TOWN councillors have agreed to invest in new £80,000 digital technology that will allow CCTV cameras to return to Skipton.

Councillors last week agreed to contribute £25,000 to the SMART town concept being led by Skipton Business Improvement District (BID) and adding to the £25,000 already pledged by Craven District Council.

The town council’s policy and resources committee was told the digital media infrastructure would pave the way for a number of new initiatives, such as the development of a new tourism strategy.

It would also allow, in the short term, the reinstatement of a CCTV system, which is a commitment in the Skipton BID’s business plan. The previous system was removed towards the end of last year because it was considered sub-standard.

Provisional work on the installation of the base infrastructure has begun, and as an ‘absolute minimum’ the re-introduction of CCTV will be in place within the next couple of months, councillors were told last week.

Development of the SMART Town concept for Skipton will see the installation of a new digital network across the town centre which will provide a platform for operating a wide range of digital applications that both private and public sectors can tap into for the ‘modern management’ of the town.

It will also allow for the easier delivery of the council’s new tourism strategy, particularly in relation to those parts aimed at attracting younger people, and including development of footfall counter and people movement data. It could also include public town centre wi-fi and low cost broadband.