Sir,
The article in the 30 July issue of the Journal, ‘Refurbished CCTV scheme is up and running again’ is a wonderful example of Bridgnorth Town Council’s ability to fulfil the situation so well described in Sir Walter Scott’s epic poem, ‘Marmion’, which declares “Oh, what a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive”.
The article announces that “Bridgnorth’s ageing CCTV cameras are now fully functional”. And yet further on the Town Clerk is reported as saying “…poles for the new cameras on Whitburn Street relief road and Innate Lane were going in shortly and the cameras themselves would follow shortly afterwards.” A strange timing if the system is already “fully functional”.
It is also claimed that “volunteers who run the CCTV system will have to undergo specialist police training” and that “Insp. Andy Thomas, of WMP, has said that the force was keen to take on potential recruits”. And yet a BTC staff member is certified to train, and has trained volunteers, when BTC gets around to seeking and using suitable applicants, like the two ladies interviewed and agreed to by the Town Clerk in November 2013 but who have had no confirmation of their appointment.
Equally, a senior police officer was unaware of the need for CCTV volunteers to “undergo specialist police training”, especially in the light of reduced funding for the force, while Insp. Andy Thomas retired some years ago.
Perhaps it would be better for BTC to wait until a particular state of affairs has been achieved before announcing its completion, while also ensuring that it uses its existing resources before seeking unnecessary outside support, demoralising its own staff? But that assumes capable management, something which recent history indicates BTC has failed to ensure for some time.
Malcolm MacINTYRE-READ
BAHons – FRSA – Churchill Fellow
Much Wenlock,
