Harrow Council is set to review its CCTV policy to ensure compliance with legal requirements, including GDPR, and the Surveillance Commissioner's code of conduct. The move follows concerns raised about the absence of a formal policy and a request for updates on camera installations in Harrow on the Hill.
The review was prompted by a Harrow Youth Parliament Representative's inquiry during a recent Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting. The representative sought an update on the progress of CCTV cameras in the area.
Councillor Paul Osborn, Leader of the Council, explained that the council is developing a comprehensive CCTV policy to address legal risks associated with using cameras on public land. He stated that without a robust policy, the council could face substantial fines for violating GDPR rules. He emphasised the need for a robust process, particularly for deployable cameras often funded through Neighbourhood Community Infrastructure Levy (NCIL) schemes, to establish their necessity and ensure regular reviews of their usage. There needs to be a much more robust process to establish a need for one and also a review at a periodic interval to make sure it's still needed,
he said.
Osborn clarified that the new policy aims to address legal risks associated with using cameras on public land and adhering to GDPR rules, which could lead to substantial fines if not followed correctly. He stated that the policy will include a process for establishing the need for deployable cameras and reviewing their use at periodic intervals.
Councillor Eden Kulig confirmed that she had not received any updates on the Harrow on the Hill application. The Harrow Youth Parliament Representative specifically mentioned Hornbuckle Close and requested an update on the CCTV application for Harrow on the Hill Ward. Councillor Osborn assured her that officers would follow up to provide the necessary communication and updates on the status of the application, specifically for Hornbuckle Close and other areas within Harrow on the Hill Ward.
The discussion took place during a broader Q&A session with Councillor Osborn and Alex Skinner, Managing Director of the Council, covering various council matters, including financial performance, public realm improvements, and special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) provision. The agenda frontsheet for the meeting provides further details on the topics discussed.