The Communities and Local Services Scrutiny Committee met to discuss the council's deployable camera policy, receive an overview of public safety measures, review performance indicators, and consider the committee's work programme for the upcoming year. The committee noted the reports on the deployable camera policy and public safety, reviewed the performance indicators, and discussed potential additions to the work programme.

Performance Indicators for 2024/25

The committee reviewed performance data against key performance indicators for the year ending March 2025. The report, Performance Indicators Year End - Quarter 4 - 2024/25, included data from the Culture, Community Services, Community Safety, and Highways & Capital Projects departments.

Key points from the report:

• Culture (Hippodrome): Increased number of shows (CUL 037) and individual attendances (CUL 038).
• Culture (Hopetown): 129,831 visits were recorded (CUL 071a). Hopetown Darlington opened to the public nine months prior to the report.
• Culture (Library Service): Increase in library items borrowed (CUL 100) and physical visits to the Darlington Library (CUL 103), but a decrease in reservations fulfilled within seven days (CUL 070) and visits to Cockerton Library (CUL 104).
• Community Services: Increase in registered Street Champions (ENV 002) and total fly-tips reported (ENV 006e), but a decrease in small fly-tips reported (ENV 006d).
• Community Safety: Increase in prosecutions for fly-tipping (ENV 023).
• Highways & Capital Projects: Increased satisfaction with bus punctuality (TCP 101a) and overall public transport (TCP 900). There was a decrease in the percentage of principal and non-principal roads where maintenance should be considered (TCP 200a, TCP 202a), but an increase in unclassified roads (TCP 203a). There was also an increase in the number of people killed or seriously injured in road traffic accidents (TCP 600).

The report also included a review of library indicators, suggesting that the committee focus on the number of library items borrowed (CUL 100), physical visits to Darlington Library (CUL 103) and Cockerton Library (CUL 104), and the number of participants at library activities (CUL 112).

The committee recommended that the performance information be reviewed and noted, and that any relevant queries be raised with the appropriate officers.

Re-deployable (Mobile) CCTV Cameras Deployment Guidelines

The committee reviewed the policy and guidelines for the deployment of the council's re-deployable (mobile) CCTV cameras (RCCTV). The Deployable Camera Policy Report stated that the council has 14 deployable cameras to address short-term issues not covered by the fixed CCTV system.

Key points of the policy include:

• Compliance with the Surveillance Camera Code of Practice¹, the Data Protection Act, and the Human Rights Act 1998.
• Cameras are typically deployed for around three months, subject to review.
• Applications for deployment must be justifiable, targeted at public areas or unknown offenders, and have clear objectives.
• Signage must be displayed in areas where RCCTV cameras are in use, and residents should be informed prior to deployment.

The committee recommended noting the content of the report.

Public Safety Overview

The committee received an overview of how the council and its partners support public safety across the borough. The Public Safety Overview Report focused on the night-time economy, events, and partnership working.

Key partnerships and initiatives include:

• Local Resilience Forum (LRF): A multi-agency partnership that plans and prepares for localised incidents and emergencies.
• Community Safety Partnership: Brings together the council, police, health services, and other organisations to address crime, disorder, and anti-social behaviour.
• Public Event Safety Advisory Group (PESAG): Provides advice and guidance to organisers of public events in Darlington.
• Community Safety and Civic Enforcement: Council teams that work to improve public safety through various projects and initiatives, such as Number Forty (a safe space in the town centre) and the introduction of defibrillators and bleed kits.
• Begging in Darlington Group: A multi-agency group that supports individuals away from begging.
• Rough Sleeper Action Group: Supports rough sleepers in finding accommodation.
• Water Safety Group: Works to prevent open water incidents.

The report also highlighted the Purple Flag award, which Darlington received in recognition of its safe and diverse night-time economy, and the use of CCTV cameras across the borough.

The committee recommended noting the content of the report.

Work Programme 2025-2026

The committee considered the work programme for the 2025/26 municipal year. The Work Programme Report included items such as the Tree and Woodland Strategy, the Darlington Cultural Strategy Action Plan, and performance reports.

The committee discussed potential additions to the work programme, including:

• Residents Parking Zone Policy Update
• Modern Slavery Policy
• Harm Reduction on Highways Approach
• Rights of Way Improvement Plan
• Annual review of Electric Vehicle Charging Policy
• Low Traffic/Active Travel Neighbourhood Feasibility Report
• Network Management Plan
• Darlington Transport Plan Delivery Report (2022-2030)
• Darlington Cultural Strategy Action Plan 2025/2026
• Council and Police Co-working approach to Anti-Social Behaviour Report

The committee noted that any new items added to the work programme would require the completion of a Quad of Aims form.