WORCESTER’s CCTV system is set to be saved, your Worcester News understands.

Worcester City Council is on the verge of agreeing a deal with Wychavon District Council which would save the service.

Although the cameras were never under threat, the city council was considering no longer employing people to monitor the system to save £140,000 a year as it seeks to find £4.5 million of savings over the next five years.

But it is understood council leaders from both authorities are now in talks to find a solution to the problem.

Coun Francis Lankester, cabinet member for safer and stronger communities at Worcester City Council, said: “I am optimistic that it can continue to be monitored but discussions remain ongoing. It has to be decided before March. We shall have to see what happens. We are all desperately in search of good news but it has to be good news given at the right time. The economic situation is so bad nationally and Worcester is so much underfunded that something has to give.

“The present situation can’t continue for long but people need to understand what a bad state this country has got into. But it is in the city’s best interest that we crack this problem one way or another.”

He said he was unable to discuss details of talks or the solution which would save the CCTV monitoring, now based at a control room at police HQ in Castle Street, although a statement is expected from the city council at the beginning of next week.

At the moment the city council pays around £140,000 (capped) a year for the monitoring of the CCTV system and another £40,000 for repairs and upgrades with extra cash coming in from West Mercia Police.

In total, to maintain and operate the system costs around £200,000 a year.

The leader of Wychavon District Council, councillor Paul Middlebrough, declined to comment until an official announcement is made later this week.

Mike Foster, Labour MP for Worcester, who has campaigned to make sure the cameras continue to be monitored said he welcomed any possibility that monitoring continues.

He said: “If this story is true and I understand that a deal has been done, it will mean that the CCTV cameras that cover the city centre will continue to have staff monitoring.

“I’m sure as a result of a change in stance, Worcester can continue to be a safe place to shop, work and enjoy an evening out.”