Decision details

Purpose of Report

To share the revised CCTV Code of Practice with the Executive, seeking its formal adoption.

Decision

1.    That members adopt the revised Code of Practice.

2.    That the Code of Practice be reviewed again in response to any changes made by the Data Protection and Digital Information Bill if/when it became law.

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected

The Council was required to have a clear policy for the operation of its CCTV system.

By not adopting the new Code the Council would be at risk of challenge relating to operating to an out of date Code, and the Code would not properly reflect operational changes and legislative changes which had already been delivered in practice.

Reason for Decision

The Council’s CCTV service was bound by various legislative requirements, including the Data Protection Act, Human Rights Act, Protection of Freedoms Act and Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act.

The Council’s CCTV service operated under a Code of Practice which brought together the various legislative requirements of a public CCTV system and ensured that the service operated lawfully and appropriately, providing a robust, reliable, trustworthy service.

This revision took into account operational and legislative changes since the last full review in 2014, ensuring compliance with the Surveillance Camera Commissioner’s (SCC) Code and all relevant legislation. Members, residents of Lincoln and visitors to the City could therefore be assured that the service was operating appropriately, efficiently and in a manner that maximised opportunities to help detect and reduce crime, and to make Lincoln a safer place, whilst protecting the privacy of individuals.

At the time of drafting this report, the Data Protection and Digital Information Bill was making its way through parliament. If this bill became law there were implications for CCTV, including changes to the role of Surveillance Camera Commissioner. The Code of Practice would be reviewed again in light of those changes.