Paperwork first, then cameras
CCTV is coming to Ganavan once Argyll and Bute Council gets through all the paperwork, writes Kathie Griffiths.
The issue was raised at a meeting of Argyll and Bute Council’s Oban, Lorn and the Isles area committee on Wednesday March 8.
Committee chairman councillor Andrew Kain warned “CCTV will not be a solution” but its introduction will be a crucial element to keeping check of any anti-social behaviour or people breaking the overnight parking ban.
The beachside car park has a long history of people using the spot as a free stop-over for nightstays in their motorhomes, vans, cars – and even caravans, despite parking rules. Problems have included people using the back of the toilet block as a toilet when the facility is locked at night.
CCTV would help prove who and which vehicles had spent the night there. Logging their arrival time would give official proof which was otherwise difficult to obtain.
Roads and infrastructure project manager Mark Calder said there was a lot of paperwork before the cameras could be put up but he hoped to give a timescale fairly soon.
Oban community councillor Marri Malloy asked if the new CCTV would be monitored 24 hours a day – the answer was no. Mrs Malloy also asked if, while waiting for the CCTV to be installed, the council would deploy extra traffic warden to patrol the area. And she questioned whether those traffic wardens would now be “allowed” to issue tickets “because up until now they have not”, she said.
The meeting heard it was difficult to reasonably prove if vehicles had been parked all night but with CCTV, wardens would be able to check it in advance and then give out tickets in the morning.
Mr Calder said anyone with any concerns about anti-social behaviour at Ganavan should report it to the police.
The meeting also heard the council has several different people from different departments going out to Ganavan – from opening and closing the toilets, to emptying the parking meters.
And the question was asked if the people of Oban, Lorn and the Isles would not be better served if the managing system returned to the old way when Oban, Lorn and the Isles had a clerk of works
Commenting on the current way of working, Oban community councillor Duncan Martin asked if the newly elected council members had looked to see if this way of working was the best way the council can operate. The meeting was reminded elected members are responsible for policy and not for operations.