CCTV

The community council operates a CCTV system, the primary aim of which is to help enforcement authorities to prosecute fly-tippers. Cameras are sited at various locations, particularly where fly-tipping is a frequent problem.

The CCTV Operations Policy can be viewed here

To comply with data protection legislation, the council is registered with the Information Commissioner's Office under registration number ZA246791. The Data Protection Impact Assessment can be viewed here.

Any enquiries about the operation of the CCTV system should be sent by email to cctv@michaelston-y-fedw.com.

CCTV Consultation

Michaelston y Fedw Community Council carried out a consultation process between 2/8/24 and 18/8/24 to find out if its existing CCTV system was supported by residents and if a modest future expansion would be supported.

Around 135 consultation flyers were delivered to properties within Michaelston y Fedw and the consultation was also publicised on the community WhatsApp group.

In total 38 residents took part in the consultation.

The first question was “Do you support the existing CCTV camera system that is currently in operation  Yes/No”. All 38 respondents replied Yes to this question.

The second question was “Would you support a modest expansion of the CCTV system YES/NO”. Again all 38 respondents replied YES.

22 positive comments were received mainly supporting the existing cameras and future expansion but also requesting that cameras are targeted to certain locations.

Additional question/comments were received, and these are shown below along with replies in italics:

• We are curious to know how the current system is funded, and how the extension will be funded? Cameras have been installed by local volunteers to keep costs to a minimum. Material costs have been covered by Michaelston y Fedw Community Council with additional funding provided by MyFi.
• Is there an accessible village site map showing all of the existing (and then proposed) camera locations, or is this deliberately kept confidential? All cameras are overt, and signage is provided close to each camera with contact details for the Community Council attached. We are reluctant to publish a map as this could be an issue if someone decided to vandalise the cameras.
• Do we try and monitor close to road junction entry/exit points so we can at least when a suspect vehicle enters and leaves the area? Yes.
• Can you clarify the purpose of the existing CCTV and is this going to change? If so what to? The main purpose of the CCTV system is to help combat fly tipping, but we also receive requests from the police to help with their enquiries and we assist them where possible.
• Why is there a need to change? Only to increase coverage which in turn should increase the amount of fly tippers that are caught.
• Will there be more cameras and locations? Yes
• Who authorises the viewing of the recordings now and in future? Viewing of the recordings is only undertaken in response to an incident. There are only two people who are authorised to view recordings. We are not intending to change this system.
• Will there need to be more resources? No
• Do the relevant councils acknowledge the free support the village gives them. We have a working relationship with Caerphilly County Borough Council and Newport City Council. Both Councils are prepared to take enforcement action against offenders when we can prove that fly tipping has taken place and are able to identify the offenders.
• No cameras looking into houses/gardens. No current cameras look at houses/gardens and no future cameras will.
• Can we get an ANPR system that is also linked to flag police of marked vehicles travelling through area. Many of the fly tippers are driving vehicles that are not legally permitted to be on the road. This is a great idea, but we doubt that the police would allow access to their systems. We will however raise this with the police when they next attend a Community Council meeting.