Public consultation on council’s draft Drone Policy closes in January 2026
RESIDENTS across Ceredigion are being urged to have their say on how drone technology could be used by the county council to support public safety and local services.
Ceredigion County Council is running a public consultation on its draft Drone Policy, which closes on January 14, 2026, giving residents a final opportunity to influence how, when and where drones may be deployed in the future.
The proposed policy comes as councils and other public bodies explore new technologies to tackle anti-social behaviour, improve emergency response times and make inspections safer and more efficient. Drones could be used to monitor hotspot areas, support structural and land inspections, and gather evidence without putting staff at risk.
However, the council has stressed that the use of drones also raises important concerns around privacy, data protection and public accountability.
The consultation invites residents to comment on key aspects of the draft policy, including deployment locations, data storage and usage, and the safeguards that should be in place to protect people’s privacy.
Councillor Matthew Vaux, Cabinet Member for Partnerships, Housing, Legal and Governance and Public Protection, said the council was keen to strike the right balance.
“Drones can be a valuable tool in improving public safety and supporting enforcement, but we understand that transparency, trust and safeguards for the public are essential,” he said. “This consultation is specifically about the draft policy and gives you the opportunity to shape its contents before any final decisions are made.
“There are also potential cost and efficiency benefits in other areas, such as surveying and structural inspections.”
Residents are being asked for their views on:
- When and where drones should be deployed
- How data collected by drones should be stored and used
- What safeguards should be in place to protect privacy
The council says feedback from the consultation will help ensure that any future use of drones is proportionate, necessary and transparent.
A spokesperson added: “We want to work with our communities to design responsible and ethical approaches from the outset. Your views will directly influence how this technology is used locally.”
How to take part:
residents can complete the surveys at: https://www.ceredigion.gov.uk/your-council/consultations/consultation-on-draft-ceredigion-county-council-drones-policy/
- Email their views to: [email protected]
- Pick up paper feedback forms at local libraries and council reception areas
The consultation closes on January 14, 2026.
