Hello. If you manage a business, school, rental property or commercial site in Conwy or elsewhere in North Wales, consider how well your CCTV system would perform if you needed footage tomorrow.
Conwy County Borough Council’s recent CCTV maintenance award brings that question into focus. The Council awarded a contract worth £270,701.65 for maintenance supporting its Colwyn Bay Alarm Receiving Centre. The published term runs from 1 November 2026 to 31 October 2029. The procurement is titled “CCTV Maintenance for Conwy ARC 2026-31”, but the award listing gives those specific start and end dates.
The contract scope covers public-space CCTV and the control-room part of the remote-site CCTV system. The Council’s notice describes an existing NSI Gold Category 1-certified control room and Alarm Receiving Centre. You can read the published award information and the official Find a Tender notice.
The lesson for property managers is straightforward: installing cameras is only the start. Regular servicing helps keep the system working as intended, producing usable recordings and retaining footage for the period you have set.
What professional CCTV maintenance involves
A maintenance visit should check the complete system, not just whether each camera appears to be switched on. A camera may show a live picture but still fail to record, provide a clear image at night or retain footage for the intended period.
A planned inspection may include:
- Cleaning camera lenses and housings, then checking for water ingress, damage or obstruction.
- Checking focus, camera position and field of view against the area the camera is meant to cover.
- Reviewing recorded footage, not just the live display, to check image quality and date and time accuracy.
- Testing night-time and infrared performance, including whether nearby lighting causes glare or dark areas.
- Checking cables, connectors, power supplies, network links, recording equipment and storage for signs of faults.
- Confirming the system records, plays back and exports footage as expected.
- Checking storage capacity and retention settings against your documented requirements.
- Reviewing software and firmware updates, and applying changes through an appropriate, controlled process.
- Testing remote access and monitoring securely, including authorised users and access controls.
- Reviewing privacy masking, camera coverage and access to footage where needed.
The precise checks depend on your equipment, site risks and system design. For larger or multi-site installations, the schedule should also document faults, corrective work, recurring issues and recommendations.
Why a working camera can still leave you without evidence
A camera can look fine from the ground while its lens is dirty, its view has shifted or its infrared image is washed out. A loose connection may cause intermittent recording. A full or failing hard drive can leave gaps. Incorrect time settings can make it harder to locate relevant footage.
These problems often go unnoticed until someone needs a recording. Regularly check that cameras cover the intended entrances, yards, corridors or car parks. Ask your installer or maintenance provider to confirm that the recorded image, not just a live preview, meets the purpose of each camera.
The UK Government’s police requirements for CCTV systems highlight image quality, storage, export and playback. The guidance also recommends regular maintenance, including checking focus and cleaning lenses and housings.
A 4K camera does not remove the need for these checks. Resolution cannot compensate for a lens covered in dirt, an obstructed view or footage that was never recorded. If you are reviewing equipment, Dragon’s guide explains why 4K can matter for Dahua CCTV systems.
Keep recording and storage under review
Recording settings affect how long footage remains available. The number of cameras, image quality, frame rate, activity levels and storage capacity all contribute. Check the actual retention period rather than relying on a default setting or an estimate from the original installation.
Retention should match your documented purpose. The Information Commissioner’s Office says there is no single statutory CCTV retention period that applies to every system. You should set a period that is necessary for your purpose, review it and delete footage when it is no longer needed, unless a specific incident requires it to be preserved.
The ICO guidance on surveillance systems also covers image quality, secure storage, access controls and data protection responsibilities.
When an incident occurs, preserve relevant footage promptly so it is not overwritten. Test that authorised staff can retrieve and export recordings in a usable format. Keep a record of who accesses or exports footage, and restrict access to people who need it.
Why use a planned preventative maintenance schedule?
A planned preventative maintenance (PPM) contract sets out when checks happen, what they cover and how faults are reported. It helps site managers plan servicing and maintain a record of system condition over time.
For a multi-site business, school or landlord, that record can help identify recurring faults and prioritise repairs. It can also provide useful evidence of reasonable system oversight when reviewing security procedures or responding to questions from an insurer. It does not guarantee an insurance outcome: check your policy and insurer’s requirements directly.
Public bodies may have complex systems spanning public areas, remote locations and control rooms. A multi-year maintenance arrangement gives the organisation a defined service period for ongoing inspection and support. Conwy’s contract is a local example of a public-sector body procuring maintenance beyond the initial installation.
CCTV supports security, but cannot prevent every crime
Well-positioned, well-maintained CCTV can support site management and help investigations by providing recordings for review. It may also help teams understand incidents and check activity at a location.
It cannot prevent every offence, guarantee that a suspect will be identified or ensure a successful prosecution. Results depend on many factors, including camera placement, lighting, recorded image quality, system operation and the availability of useful footage.
Review the purpose of each camera. Check that it covers the area you intend to monitor, without unnecessarily recording neighbouring property or private spaces. Ensure signage and privacy information are suitable for your site.
Arrange a CCTV maintenance survey
Dragon Security & Electrical provides CCTV installation, maintenance, remote monitoring and PPM support for commercial and residential customers. We work with Dahua CCTV equipment and can review camera condition, recording, storage, remote access and system coverage.
Our team includes SSAIB-accredited security specialists and NICEIC Approved Contractor credentials for electrical work. We offer free surveys to help assess your requirements and recommend practical next steps.
For new CCTV packages, our starting price is £499.99 + VAT, subject to terms and conditions and a site assessment.
To discuss CCTV maintenance or a new installation, call 01492 330330 or visit our security services page.
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