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A cost-cutting plan for Caerphilly Council’s CCTV service focuses on reducing staff hours, the local authority has confirmed.
A “restructure” of the service has been included in draft budget proposals for the new financial year, coming with a potential saving of £67,000.
But the plan has come under fire from some opposition councillors and a trade union representative, who warned any cuts could harm public safety.
One of them, the independent group leader Cllr Nigel Dix, said he remained concerned about the proposal – despite a senior officer reassuring councillors the CCTV control room would continue to be manned at current levels.
Cllr Dix said decision-makers at the Labour-run local authority “have already got rid of community safety wardens” and “cutting CCTV staff will make our communities less safe”.
He also raised concerns the council had carried out “no meaningful consultation” with its team of CCTV staff.
It is understood the draft budget proposal would reduce staffing hours by 86 hours a week – which would then have a knock-on effect on staff pay.
Amid the uncertainty, a council spokesperson confirmed the control room will be staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week – with the proposed budget saving aimed at an “alteration of shifts and reduction in hours of some current staff”.
“The proposal sets out a new working pattern that, if approved, will result in reduced hours for current staff based on the demands of the service,” the council explained.
And in response to concerns about the level of consultation, the spokesperson added: “All staff within the CCTV [team] were advised that a new operating model was being presented as part of the council’s budget setting process.
“If the proposals are agreed by council on February 23, the council will commence formal engagement with all staff who may be affected, along with the trade unions.”
Cabinet members are expected to discuss the final budget proposals for 2026/27 at a meeting next week (February 18), and ahead of that meeting the spokesperson said the council had “reviewed the feedback received to date, and has developed a proposal that is based upon the demands of the service whilst ensuring that community safety is not compromised”.
Any changes to the CCTV service will come into force in April.
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