By John Baron
‘Sceptical’ councillors on the Outer West Community Committee have approved a £13,000 grant to fund CCTV cameras in four wards.
But ward members have said there needs to be more detailed reporting on the success of the cameras if the committee is to fund them in future years.
Leedswatch is a CCTV and security service offered by Leeds City Council, providing monitoring and security services to various locations including schools, council buildings, and private businesses.
The cameras will be placed in public places in each of the four wards covered by the committee – Bramley & Stanningley, Calverley & Farsley, Farnley & Wortley and Pudsey.
Councillors approved the application, but they said better reporting of outcomes was essential in future.
Councillor Simon Seary (Cons, Pudsey) told the meeting: “We are not seeing value for money.”
His sentiments were echoed bay Cllr David Blackburn (Green, Farnley & Wortley) who added: “I am not satisfied with what we are getting.”
And Trish Smith (Ref, Pudsey) added: “This is an annual problem. Every year I raise that we are not getting value for money from these cameras. We need the cameras but it’s a lot of money from a small pot.”
Councillor Adrian McCluskey (Lab, Farnley & Wortley) said he was ‘sceptical’, pointing to missed incidents in his ward. Cllr Andrew Carter (Cons, Calverley & Farsley) also expressed concerns.
Councillors also approved a £6,556 grant to support West Yorkshire Police address increased issues with speeding, dangerous driving and anti-social behaviour in Bramley & Stanningley and Farnley & Wortley.
Councillor Craig Timmins (Lab, Calverley & Farsley) said he supported the initiative in principle but raised concerns about reporting and added: “I have no idea what we are getting from it.” And Cllr Carter added: “Consistency in reporting seems to be non-existent.”
This will be intelligence led and allow for 40 hours per ward for a specialist road traffic officer/police constable. Wards include Bramley & Stanningley, Farnley & Wortley,
£5,000 was also approved for the installation of speed indicator devices in the Low Moor Side area of New Farnley.
Councillors were asked to consider funding a raft of community initiatives at this afternoon’s meeting – including floral displays, festivals and community projects.
Swinnow Community Centre received £4,329 to cover the installation of 18 second-hand solar panels and equipment costs to help save the centre money pn its bills.
Councillors also approved an application to support Pudsey Youth Café, which is run by Pudsey Wellbeing Charity and £6,359 to help start a new Family Cookery Club in Stanningley Primary School to support families facing poverty.
The Outer West Community Committee is made up of 12 councillors from four wards: Bramley & Stanningley, Calverley & Farsley, Farnley & Wortley and Pudsey. It is made up seven Labour, three Conservative, one Green and one Reform councillor. The full agenda can be read here.