COUNCILLOR HITS OUT AT CCTV REFUSAL

12.03.36pm GMT Mon 19th Nov 2007

The local Councillor for Tormohun ward, Liberal Democrat Jenny Faulkner, has hit out at the Council's decision to refuse CCTV for the Belgrave Road area.

Belgrave Road local residents and shopkeepers handed in a petition to the Council asking for CCTV in 2006, but nothing had been done.

Councillor Faulkner tabled a question at the last Full Council meeting asking how things were progressing and whether the CCTV would be up and running in the near future. The Conservative Cabinet Member Councillor Richards replied saying that despite meeting the requirements "in terms of need and technical feasibility" the request for CCTV would be turned down because "there is no budget currently available."

Councillor Faulkner said:

"I am extremely annoyed that this request for CCTV in Belgrave Road has been turned down. Belgrave Road is both a tourist and residential area where people are feeling unsafe. It is also a main thoroughfare to and from the Harbour.

"The Conservative Mayor says that his vision is for more investment in the Bay and for more high spending. At a time when the Council is spending thousands of pounds (if not more) on consultants fees, the Council are claiming that they cannot spend £17,000 plus running costs on equipment to help protect local residents."