CARMARTHENSHIRE residents are being given the opportunity to have their say on the controversial proposals to end all active monitoring of county CCTV systems.

Carmarthenshire County Council is carrying out a public consultation following the Dyfed-Powys Police and Crime Commissioner’s decision to withdraw funding for the service.

The proposal is to continue to support the on-going costs such as links back to the police stations and electricity to ensure activity is recorded and can then be accessed for police use.

The provision for live or active monitoring will however cease.

The decision was based on the findings of an independent review commissioned by the Commissioner which concluded that there was no case to support active monitoring of public CCTV and that there was little evidence that the cameras deterred violent or alcohol-related crime.

The council's Executive Board recommended that the money saved by stopping the active monitoring – around £100,000 - be used instead to fund the Meals on Wheels service in order for it to continue.

However, before a final decision is taken on CCTV, members of the public will be asked for their views.

Executive board member for Carmarthenshire, Councillor Pam Palmer, said: “We would like to know what members of the public think.

“Therefore, we are carrying out a public consultation to give people the opportunity to let us know how this will impact on them, and their views will help inform our final decision.

“If we decide to continue with the active monitoring we will need to identify further funds to make up the shortfall in the budget approved by council on Tuesday.”

The consultation is now being carried out on i-Local asking people how they feel about the CCTV recommendation, whether it affects them or their family, and inviting suggestions on how any impact could be lessened.

Currently, cameras are provided in Ammanford, Burry Port, Carmarthen and Llanelli, with a total of 87 being monitored.

The consultation is open until March 29, and the Executive Board will take the final decision on April 13.

Visit ilocal.carmarthenshire.gov.uk/consultations/cctv/ to participate.