in place.

RESOLVED, that

·         the Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) Policy for use by the Housing Service, be approved; and

·         investigation into the use of doorbells with integrated cameras be continued and reported back to the Committee in due course.