A GROUP of councillors asked to review plans to remove CCTV cameras in some areas of Derby will recommend that the public is consulted about the decision.

Plans to scrap 26 CCTV cameras across the city came close to being approved at a council cabinet meeting last month, but were postponed after leader Councillor Hilary Jones admitted there had not been enough consultation.

Members of the council's scrutiny management commission, which reviews council decisions, have since met with representatives from Derbyshire police, Derby Community Safety Partnership and council officers to discuss the proposals.

They have come up with several recommendations which will be put forward at the next full council cabinet meeting, later this month.

These will include consulting with the public, councillors and neighbourhood boards, as well as making more provision for mobile cameras in south Derby and introducing a "grading system" to determine the need for cameras in particular areas.

A steering group is also expected to be set up to examine the use and deployment of CCTV across the city in future years.

Commission members expressed concern that more consultation about the plans had not taken place before the proposals were put forward at council.

Chairwoman Lisa Higginbottom said: "I'm disappointed we have not seen any consultation with councillors or with residents through the neighbourhood boards."

Councillor Christopher Poulter added: "I'm concerned about the lack of consultation and would like to see this commission recommend that type of involvement takes place."

Last month, a report complied by council officers found many of Derby's 185 CCTV cameras were coming to the end of their useful lives and needed to be replaced or updated to keep up with technological developments.

The officers recommended that priority was given to the cameras in the city centre, where criminal activity was highest.

Their report also identified 26 cameras which were failing to detect crime or reduce the fear of crime, and recommended that these cameras be decommissioned.

Councillor Lucy Care, who is cabinet member for planning and transportation, spoke in defence of the proposals and said that a decision must be made quickly.

She said: "The CCTV system has not suddenly got into this state, it has been a growing problem and I know it is something officers have been aware of.

"It takes a certain amount of courage to address the issue and I think this report is very timely.''

She said: "By setting up a steering group we can make future steps forward in a more measured manner but this first step we do need to do urgently."