CCTV Comercialisation

The Authority is seeking to let a five year concession contract (with the option to extend for a further period up to 31 May 2024) with a single provider for the formation of a joint venture company to encompass the supply of CCTV hardware and the commercial development of CCTV network monitoring and associated services.

Huntingdonshire District Council currently operates a Public Space Surveillance CCTV System utilising cameras communicating with a control room via a combination of BT fibre optic cable, and wireless communications. The Council also has a shared service agreement with Cambridge City Council to monitor and maintain their camera network, the images for which are transmitted to the Huntingdonshire District Council monitoring centre via fibre optic cable.

The Council has committed to ensuring that the resilience of its public space surveillance CCTV system, and its arrangements with Cambridge City Council are secured and where possible enhanced. In doing so, the Council has decided to seek out opportunities to:

• improve the resilience of its current operations, and those of its partners. • to look at opportunities to upgrade its existing cameras and communication links by investing in new cameras, implementing a wireless communication network and moving away from its existing hard wired system. Where wireless technology is not possible, a 'hub and spoke' solution will be considered. • to upgrade its CCTV suite by replacing control room facilities and systems, and where necessary to facilitate complete system integration any upgrades to the transmission equipment if its partners. • to look to the market for a joint venture partner who is able to support the Council's aspirations, to bring opportunities for new business within the control room and enhance opportunities for efficient procurement of capital equipment. • to develop a framework arrangement for the procurement of cameras, communication links, and other CCTV infrastructure for the duration of the contract, accessible by Huntingdonshire District Council and its partners.

This shall enable the CCTV service to:

• Reduce annual communications costs • Reduce annual maintenance costs • Minimise capital costs for installing new cameras • Improve image quality, including the evidential quality of images shared with law enforcement partners • Increase flexibility • Increase service resilience • Enable new income streams