CCTV camera provision in Weymouth and Portland could be retained if plans for a pan-Dorset scheme go ahead.

A report to be discussed by Weymouth and Portland Borough Council’s Performance and Scrutiny Committee could see to the council joining a Pan Dorset CCTV system.

It would see a coordinated system across Dorset for all CCTV.

WPBC says the scheme would ensure the continuation of CCTV across Weymouth and Portland at a reduced cost whilst supporting a much wider initiative to the benefit of the whole county and beyond.

An outline proposal has been agreed between WPBC, Dorset Police and the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC), about the potential new arrangement.

Proposals would see operations for CCTV in Weymouth and Portland transfer from the ferry terminal to Dorset County Council's Colliton campus.

However, WPBC has targeted savings of £135,000 from CCTV from 2016/17 and the Pan Dorset Scheme would only reduce costs by £86,000.

The council report states that to meet these savings though, closure of the CCTV service would be required.

It has been recommended that the Performance and Scrutiny Committee recommend the relocation and operation to Management Committee as well as instruct officers to develop a business case and carry out further consultation as required.

The move is part of a comprehensive proposal to create the Pan Dorset CCTV operation.

The operation would look to address the patchwork CCTV operation across the county and create a coordinated system.

The scheme would see the OPCC and Dorset Police make a one off contribution of £250,000 and then a £25,000 per year contribution for three years.

Existing third party contributors to the current Weymouth and Portland CCTV scheme would be asked to commit to three years of funding to the Pan Dorset operation.

The report states that there is a lot of public support for a continued CCTV service in the area.

WPBC would contribute up to £90,000 a year towards the scheme and also pass across third party contributions of £93,000.

This, along with other confirmed contributions would leave a shortfall of £34,500 from the £242,500 needed per year to run the scheme.

However, if the shortfall in funding is made up, it would be sufficient to fund a full 24/7 service, rather than the 12/7 service currently operated in Weymouth and Portland.

The report also states that should the initiative not proceed other options will have to be considered including retaining the monitoring station but with no live monitoring by staff, a scaled down version just for Weymouth town centre or a full closure.

Steve Newstead, chairman of the Weymouth Business Improvement District and manager of the William Henry pub in the town, welcomed the potential plans.

He said: "It’s a positive thing for the town. The CCTV needs upgrading anyway and any investment to keep CCTV going should be welcomed."