After it was revealed that the majority of CCTV cameras in Medway, including 80% of CCTV cameras in Gillingham High Street, are beyond repair it has become clear that the outsourcing of Medway’s CCTV services has been badly mismanaged.

Medway Commercial Group (MCG), the for-profit trading arm of the council which has responsibility for the maintenance of CCTV in the Towns, has responded to recent criticisms blaming “general misunderstanding of the contractual relationship between [the organisations involved]” and also “incorrect interpretations of the contractual arrangements.”

Cllr Andy Stamp, Councillor for Gillingham North and Spokesperson for Regeneration and Communities said, ‘The outsourcing of CCTV to MCG has caused a number of major problems including a lack of accountability in terms of service standards and delivery.

‘A complete lack of foresight and the absence of clear leadership within the Council, combined with uncertain procedures and confusion over budgets, has resulted in huge gaps in CCTV coverage across Medway.

‘There remains a lack of clarity over who is responsible for the replacement of CCTV cameras beyond repair, which appears to have led to a dysfunctional relationship between MCG and Medway Council.

‘Despite uncertainty over who is ultimately responsible for this catalogue of errors, it’s clear that MCG are making money on a contract that they aren’t delivering on and that Medway residents are paying for a service they are not receiving.’

Cllr Dorte Gilry, Councillor for Twydall said, ‘The handling of the CCTV in Medway has been shambolic, especially in Twydall where residents and Labour councillors have been demanding action on CCTV cameras that have been broken for more than a year.

‘It’s shameful that the Council has let the situation deteriorate like this. Residents deserve answers to their questions about how this partnership between MCG and Medway Council is benefitting them and making our communities safer.’