At least one of the two South Holland CCTV cameras in Sutton Bridge isn’t working but parish councillors are not prepared to pay half the annual maintenance bill for 2011-12.
The parish council originally put off paying the full bill of £2,640 because it wanted to know if the cameras were working – and how many cases went to court as a result of CCTV evidence.
Clerk Suzanne England wrote to South Holland District Council and the police, but still hasn’t received facts and figures.
She told the parish council on Tuesday that South Holland’s community development team now wants half the maintenance fee because one camera – believed to be in High Street – hasn’t been working.
Coun Gary Croxford wanted to know if the village had benefited before any decision is made on paying up.
He said it is wrong for the authorities to hide behind the Data Protection Act because the parish council wants an overall summary of illegal activities and not personal information.
Coun Michael Booth said members should wait until a decision is made on a county CCTV scheme proposed by Police and Crime Commissioner Alan Hardwick before deciding what to do.