Calls have been made for CCTV to be installed at a library in Woodley as staff are ‘regularly intimidated’ by anti-social behaviour.
Councillor Alex Freeney is set to ask the leader of Wokingham Borough Council why a promise to match the Police and Crime Commissioner’s investment in surveillance for the area has ‘failed to materialise’.
Wokingham Borough Council accepted an amendment in last year’s budget to invest £15,000 in CCTV for the Woodley precinct. This amendment was secured to match the £15,000 investment by the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Matthew Barber.
Liberal Democrat council leader Stephen Conway accepted the amendment to the council’s medium-term financial plan, and said the money would ‘make a big difference’.
Mr Barber’s project saw £10,000 come from money raised from selling stolen goods from criminals, while the other £5,000 was taken through the Chief Constable’s community fund.
But Councillor for Loddon, Alex Freeney, has accused leaders of getting ‘cold feet’ as the money has ‘failed to materialise’.
He has submitted a question to Stephen Conway, leader of Wokingham Borough Council ahead of tonight’s (January 23) full council meeting.
Cllr Freeney said the plans have been approved by Woodley Town Council ‘where there were suggestions that Wokingham Borough might be getting cold feet’.
Cllr Freeney said CCTV needs to be installed at the Woodley Library, where staff are ‘regularly intimidated’ by anti-social behaviour.
He told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: “This issue is important because there’s been a lot of anti-social behaviour there. and it affects people who study because they don’t have a quiet space at home.
“Wokingham has some of the best exam results in the country and it’s important we uphold that.”
The Labour member recalled an incident several months ago where a group of eight to 14-year-old’s ‘wearing ski-masks egged the windows’ of the library.
Councillor Pauline Jorgensen, leader of the Conservative group, said crime and anti-social behaviour ‘is a major concern raised by residents’.
He will ask Cllr Conway whether the authority will commit to funding the CCTV and transfer the money to Woodley Town Council by the end of the month.
Woodley Town Council’s Resources Team has already approved this investment to ensure that it goes ahead, Cllr Freeney said.
