Tipperary council criticised for not including councillors on its new CCTV Oversight Board

Tipperary County Council has been criticised for not including an elected representative on the authority’s Oversight Board for community CCTV schemes.

Several councillors voiced their concerns over the absence of councillors from the Oversight Board at the Council's January meeting where the authority’s new CCTV Policy was approved.

Cllr Marie Murphy said as councillors had to pass a budget for CCTV systems, there should be at least two elected members on this board.

Cllr Coonan argued the council’s Cathaoirleach should at least be a member of the board and urged council management to relook at this aspect of the CCTV policy.

Mr Beck responded that the board’s purpose was to ensure all documentation relating to CCTV system applications are correct before their submission to the Garda Commissioner for approval and to ensure the Council enters into sustainable contracts to install and operate CCTV cameras.

He stressed elected members will play an important role in the CCTV decision making process. The process will start at Municipal District level and a scheme will be presented at a plenary council meeting for councillors’ approval.

It will be up to councillors to decide where the funding for the CCTV systems comes from.