CCTV review produces lessons to be learnt

Internal investigation into flawed CCTV transfer recommends better contract management and smarter use of staff

WEST Berkshire Council's review into the glitch-riddled transfer of its CCTV hub from Newbury to Windsor and Maidenhead has concluded with a list of recommendations for executive members to consider.

A meeting of the council's overview and scrutiny management commission on Tuesday wrapped up the internal investigation into the hub's move to the new high-tech station, which was plagued with problems and overran by several months.

Issues with incorrect signals and bad weather during installation of the new cameras were the council's initial response to suggestions of problems with the project, but the review found that the council felt telecommunications giants BT and Virgin were culpable for many of the problems which the firms were slow to fix.

The findings request that the council's head of legal services become involved in future contract letting, after it emerged no compensation could be claimed from BT for its failures.

The recommendations also include the introduction of risk registers, and stipulations which would shut down certain projects over holidays to minimise the risk of delay due to staff absences.

Tempers flared during the meeting between the chairman of the commission Brian Bedwell (Con, Calcot) and David Rendel (Lib Dem, Thatcham Central) over the issue of politics being drawn into cross-party scrutiny, however the mood settled down as the recommendations were approved.