SOUTHAMPTON council chiefs are to pull the city’s £1m CCTV control centre from St Mary’s Stadium in a bid to save cash.

Tory council leaders fear taxpayers could be hit by rent hikes if they stay at the stadium and are now scouring Europe for a private firm to take on a £50m contract to run the service.

They want the firm to operate the city’s extensive 300 camera CCTV network for up to 15 years from a new rubbish and recycling depot being built at Dock Gate 20 in Millbrook.

The ROMANSE “intelligent transport system” that monitors the city’s roads will also be moved to the new depot from Town Quay under the proposed contract.

Nineteen staff would be eligible to transfer to the prospective new employer.

The contract will include building and fitting-out a new control room and maintaining and operating the ROMANSE and CCTV systems to agreed targets.

Council leader Royston Smith said the move would save money and allow the council to run both services more efficiently.

The St Mary’s CCTV centre was one of the largest in the country when it was opened in 2004 with a switch on of 286 cameras to watch over city streets, shopping centres and car parks.

The council pays an annual rent of £26,000 to the football club, rising to £41,000 with bills.